Blog Archives

Arizona Cardinals: Quarterback is the major concern for the Cardinals as there is really no proven starter on the roster. Derek Anderson will likely be cut as soon as possible, leaving Max Hall and John Skelton to battle it out. The team will almost definitely acquire a veteran once free agency begins, with the most likely candidates Kevin Kolb from Philadelphia or Donovan McNabb. In addition, the team failed to address their offensive line in the draft which could be a source of problems this season.

11) Houston Texans – Da’Quan Bowers, Defensive End, Clemson

The Texans need some major improvements on defense with the transition to a 3-4 scheme. While they could go cornerback, Bowers could add an immediate pass rushing presence after leading the nation with 15.5 in 2010. Injuries and the risk of a one year wonder are concerns, but the risk is worth the reward at 11.

12) Minnesota Vikings – Cameron Jordan, Defensive End, California

Arizona Cardinals: The Arizona Cardinals self destructed after the loss of Kurt Warner, and need a new quarterback to lead the team in the future. The jury is still out on last year’s rookie John Skelton, but it is likely the Cardinals will look to address this issue at some point in the draft. When picking fifth in the first round, it is likely Arizona will not be able to look past Texas A&M outside linebacker Von Miller. He is a tremendous pass rusher and brings young legs to a unit whose starters are both 34 years old.

The St. Louis Rams (7-8) posted a big 25-17 win over the 49ers last week while the Seattle Seahawks (6-9) were routed 38-15 at Tampa Bay, setting up this winner take all pseudo Week 17 playoff game for the NFC West title.

The NFL latest line for this contest is St. Louis -3 on the road, with the betting total set at 41½.

The NFL cannot be too pleased that either an 8-8 Rams team or worse yet a 7-9 Seahawks team will be hosting a first round playoff game, but such is life in the Mild, Mild West of the NFC.

It is not too often that you see the Oakland Raiders cast as favorites, but that is exactly the case this week when they host the St. Louis Rams in a battle of 0-1 teams.

The bookmakers set the NFL betting spread on this contest at Oakland -3½ at home, with the betting total set at 37½.

It is probably impossible for the Oakland Raiders to be more pathetic offensively than they were last week in Tennessee. This was supposed to be an improved team with Jason Campbell at quarterback, but he did not help matters any with a couple of botched snaps. Add in a lost fumble, 10 penalties and four sacks allowed, and the Oakland offense did not look all that much different from years past.

A Look Back – The Greatest Show on Turf is certainly dead. The 2009 St. Louis Rams were a disgrace to the NFL, as they really couldn’t get anything going either offensively or defensively and were largely overmatched every single week. Expectations weren’t very high last year, and they aren’t all that high this year either. Still, HC Steve Spagnuolo is going to have to get his act together at some point, or he’ll be yet another in the long line of coaches on miserable teams that ultimately find themselves out of work.

Winners

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy is perfect for them and they got him exactly where he should go.

Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Berry is exactly what they needed. They might have been able to trade down a few spots and still pick him, but Berry is exactly what they needed.

Seattle Seahawks: Russell Okung probably shouldn’t have fallen to Seattle, so great for them to pick him up. Earl Thomas is another great pick at 14. The Seahawks probably did the best of anyone on Day 1.