1.Tennessee Titans: Joey Bosa, outside linebacker/defensive end (Ohio State)
2.Cleveland Browns: Carson Wentz, quarterback (North Dakota State)
3.San Diego Chargers: Laremy Tunsil, tackle (Mississippi)
4.Dallas Cowboys: DeForest Buckner, defensive end (Oregon)
5.Jacksonville Jaguars: Jalen Ramsey, cornerback/safety (Florida State)
6.Baltimore Ravens: Vernon Hargreves, cornerback (Florida)
7.San Fransisco 49ers: Myles Jack, inside/outside linebacker (UCLA)
8.Philadelphia Eagles: Darron Lee, inside/outside linebacker (Ohio State)
9.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Leonard Floyd, outside linebacker/defensive end (Georgia)
10.New York Giants: Ezekiel Elliot, running back (Ohio State)
11.Chicago Bears: Ronnie Stanley, tackle (Notre Dame)
12.New Orleans Saints: Eli Apple, cornerback (Ohio State)
13.Miami Dolphins: Mackensie Alexander, cornerback (Clemson)
14.Oakland Raiders: Reggie Ragland, inside linebacker (Alabama)
15.Los Angeles Rams: Jared Goff, quarterback (California)
16.Detroit Lions: Jack Conklin, tackle (Michigan State)
17.Atlanta Falcons: Noah Spence, outside linebacker/defensive end (Eastern Kentucky)
18.Indianapolis Colts: Shaq Lawson, outside linebacker/defensive end (Clemson)
19.Buffalo Bills: Jarran Reed, defensive tackle (Alabama)
20.New York Jets: Andrew Billings, defensive tackle (Baylor)
21.Washington Redskins: A'Shawn Robinson, defensive tackle (Alabama)
22.Houston Texans: Laquon Treadwell, wide receiver (Mississippi)
23.Minnesota Vikings: Corey Coleman, wide receiver (Baylor)
24.Cincinnati Bengals: Karl Joseph, safety (West Virginia)
25.Pittsburgh Steelers: Kendall Fuller, cornerback (Virginia Tech)
26.Seattle Seahawks: Taylor Decker, tackle (Ohio State)
27.Green Bay Packers: Hunter Henry, tight end (Arkansas)
28.Kansas City Chiefs: William Jackson, cornerback (Houston)
29.Arizona Cardinals: Kevin Dodd, outside linebacker/defensive end (Clemson)
30.Carolina Panthers: Le'Raven Clark, tackle (Texas Tech)
31.Denver Broncos: Paxton Lynch, quarterback (Memphis)
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
The Best and Worst of Alan Rickman
The "Best and Worst" series profiles the best and worst work of an
actor starring in one of the week's new theatrical releases. This week I
take a look at the filmography of "Eye in the Sky" star Alan Rickman.
Films starring Alan Rickman that I've seen:
Die Hard
Dogma
Galaxy Quest
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Love Actually
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
The Butler
Best Performance: Die Hard (1988)
Rickman was a virtual unknown in the mid-to-late 80's, but that all changed once Die Hard was released. Rickman's menacing presence and sarcastic wit instantly made German thief/terrorist Hans Gruber one of the most iconic villains in the history of cinema.
Worst Performance: Love Actually (2003)
Rickman's underwhelming performance in the schmaltzy ensemble romantic comedy Love Actually isn't really on him. Richard Curtis' script gave him very little to work with and while he puts forth valiant effort, he can't save his character from being anything but the stock "long-married middle-aged guy who lusts after an attractive younger woman" character you've seen in a million other romantic comedies.
Best Film: Die Hard (1988)
My absurd love of action movies is well-documented on this site and like a lot of self-proclaimed action junkies, Die Hard is one of my all-time favorites. John McTieranan's Christmas-set action opus contains all of the winning ingredients for this genre: a charismatic protagonist, a top-notch villain, a not even remotely serious tone and of course, non-stop, exhilarating action sequences. I don't quite agree with the popular notion that it's the greatest action movie of all-time, but it's definitely damn near close.
Worst Film: The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
I'll never forget my experience seeing The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy in theaters when I was 13. A group of friends and I went to go see on it opening weekend and before we went in, the ticket-taker went on a prolonged rant about great the movie was (this had never happened to me before and it hasn't happened again since). Let's just say I didn't share the ticket-taker's over-the-top enthusiasm for this movie. The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy is one of those comedies that thinks every single joke that trots out is the funniest and most clever joke ever written, which makes for an incredibly obnoxious viewing experience. It was honestly a pity to watch great actors like Mos Def, Rickman, Martin Freeman, Zooey Deschanel and Sam Rockwell get wasted on a smug film full of terrible, forced humor with a space-travel plot so muddled that it makes John Carter look coherent. Damn this movie to hell.
Thank you for reading this week's installment of "The Best and Worst of". Next week, I'll take a look at the best and worst work of "The Divergent Series: Allegiant" star Miles Teller.
Films starring Alan Rickman that I've seen:
Die Hard
Dogma
Galaxy Quest
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Love Actually
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
The Butler
Best Performance: Die Hard (1988)
Rickman was a virtual unknown in the mid-to-late 80's, but that all changed once Die Hard was released. Rickman's menacing presence and sarcastic wit instantly made German thief/terrorist Hans Gruber one of the most iconic villains in the history of cinema.
Worst Performance: Love Actually (2003)
Rickman's underwhelming performance in the schmaltzy ensemble romantic comedy Love Actually isn't really on him. Richard Curtis' script gave him very little to work with and while he puts forth valiant effort, he can't save his character from being anything but the stock "long-married middle-aged guy who lusts after an attractive younger woman" character you've seen in a million other romantic comedies.
Best Film: Die Hard (1988)
My absurd love of action movies is well-documented on this site and like a lot of self-proclaimed action junkies, Die Hard is one of my all-time favorites. John McTieranan's Christmas-set action opus contains all of the winning ingredients for this genre: a charismatic protagonist, a top-notch villain, a not even remotely serious tone and of course, non-stop, exhilarating action sequences. I don't quite agree with the popular notion that it's the greatest action movie of all-time, but it's definitely damn near close.
Worst Film: The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
I'll never forget my experience seeing The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy in theaters when I was 13. A group of friends and I went to go see on it opening weekend and before we went in, the ticket-taker went on a prolonged rant about great the movie was (this had never happened to me before and it hasn't happened again since). Let's just say I didn't share the ticket-taker's over-the-top enthusiasm for this movie. The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy is one of those comedies that thinks every single joke that trots out is the funniest and most clever joke ever written, which makes for an incredibly obnoxious viewing experience. It was honestly a pity to watch great actors like Mos Def, Rickman, Martin Freeman, Zooey Deschanel and Sam Rockwell get wasted on a smug film full of terrible, forced humor with a space-travel plot so muddled that it makes John Carter look coherent. Damn this movie to hell.
Thank you for reading this week's installment of "The Best and Worst of". Next week, I'll take a look at the best and worst work of "The Divergent Series: Allegiant" star Miles Teller.
Sunday, March 6, 2016
2016 NFL Free Agency: Top 10 Best Players Available
The official start of free agency may be approximately 72 hours away, but the 2016 free agency class is already guaranteed to generate as much buzz as the 2015 class that saw nearly a dozen elite players including Ndamukong Suh, DeMarco Murray and Randall Cobb hit the open market. Almost all of the biggest names set to hit free agency (Von Miller, Alshon Jeffrey, Eric Berry, Josh Norman, Kirk Cousins, Muhammad Wilkerson) have been given the franchise tag that prevents them from leaving their current team. That being said, there are still a number of impact players that will be free to sign with any team when the new league starts on Wednesday March 9th at 4:00 P.M. EST. Here are my picks for the 10 best available players in the 2016 free agent class.
10.Bruce Irvin, outside linebacker (Most recent team: Seattle Seahawks)
While his brash personality and reputation as a dirty player have made one of the most polarizing players in the NFL, there's no denying that Irvin has been one of the best situational pass-rushing specialists in the NFL over the past few seasons. With his steady year-to-year improvement since entering the league in 2012 and lack of wear and tear given his age (28), he could end up being a steal for a team that needs edge-rushing help.
Possible Destinations: Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, Carolina Panthers
9.Marvin Jones, wide receiver (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals)
With Alshon Jeffrey being locked up by the Bears, Jones is now by far the best wide receiver available in free agency. His youth (he turns 26 next week), consistency and ability to play both inside and outside makes him an excellent option for teams that are looking for a high-end number two receiver.
Possible Destinations: Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, San Diego Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, New York Giants
8.Richie Incognito, guard (Most recent team: Buffalo Bills)
Incognito had one of the most surprising comebacks in recent NFL history with a career-best season at age 32 in 2015. His age is definitely a bit of a concern moving forward, but if his dominant play last season is any indicator, he should continue to be productive throughout his (likely) final contract as an NFL player.
Possible Destinations: Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, San Fransisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints
7.Lamar Miller, running back (Most recent team: Miami Dolphins)
Miller is one of only a handful of running backs currently in the league that's good to enough shoulder the brunt of the carries himself. Miller's three-down capabilities paired with his pass-catching and elusiveness makes him one of the rare running backs that's worth giving a sizable contract to in the current pass-first climate of the NFL.
Possible Destinations: Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans
6.Sean Smith, cornerback (Most recent team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Smith has quietly been one of the most productive corners in the league since he signed with the Chiefs in 2013, grading out as one of Pro Football Focus' top 15 corners in coverage each of the past two seasons. Smith's shutdown ability makes him the clear standout in this relatively weak group of free agent cornerback and that should allow him to secure one of the heftiest contracts of anyone on the market in 2016.
Possible Destinations: Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants
5.Danny Trevathan, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)
He may not get the fanfare of his teammate Brandon Marshall, but Trevathan is a versatile, imposing force in the middle of the defense who's equally adept at stopping the run and dropping back in coverage. Given the small amount of top-tier inside linebackers currently in the league, it would be a shock if a linebacker-needy team with deep pockets didn't give Trevathan an outrageous amount of money.
Possible Destinations: Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers
4.Malik Jackson, defensive end/tackle (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)
Jackson got hot at just the right time to get paid, putting together a phenomenal playoff run to cap off his excellent 2015 season with the Broncos. While it's unclear if being a part of the Broncos talented-loaded defense or his own natural talent was responsible for his tremendous production over the past two seasons, his ability to play anywhere on the defensive line and consistent efficiency as both a pass-rusher and run-stopper makes him too intriguing of a player to not take a chance on.
Possible Destinations: Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers
3.Damon Harrison, defensive tackle (Most recent team: New York Jets)
He may not be a household name, but there is arguably no better run-stuffing interior defensive lineman in football right now than Harrison. Harrison is the type of player that can come in and significantly alter the identity of a defense right away. If the Jets aren't able to re-sign him (which is the current rumor), any team that runs a 3-4 defense that has trouble stopping the run needs to make an aggressive push to land him.
Possible Destinations: New York Jets, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, San Fransisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins
2.Doug Martin, running back (Most recent team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Doug Martin's unexpected return to form in 2015 has elevated him back to the premiere running back status he held after his stellar rookie campaign in 2012. The injuries and inconsistent play that derailed his 2013 and 2014 seasons make him a less-than-ideal candidate for a long-term deal, but the complete utter and dominance he showed in 2015 and status as one of the few running backs that can run, catch and pass-protect with equal proficiency makes him a gamble worth taking for any run-first team that's in the market for a true workhorse back.
Possible Destinations: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, San Fransisco 49ers, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Detroit Lions
1.Kelechi Osemele, guard (Most recent team: Baltimore Ravens)
Osemele has been a force of nature over the past four seasons with the Ravens and is without question the best offensive lineman to hit the open market since Jason Peters in 2009. Osemele's current standing as one of the most well-rounded and ferocious guards in the league makes him a top priority for any team that's looking to fortify the interior of their offensive line for the 2016 season.
Possible Destinations: Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Fransisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings, San Diego Chargers
Other Notable Free Agents:
Dwayne Allen, tight end (Most recent team: Indianapolis Colts)
Prince Amukamara, cornerback (Most recent team: New York Giants)
Robert Ayers, defensive end (Most recent team: New York Giants)
Joe Barksdale, tackle (Most recent team: San Diego Chargers)
Mark Barron, safety (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Zane Beadles, guard (Most recent team: Jacksonville Jaguars)
Kelvin Beachum, tackle (Most recent team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Travis Benjamin, wide receiver (Most recent team: Cleveland Browns)
LeGarrette Blount, running back (Most recent team: New England Patriots)
Anquan Boldin, wide receiver (Most recent team: San Fransisco 49ers)
Alex Boone, guard (Most recent team: San Fransisco 49ers)
Nigel Bradham, outside linebacker (Most recent team: Buffalo Bills)
Brandon Brooks, guard (Most recent team: Houston Texans)
David Bruton, safety (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)
Donald Butler, inside linebacker (Most recent team: San Diego Chargers)
Marques Colston, wide receiver (Most recent team: New Orleans Saints)
Jared Cook, tight end (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Antonio Cromartie, cornerback (Most recent team: New York Jets)
Chase Daniel, quarterback (Most recent team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Jahri Evans, guard (Most recent team: New Orleans Saints)
Nick Fairley, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Ryan Fitzpatrick, quarterback (Most recent team: New York Jets)
Coby Fleener, tight end (Most recent team: Indianapolis Colts)
Matt Forte, running back (Most recent team: Chicago Bears)
Arian Foster, running back (Most recent team: Houston Texans)
Ramon Foster, guard (Most recent team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Jerrell Freeman, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Indianapolis Colts)
Dwight Freeney, outside linebacker (Most recent team: Arizona Cardinals)
Junior Gallette, outside linebacker (Most recent team: Washington Redskins)
Antonio Gates, tight end (Most recent team: San Diego Chargers)
William Gay, cornerback (Most recent team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Tashaun Gibson, safety (Most recent team: Cleveland Browns)
Ladarius Green, tight end (Most recent team: San Diego Chargers)
Michael Griffin, safety (Most recent team: Tennessee Titans)
Robert Griffin III, quarterback (Most recent team: Washington Redskins)
Tamba Hali, outside linebacker (Most recent team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Leon Hall, cornerback (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Greg Hardy, defensive end (Most recent team: Dallas Cowboys)
Percy Harvin, wide receiver (Most recent team: Buffalo Bills)
William Hayes, defensive end (Most recent: Los Angeles Rams)
Casey Hayward, cornerback (Most recent team: Green Bay Packers)
Jaye Howard, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Kansas City Chiefs)
George Iloka, safety (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Chris Ivory, running back (Most recent team: New York Jets)
Janoris Jenkins, cornerback (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Charles Johnson, defensive end (Most recent team: Carolina Panthers)
Chris Johnson, running back (Most recent team: Arizona Cardinals)
Derrick Johnson, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Rashad Johnson, safety (Most recent team: Arizona Cardinals)
Adam Jones, cornerback (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Jermaine Kearse, wide receiver (Most recent team: Seattle Seahawks)
Terrence Knighton, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Washington Redskins)
James Laurinaitis, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Ricardo Lockette, wide receiver (Most recent team: Seattle Seahawks)
Chris Long, defensive end (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Alex Mack, center (Most recent team: Cleveland Browns)
Evan Mathis, guard (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)
Rishard Matthews, wide receiver (Most recent team: Miami Dolphins)
Rolando McClain, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Dallas Cowboys)
Rodney McLeod, safety (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Leodis McKelvin, cornerback (Most recent team: Buffalo Bills)
Brandon Mebane, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Seattle Seahawks)
Zach Miller, tight end (Most recent team: Chicago Bears)
Alfred Morris, running back (Most recent team: Washington Redskins)
Mike Neal, defensive end/tackle (Most recent team: Green Bay Packers)
Reggie Nelson, safety (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Haloti Ngata, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Detroit Lions)
Russell Okung, tackle (Most recent team: Seattle Seahawks)
Brock Osweiler, quarterback (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)
Donald Penn, tackle (Most recent team: Oakland Raiders)
Jason Pierre-Paul, defensive end (Most recent team: New York Giants)
Bilal Powell, running back (Most recent team: New York Jets)
Jerraud Powers, cornerback (Most recent team: Arizona Cardinals)
Brian Quick, wide receiver (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Manny Ramirez, center/guard (Most recent team: Detroit Lions)
Ruben Randle, wide receiver (Most recent team: New York Giants)
B.J. Raji, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Green Bay Packers)
Mohamed Sanu, wide receiver (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Mitchell Schwartz, tackle (Most recent team: Cleveland Browns)
Derrick Shelby, defensive end (Most recent team: Miami Dolphins)
Aldon Smith, outside linebacker (Most recent team: Oakland Raiders)
Andre Smith, tackle (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Daryl Smith, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Baltimore Ravens)
Walter Thurmond, safety (Most recent team: Philadelphia Eagles)
Stephen Tulloch, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Detroit Lions)
Courtney Upshaw, outside linebacker (Most recent team: Baltimore Ravens)
Benjamin Watson, tight end (Most recent team: New Orleans Saints)
Eric Weddle, safety (Most recent team: San Diego Chargers)
Roddy White, wide receiver (Most recent team: Atlanta Falcons)
Ian Williams, defensive tackle (Most recent team: San Fransisco 49ers)
Mario Williams, defensive end (Most recent team: Buffalo Bills)
Stefen Wisnewski, center (Most recent team: Jacksonville Jaguars)
10.Bruce Irvin, outside linebacker (Most recent team: Seattle Seahawks)
While his brash personality and reputation as a dirty player have made one of the most polarizing players in the NFL, there's no denying that Irvin has been one of the best situational pass-rushing specialists in the NFL over the past few seasons. With his steady year-to-year improvement since entering the league in 2012 and lack of wear and tear given his age (28), he could end up being a steal for a team that needs edge-rushing help.
Possible Destinations: Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, Carolina Panthers
9.Marvin Jones, wide receiver (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals)
With Alshon Jeffrey being locked up by the Bears, Jones is now by far the best wide receiver available in free agency. His youth (he turns 26 next week), consistency and ability to play both inside and outside makes him an excellent option for teams that are looking for a high-end number two receiver.
Possible Destinations: Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, San Diego Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, New York Giants
8.Richie Incognito, guard (Most recent team: Buffalo Bills)
Incognito had one of the most surprising comebacks in recent NFL history with a career-best season at age 32 in 2015. His age is definitely a bit of a concern moving forward, but if his dominant play last season is any indicator, he should continue to be productive throughout his (likely) final contract as an NFL player.
Possible Destinations: Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, San Fransisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints
7.Lamar Miller, running back (Most recent team: Miami Dolphins)
Miller is one of only a handful of running backs currently in the league that's good to enough shoulder the brunt of the carries himself. Miller's three-down capabilities paired with his pass-catching and elusiveness makes him one of the rare running backs that's worth giving a sizable contract to in the current pass-first climate of the NFL.
Possible Destinations: Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans
6.Sean Smith, cornerback (Most recent team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Smith has quietly been one of the most productive corners in the league since he signed with the Chiefs in 2013, grading out as one of Pro Football Focus' top 15 corners in coverage each of the past two seasons. Smith's shutdown ability makes him the clear standout in this relatively weak group of free agent cornerback and that should allow him to secure one of the heftiest contracts of anyone on the market in 2016.
Possible Destinations: Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants
5.Danny Trevathan, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)
He may not get the fanfare of his teammate Brandon Marshall, but Trevathan is a versatile, imposing force in the middle of the defense who's equally adept at stopping the run and dropping back in coverage. Given the small amount of top-tier inside linebackers currently in the league, it would be a shock if a linebacker-needy team with deep pockets didn't give Trevathan an outrageous amount of money.
Possible Destinations: Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers
4.Malik Jackson, defensive end/tackle (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)
Jackson got hot at just the right time to get paid, putting together a phenomenal playoff run to cap off his excellent 2015 season with the Broncos. While it's unclear if being a part of the Broncos talented-loaded defense or his own natural talent was responsible for his tremendous production over the past two seasons, his ability to play anywhere on the defensive line and consistent efficiency as both a pass-rusher and run-stopper makes him too intriguing of a player to not take a chance on.
Possible Destinations: Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers
3.Damon Harrison, defensive tackle (Most recent team: New York Jets)
He may not be a household name, but there is arguably no better run-stuffing interior defensive lineman in football right now than Harrison. Harrison is the type of player that can come in and significantly alter the identity of a defense right away. If the Jets aren't able to re-sign him (which is the current rumor), any team that runs a 3-4 defense that has trouble stopping the run needs to make an aggressive push to land him.
Possible Destinations: New York Jets, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, San Fransisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins
2.Doug Martin, running back (Most recent team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Doug Martin's unexpected return to form in 2015 has elevated him back to the premiere running back status he held after his stellar rookie campaign in 2012. The injuries and inconsistent play that derailed his 2013 and 2014 seasons make him a less-than-ideal candidate for a long-term deal, but the complete utter and dominance he showed in 2015 and status as one of the few running backs that can run, catch and pass-protect with equal proficiency makes him a gamble worth taking for any run-first team that's in the market for a true workhorse back.
Possible Destinations: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, San Fransisco 49ers, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Detroit Lions
1.Kelechi Osemele, guard (Most recent team: Baltimore Ravens)
Osemele has been a force of nature over the past four seasons with the Ravens and is without question the best offensive lineman to hit the open market since Jason Peters in 2009. Osemele's current standing as one of the most well-rounded and ferocious guards in the league makes him a top priority for any team that's looking to fortify the interior of their offensive line for the 2016 season.
Possible Destinations: Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Fransisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings, San Diego Chargers
Other Notable Free Agents:
Dwayne Allen, tight end (Most recent team: Indianapolis Colts)
Prince Amukamara, cornerback (Most recent team: New York Giants)
Robert Ayers, defensive end (Most recent team: New York Giants)
Joe Barksdale, tackle (Most recent team: San Diego Chargers)
Mark Barron, safety (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Zane Beadles, guard (Most recent team: Jacksonville Jaguars)
Kelvin Beachum, tackle (Most recent team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Travis Benjamin, wide receiver (Most recent team: Cleveland Browns)
LeGarrette Blount, running back (Most recent team: New England Patriots)
Anquan Boldin, wide receiver (Most recent team: San Fransisco 49ers)
Alex Boone, guard (Most recent team: San Fransisco 49ers)
Nigel Bradham, outside linebacker (Most recent team: Buffalo Bills)
Brandon Brooks, guard (Most recent team: Houston Texans)
David Bruton, safety (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)
Donald Butler, inside linebacker (Most recent team: San Diego Chargers)
Marques Colston, wide receiver (Most recent team: New Orleans Saints)
Jared Cook, tight end (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Antonio Cromartie, cornerback (Most recent team: New York Jets)
Chase Daniel, quarterback (Most recent team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Jahri Evans, guard (Most recent team: New Orleans Saints)
Nick Fairley, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Ryan Fitzpatrick, quarterback (Most recent team: New York Jets)
Coby Fleener, tight end (Most recent team: Indianapolis Colts)
Matt Forte, running back (Most recent team: Chicago Bears)
Arian Foster, running back (Most recent team: Houston Texans)
Ramon Foster, guard (Most recent team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Jerrell Freeman, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Indianapolis Colts)
Dwight Freeney, outside linebacker (Most recent team: Arizona Cardinals)
Junior Gallette, outside linebacker (Most recent team: Washington Redskins)
Antonio Gates, tight end (Most recent team: San Diego Chargers)
William Gay, cornerback (Most recent team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Tashaun Gibson, safety (Most recent team: Cleveland Browns)
Ladarius Green, tight end (Most recent team: San Diego Chargers)
Michael Griffin, safety (Most recent team: Tennessee Titans)
Robert Griffin III, quarterback (Most recent team: Washington Redskins)
Tamba Hali, outside linebacker (Most recent team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Leon Hall, cornerback (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Greg Hardy, defensive end (Most recent team: Dallas Cowboys)
Percy Harvin, wide receiver (Most recent team: Buffalo Bills)
William Hayes, defensive end (Most recent: Los Angeles Rams)
Casey Hayward, cornerback (Most recent team: Green Bay Packers)
Jaye Howard, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Kansas City Chiefs)
George Iloka, safety (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Chris Ivory, running back (Most recent team: New York Jets)
Janoris Jenkins, cornerback (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Charles Johnson, defensive end (Most recent team: Carolina Panthers)
Chris Johnson, running back (Most recent team: Arizona Cardinals)
Derrick Johnson, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Rashad Johnson, safety (Most recent team: Arizona Cardinals)
Adam Jones, cornerback (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Jermaine Kearse, wide receiver (Most recent team: Seattle Seahawks)
Terrence Knighton, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Washington Redskins)
James Laurinaitis, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Ricardo Lockette, wide receiver (Most recent team: Seattle Seahawks)
Chris Long, defensive end (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Alex Mack, center (Most recent team: Cleveland Browns)
Evan Mathis, guard (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)
Rishard Matthews, wide receiver (Most recent team: Miami Dolphins)
Rolando McClain, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Dallas Cowboys)
Rodney McLeod, safety (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Leodis McKelvin, cornerback (Most recent team: Buffalo Bills)
Brandon Mebane, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Seattle Seahawks)
Zach Miller, tight end (Most recent team: Chicago Bears)
Alfred Morris, running back (Most recent team: Washington Redskins)
Mike Neal, defensive end/tackle (Most recent team: Green Bay Packers)
Reggie Nelson, safety (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Haloti Ngata, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Detroit Lions)
Russell Okung, tackle (Most recent team: Seattle Seahawks)
Brock Osweiler, quarterback (Most recent team: Denver Broncos)
Donald Penn, tackle (Most recent team: Oakland Raiders)
Jason Pierre-Paul, defensive end (Most recent team: New York Giants)
Bilal Powell, running back (Most recent team: New York Jets)
Jerraud Powers, cornerback (Most recent team: Arizona Cardinals)
Brian Quick, wide receiver (Most recent team: Los Angeles Rams)
Manny Ramirez, center/guard (Most recent team: Detroit Lions)
Ruben Randle, wide receiver (Most recent team: New York Giants)
B.J. Raji, defensive tackle (Most recent team: Green Bay Packers)
Mohamed Sanu, wide receiver (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Mitchell Schwartz, tackle (Most recent team: Cleveland Browns)
Derrick Shelby, defensive end (Most recent team: Miami Dolphins)
Aldon Smith, outside linebacker (Most recent team: Oakland Raiders)
Andre Smith, tackle (Most recent team: Cincinnati Bengals)
Daryl Smith, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Baltimore Ravens)
Walter Thurmond, safety (Most recent team: Philadelphia Eagles)
Stephen Tulloch, inside linebacker (Most recent team: Detroit Lions)
Courtney Upshaw, outside linebacker (Most recent team: Baltimore Ravens)
Benjamin Watson, tight end (Most recent team: New Orleans Saints)
Eric Weddle, safety (Most recent team: San Diego Chargers)
Roddy White, wide receiver (Most recent team: Atlanta Falcons)
Ian Williams, defensive tackle (Most recent team: San Fransisco 49ers)
Mario Williams, defensive end (Most recent team: Buffalo Bills)
Stefen Wisnewski, center (Most recent team: Jacksonville Jaguars)
Friday, March 4, 2016
The Best and Worst of Morgan Freeman
The "Best and Worst" series profiles the best and worst work of an
actor starring in one of the week's new theatrical releases. This week I
take a look at the filmography of "London Has Fallen" star Morgan Freeman.
Films starring Morgan Freeman that I've seen:
Unforgiven
Outbreak
Seven
Deep Impact
Dreamcatcher
Bruce Almighty
Million Dollar Baby
Batman Begins
War of the Worlds
Lucky Number Slevin
Evan Almighty
Gone Baby Gone
Wanted
The Dark Knight
Red
Conan the Barbarian
Dolphin Tale
The Dark Knight Rises
Olympus Has Fallen
Oblivion
Now You See Me
Last Vegas
The Lego Movie
Transcendence
Lucy
Ted 2
Best Performance: Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Freeman won his only Oscar to-date for this performance and for my money, is one of the most deserving winners of the past decade or so. As Eddie "Scrap-Iron" Dupris -a retired boxer and co-trainer of up-and-coming fighter Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), Freeman serves as the emotional core of Clint Eastwood's devastating boxing drama.
Worst Performance: Lucy (2014)
Freeman had successfully avoided suffering the same fate of other aging highly-respected actors (Robert De Niro, Al Pacino) who were turning in phoned-in performances in garbage movies for most of the 2000's. Then Lucy happened. From the first time he appears in Luc Besson's sci-fi action film, Freeman looks perplexed as to why he accepted a role in such a preposterous and flat-out moronic movie (I'd like to think that he was deeply pondering what he was going to with his paycheck from starring in this garbage).
Best Film: Unforgiven (1992)
Clint Eastwood's swan song to the western genre that made him a Hollywood A-lister is the single greatest achievement of his decorated five-decade career. The density of the narrative, unforgettable performances from Eastwood, Freeman and Gene Hackman in the lead roles and its refreshing take on the emotional toll a life of crime and murder has on the human psyche makes Unforgiven my all-time favorite western.
Worst Film: Transcendence (2014)
Christopher Nolan's longtime cinematographer Wally Pfitser could've really used some guidance from his mentor on his disastrous directorial debut Transcendence. Pfister and screenwriter Jack Paglen waste a fascinating premise and stellar cast led by Johnny Depp, Freeman and Rebecca Hall on a film that is convoluted and dull as all hell.
Thank you for reading this week's installment of "The Best and Worst of". Next week, I'll take a look at the best and worst work of "Eye in the Sky" star Alan Rickman.
Films starring Morgan Freeman that I've seen:
Unforgiven
Outbreak
Seven
Deep Impact
Dreamcatcher
Bruce Almighty
Million Dollar Baby
Batman Begins
War of the Worlds
Lucky Number Slevin
Evan Almighty
Gone Baby Gone
Wanted
The Dark Knight
Red
Conan the Barbarian
Dolphin Tale
The Dark Knight Rises
Olympus Has Fallen
Oblivion
Now You See Me
Last Vegas
The Lego Movie
Transcendence
Lucy
Ted 2
Best Performance: Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Freeman won his only Oscar to-date for this performance and for my money, is one of the most deserving winners of the past decade or so. As Eddie "Scrap-Iron" Dupris -a retired boxer and co-trainer of up-and-coming fighter Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), Freeman serves as the emotional core of Clint Eastwood's devastating boxing drama.
Worst Performance: Lucy (2014)
Freeman had successfully avoided suffering the same fate of other aging highly-respected actors (Robert De Niro, Al Pacino) who were turning in phoned-in performances in garbage movies for most of the 2000's. Then Lucy happened. From the first time he appears in Luc Besson's sci-fi action film, Freeman looks perplexed as to why he accepted a role in such a preposterous and flat-out moronic movie (I'd like to think that he was deeply pondering what he was going to with his paycheck from starring in this garbage).
Best Film: Unforgiven (1992)
Clint Eastwood's swan song to the western genre that made him a Hollywood A-lister is the single greatest achievement of his decorated five-decade career. The density of the narrative, unforgettable performances from Eastwood, Freeman and Gene Hackman in the lead roles and its refreshing take on the emotional toll a life of crime and murder has on the human psyche makes Unforgiven my all-time favorite western.
Worst Film: Transcendence (2014)
Christopher Nolan's longtime cinematographer Wally Pfitser could've really used some guidance from his mentor on his disastrous directorial debut Transcendence. Pfister and screenwriter Jack Paglen waste a fascinating premise and stellar cast led by Johnny Depp, Freeman and Rebecca Hall on a film that is convoluted and dull as all hell.
Thank you for reading this week's installment of "The Best and Worst of". Next week, I'll take a look at the best and worst work of "Eye in the Sky" star Alan Rickman.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Quick Concert Review: Migos-- Cambridge, MA-- March 2nd, 2016
Show: The Dab Tour featuring Migos, Skippa Da Flippa and Domingo Mango and Mango Foo
Venue: The Middle East Downstairs, Cambridge, MA
Date: March 2nd, 2016
Domingo Mango and Mango Foo: At least one of these Mango clowns is related to Offset from Migos and it couldn't be more obvious when listening to them that they're trying to trying to cash-in on that goodwill. Domingo Mango and Mango Foo are basically Migos if you took away the energy, charisma and technical abilities (aka what makes them good) that drives their music. The only saving grace of their set was that they played for just 10 minutes and promptly left the stage with little-to-no fanfare.
Skippa Da Flippa: Another one of Migos proteges that I'd never really listened to before this show. He was far from perfect, but he had a decent flow, some fun hooks and knew how to work a crowd, which is exactly what you want in an opener for these type of shows.
Migos: This was easily the most nervous I've ever been to see an artist live in my life. I'd heard so many horror stories about the poor quality of Migos live shows that I was incredibly reluctant to shell out $36 for the ticket to this show, but ultimately my devout fandom was enough for me to roll the dice and pray that they've tightened up their live act since their last major tour early last year. My gamble paid off big time as Migos put on a phenomenal show that will more than likely go down as one of the most fun shows I attend in 2016. Their high-energy, incredibly tight performance was the exact opposite of the sloppy, stagnant group I'd read about in other reviews. With the exception of two chorus-only medleys, they played every song from start to finish and all three members of the group were putting forth maximum effort on the mic for the duration of the set. There was a couple of issues with the sound mix at times and the almost complete lack of material from their breakout mixtape Y.R.N. was a bit disappointing, but for the most part their 75-minute set served as a forceful reminder of why they're the eccentric, unheralded kings of the trap rap scene. I urge everyone that's a fan of theirs to get tickets to see them on this tour or the next time they're in your area.
Scores:
Domingo Mango and Mango Foo: 3/10
Skippa Da Flippa 7/10
Migos 8.5/10
Setlist:
Migos (order may be off in the middle):
Hoe on a Mission
Plan B
Chances
WOA
You Wanna See
Fall Back
Hannah Montana
No Label II medley (Antidope/Ounces/Emmit Smith) (choruses only)
Bricks (Carnage cover)
Freak No More
Wishy Washy
One Time
Pipe it Up
Look at My Dab
Fight Night
Handsome and Wealthy
First 48
Medley (Birds/Hit Em/two other songs that I didn't recognize) (choruses only)
Venue: The Middle East Downstairs, Cambridge, MA
Date: March 2nd, 2016
Domingo Mango and Mango Foo: At least one of these Mango clowns is related to Offset from Migos and it couldn't be more obvious when listening to them that they're trying to trying to cash-in on that goodwill. Domingo Mango and Mango Foo are basically Migos if you took away the energy, charisma and technical abilities (aka what makes them good) that drives their music. The only saving grace of their set was that they played for just 10 minutes and promptly left the stage with little-to-no fanfare.
Skippa Da Flippa: Another one of Migos proteges that I'd never really listened to before this show. He was far from perfect, but he had a decent flow, some fun hooks and knew how to work a crowd, which is exactly what you want in an opener for these type of shows.
Migos: This was easily the most nervous I've ever been to see an artist live in my life. I'd heard so many horror stories about the poor quality of Migos live shows that I was incredibly reluctant to shell out $36 for the ticket to this show, but ultimately my devout fandom was enough for me to roll the dice and pray that they've tightened up their live act since their last major tour early last year. My gamble paid off big time as Migos put on a phenomenal show that will more than likely go down as one of the most fun shows I attend in 2016. Their high-energy, incredibly tight performance was the exact opposite of the sloppy, stagnant group I'd read about in other reviews. With the exception of two chorus-only medleys, they played every song from start to finish and all three members of the group were putting forth maximum effort on the mic for the duration of the set. There was a couple of issues with the sound mix at times and the almost complete lack of material from their breakout mixtape Y.R.N. was a bit disappointing, but for the most part their 75-minute set served as a forceful reminder of why they're the eccentric, unheralded kings of the trap rap scene. I urge everyone that's a fan of theirs to get tickets to see them on this tour or the next time they're in your area.
Scores:
Domingo Mango and Mango Foo: 3/10
Skippa Da Flippa 7/10
Migos 8.5/10
Setlist:
Migos (order may be off in the middle):
Hoe on a Mission
Plan B
Chances
WOA
You Wanna See
Fall Back
Hannah Montana
No Label II medley (Antidope/Ounces/Emmit Smith) (choruses only)
Bricks (Carnage cover)
Freak No More
Wishy Washy
One Time
Pipe it Up
Look at My Dab
Fight Night
Handsome and Wealthy
First 48
Medley (Birds/Hit Em/two other songs that I didn't recognize) (choruses only)
2016 NFL Draft Quarterback Prospects: Studs, Duds, Steals and Question Marks
by Liam Madigan-Fried
Imagine if you will, that you are grocery shopping one day, and you decide to try your luck at finding a few big, juicy red apples. When you get to the apple cart, you see at once that there are no perfectly round and succulent specimens. But rather there are a few…good options. Sure, there might be a bruise here or there, and they might be a bit undersized, but with the right cook and the right recipe, you could still make one hell of an apple pie! That’s exactly where we find ourselves with this year’s batch of incoming rookie quarterbacks. The 2016 quarterback may be devoid of any shiny red Blake Bortles or Jameis Winston's on the tree, but with undeniably raw yet talented prospects such as North Dakota State's Carson Wentz and Cal’s Jared Goff topping off this year’s talent pool, teams looking to add a quarterback this year should get exactly what they paid for.
Stud: Jared Goff (Junior-Cal)
This one was a hard decision with Carson Wentz having a great workout at the Scouting Combine last weekend. However, I’ve got to give the edge to the Cal guy. Despite some questions about his overall physique (most notably his nine-inch hand size), Goff showed on day two of the combine that he has the talent to be a potential top-five pick. Goff's Combine workout showcased the excellent arm strength and unrivaled accuracy that garnered him national attention while he was at Cal and further solidified why he should be the first quarterback taken in April's draft. Although Combine and Pro Day results are hardly telling factors of future success (ex: Teddy Bridgewater’s less than stellar showing two years ago), Goff has an established body of work in his three years starting at Cal to back him up on his path to the draft. In those three seasons, Goff threw for an impressive 12,200 yards (96 TD’s, 30 INT’s) to go along with a completion rate of 62.3% on a team that lacked top-end offensive talent. Though he might be the most talented passer in this year’s bunch, one question remains: Is Goff, the kid who grew up and played in sunny California, the right fit for the harsh climate of Cleveland, the likely first team to select a quarterback with the number two overall pick? Or will the Browns chose to go with Wentz, who has plenty of bad weather experience after playing in the frozen tundra otherwise known as North Dakota for the past three years? Only time or the monkey with the cymbals that the Browns so obviously use to make their draft day choices will tell.
Bust: Christian Hackenberg (Junior-Penn State)
It disappoints me to have to include Hackenberg in such a category considering I’ve been a fan of him since his magical freshman year under the tutelage of former Penn State (and current Houston Texans) head coach Bill O’Brien. However, his status as a bust is largely going to depend on what team he ends up with. With his combination of impressive size (6’4, 228lbs), athleticism (4.78 40, 7.04 3-cone drill) and elite arm strength, I’m worried that a weak, quarterback-needy team will force him into a starting situation that he's just not ready for at this point in time. If any team expects this kid to be their franchise savior within his first couple of years in the league, they’re bound to end up with the next Brandon Weeden or Josh Freeman. Hackenberg is an incredibly raw prospect with a slew of problems with accuracy, reading defenses and decisionmaking that need to be fixed before he becomes a starting quarterback in the NFL. If any team expects too much from him at once, Hackenberg is destined to fall flat in the pros.
Steal: Kevin Hogan (Senior-Stanford)
This is one quarterback I believe is destined to be a draft day steal. In his four years playing at Stanford (three starting), Hogan has thrown for a combined 9,385 yards 75 TD’s and 29 INT’s and completed a commendable 66.6% of his passes. He closed out the 2015 season with a four-game winning streak that culminated in a blowout 45-16 win over Iowa in the Rose Bowl. The aforementioned winning streak would've been at 11 games had it not been for a narrow 38-36 loss to Oregon in Week 10. His numbers might not as dazzling as this year's top-rated QB prospects, but Hogan has proven time and again that he's an exceptional game manager who has the ability and intelligence to make clutch plays when his team needs them. He might not possess the ideal arm strength and athleticism of his Stanford predecessor Andrew Luck, but Hogan can give a team who has the time to develop a young prospect the chance to gain a future efficiency machine (Cowboys anyone?)
Unknown:Brandon Doughty (Senior-Western Kentucky)
Doughty turned in a decent days work at the combine despite running the slowest 40 time for quarterbacks (5.22). Doughty had a stellar career at Western Kentucky, throwing for a combined 12,855 yards,111 TD’s and 34 INT’s and an overall completion rate of 59.6% (his completion rate would be higher had he not been lost to injury in 2011 and 2012.) Many skeptics will rightly point to the fact that Doughty wasn’t exactly facing top notch competition while at Western Kentucky, which is why it is difficult to tell whether his collegiate success will translate into the NFL.
Connor Cook (Senior-Michigan State)
Although though he's bit a behind Goff and Wentz, Cook possesses one of the more impressive resumes of any quarterback in this draft class. During his four years as a starter for Michigan State, he thrown for a combined 9,194 yards (71 TD’s, 22 INT’s) and led the Spartans to a pair of Big Ten Championships in 2013 and 2015 and a Rose Bowl victory in 2013. However with his rather unimpressive completion rate (56.5%) and well-documented character problems, Cook is going to have be damn near perfect throughout the rest of the pre-draft workouts and interviews to sneak back into early-round consideration.
Imagine if you will, that you are grocery shopping one day, and you decide to try your luck at finding a few big, juicy red apples. When you get to the apple cart, you see at once that there are no perfectly round and succulent specimens. But rather there are a few…good options. Sure, there might be a bruise here or there, and they might be a bit undersized, but with the right cook and the right recipe, you could still make one hell of an apple pie! That’s exactly where we find ourselves with this year’s batch of incoming rookie quarterbacks. The 2016 quarterback may be devoid of any shiny red Blake Bortles or Jameis Winston's on the tree, but with undeniably raw yet talented prospects such as North Dakota State's Carson Wentz and Cal’s Jared Goff topping off this year’s talent pool, teams looking to add a quarterback this year should get exactly what they paid for.
Stud: Jared Goff (Junior-Cal)
This one was a hard decision with Carson Wentz having a great workout at the Scouting Combine last weekend. However, I’ve got to give the edge to the Cal guy. Despite some questions about his overall physique (most notably his nine-inch hand size), Goff showed on day two of the combine that he has the talent to be a potential top-five pick. Goff's Combine workout showcased the excellent arm strength and unrivaled accuracy that garnered him national attention while he was at Cal and further solidified why he should be the first quarterback taken in April's draft. Although Combine and Pro Day results are hardly telling factors of future success (ex: Teddy Bridgewater’s less than stellar showing two years ago), Goff has an established body of work in his three years starting at Cal to back him up on his path to the draft. In those three seasons, Goff threw for an impressive 12,200 yards (96 TD’s, 30 INT’s) to go along with a completion rate of 62.3% on a team that lacked top-end offensive talent. Though he might be the most talented passer in this year’s bunch, one question remains: Is Goff, the kid who grew up and played in sunny California, the right fit for the harsh climate of Cleveland, the likely first team to select a quarterback with the number two overall pick? Or will the Browns chose to go with Wentz, who has plenty of bad weather experience after playing in the frozen tundra otherwise known as North Dakota for the past three years? Only time or the monkey with the cymbals that the Browns so obviously use to make their draft day choices will tell.
Bust: Christian Hackenberg (Junior-Penn State)
It disappoints me to have to include Hackenberg in such a category considering I’ve been a fan of him since his magical freshman year under the tutelage of former Penn State (and current Houston Texans) head coach Bill O’Brien. However, his status as a bust is largely going to depend on what team he ends up with. With his combination of impressive size (6’4, 228lbs), athleticism (4.78 40, 7.04 3-cone drill) and elite arm strength, I’m worried that a weak, quarterback-needy team will force him into a starting situation that he's just not ready for at this point in time. If any team expects this kid to be their franchise savior within his first couple of years in the league, they’re bound to end up with the next Brandon Weeden or Josh Freeman. Hackenberg is an incredibly raw prospect with a slew of problems with accuracy, reading defenses and decisionmaking that need to be fixed before he becomes a starting quarterback in the NFL. If any team expects too much from him at once, Hackenberg is destined to fall flat in the pros.
Steal: Kevin Hogan (Senior-Stanford)
This is one quarterback I believe is destined to be a draft day steal. In his four years playing at Stanford (three starting), Hogan has thrown for a combined 9,385 yards 75 TD’s and 29 INT’s and completed a commendable 66.6% of his passes. He closed out the 2015 season with a four-game winning streak that culminated in a blowout 45-16 win over Iowa in the Rose Bowl. The aforementioned winning streak would've been at 11 games had it not been for a narrow 38-36 loss to Oregon in Week 10. His numbers might not as dazzling as this year's top-rated QB prospects, but Hogan has proven time and again that he's an exceptional game manager who has the ability and intelligence to make clutch plays when his team needs them. He might not possess the ideal arm strength and athleticism of his Stanford predecessor Andrew Luck, but Hogan can give a team who has the time to develop a young prospect the chance to gain a future efficiency machine (Cowboys anyone?)
Unknown:Brandon Doughty (Senior-Western Kentucky)
Doughty turned in a decent days work at the combine despite running the slowest 40 time for quarterbacks (5.22). Doughty had a stellar career at Western Kentucky, throwing for a combined 12,855 yards,111 TD’s and 34 INT’s and an overall completion rate of 59.6% (his completion rate would be higher had he not been lost to injury in 2011 and 2012.) Many skeptics will rightly point to the fact that Doughty wasn’t exactly facing top notch competition while at Western Kentucky, which is why it is difficult to tell whether his collegiate success will translate into the NFL.
Connor Cook (Senior-Michigan State)
Although though he's bit a behind Goff and Wentz, Cook possesses one of the more impressive resumes of any quarterback in this draft class. During his four years as a starter for Michigan State, he thrown for a combined 9,194 yards (71 TD’s, 22 INT’s) and led the Spartans to a pair of Big Ten Championships in 2013 and 2015 and a Rose Bowl victory in 2013. However with his rather unimpressive completion rate (56.5%) and well-documented character problems, Cook is going to have be damn near perfect throughout the rest of the pre-draft workouts and interviews to sneak back into early-round consideration.
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Update
Hello all,
I'd like to apologize for my lack of posting this week. My computer crapped out Monday morning and I'm currently looking for a replacement. I'll hopefully be back to regular posting by the end of the week once I obtain a new computer. Thank you very much for reading and I hope you'll check back soon for new content!
Chris Maitland
I'd like to apologize for my lack of posting this week. My computer crapped out Monday morning and I'm currently looking for a replacement. I'll hopefully be back to regular posting by the end of the week once I obtain a new computer. Thank you very much for reading and I hope you'll check back soon for new content!
Chris Maitland
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