Draft Day 5

6. Baltimore Ravens, B+. It pains me of doing this, it really does, cause I hate the Ravens with a PASSION. You know, I'd probably be a fan of theirs, if they weren't the former Browns, but since they are they deserve to burn in hell for all of eternity. As for their draft, I love the selection of Ben Grubbs, OG Auburn, and Marshall Yanda, OG Iowa, to help their aging line. If the Ravens have proved anything it's that they know offensive linemen. This just secured their interior and will help McGahee and McNair stay healthy, sadly. I REALLY love the selection of Troy Smith, QB Ohio St, by the Ravens. He will be motivated to prove that he can play in the pros and gets to learn from a constant winner, Steve McNair.

5. San Francisco 49ers, B+. Much like my Cleveland Browns, the Niners fought their way back into the first round to select some protection for their young QB with Joe Staley, OT Central Michigan. I don't know if I'm sold on Staley, but they had to do it as he wouldn't be available by their next pick. Patrick Willis, ILB Ole Miss, could be the central fixture of their defense for the next decade, but I have my reservations about his lack of tackles behind the line. I think Mike Nolan will get Jay Moore, DE Nebraska, and Tarrell Brown, CB Texas, to play to the best of their ability. Their not superstars, but they can be consistent players who are always on the field giving 100%. Jason Hill, WR Washington St, could be the steal that absolutely no one is talking about due to his lack of playing time at WR in the sense that he just moved there recently. Dashon Goldson, FS Washington, may have been a stretch that early in the draft, but he is quite versatile so maybe that's the thinking there. A good solid draft by a team on the upswing.

4. New England Patriots, A-. Of course they get this high, they just received arguably the best Wide Receiver in the NFL for a fourth round pick. He has already shown that he is willing to conform to the Patriots' way of business and they have let it known that one misstep, one hair out of place and your ass will be shown the door. Brandon Merriweather, FS Miami, I think will be compared all year long to Devin Hester and I believe it is a valid comparison. Dude can seriously be the game changer they need on defense and special teams that put them back on top. Think about the finesse at one safety and the manslaughter that Rodney Harrison unleashes on the other. Clint Oldenburg, OT Colorado St, and Justin Rogers, OLB Southern Methodist, are players in that traditional Patriots mold. Corey Hilliard, OT Oklahoma St, could very well be one of those players as well, I just don't know if he will excel in the NFL as he struggled from time to time in college. Oscar Lua, LB USC, could very well be the steal for the Patriots in this draft if he manages just to stay healthy. He will learn a great deal from his fellow SC alumni Junior Seau and could be that replacement that they were needing for the aging linebacking corps.

3. Carolina Panthers, A-. Jon Beason, the heir apparent for one of the best defenses in the league, possibly. I like the idea that this kid can excel in the NFL, and if anyone can get this accomplished it's the Panthers, but I wonder if Harris or Buster Davis would have been a better choice. No doubt he will be assisted by fellow U alumni Dan Morgan, but something in my head says this is a huge bust. No real reason why, I just see his stuff and feel uncomfortable spending a first round pick on him. That has nothing to do however with their second round which can be summed up with the following, holy shit v is for victory. The tandem of Dwayne Jarrett, WR USC, and Ryan Kalil, C USC, just bumped up their offense immensely. They let go Keyshawn Johnson to make room for this kid who I think compliments Steve Smith almost perfectly. Charles Johnson, DE Georgia, will have a great career with the Panthers opposite Julius Peppers not to mention over his much hyped teammate Quentin Moses. Ryne Robinson, WR Miami (OH), will alleviate Steve Smith from returning everything as he is the nation's active career leader in both punt-return yardage (1,677) and punt-return touchdowns (seven).

2. Arizona Cardinals, A. Yeah, I know, I'm just as shocked as you all are. The first two spots in this grading goes to two teams that have been the doormats for the last five years or so. I LOVE their choice as the head coach, they have all the talent on offense to win and I will say it now, the Cards will be a wild card team this year, at the least. I called Levi Brown, OT Penn St, going to the Cards Whisenhunt loves this kid. I do too, he's a strong and physical player who will just smash you in the mouth. Alan Branch, DT Michigan, SHOULD be motivated after going from Top Ten pick to the second round, but ya never know sometimes with kids. Their BEST selection was Buster Davis, ILB Florida St, to lead their defense out of the drums it has been in for the last twenty years. This kid is all over the place, we're talking the second coming of Mike Singletary. If the offense has the ball somewhere, this kid is likely to be somewhere nearby. His selection is just slightly over the pick of Ben Patrick, TE Delaware, the best TE to come out of this draft, who was selected in the seventh round. You just gave Leinart all the tools he needs to succeed in the NFL. A fully equipped WR corps, with additional fourth man Steve Breaston, WR Michigan, a star TE and a running back. Whisenhunt will shape this line up and once he does, this offense becomes more potent then the Colts.

1. Cleveland Browns, A+. When Joe Thomas, OT Wisconsin, Brady Quinn, QB Notre Dame, and Eric Wright, CB UNLV, are your first three picks you know you just had a Reggie Jackson day in October. You just gave yourself three people who are the foundation, with Kamerion Wimbley, just gave you the foundation for a great franchise. Yes, for the first time since the Browns came back from exhile, we have the foundation we have always needed. Add that too SGT. Kellen Winslow, Braylon Edwards and D'Qwell Jackson and you have the beginnings of a beautiful relationship to all involved. We showed that we had a huge pair by trading back into the first round to get the man we could have easily taken at our original position. The rest of our picks are solid depth players who should have an opportunity to show themselves, prove they have what it takes and can end up starting some time soon. There is plenty of opportunity and the players drafted all look to be over-achievers, which is a beautiful change.