Draft Day Report Card
By The Talented Mr. Mel
- Talented Mr. Mel was really stunned by the trade that sent stud running back Adrian Peterson to the Washington Redskins.
- This year’s draft day had something a little different. From the start you knew the day would be special. I was so excited I woke up at 5:30AM. Throughout the year only Christmas Eve gives me the same feeling as UFL draft day. Carlos was so anxious he locked his keys in his car with the motor still running…
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The champ woke up and posted on the message board that he had awakened and was ready to defend his title. I guess that meant he was going to trade his two most important players.
I will be writing some articles this year. I don’t pretend to be good at it, but I like to say what I think and not being single anymore I have some time to waste now. My first article will be a report card. Let’s get to the point:
Oakland Raiders: B
In free agency GM Yanicki surprised the heck out of everybody. First he traded Peterson. Like that wasn’t enough of a shock he then moves Randy Moss. Although both were solid offers why make these trades? Why mess around with a championship formula? His 2 star players directly responsible for his championship are gone. He did make up for the questionable moves with a very good draft. RB Best should be a top 15 back right away. TE Gresham is very talented, and landing Sam Bradford will definitely pay off in the near future. On paper this team is not as powerful as last year, but it is still a top team.
Buffalo Bills: A
GM Quintana’s rookie draft was impressive. He was safe and calculated. A real sharpshooter style GM. He knows what he wants and usually he always gets what he targets. Foster and Williams will both be starters this year for the Bills and will play a staring role. Later picks Dixon and Collie are bye week players that have potential to move into staring roles in the future. Free agency was also good. Benson and Ocho Cinco are good pickups and trading for Matt Ryan provides the Bills with insurance and some trading chips if needed later.
New York Giants: C
The Giants did some solid work in the rookie draft. Spiller is a stud weapon that will pile up some points. Mike Wallace will be a good staring WR. McCluster and Tate have realistic shots at being starters for the Giants next year. On the other hand the G-Men didn’t do much during free agency to solidify the Quarterback position and receiving his also week.
Tampa Bay: B-
GM Michaud had a good free agency. Wayne will lead the receiving corps. Vincent Jackson was a gamble that will pay off for a few years. They also loaded on veterans for cheap money to provide depth. The draft in 2010 for the Bucs is filled with high risk, high reward gambles. Tebow is the only household name drafted by Michaud and he is loaded with question marks. Forsett and Harrison was still available when the Bucs drafted Huggins and that might come back to make GM Michaud look bad. Time will tell…
Cincinnati: B+
Getting Turner, Fitzgerald and trading for Schaub qualifies has having a good day. Edwards has the potential to be a steal for less than 3M and Winslow is a top 10 TE. Demaryius Thomas is the Bengals best draft pick and should be a force in 2011, maybe even sooner. RB Harrison is often overlooked, but he is a steal in the 3rd round. The Bengals are definitely a team to watch this year. Michael Turner looks poised to get back to his 2008 form.
Minnesota: C
Not much done in free agency, but a good enough rookie draft. Floyd is a starter in 2010 and Eldeman will have fantasy value in the near future. Decker may prove to be a steal in the 4th rounder and Forsett in the 3rd was a nice grab.
Philadelphia: B-
Coach Dahl did a lot of good things on draft day. Getting the duo of Portis and Johnson for cheap was a good move. Drafting Dez Bryant gives the Eagles some pop at WR. Gronkowski in the 2nd round will start some games for the Eagles this year. The only thing I didn’t like about the Eagles day is that they invested too much in the QB position. Some of that money should have gone into getting another RB or WR. Then again QB`s have proven to be valuable trading commodities in past years and coach Dahl can always make a move if needed.
Washington: A+
The skins are the team to beat this year. One trade is all it took to make the Redskins the envy of the league. After winning the UFL championship for his team last year Peterson comes to Washington in an attempt to bring the cup back to its first UFL championship city. Coach Andre John used his late picks to secure the backup to his star RB and grabbing who might be the best scoring kicker in the league this year in Hartley.
Dallas: A+
The skins might be the team to beat, but boy oh boyz this Dallas team have the look of a champion. Coach Armen Kavaldjian might be the best in the league at drafting talent. Ryan Matthews was a no brainer, but I believe both 1st round WR drafted by the Cowboys will play a role in this year’s run. Steven Jackson was kept at a very cheap price and if Jackson can get to double digits TD`s this year then we should see Dallas in the UFL bowl.
Denver: B
In all honesty GM Teoli didn’t need to do much draft day. This team already had some good pieces into place and keeping Gore cheap was good enough to keep this team dangerous. Clausen and Lafell are good picks in the 3rd round.
Miami: D
I like GM Pasquale. He is the funniest guy in this league. I give him an A for his personality, but I don’t have much positive to say for his draft day. Going with a 2 TE set as a standard is a mistake in my opinion. Over 15M spent in TE`s will not get you to the playoffs. Keep that 1st rounder for 2011 Miami; it should be the 1st or 2nd overall pick.
New England: B-
Wow. GM Kenny Viau had lots of draft picks this year. I do not remember the last time this franchise had more than a pick or two. I like all the players they drafted and using some of those picks and signing and trading Owens to get Moss was a good move. Pulling out that Moss jersey after acquiring him was good entertainment!