Countdown to the 2010 NFL Draft

by Steve

Wait what, the NFL draft is in a week? God damn. Why the hell is it on a god damn Thursday again? (Rd. 1: Thurs., April 22, 7:30 p.m. ET Rds. 2-3: Fri., April 23, 6 ET Rds. 4-7: Sat., April 24, 10 a.m. ET) Sabres game 5 is also Friday night so get your second tv out of the closet. Um, but who are the Bills going to draft? Here is the first in several posts breaking down the 2010 NFL Draft.

The needs are obvious. quarterback, wide receiver, tackle, guard, defensive end,, defensive tackle, linebacker, safety, holy shit this team blows. Drafting at nine isn't complicated. Take the most talented player at the biggest need or most likely to make an impact immediately. (Also we are assuming the Bills aren't moving out of nine even though they should)

There is no quarterback in this draft worth a top 10 pick so throw all of them out. There is likely to be three offensive tackles taken in the top eight so throw that idea out. Wide receiver, no way, guard, never, and the Bills took a DE/OLB hybrid tweener last year so that has to be out also. So that basically leaves two positions, inside linebacker or nose tackle.

Both positions are glaring needs in this new 3-4 scheme. There is absolutely no NT on the roster, Poz is injury prone, Mitchell isn't good and there isn't much else unless you really like Andra Davis or Nic Harris.

Meeting this criteria the only two or three players worth a look are Terrence Cody NT Alabama, Dan Williams NT Tennessee, and Rolando McClain ILB Alabama. I'm not going to waste time with this post breaking down these dudes so I'll cut to the chase...

My Pick:

Rolando McClain

Running back on the trade black?

Roto World
According to Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson, a "Pro Bowl running back" is on the trading block to the point where talks have already begun with a team outside the division.
Though Robinson can't reveal the player or team yet, he did say it won't be a "shocking" deal and it doesn't involve Marion Barber. Possibilities include Marshawn Lynch (2008), Ronnie Brown (2008), Clinton Portis (2008), DeAngelo Williams (2009), and Willis McGahee (2007). Our best guess is Marshawn Lynch, possibly with a trade back to California and the Chargers. Apr. 10 - 3:57 pm et

Kiper and McShay's latest Buffalo Bills mock

ESPN Insider only:

Todd McShay/Scout's Inc

Anthony Davis OT Rutgers

McShay: QB Jimmy Clausen is certainly in consideration but the Bills are in no position to start a rookie quarterback behind their existing offensive line. Davis needs to be motivated and his weight must be monitored, but we would argue he's the best pure pass-blocker in the 2010 crop.

Wow, if motivation and weight are mentioned about a first round pick WTF is any team doing considering this guy, especially in the top 10. Mike Williams anyone?
-Steve

Mel Kiper Jr
Brian Bulaga OT Iowa

Kiper: The Bills need to keep whoever's throwing the ball upright, and Bulaga has the chance to be a good pass-protector at this level. I think the Bills would be thrilled to see Trent Williams available here, but in Bulaga, they have a chance to get a player at No. 9 that could go even higher. I think they simply take the best tackle on the board here.

More likely a RT in the NFL ? Ehhh. But this unanimous OT decision by these two 'experts' has me wildly nervous. An offensive tackle this high is a waste and clearly proves the decision to trade Jason Peters was the blunder of the decade. And that is an extensive blunder list.
-Steve

Donovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins

Adam Schefter broke the story allegedly, here's a link:

Filed to ESPN: Mcnabb to Redskins for 2nd-rd pick this year and either a 3 or 4 next year depending on certain conditions.

The Philadelphia Eagles traded Pro Bowl QB Donovan McNabb to their NFC East rivals, the Washington Redskins, on Sunday. Redskins coach Mike Shanahan confirmed the deal to USA TODAY's Jarrett Bell.

The Redskins will surrender a second-round pick this year (No. 37) and either a third- or fourth-round pick next year, Fox Sports and NFL.com reported.

McNabb has been the Eagles starter since 1999, when the club drafted him with the second overall pick. He brought the team to five NFC championship games and to Super Bowl XXXIX.

WOW trading him within the division? Gutsy idiotic or they have more knowledge than anyone else has. Plus this means the Bills will have a shot at shitty Jimmy Clausen @9. fml

Brian Roloff signs contract with AHL Providence

Link

University of Vermont senior captain Brian Roloff will spend the rest of the season with the Providence Bruins after signing an amateur tryout agreement with the American Hockey League club.

Roloff made his debut Friday night, recording an assist in a 3-1 win over the Worcester Sharks. He will stay with the Bruins for their final five games of the regular season before returning to UVM to complete his degree.

The forward was Vermont’s third-leading scorer this winter with nine goals and 18 assists in 39 games. He played a total of 145 games for the Catamounts and finished with 26 goals and 53 assists.

Roloff is one of 26 former UVM players to skate in the professional ranks this season.

MLB 2010 preview: NL West

by Steve

Your waiting with bated breath for the NL West preview can come to a safe end, here it is:


Colorado Rockies wins 91
The questions surrounding Troy Tulowitzki and whether it was a one year wonder or sophomore slump seem to be quelled. He is the real deal. The rest of the team however appears to be average(Stewart, Iannetta, Fowler, Barmes) or on the downside of above average (Helton, Hawpe). The real wild card however is RF Carlos Gonzalez. The one time hot prospect is still hot but on his third team and already 24. He needs to prove the hype this season. Another rising star is young ace Ubaldo Jimenez, don't sleep on him this season.

Question Mark
Is the rotation strong enough to push for the division?

Exclamation Point
Expect some snowy playoff baseball again in Denver

Los Angeles Dodgers wins 90
This team one through eight is solid if not great. The kids, Kemp, Either, Loney proved they didn't need another big bat like Man-Ram to win in the National League. For this team to compete for a division and beyond they need more from Russ Martin, Man-ram to play every day, and/or have Belliard and Furcal not deteriorate. Wait, who is their #5 in the rotation??!

Question Mark
Why did management believe having Vicente Padilla as their 2010 ace was sufficient?

Exclamation Point
McCourt's divorce may be ruining a spectacular nucleus

Arizona Diamondbacks wins 82
Does this team age? The entire lineup seems to be all young dudes that have some how been around 4 or 5 years. LaRoche and Kelly Johnson as their veterans is a major cause for concern. Miguel Montero is one of the more underrated young catchers in baseball. Former White Sox CF Chris Young is beyond puzzling. Was he on roids, just a head case, or not 100% committed? Also it is a make or break year for Conor Jackson in right. The rotation is in trouble if Edwin Jackson doesn't bounce back.

Question Mark
How long will Brandon Webb be out for?

Exclamation point
Justin Uptin got paid!

San Francisco Giants wins 82
This team is either built to win now or never. Rowand, Huff, Derosa, Renteria, Sanchez, how many decently good seasons can they have left? Pablo Sandoval was the darling of 2010 but he needs to prove it wasn't a one year streak of luck. God damn this rotation is stacked though. Cain, Lincecum and Zito are a great 1-2-3 for a mid major market team. Nate Schierholtz could have a big season.

Question Mark
Anyone remember Jonathan Sanchez's no hitter?

Exclamation Point
the Giants have won the most games of any team in the history of baseball

San Diego Padres wins 69
Another divorce in the NL West could derail an entire franchise? Over under 7/15/10 the day Adrian Gonzalez is traded. At least the youth movement got started in '09. Chase Hudley is the real deal, but does anyone know who the hell Kyle Blanks or Will Venable are?

Question Mark
How long is it going to take to rebuild this mess?

Exclamation Point
Jon Garland is their ace over Chris Young

MLB 2010 preview: NL Central

by Steve

In our continuing series to predict exactly what is going to happen in baseball this season and inform you of the numerous things you're too dumb to know; let us break down the National League Central.


St Louis Cardinals 94 wins
The media darling of Major League Baseball, the St Louis Cardinals are perpetual favorites in the eyes of most prognosticators. Maybe it is because they have the best player in the league, but I think it has more to do with them being in the middle of the country, a small big market team that avoids controversy and the spot light. They're overrated. Pooj and Holliday are solid but what about the rest of the position players? Molina is good but is CF Colby Rasmus really the next coming of.. ? Then again the mediocrity of this division helps big time.

Question mark
2nd, 3rd and SS. Are Freese, Schumaker and Ryan good enough?
Exclamation point
Carpenter and Wainwright are under rated


Cincinnati Reds 86 wins
Is this team always the most over hyped underdog in March/April or is it just me? Volquez is on the 60 day DL, not good. Harang had an awful '09 while Arroyo was solid. Those two will have the biggest impact on the Reds '10 season. Then again which Bailey and Cueto will show up, the young studs or noodle armed flops? Who knows maybe this team is the perfect combination of young, Bruce, Votto and Stubbs, and old, Cabrera, Rolen and Phillips.

Question Mark
The rotation

Exclamation Point
Again my sleeper for 2010, why buck the trend!?


Milwaukee Brewers 85 wins
After an injury plagued 2009 Ricky Weeks is due for a big season. Braun and Fielder are entrenched all-stars but the rest of the team is mediocre. Hopefully for Brewer nation Carlos Gomez figures it out with a change of scenery and that Escobar is ready for the Bigs. Get to know Casey McGehee and start to forget who Corey Hart is.

Question Mark
Are either Gallardo or Wolf top of the rotation guys?

Exclamation point
The Gomez for JJ Hardy trade will define the 2010 Brew crew


Chicago Cubs 79 wins
Lovable losers my ass. This team might just be a bunch of losers. Their window is shutting quick. D Lee is soon to be 34, Ramirez soon to be 32, and Soriano is 34. The rest of the team is young but not as skilled. Soto needs to make some major strides from behind the dish and Fuckyoudome needs to be better. Marmol is a relative new comer to the 9th inning while Samardzija needs to start pitching 6+ innings.

Question Mark
Why is Marlon Byrd the starting center fielder?

Exclamation point
This team needs to make some moves ASAP


Houston Astros 71 wins
Geoff Blum might be the worst starting 1b in baseball. Pedro Feliz will not be an awful 3b signing. Jason err Michael Bourne and Hunter Pence need to take over this team and become their new identity. Berkman man only miss a few weeks with the knee injury but he is 34 and might be breaking down for good. Carlos Lee makes a ton of jack but his stats are ridiculously consistent.

Question Mark
Who the hell is Tommy Manzella?

Exclamation Point
This rotation stinks

Pittsburgh Pirates 67 wins
Andrew McClutchen Andrew McClutchen Andrew McClutchen Andrew McClutchen Andrew McClutchen Andrew McClutchen Andrew McClutchen Andrew McClutchen

Question Mark
Is this team going through 18 more years of rebuilding?

Exclamation point
The city of Pittsburgh deserves to have one crummy team fuck 'em.