Buccaneer First round picks

I was wondering all day how the Buccaneers have been trying to build their team the past few seasons. So I decided that the day before the first round of the draft to take a closer look into their first round draft picks since 2004.

2004 - Micheal Clayton - LSU - 15th overall- After a really good rookie season he kind of fell of the radar with some minor injuries and lack of a quarterback to get him the ball really. Still seems kind of like a bust since after a 1000 plus yard rookie season he has only had 2900 yards in his career.

2005 - Cornell Williams - Auburn - 5th overall - After a really good rookie season he kind of fell of the radar a little also. Injuries have pleaged his career. He had a 1000 yard rookie season and has yet to match that awesome rookie season. He might be able to get back into form this year if he can stay healthy.

2006 - Davin Joseph - Oklahoma - 23rd overall - He was a probowler in 2008 so not a bad pick. Hasn't made another probowl since then though so that seems almost inconstant.

2007 - Gaines Adams - Clemson - 4th overall - Was thought to be the piece needed to have a pass rush but he really didn't pan out too well in Tampa and got traded to Chicago. In the offseason he past away it's sad to see one so leave the game that way and so young.

2008 - Aqib Talib - Kansas - 20th overall - been starting on the other side of Rhonde Barber since he was a rookie. He has the talent and being mentored by one of the best corners to play the game can only help him.

2009 - Josh Freeman - Kansas State - 17th overall - A lot is to be seen from him yet but he might be their quarterback for the future. This season could determine his future.

2010 - not picked yet, let's take a look at that after the draft tomorrow.

by: Shane Murray

NFL draft is on Thursday!

An interesting thing about this years draft is so many people have moved in the offseason. If you look at most mock the really aren't to many that kept up with the moves. There was so many big name free agents and trades that most teams whe structures changed. Look at carolina losing Peppers. The Jets released Thomas Jones who was basicly everything you could ask for from a running back the last few years double digit touchdowns and thousand plus rushing hard seasons. Then the bring in LT, not that it's a bad move if the kept Jones. But to go from Jones to LT who's been hurt last few seasons seems almost silly.

The Eagles traded McNabb after saying earlier in offseason he was to be this years starting quarter back. That seems a little crazy, but to make it better they traded him to the Redskins (a team in their own division). They also traded away Sheldon Brown and Chris Gocong and they where already hurting at those to positions before trade. The Vikings let Chester Taylor walk who was there passing down back. They better hope that AP can learn how to block and doesn't put the ball on the ground as mu h as did last season.

Then there a teams that have pretty obvious needs like Packers need offensive linemen if they want Rodgers to last as long as Favre. The Redskins will be going after offensive line to because that's what Shanahan is known for. This years draft should be pretty interesting people who look like solid first rounders could fall into second and seconds that could move up into first round. Thursday night should be pretty interesting can't wait to see what happens.

Hamels gettng back into form?

Cole Hamels coming into this season was looking to get back on track and get some of that luster he had in the 2008 playoffs and world series. Last year was a rough year for Hamels, he got frustrated easily and didn't enjoy the game like a player should. He had rough spring training last year with an elbow injury that might have put him off to a bad start. He got his double digit wins last year but it was looking tough for him to get there last year.

Two games into this season and Hamels isn't pitching lights out but he is pitching pretty decent. He has gone 10.2 innings, 11 hits, 6 er, 11ks and a 5.06 era. He also got two wins during both of those starts. He has given up 2 homers in two starts, which is probably his only real weakness is he gives up 20+ long balls a year. But getting two wins should be big for his confidence going into the season.

I think he'll probably end up getting 12-14 wins and a low 3 era. I expect at least 1 complete game from him this year he's averaged 2 over the last 3 years. Hamels should try to learn some things from Roy Holladay and learn some of his secrets so he can improve his game a little. I think he might one day be that ace the Phils organization thought he would be if he can keep his mind in the game and let the veteran Holladay help his game.

By: Shane Murray

QB competition for Birds?

Going into the 2010 training camp the Eagles will be hosting a quarterback competition between Kevin Kolb and Mike Vick. This is an interesting situation for Eagles fans and Eagles organization. This is the first time in a long time the Eagles didn't know who there quarterback would be going into the season. Some say it should be Kolb cause he's sat for two years and contract is up at the end of the year and you don't want to resign a player you never seen play. Others think it should be Vick because of his experience in the NFL already plus the other intangibles he brings into the game. Let's take a look at the two players a little more in depth.

Kevin Kolb drafted by the Eagles in second round in the 2007 draft, with the 36th pick. He came from the University of Huston. He threw for 12,964 yards while in Huston. He also threw for 85 touchdowns. He got his first time against the Ravens in 2008 where he got put into a game where McNabb was getting trounced and then he continued to be trounced. Last season he got two starts while McNabb was out. He started against the Saints and the Chiefs. He threw for more then 300 yards in both of those games.

Mike Vick drafted by the Falcons first round in the 2001 draft, number 1 overall. He was the starter for the whole time he was with the Falcons. He was suspended by the NFL in 2007 for dog fighting charges. He has made 3 probowls and was the only quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in one season. He took the Falcons to the NFC championship game in 2004. He spent some time in jail for pleading guilty to the dog fighting charges and when he came back as a free agent. The Eagles decided to sign him to back up McNabb and add some veteran experience in the position.

Both Vick and Kolb have a lot to prove to Andy Reid before he names the starter for the season. It should be interesting to see what happens in training camp and preseason games. Kolb and Vick both bring two pretty different dimensions to the table. Kolb is going to be more of a pocket passer, he doesn't have the blazing speed to be a mobile quarterback. Though he can do a little with his legs to extend the play if necessary. Vick on the other hand is a mobile quarterback, he has speed and a rocket arm. The only thing about Vick is he can get run happy, and his accuracy is not that great. It looks to be a great time for these two quarterbacks one who is trying to make himself and another who is trying to overcome a black mark on his other wise great career.

By: Shane Murray

Week One in the Books

Well Opening Week has ended for the Phillies, and what a week it has been. The Fightins' are off to their best start since 1993. The first week seen some pretty easy opponents, but it started the Phils on the foot. They took 2 of 3 from the Nats, and swept the 'Stros, all on the road. The Phillies out scored the Nats and 'Stros 43-18 and had 10+ hits in all but one game during the road trip. For the Phillies' home opener they welcome back the Nationals, Cole Hamles will be on the mound. He will look to improve on his first start of the season.

Players of the Week:

Ryan Howard.
Chocolate Lava blasted 3 long balls, has a .357 average, and 10 RBIs through the first week of the season. He also has only struck out 4 times so far. Hopefully he can continue this into the season.

Roy Halladay.
Doc was dealing in the first week of the season. In his 2 starts he went 2-0 with 1 complete game, 16 innings pitched, 17 K's and a 0.56 ERA. Makes you think Cliff who?
Billy Donahue reporting.

McNabb to Redskins?

After the loss to the Cowboys in the playoffs. Andy Reid came out and said that McNabb was still going to be the starter for the 2010 season. Then about two months after that press conference Reid said that all of his quarterbacks where on the table for trade. A surprise for McNabb, since everyone always equated Reid and McNabb as I got your back if you got mine group. There was that one benching of McNabb against the Ravens in the 08 season but he started a week later when they routed the Cardinals.

Now the question is how will McNabb fair in this new system in Washington. When Shanahan got signed as the Redskins coach this offseason after horrible year for Jim Zhorn. Redskins fans got excited to bring in a coach that has a winning record and should be able to turn the team around. In free agency they have brought over Willie Parker and Larry Johnson. That is definitely a strong trait of a Shanahan team a lot of running backs and running the ball in general.

Well one would have thought with them signing Rex Grossman as well that the team was set for at least a quaterback competition in training camp. No one expected what did happen though with McNabb getting traded there for the 37 pick over all this year and a third or a fourth rounder next year. I think that takes away any chance of a quaterback competition in training camp sorry Grossman and Cambell.

Now another good question is when did the Redskins even come into competition for McNabb. There was a lot of rumors that the Raiders where the front runners for McNabb followed by the Bills and some others. McNabb eventually ended up in Washington, which was a odd move in two ways. One way was no one even pictured Washington to be in the picture for McNabb. Another way was that Washington is in the same division as the Eagles and this means they have to play him at least twice this year alone. If Washington doesn't sign him for another 3 to 4 years which he probably has left in the tank.

Now with McNabb coming over that means Shanahan is basically in the same position he was in when he took Denver to back to back superbowl wins. Except with a little more agile quaterback and has been there before. That's a great situation for Washington now since there fans have been watching some really bad football for the last 15 years or so. Bringing McNabb in and Shanahan they instantly change the way this team will finish next season and made them possibably a playoff contender. Let's see what happens next season but as of right now the Redskins are looking at having a good year.

by: Shane Murray

Welcome to the team, boys!

The most anticipated game since game 5 of the World Series 2008, newly acquired Roy Halladay and Placido Polanco stepped right in and contributed. Halladay looked a little shaky giving up a run, but cruised the rest of the way after that, go 7 innings, striking out 9 and giving up just 1 run, even picking up an RIB single. Doc supplied the pitching, Polly provided the pop, returning to the Fightins Polly blasted a grand slam, giving him a total of 6 Rib-i's for the day. Ryan "Chocolate Lava" stated the offensive explosion for the Fightins' with a 2-run bomb in the fifth inning. It was a great way to start the 2010 campaign.
By Billy Donahue