Draft Recap

               Welcome everyone to the summer edition of the WahooWatch, finals are now over and I can return to hopefully fairly regular coverage of the Wahoos. The 2009 NFL Draft has come and gone and it was full of surprises. We’ll break this down player by player and I’ll give my opinions on the scenarios that the players find themselves in.

Eugene Monroe- 8^th Overall to Jacksonville

                This was a surprise to me. I felt certain that Monroe would go ahead of Andre Smith of Alabama but he is entering a great situation in Jacksonville where he will anchor an offensive line that is in dire need of repair. The Jags also took Eben Britton to play right tackle and turned a weakness of last year into a potential strength.

Clint Sintim- 45^th Overall (2^nd Round) to Giants

                Right about where I thought Sintim would good but I did not expect him to go to a 4-3 defense. Obviously Sintim has proven that he can cover well enough to join a fairly strong linebacking corps in New York, great news for redskins fans.

Cedric Peerman- 185^th Overall (6^th Round) to Baltimore

                This is much MUCH later than I expected Cedric to go. The ravens got a steal in the 6^th round. Peerman will probably return kicks this season but will most likely  not see much time at running back unless Willis McGahee continues to struggle.

John Phillips 208^th Overall (6^th Round) to Dallas

                Phillips comes into a soap opera in Dallas and will probably be a special teamer for a while. Jason Witten is still one of the top tight ends in the league and is probably not going anywhere for a while. Phillips is still a steal in the 6^th round and could find his way onto the field with a strong showing in camp.

Kevin Ogletree- Undrafted to Dallas

                Watching Kevin go undrafted broke my heart. He signs on with Dallas where he could play special teams but it doesn’t look good. Note to every receiver who is not a first round lock, come back to school.

Antonio Appleby- Undrafted to New England

                Great guy going into a great situation. If Appleby works hard he can make the team as a special teamer and possibly grab one of the many open linebacker spots as the pats get older

 

Overall a good draft for the Hoos. Sintim and Monroe will most likely start from day one. I feel terrible for Kevin but this should motivate him to work harder and potential make a team that has a void at receiver.

 

For the rest of the summer look for coverage of baseball, tennis and lacrosse in the post season and profiles of new football coaches and what the spread offense will look like. Thanks for reading!

WahooWatch Mock Draft

Hey everyone. This is the official Mock Draft of the WahooWatch. None of this will end up happening given my track record with these kinds of things but I figure everyone else has one so why don’t I make one too.

 

1. Lions                 Matthew Stafford           QB (Georgia)

                Ok the lions need just about everything so why not start with a QB. Stafford has absolute cannon for an arm and is the consensus number one pick. Look for a deal to be done before the draft.

 

2. Rams                Jason Smith                                     OT (Baylor)

                Orlando Pace is gone so there is a huge void on the left side of the Rams line. Smith is allegedly the best tackle in the draft and will provide a wall for Mark Bulger to throw and Stephen Jackson to run behind.

 

3. Chiefs               Eugene Monroe                               OT (Virginia)

                The Chiefs are actively shopping this pick but if they remain here Monroe could go here. While Aaron Curry is also a strong possibility the thought of teaming Monroe with former teammate Branden Albert should be something that gets the Chief’s attention.

 

4. Seahawks       Michael Crabtree             WR (Texas Tech)

                The signing of T.J. Houshmandzadeh makes this not a lock but is still a possibility. Crabtree has a bum foot but is still by far the best receiver in this draft. Look for the Seahawks to have a high flying passing game this season with Crabtree’s addition.

 

5. Browns            Aaron Curry                        LB (Wake Forest)

                Curry is a steal at 5, which is a testament to his abilities. A big strong and fast middle linebacker that will anchor a defense that will be strong for years to come.

 

6. Bengals            Andre Smith                       OT (Alabama)

                The Bengals need help in almost every area except QB. Smith unfortunately fits in well with the attitude of the Bengals with questions of his work ethic abound.

 

7. Raiders            Jeremy Maclin                   WR (Mizzou)

                Al Davis loves speed and Maclin has plenty of it. The Raiders have more pressing needs but logic doesn’t seem to prevail out in the bay area too often.

 

8. Jaguars            B.J. Raji                                 DT (Boston College)

                The trade of Marcus Stroud was probably a bad idea. If one of the tackles is still available the Jags go that way but if not Raji is the pick. There are rumors that Sanchez will be the pick here but Garrard is not the problem with this offense.

 

9. Packers            Malcom Jenkins                                CB/S (Ohio State)

                The Packers would love Raji if he is here but I don’t think he will be. They could definitely use an upgrade in the secondary as Woodson and Harris aren’t getting any younger.

 

10. 49ers              Brian Orakpo                      DE (Texas)

                While I’m sure former pro bowl middle linebacker Mike Singletary would love Aaron Curry but I don’t know if they have to goods to go get the Chiefs pick. Orakpo is a freak that loves to go get the QB and will bring some ferocity to the 49ers defense.

11. Bills                 Tyson Jackson                   DE (LSU)

                The Bills defense needs help. Tyson Jackson is a stud and will bring some pop to the D-Line

 

12. Broncos         Mark Sanchez                    QB (USC)

                Hopefully the Redskins don’t trade and grab Sanchez ahead of the Broncos. This pick is a no-brainer if Sanchez is still here. Sorry Kyle Orton.

 

13. Redskins       Aaron Maybin                   DE/LB  (Penn State)

                This pick makes a lot of sense, which is probably why it won’t happen. Maybin is a great addition to slide right into the void left by Marcus Washington. If I were running this draft I’d shop this pick for more picks, but then again I also would  not have traded all my picks for Jason Taylor, but that’s just me.

 

14. Saints             Brian Cushing                     LB (USC)

                This draft should be almost all defense for the Saints. While Chris Wells is a possibility as a power back to compliment Reggie Bush I think Cushing will be the pick to sure up the linebacking corps.

 

15. Texans           Clay Matthews                  LB (USC)

                Matthews and Cushing are very similar in talent level. While the Texans need OL help the linebacking corps is a more pressing need.

 

16. Chargers       Chris Wells                          RB (Ohio State)

                LT is reaching the end and Darren Sproles is not an every down back. Wells is a big bruiser who is a perfect complement to Sproles speed.

 

17. Jets                 Josh Freeman                    QB (Kansas State)

                Do you think Kellen Clemens is a potential star? Neither do I. Freeman is in the mold of a Jason Campbell who in theory is a good QB. Hopefully he gets a chance and doesn’t have a new offense every year.

 

18. Broncos         Robert Ayers                     DE (Tennessee)

                The Broncos have an abysmal defense. Ayers is the best defensive player available here and will instantly help the D-Line.

 

19. Bucs                Everette Brown                                DE/LB (Florida State)

                The Bucs need to bring some tenacity back to the defense that seems to have been lacking the past few years. Everette Brown is perfect to fill that void.

 

20. Lions               Michael Oher                     OT (Ole Miss)

                Since they addressed QB with the first pick look for the Lions to get a bookend for the next 10 years. Oher has a troubled history but is still an ideal tackle.

 

21. Eagles            Brandon Pettigrew          TE (Oklahoma State)

                L.J. Smith is terrible and gone. The Eagles address a huge need here with the best tight end in the draft.

 

22. Vikings           Eben Britton                       OT (Arizona)

                The Vikings need help on the offensive line. Britton is a good value at this spot.

 

23. Patriots         Rey Maualuga                   LB (USC)

                Is this fair? Maualuga is an absolute steal here and the Patriots get another steal to reload their linebacking corps.

 

24. Falcons          Peria Jerry                           DT (Ole Miss

                The Falcons just traded for Tony Gonzalez so this pick is a slam dunk. Jerry is an enormous man who can clog up the middle and instantly bolster a defense that struggled at times this season. This also allows John Abraham to run even wilder this season.

 

25. Dolhpins       Vontae Davis                     CB (Illinois)

                The Dolphins need a corner. Davis is the best available. This is easy.

 

26. Ravens          Darius Heyward-Bey       WR (Maryland)

                DHB is local guy and an absolute burner. The fastest receiver in the draft and seems to be a prototypical build. DHB may be a steal here but was inconsistent at times this season.

 

27. Colts               Evander Hood                   DT (Mizzou)

                Defensive Tackle has always been a weakness for the Colts. Evander Hood is a monster that can plug into that hole and will provide great help for Dwight Freeny who seems to be the only player worth his weight on that line.

 

28. Bills                 William Beatty                   OT (Connecticut)

                The Bills need a tackle here. Beatty is the best one available.

 

29. Giants            Percy Harvin                       WR (Florida)

                Harvin apparently smoked pot in college. I’ve heard some people do that sometimes. Anyway he’s a good fit to be the dynamic receiver that replaces Plaxico Burress.

 

30. Titans             Darius Butler                      CB (Connecticut)             

                Titans need a corner to play opposite Courtland Finnegan. Butler is that guy.

 

31. Cardinals       Larry English                       DE/LB (Northern Illinois)

                The Cardinals already have a freakishly tall DE in Calais Campbell. English is a strong option but Michael Johnson is also an option here if the Cardinals are also going to play basketball.

 

32. Steelers        Alex Mack                           C (California)

                I don’t understand how but the Steelers managed to win the super bowl with a mediocre offensive line. Mack is an extremely intelligent center who can anchor that line for many years.

WahooWatch Draft Preview

                So today I’m going to address the 5 main Virginia players that are in the 2009 NFL Draft; OT Eugene Monroe, OLB Clint Sintim, RB Cedric Peerman, TE John Phillips, and WR Kevin Ogletree.  All of the players mentioned are seniors with the exception of Kevin Ogletree who was only a junior. Being from Al Groh’s system these players have the distinct advantage in the draft as Coach Groh is extremely well respected in NFL coach circles. These players also have almost perfect character and have never had a problem in their tenures at UVA. So let’s get into the projections:

 

Eugene Monroe:

Offensive Tackle       6’ 5” 312 lbs

Projected Selection: Top 8 pick

                 Monroe is the latest top offensive line prospect to come out of UVA. At 6-5 312 Monroe is a behemoth of a man and could easily anchor an offensive line for years to come. Along with Branden Albert, Monroe led one of the best left sides in the country during the 2007 campaign, and if Albert’s first round selection was any indication, Monroe will be taken very high in this draft. Monroe may go as high as 2 to the Rams, but is more likely to go 6 to the Bengals or at worst 8 to Jaguars. Pay attention to the Seahawks at 4 as a possibility too.

 

Clint Sintim:

 Outside Linebacker         6’ 3” 253 lbs

Projected Selection: 2^nd-3^rd Round

                 Sintim is without a doubt a tenacious pass rusher coming off the edge in Coach Groh’s 3-4 system. Look for Sintim to go to a team that runs a 3-4 versus a team that runs a 4-3 as his coverage abilities have come into question of late. Sintim reminds me of a Joey Porter type player who can be the emotional leader of the team and has a nose for the quarterback. I’d look at the Dolphins or the Niners in the second round, or potentially the Patriots. If he’s available in the 3^rd round I would love the Redskins to pick him up.  Good thing we traded for Jason Taylor and don’t have a 2^nd rounder, which is probably the pick the dolphins will use to take Sintim, which is a perfect fit.

Cedric Peerman:

 Running Back      5’ 10” 211 lbs

Projected Selection: 3^rd Round

                Peerman turned in the fastest 40 time at the combine, which shocked me. As a prospect I did not expect Peerman to move up the board as fast as he did. Peerman is an ordained minister so character issues are completely out of the question with him. Peerman is probably a strong 3^rd down back option, or a nice speed back to compliment a big bruiser. Here’s looking at you Cincinnati in the late 3^rd round.

 

John Phillips:

 Tight End                    6’ 5” 251 lbs

Projected Selection: 5^th Round

                Phillips is a steal in the 5^th round. UVA’s offensive deficiencies have dropped his stock way way down. As far as a prospect goes however I think teams are really missing the boat on this kid. He catches almost everything thrown his way and blocks very well. While not a monster prospect Phillips will definitely be a serviceable and reliable tight end in the NFL for years to come. As much as I hate to say this, look for the Patriots or Eagles to take a peek at him in the 5^th round if they haven’t already addressed tight end.

 

Kevin Ogletree:

Wide Receiver        6’ 1” 196 lbs

Projected Selection: 4^th Round

                I didn’t quite understand why when Ogletree entered the draft but he has certainly proven me wrong. While I’m sure the 4^th round isn’t quite as good as where he probably wanted to go Ogletree worked hard just to get to that point.  Ogletree is a perfect slot receiver to any team that needs an upgrade in that department. I’d draw comparisons to a Santana Moss type player. I’d look at the Ravens or the Steelers in the 4^th round, with the Titans as a dark horse.

 

Anyway this will all end up being proven wrong in the end but I wish all these players the best of luck. As finals approach these entries might be a little more sporadic but hopefully I’ll be able to keep up. Football talk will start soon, as well as baseball, lacrosse, and yes lyle, tennis.