On The Clock: Baltimore Ravens

Record: 11-5, 2nd In the AFC South
General Manager: Ozzie Newsome, Head Coach: John Harbaugh (2nd Year), Offensive Coordinator: Cam Cameron (2dn Year), Defensive Coordinator: Greg Mattison (1st Year/2nd Year With Ravens)

Offense Rankings: No. 18 Overall, No. 11 Scoring, No. 28 Passing, No. 4 Rushing
Defense Rankings: No. 2 Overall, No. 3 Scoring, No. 2 Passing, No. 3 Rushing

Last Five Years: 44-36; Last Playoff Appearance: 2008; Last Playoff Victory: 2008 (13-10 Over the Tennessee Titans)

2008 Draft: (1-18) QB Joe Flacco, (2-55) RB Ray Rice, (3-71) LB Tavares Gooden, (3-86) S Tom Zbikowski, (3-99) OG Oniel Cousins, (4-106) WR Marcus Smith, (4-133) OT David Hale, (6-206) S Haruki Nakamura, (7-215) WR Justin Harper, (7-240) RB Allen Patrick

Top Picks Last Five Years:
2008 – (1-18) QB Joe Flacco, Delaware
2007 – (1-29) OG Ben Grubbs, Auburn
2006 – (1-12) DT Haloti Ngata, Oregon
2005 – (1-22) WR Mark Clayton, Oklahoma
2004 – (2-51) DT Dwan Edwards, Oregon St.

Booms: C Jason Brown (4th Round 2005), DT Haloti Ngata (1st Round 2006), S Dawan Landry (5th Round 2006), P Sam Koch (6th Round 2006), OG Ben Grubbs (1st Round 2007), KR Yamon Figurs (3rd Round 2007), OT Marshal Yanda (3rd Round 2007), RB Le'Ron McClain (4th Round 2007), QB Joe Flacco (1st Round 2008)

Busts: DT Dwan Edwards (2nd Round 2004), WR Devard Darling (3rd Round 2004), OLB Dan Cody (2nd Round 2005), DB David Pittman (3rd Round 2006), WR Demetrius Williams (4th Round 2006)

Additions:
C Matt Birk (Free Agent)
CB Chris Carr (Free Agent)
CB Domonique Foxworth (Free Agent)
TE L.J. Smith (Free Agent)

Subtractions:
QB Kyle Boller (FA-St. Louis)
C Jason Brown (FA-St. Louis)
WR Terrance Copper (FA-Kansas City)
DE Marques Douglas (Released)
CB Corey Ivy (FA-Cleveland)
SS Jim Leonhard (FA-New York/AFC)
CB Chris McAlister (Released)
ILB Bart Scott (FA-New York/AFC)
DE Lee Vickers (FA-New York/NFC)

Keepers:
QB Todd Bouman
P Sam Koch
LB Rey Lewis
WR Marcus Maxwell
DT Brandon McKinney
OLB Terrell Suggs (Franchised)

2009 Picks:
Round 1, Selection 26
Round 2, Selection 25
Round 3, Selection 24
Round 4, Selection 23
Round 5, Selection 26
Round 6, Selection 25

Team Needs – Players of Interest (Day One):
1. Wide Receiver: Percy Harvin, Florida; Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland; Kenny Britt, Rutgers; Hakeem Nicks, UNC; Brian Robiskie, OSU; Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma; Jarett Dillard, Rice; Mike Thomas, Arizona
2. Offensive Tackle: Eben Britton, Arizona; William Beatty, UConn; Jamon Meredith, South Carolina; Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma
3. Kicker: None.
4. Outside Linebacker: Clay Matthews Jr., USC; Brian Cushing, USC; Aaron Maybin, PSU; Connor Barwin, Cincinnati; Larry English, Northern Illinois; Clint Sintim, Virginia; Cody Brown, UConn
5. Defensive End: Tyson Jackson, LSU; Jarron Gilbert, San Jose St.; Evander Hood, Missouri; Sen’Derrick Marks, Auburn; Fili Moala, USC

Photo Credit: Mark Campbell, UD Athletics Media Relations Photo, College Press Box (Maryland)

On The Clock: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Roster: 9-7, 2nd In the NFC South
General Manager: Mark Dominik, Head Coach: Raheem Morris (1st Year/7th Year With the Buccaneers), Offensive Coordinator: Jeff Jagodzinski (1st Year), Defensive Coordinator: Jim Bates (1st Year)

Offense Rankings: No. 14 Overall, No. 19 Scoring, No. 11 Passing, No. 15 Rushing
Defense Rankings: No. 9 Overall, No. 10 Scoring, No. 4 Passing, No. 19 Rushing

Last Five Years: 38-42; Last Playoff Appearance: 2007; Last Playoff Victory: 2002 (48-21 Over the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl)

2008 Draft: (1-20) CB Aqib Talib, (2-58) WR Dexter Jackson, (3-83) OG Jeremy Zuttah, (4-115) DT Dre Moore, (5-160) QB Josh Johnson, (6-175) LB Geno Hayes, (7-238) RB Corey Boyd

Top Picks Last Five Years:
2008 – (1-20) CB Aqib Talib, Kansas
2007 – (1-4) DE Gaines Adams, Clemson
2006 – (1-23) OG Davin Joseph, Oklahoma
2005 – (1-5) RB Cadillac Williams, Auburn
2004 – (1-15) WR Michael Clayton, LSU

Booms: LB Barrett Ruud (2nd Round 2005), OG Davin Joseph (1st Round 2006), OT Jeremy Trueblood (2nd Round 2006), OG Arron Sears (2nd Round 2007), DB Tanard Jackson (4th Round 2007), LB Geno Hayes (6th Round 2008)

Busts: WR Michael Clayton (1st Round 2004), RB Carnell "Cadillac" Williams (1st Round 2005), TE Alex Smith (3rd Round 2005), WR Maurice Stovall, Notre Dame (3rd Round 2006), CB Alan Zemaitis (4th Round 2006)

Additions:
WR Kelly Campbell (Free Agent)
LB Angelo Crowell (Free Agent)
LB Niko Koutouvides (Free Agent)
TE Anthony Mix (Free Agent)
K Mike Nugent (Free Agent)
RB Derrick Ward (Free Agent)
TE Kellen Winslow (Trade)

Subtractions:
K Shane Andrus (Released)
LB Derrick Brooks (Released)
CB Phillip Buchanon (FA-Detroit)
RB Warrick Dunn (Released)
WR Joey Galloway (Released)
DT Jovan Haye (FA-Tennessee)
RB Noah Herron (FA-Cleveland)
WR Ike Hilliard (Released)
OLB Cato June (Released)

Keepers:
S Will Allen
WR Antonio Bryan (Franchised)
WR Michael Clayton
WR Cortez Hankton
QB Luke McCown
SS Jermaine Phillips
DT Ryan Sims
TE Jerramy Stevens
WR Paris Warren

2009 Picks:
Round 1, Selection 19
Round 3, Selection 17
Round 4, Selection 20
Round 5, Selection 19
Round 6, Selection 18
Round 7, Selection 8 (From Jacksonville)
Round 7, Selection 24 (From Baltimore)

Team Needs – Players of Interest (Day One):
1. Quarterback: Mark Sanchez, USC; Josh Freeman, Kansas St.
2. Defensive Tackle: Peria Jerry, Ole Miss
3. Wide Receiver: Percy Harvin, Florida; Darrius Hayward-Bey, Maryland; Kenny Britt, Rutgers; Hakeem Nicks, UNC
4. Outside Linebacker: Brian Cushing, USC; Clay Matthews Jr., USC
5. Fullback: None.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Kansas, Kansas St.)

Top Questions Heading Into The Draft

Written by Justin Van Fulpen

There are many questions that still need to be answered heading into the 2009 NFL Draft here are just a few.

1. What will the Detroit Lions do at number one?

Many people believe that the Lions will draft quarterback Matthew Stafford from Georgia and other think that offensive tackle Jason Smith of Baylor. The interesting thing that no one has brought up is that both Stafford and Smith are represented by the same agency CAA. So when the rumor came up that the Lions where talking to Smith's agent, no one ever said that this was also Stafford's agency as well, so it is not like the Lions can play Stafford against Smith. The Lions have a personal workout with Stafford on March 31st, they have also schedule to spend more time with quarterback Mark Sanchez of USC at his Pro Day on April 1st. The Lions are not sold on one guy, so nothing has changed since the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. The Lions like five guys, Stafford, Sanchez, Smith, offensive tackle Eugene Monroe of Virginia, and linebacker Aaron Curry of Wake Forest. So what will the Lions do at number one, still no one knows.

2. Where does Michael Crabtree go?

Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree was everyone's number one overall prospect going into the NFL Combine in Indianapolis and then it was discovered that he had a stress fracture in his foot. The biggest question on Crabtree was his straight line speed, so he then came out and said he would run the 40 before he had surgery on his foot. When it was all said and done he decided to have the surgery and not run the 40. The question is now where does he end up going in the upcoming NFL Draft. Many thought that he would go number four overall to Seattle, but the Seahawks signed TJ Houshmanzada as a free-agent. He should go between number six and number 10 overall. My guess would be the Oakland Raiders at number seven to pair him up with third year quarterback Jamarcus Russell.

3. Who is the number one overall running back in this year’s class?

Talking with different scouts from different teams you get a lot of different opinions on who teams believe is this year’s number one overall running back. Some teams have Ohio State’s Chris Well number one while other have Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno number one and a few teams have UConn’s Donald Brown as their number one overall running back. It looks as if all three will be first round picks and Pittsburgh’s LeSean McCoy will be a high second round pick. I think you will see Chris Well as the running back that gets drafted first out of all the running backs.

4. How many wide receivers will be drafted in the first round?

After last year where there wasn’t any first round wide receivers. This year I think you can see at most seven, but it looks like their will be four that will be drafted in the first round for sure. Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech, Jeremy Maclin of Missouri, Percy Harvin of Florida, and Darrius Heyward-Bey of Maryland will all go in the first round. You could also see Hakeem Nicks of North Carolina, Kenny Britt of Rutgers and Brian Robiskie of Ohio State all get drafted in the first round as well.

As we get closer to the NFL Draft we will be looking at more of the questions for this years draft.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media, OSU Athletics

On The Clock: Chicago Bears

Record: 9-7, 2nd In the NFC North
General Manager: Jerry Angelo, Head Coach: Lovie Smith (6th Year), Offensive Coordinator: Ron Turner (5th Year), Defensive Coordinator: Bob Babich (3rd Year)

Offense Rankings: No. 26 Overall, No. 16 Scoring, No. 21 Passing, No. 24 Rushing
Defense Rankings: No. 21 Overall, No. 15 Scoring, No. 30 Passing, No. 5 Rushing

Last Five Years: 45-35; Last Playoff Appearance: 2006; Last Playoff Victory: 2006 (39-14 Over the New Orleans Saints in NFC Championship Game)

2008 Draft: (1-14) OT Chris Williams, (2-44) RB Matt Forte, (3-70) WR Earl Bennett, (3-90) DT Marcus Harrison, (4-120) S Craig Steltz, (5-142) CB Zachary Bowman, (5-158) TE Kellen Davis, (7-208) DE Ervin Baldwin, (7-222) OG Chester Adams, (7-243) LB Joey LaRocque, (7-247) OT Kirk Barton, (7-248) WR Marcus Monk

Top Picks Last Five Years:
2008 – (1-14) OT Chris Williams, Vanderbilt
2007 – (1-31) TE Greg Olson, Miami
2006 – (2-42) DB Danieal Manning, Abilene Christian
2005 – (1-4) RB Cedric Benson, Texas
2004 – (1-14) DT Tommy Harris

Booms: DT Tommie Harris (1st Round 2004), DT Tank Johnson (2nd Round 2004), WR Bernard Berrian (3rd Round 2004), CB Nathan Vasher (4th Round 2004), QB Kyle Orton (4th Round 2005), KR Devin Hester (2nd Round 2006), DE Mark Anderson (5th Round 2006), C Josh Beekman (4th Round 2007), S Kevin Payne (5th Round 2007), DB Corey Graham (5th Round 2007), RB Matt Forte (2nd Round 2008)

Busts: LB Leon Joe (4th Round 2004), DE Claude Harriott (5th Round 2004), RB Cedric Benson (1st Round 2005), WR Mark Bradley (2nd Round 2005), LB Jamar Williams (4th Round 2006), DE Dan Bazuin (2nd Round 2007), RB Garrett Wolfe (3rd Round 2007), LB Michael Okwo (3rd Round 2007)

Additions:
QB Brett Basanez (Free Agent)
FS Josh Bullocks (Free Agent)
S Glenn Earl (Free Agent)
OT Frank Omlyale (Free Agent)
OT Kevin Shaffer (Free Agent)

Subtractions:
WR Marty Booker (Released)
FS Mike Brown (Released)
OG Terrance Metcalf (Released)
OT John St. Clair (FA-Cleveland)
OT John Tait (Retired)

Keepers:
RB Kevin Jones
LB Nick Roach

2009 Picks:
Round 1, Selection 18
Round 2, Selection 17
Round 3, Selection 20
Round 3, Selection 35 (Compensatory)
Round 4, Selection 19
Round 5, Selection 18
Round 6, Selection 17
Round 7, Selection 20
Round 7, Selection 37 (Compensatory)
Round 7, Selection 42 (Compensatory)

Team Needs – Players of Interest (Day One):
1. Wide Receiver: Percy Harvin, Florida; Darrius Hayward-Bey, Maryland; Kenny Britt, Rutgers; Brian Robiskie, Ohio St.; Hakeem Nicks, UNC, Brian Robiskie, Ohio St.; Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma
2. Defensive End: Tyson Jackson, LSU, Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech; Aaron Maybin, PSU; Robert Ayers, Tennessee; Paul Kruger, Utah; Lawrence Sidbury Jr., Richmond
3. Quarterback: Mark Sanchez, USC; Josh Freeman, Kansas St.; Pat White, West Virginia
4. Offensive Tackle: Michael Oher, Ole Miss; Andre Smith, Alabama; Eben Britton, Arizona; Jamon Meredith, South Carolina; William Beatty, UConn
5. Guard: Duke Robinson, Oklahoma, Herman Johnson, LSU, Andy Levitre, Oregon St.
6. Safety: Louis Delmas, Western Michigan

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media, OU Athletics Department

On The Clock: New York Jets

Record: 9-7, 3rd In the AFC East
General Manager: Mike Tannenbaum, Head Coach: Rex Ryan (1st Year), Offensive Coordinator: Brian Schottenheimer (4th Year), Defensive Coordinator: Mike Pettine (1st Year)

Offense Rankings: No. 16 Overall, No. 9 Scoring, No.16 Passing, No. 9 Rushing
Defense Rankings: No. 16 Overall, No. 18 Scoring, No. 29 Passing, No. 7 Rushing

Last Five Years: 37-43; Last Playoff Appearance: 2006; Last Playoff Victory: 2004 (20-17 Over the San Diego Chargers)

2008 Draft: (1-6) DE Vernon Gholston, (1-30) TE Dustin Keller, (4-113) CB Dwight Lowery, (5-162) QB Erik Ainge, (6-171) WR Marcus Henry, (7-211) OT Nate Garner

Top Picks Last Five Years:
2008 – (1-6) DE Vernon Gholston, Ohio St. & (1-30) TE Dustin Keller, Purdue
2007 – (1-14) CB Darrelle Revis, Pittsburgh
2006 – (1-19) OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Virginia & (1-29) C Nick Mangold, Ohio St.
2005 – (2-47) K Mike Nugent, Ohio St.
2004 – (1-12) Jonathan Vilma, Miami

Booms: WR Jerricho Cotchery (4th Round 2004), S Erik Coleman (5th Round 2004), S Kerry Rhodes (4th Round 2005), C Nick Mangold (1st Round 2006), RB Leon Washington (4th Round 2006), CB Darrelle Revis (1st Round 2007), LB David Harris (2nd Round 2007)

Busts: CB Derrick Strait (3rd Round 2004), OT Adrian Jones (4th Round 2004), K Mike Nugent (2nd Round 2005), CB Justin Miller (2nd Round 2005), S Andre Maddox (5th Round 2005), QB Kellen Clemens (2nd Round 2006), LB Anthony Schlegel (3rd Round 2006)

Additions:
CB Tyron Brackenridge (Free Agent)
DE Marques Douglas (Free Agent)
NT Howard Green (Free Agent)
LB Larry Izzo (Free Agent)
SS Jim Leonard (Free Agent)
LB Bart Scott (Free Agent)
CB Lito Sheppard (Trade)
CB Donald Strickland (Free Agent)

Subtractions:
TE Chris Baker (Released)
CB David Barrett (Released)
ILB Eric Barton (FA-Cleveland)
ILB David Bowens (FA-Cleveland)
WR Laveranues Coles (FA-Cincinnati)
LB Brad Kassell (Released)
TE Bradley Listorti (FA-New England)
DE C.J. Mosley (FA-Cleveland)
CB Hank Poteat (FA-Cleveland)
LB Cody Spencer (FA-Detroit)

Keepers:
CB Ahmad Carroll
SS Abram Elam
K Jay Feely
OG Brandon Moore
FB Tony Rickardson

2009 Picks:
Round 1, Selection 17
Round 2, Selection 20
Round 3, Selection 12 (From New Orleans)
Round 4, Selection 15 (From Washington)
Round 6, Selection 20
Round 7, Selection 19

Team Needs – Players of Interest (Day One):
1. Wide Receiver: Jeremy Maclin, Missouri; Percy Harvin, Florida; Darrius Hayward-Bey, Maryland; Kenny Britt, Rutgers; Brian Robiskie, Ohio St.; Hakeem Nicks, UNC
2. Defensive End: Tyson Jackson, LSU, Jarron Gilbert, San Jose St., Sen’Derrick Marks, Auburn, Ziggy Hood, Missouri
3. Quarterback: Mark Sanchez, USC; Josh Freeman, Kansas St.
4. Tight End: Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma St.
5. Running Back: Knowshon Moreno, Georgia; Donald Brown, UConn; Chris Wells, Ohio St., LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh, Shonn Greene, Iowa; Glen Coffee, Alabama; Andre Brown, NC State
6. Offensive Tackle: Michael Oher, Ole Miss; Andre Smith, Alabama; Eben Britton, Arizona; Jamon Meredith, South Carolina; William Beatty, UConn

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media, Purdue University Sports Information

Smith Not Short On Confidence

Alphonso Smith, corner back from Wake Forest, stated he is the number one defensive back in the draft. To help develop his game, Smith has squared off against a pair of Super Bowl wide outs in Anquan Boldin of the Arizona Cardinals and Santonio Holmes from the Pittsburgh Steelers thanks to personal connections. He didn't give up a touchdown his entire senior year (and quoted the last time he did was his junior year against Florida State), but states that holding the all-time ACC interception mark (21 career) is most important to him.

Toughest receivers he's faced? Former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions, as well as Maryland’s Darrius Heyward-Bey, and North Carolina’s Hakeem Nicks.

His confidence goes beyond himself, as Smith proclaimed that former teammate and linebacker Aaron Curry is the best defensive player in the draft because of his knowledge of the game.

"By far. It's not even close...a lot of people don't know this but he is probably the smartest person in the draft," Smith said of Curry. He also referred to Curry as a "humble beast" because of his polite, yet misleading demeanor.

Stay tuned for more from the NFL combine.

On Location: WR Notes From Indy - II

WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech:
Training: Michael Johnson Performance
Teams Met With: Lions, Seahawks, Texans, Rams, Saints

WR Darius Heyward-Bey, Maryland:
Teams Met With: Eagles, Titans, Niners

WR Kenny Britt, Rutgers:
Workout: Will work out.
Training: API
Teams Met With: Panthers and half a dozen others
Pro Day: March 23

WR Derrick Williams, Penn State:
Workout: Will work out
Teams Met With: Colts, Cowboys

WR Louis Murphy, Florida:
Workout: Will work out.
Has spoken with Cardinals, Panthers and Cowboys.

WR Ramses Barden, Cal Poly
Workout: Will work out.

WR Aaron Kelly, Clemson:
Workout: Will work out
Training: XPE
Pro Day: March 24

WR Brian Hartline, Ohio State:
Workout: Will work out.
Training: At Ohio St.
Pro Day: March 13

WR Mike Thomas, Arizona:
Workout: Will not bench.

WR Austin Collie, BYU:
Workout: Will work out.
Teams Met With: Colts, Rams, Browns, Cowboys, Falcons, Dolphins, Redskins, Chiefs, Rams
Pro Day: March 11.

WR Jarrett Dillard, Rice:
Workout: Will work out.
Teams Met With: Jags, Redskins, Packers, Browns, Bengals, Titans

WR Marko Mitchell, Nevada:
Workout: Will not bench
Pro Day: March 25

WR Brooks Foster, UNC:
Workout: Will not run.
Pro Day: March 17

WR Taurus Johnson, South Florida:
Workout: Will work out.
Teams Met With: Lions, Browns, Dolphins, Texans, Jags, Steelers

WR Percy Harvin, Florida:
Workout: Will be doing all drills at the combine, but will not run any routes until Pro Day.

WR Quan Cosby, Texas:
Workout: Will be doing all everything but the vertical at the combine.

As reported by Justin VanFulpen