2011 Mock Draft

            With the draft being potentially the only real professional football action we have between now and (potentially) training camp, we decided to put out our own mock draft, but with a twist.  Our picks below are not who we think will be selected tonight, but more who should be selected.  In other words, we’re ignoring the fact that there will be some obvious reaching by teams who need a signal caller, and making the most sensible picks possible. 

1. Carolina                       -           Marcell Dareus/DT/Alabama                                  One of the most sure bets in the draft, and instantly takes care of a major position of need.  Also a stand up kid. 

2. Denver                        -           Patrick Peterson/DB/LSU                                              Von Miller is tantalizing, but many tough lessons have been learned by teams who fall in love with athletic pass rushers who sometimes struggle with other facets of the game.  Plus, the return of Elviis Dumerville will improve the Broncos pass rush.  Peterson is the best player in the draft and becomes another viable piece in Denver’s rebuilding process.

3. Buffalo                        -           Von Miller/LB/Texas A&M                                           Miller is exactly what the Bills need in order to compete in the AFC East: an athletic, high motor defender who can get after the passer.  If Shawne Merriman has anything left in the tank, teaming him and Miller could prove to be the pillars of the Bills resurgence.

4. Cincinnati                    -         A.J. Greene/QB/Georgia                                      Regardless of who is under center for Cinci in 2011 and beyond, having a player as dynamic as Green will smooth the transition.

5. Arizona                        -           Blaine Gabbert/QB/Missouri                                     None of the eight top rated quarterbacks have legit Top 15 potential, but this is the right pick and time for Arizona, a team just three years removed from the Super Bowl, to address their most pressing need.

6. Cleveland                    -           Prince Amukamara/DB/Nebraska                        Cleveland would be best served to trade this pick for additional picks (and very well could), but Amukamara is a stud who gives Rob Ryan another solid defensive back to work with while his front seven attacks. 

7. San Francisco              -         Nick Fairley/DL/Auburn                                           Ideally, San Fran trades back, picks up a second rounder, and drafts an o-lineman.  If they stand pat in our scenario, Fairley gives them protection for Patrick Willis and immediately improves an abysmal defensive line.

8. Tennessee                    -           Robert Quinn/DE/North Carolina                      They need a quarterback, but none give you the value needed in a pick this high.  Quinn is a risk, but his potential is Jevon Kearse-esq, and he also possesses the ability to stand tough against the run.        

9. Dallas                         -               J.J. Watt/DE/Wisconsin                                               Most certainly not the most skilled player available, and there is a glaring need on the offensive line, but I think this is too early to take any of the hogs in this draft, and Watt is exactly the kind of player new coach Jason Garrett wants on his team.

10. Washington                 -          Julio Jones/WR/Alabama                                          Jones is the most explosive player on the board, and he gives whatever signal caller Washington goes with a big play threat.

11. Houston                      -            Cameron Jordan/DE/California                          Jordan is your classic late bloomer, charging up draft boards late after dominating at the Senior Bowl and pre-draft workouts.  He takes pressure off Mario Williams and the secondary, pushing the Texans a step closer to dethroning the Colts.

12. Minnesota                    -         Anthony Castonzo/OL/Boston College            Castonzo is the most NFL ready lineman in the draft, with the ability to contribute at a high level in both the run and pass games.  Keeping whoever is under center upright and opening holes for Adrian Petersen could very well catapult the Vikings back into contention, and Castonzo does just that.

13. Detroit                         -           Tyron Smith/OL/USC                                                Smith is a big upside guy who has shown flashes of being a potential main-stay at left tackle.  Detroit could get additional defensive line help for last year’s #1 pick, but keeping Matthew Stafford alive should be their priority at this point.

14. St. Louis                      -           Corey Liuget/DL/Illinois                                             St. Louis is on the cusp of being a playoff team, but has serious issues almost everywhere on defense.  Liuget is a big step in strengthening the most important part.

15. Miami                         -            Akeem Ayers/LB/UCLA                                               A bit of a stretch I admit, but if Miami can solidify their linebacking crop, it will make the improving secondary and surprisingly productive defensive line that much better.  Ayers also gives them another athletic rusher to team with Cameron Wake.     

16. Jacksonville                 -        Ryan Kerrigan/DL/Purdue                                         One of these days the Jags will get draft a solid defensive lineman.  Hopefully that day is tomorrow.  Kerrigan has a great motor, good build, prove play maker.

17. New England             -           Mike Pouncey/OL/Florida                                       He may very well be gone by this point, but this is a perfect scenario for the Pats.  It allows them to address their need for an offensive line upgrade with a player who they can plug and play from Day One…whenever that is.

18. San Diego                    -           Gabe Carimi/OL/Wisconsin                               Anything to keep Philip Rivers upright.  Carimi isn’t the most athletic, but he’ll get the job done for 7-10 years.

19. New York Giants        -         Nate Solder/OL/Colorado                                        I don’t get the Mark Ingram rumors.  Solder gives you a dual-purpose lineman who at the very least will become a solid right tackle.  At best he becomes Robert Gallery 2.0. 

20. Tampa Bay                  -           Da’Quan Bowers/DE/Clemson                            If Bowers regains his old form, he’ll join Randy Moss and Aaron Rodgers on the list of players who made every team who passed on them look absolutely foolish.

21. Kansas City                 -           Phil Taylor/DL/Baylor                                           Taylor will serve a Vince Wolfork type role for the Patriots of the Midwest. 

22. Indianapolis                 -        Danny Watkins/OL/Baylor                                      Back to back Baylor picks.  Watkins gives Indy a guy who is older (26), but can lock down either guard position, and may have the ability to contribute at right tackle.         

23. Philadelphia                 -         Jimmy Smith/CB/Colorado                                    The sky is the limit if Smith can stay out of his own way, and Philadelphia needs secondary help.

24. New Orleans               -           Mark Ingram/RB/Alabama                                       The Saints won't have to worry about creating new schemes in order for this Heisman winning back to be effective.  He will instantly keep defenses honest.

25. Seattle                         -            Cam Newton / QB / Auburn                                       I don’t see Newton being the answer to any team’s problems.  I do think a few years working with Pete Carroll will give him the chance to learn and become the best player possible.

26. Baltimore                     -          Aaron Williams / DB / Texas                                   He’s a borderline first round talent, but in Baltimore he will shine.  Great supporting cast, and the ability to learn what it takes to be a winner.      

27. Atlanta                                    -           Marvin Austin / DL / North Carolina "Explosive” is the word you hear the Falcons brass throwing around, and no player has as high a potential upside at this point than Austin. 

28. New England              -           Adrian Clayborn / DE / Iowa                             Trading is their best option.  And while Clayborn has some medical issues, he allows the Patriots to bump Wilfork back inside, and if he can return to form, they get a guy who was once thought to be a top-10 talent.

29. Chicago                       -           Derek Sherrod / OL / Mississippi State           Chicago was very close to reaching the Super Bowl last season, and an improved offensive line is another step in the right direction.

30. New York Jets             -           Justin Houston / LB / Georgia                            Houston has an off-the-field history, but Rex Ryan has a way of reining those players in and getting the most out of them.  If he can do that with Houston, this could be a huge steal.

31. Pittsburgh                      -           Jonathan Baldwin / WR / Pittsburgh          Baldwin has been impressive of late, and with Hines Ward aging rapidly, he could be just what Big Ben and Mike Wallace need.

32. Green Bay                   -           Muhammad Wilkerson / DL / Temple        Wilkerson is a hot name and could be off the board much earlier.  But the Packers would love to add the versatile big man to help with the seemingly eminent departure of Cullen Jenkins.   

Day Camp Rapid Fire: Offense

More insights from last weekend.  Here are a few players/plays that caught our eye on the offensive side of the ball.

• Don’t let the long hair and laid back vibe fool you: New Bedford’s Myles Medeiros can chuck it, and if teams don’t get a hand in his face, he’s smart enough to pick apart a defense…Anyone who tells you all the talent in the city of Boston is raided by private schools and towns with METCO programs obviously haven’t seen Mark Accino, Bobby Leslie and Steven Montessoli play.  All three held their own with any and everyone lined up across from them…If Norwood’s Tommy Munro fixes his follow through and release, he will enter the conversation as one of the top prep passers in Massachusetts…Remember the name Shaquor Sandiford…Damion Johnson of Dennis-Yarmouth catches everything.  He also wins the award for best hair…Expect to see nine men in the box against Quincy this year with Jalen Green and Reggie Cesar coming out the backfield.  Both are talented and have very good change of direction skills…Walpole’s Dan King showed impressive feet during the Shadow Drill, consistently staying with his man and planting his foot with ease…If nothing else, Marshfield’s Bryan Mey is going to outwork the man across from him.  His willingness to go 100% at all times lead to him becoming a favorite target for quarterbacks despite his primary position being running back...The play of the day came when Hudson's Karl Sery did his best Randy Moss impersonation by going up over his defender to come down with a slightly under-thrown deep ball...Longmeadow's Terry Norris is set to dominate Western Massachusetts.  He is big, strong, and changes direction effortlessly.  If the grades are there, the interest in him will grow exponentially. 

Day Camp Rapid Fire: Defense

There was no shortage of play-making defenders on display last weekend.  Some of the more memorable performances:

• Stephen Harrison of Wareham was one of the smaller guys in attendance, but played well beyond his size when the ball was thrown his way.  He showed good understanding of the coverages, picked off a pass, and got his hands on a few others…Once Foxboro’s Jeff McPherson gets back to the shape he was in before breaking his leg early in the 2010 season, he will be a force.  He is a load, moves well, is more than capable of catching the ball out the backfield, and was arguably the best amongst linebackers at playing his zone responsibilities…New Bedford’s Marcel Depina’s primary position is WR (and he showed good skill there), but he also proved to be one of the top cover-corner prospects in attendance…Remember the name Karl Sery…Sandwich’s Jalen McDonald has the potential to be quite an imposing figure should he be able to smooth out his rough edges.  Great size, good mean streak…No one played harder than Scituate’s Matt King.  He flew to his drops, moved through drills at 100%, and was a pain to deal with for every receiver who lined up in the slot across from him.  Whatever school lands him is getting an absolute gem…St. Peter-Marian’s Jordan Knowles’ 16 reps at 225 on the bench is a new ADFC record…Charlestown’s Bobby Leslie was one of the bigger surprises of the day.  He showed good hip fluidity, and his ball skills and aggression made him a tough match-up for every receiver.  He also tested in the Top 3 in 40-yard dash, 3-Cone, and 5-10-5 drills...Hingham's Kevin McCarthy was the most physical defensive back on display, consistently getting hands-on and making every receiver work for throughout their routes...Malden Catholic's Kevin Roche and Anthony Libby will instantly make their team a handful in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Good feet, lean builds, and not afraid of contact.

ADFC Day Camp Re-Cap

There are people in this world that do not understand the appeal of football. They question the physical nature of the game and wonder why so many cherish it so much.

To anyone who loves the game — whether they play or enjoy just watching — the answer is obvious; there is a passion involved in football that is hard to ignore.

These days, that passion can be lost amongst the greed and pride to which the NFL often falls victim. Even college football sometimes fails to focus on the right things. But when it all boils down, no one can deny the passion, desire, and drive in a football player’s eyes when the game is on the line.

Finding football in its purest form is something to treasure. At ADFC’s

Day Camp, the spectators were treated to just that.

The level of talent was stellar, and the love of the game was obvious. It was one of those days that renew your faith in football at a time when the professionals make you doubt.

High school football is something many football lovers lose sight of. Sunday offered another reason why they never should. We watched young quarterbacks complete passes 40-yards down-field, defenses perfect the Cover 2 and the Cover 3, receivers make incredible catches. But most of all, we saw football players from all over the state come together to get better at a game they all love.

There is much to learn from the different styles and abilities that gather on the field, especially for those that plan to continue their career in college. The determination to hone skills and devour game knowledge makes the difference.

On Sunday, the level of focus on the field was commendable. Drill after drill, players worked for perfection. If a release was not quite right the first time, the quarterback stepped up again and again until it was exact. Receivers ran routes over and over until they were in the right place at the right time. The defense repeated getting to their drops, trying to confuse the opposing quarterbacks all the while.

That is what the game is all about. That is how you become the player that makes the difference in the championship game. Practice until it is instinct, and fall more in love with the game each step of the way.

No matter where someone falls on the depth chart or what their level, the same basic elements bring them to that sideline: passion.  It is that passion that drives them to go above and beyond in pursuit of goals only a small fraction will ever reach.