Matty's Rookie of the Week

The 2009-2010 season has begun and my weekly rookie of the week is back. We had a lot of great performances this week, from quarterbacks and wide receivers especially. So, without further delay here is All Day Football's first Rookie of the Week of the season.

Matty's Rookie of the Week

Matthew Stafford
6'3" 232 lbs.
Georgia
1st round pick, 1st overall
21/36 for 241 yards and 1 TD, 2 rushes for 23 yards

Matthew Stafford hasn't yet lived up to his billing as the 1st overall selection but he is well on his way to getting there leading the Lions to their first victory since 2007. He showed poise in the pocket, he showed mobility and escapability and showed the power and touch that his throwing arm possesses as he threw some very pretty passes to Calvin "Megatron" Johnson and Bryant "Wishes He Has Optimus" Johnson.

Runner Ups:

Offense

LeSean McCoy
5'10" 198 lbs.
Pittsburgh
2nd round pick, 53rd overall
20 rushes for 84 yards and 1 TD, 1 rec., 9 yards

Defense

Victor Butler
6'2" 246 lbs.
Oregon State
4th round pick, 110th overall
3 tackles, 2 sacks, FF

Be sure to check back next week for the Week 4 ROTW!

Matty's Rookie of the Week

The 2009-2010 season has begun and my weekly rookie of the week is back. We had a lot of great performances this week, from quarterbacks and wide receivers especially. So, without further delay here is All Day Football's first Rookie of the Week of the season.

Matty's Rookie of the Week

Mark Sanchez
6'2" 225 lbs.
Southern California
1st round pick, 5th overall
14/22 for 163 yards and 1 TD

Week 2 and Sanchez already has his second rookie of the week award. Sanchez played like a cagey veteran against a stout New England Patriots team. He looked absolutely amazing in the game, he had great pocket presence and stood up to the rush of the Pats. He took what the defense gave him and never put his defense in a bad position by making a stupid turnover. The ball came out of his hands quickly which says that he is reading defenses well and he is getting the ball down field to his playmakers as he has instantly made Jericho Cotchery, Dustin Keller and Chansi Stuckey extremely dangerous. If he continues to play like he has the last two weeks and avoids the rookie wall, rookie of the year is his, guaranteed.

Runner Ups:

Offense

Percy Harvin
5'11" 184 lbs.
Florida
1st round pick, 22nd overall
5 receptions, 41 yards, 2 rushes, 14 yards and 1 TD

Defense

Rey Maualuga
6'2" 255 lbs.
Southern California
2nd round pick, 38th overall
4 tackles, 1 sack, 2 FF

Be sure to check back next week for the Week 3 ROTW!

Matty's Rookie of the Week

The 2009-2010 season has begun and my weekly rookie of the week is back. We had a lot of great performances this week, from quarterbacks and wide receivers especially. So, without further delay here is All Day Football's first Rookie of the Week of the season.

Matty's Rookie of the Week

Mark Sanchez, QB
6'2" 225 lbs
Southern California
1st round pick, 5th overall
18/31 for 272 yards and 1 TD

The first time starter unleashed on the unsuspecting Texan defense and they often didn't have an answer for the sensational rookie. Though his completion percentage was just a little north of 50% he put up massive yardage and a score to Chansi Stuckey. If this is how he is playing in his first game as an NFL QB then I think he has a very bright future ahead of him. Congrats on the first of presumably many ROTW's to come Mark!

Runner Ups:

Offense

Louis Murphy, WR
6'2" 200 lbs
Florida
4th round pick, 124th overall
4 receptions, 87 yards and 1 TD

Defense

James Laurinaitis, LB
6'2" 247 lbs
Ohio State
2nd round pick, 35th overall
14 tackles, FR

Be sure to check back next week for the Week 2 ROTW!

NFL Post Preseason Mock: Picks 49-64

64 - Pittsburgh Steelers: Adam Ulatoski, OT Texas

Max Starks and Willie Colon... *shudders* worst tackle tandem for a Super Bowl team EVER! Ulatoski should come in and stabilize the LT spot and allow Starks to kick back over to RT and that will move Colon to the bench where he is much better suited as a back up G/T.


63 - New England Patriots: Chris Brown, RB Oklahoma

Maroney is a bust if he doesn't break out this season. Taylor has a season or two left. BJGE is a preseason nightmare but a regular season snoozer and Sammy Morris is a capable but not game breaking back... all this leads to the drafting of the beast back from Oklahoma in Chris Brown.


62 - Indianapolis Colts: Dezmon Briscoe, WR Kansas

Marvin Harrison is gone and I wonder if Gonzo and Collie can make up for what was lost. If not, Dezmon Briscoe is available and he is one of the best possession receivers in the draft. He doesn't have the speed, but he has the hands and intelligence and after a year or two with Peyton... I think he'll be a nice addition.


61 - San Diego Chargers: Anthony Davis, OT Rutgers

Jeromey Clary is a sack machine! Unfortunately he's a RT and that isn't a compliment... San Diego likes big and nasty offensive linemen and Anthony Davis fits the bill. He's big. He's nasty. He's the future for the Bolts at RT.



60 - Minnesota Vikings: Morgan Burnett, S Georgia Tech

Despite the emergence of Tyrell Johnson and drafting of Jamarca Sanford, Vikings still need help on the back end and Georgia Tech's Burnett is easily the best available as he could play strong safety or free safety, he is physical, fast and a solid football player. He'll provide a solid safety duo with Tyrell Johnson for the Vikings future.

59 - Baltimore Ravens: C.J. Wilson, DE ECU

The Ravens have solid 3-4 DE's but Trevor Pryce is getting up there in age. Bringing in Wilson from ECU would help them a lot, he can learn from guys like Pryce and Ngata and he can provide more pass rush then Pryce can right now at LE.


58 - New York Giants: Mike Johnson, OG Alabama

Giants need DB's and oline depth. Mike Johnson provides them with a solid back up at either guard spot. Nice, safe pick here.




57 - New Orleans Saints: Stevenson Sylvester, LB Utah

New Orleans needs linebacker help bad. They lost Arnoux and Simoneau to IR, Morgan to early retirement again and that leaves them with Fujita, Vilma and Dunbar... and I think that is about it. Dunbar is a decent player with youth on his side... Fujita is flat out bad... Stevenson Sylvester would take over right away for him.

56 - Green Bay Packers: Sergio Render, OG Virginia Tech

Darryn Colledge is solid and Lang and Meredith may prove to be good additions in the future. But to get the best OG in the draft here who fits perfectly into Green Bay's zone scheme is too good for Ted Thompson to pass up, and since defensive backfield and oline depth are the main concerns for the Pack, seems fitting they draft the Hokie guard Render.

55 - Miami Dolphins: Brandon Lang, DE/LB Troy State

Something tells me Cameron Wake and Jason Taylor won't work out for the Dolphins. If this is the case, the Dolphins will need a new pass rush threat to learn from Joey Porter, though Matt Roth is solid against the run, he doesnt play the pass well enough so here comes Troy State DE Brandon Lang. FYI, last time Parcells drafted a Troy State DE... his name was Demarcus Ware.

54 - Philadelphia Eagles: Sean Lee, LB Penn State

Stewart Bradley was lost for the season and his back up is a question mark, opposite him, Akeem Jordan and Omar Gaither are average to above average at best. Sean Lee is an instant upgrade be it at ILB or WLB. He provides solid depth, help on special teams and gives the Eagles one of the smartest defensive players in the draft, not to mention the versatility to play inside or out.

53 - New England Patriots (from Tennessee Titans): Micah Johnson, LB Kentucky

Burschi is retired and the Pats need someone opposite Jerod Mayo to play on 1st and 2nd down at least as Gary Guyton is too small to play the run at TED backer. Insert Kentucky MLB Micah Johnson who has the size and strength to play the run and also has the coverage skills to stay on the field on third down.


52 - Chicago Bears: Geno Atkins, DT Georgia

The Bears need some steady consistency on the inside, they have two solid tackles in Tommie Harris and Marcus Harrison. Everyone after that is a stop gap at best, the Bears get the big and nasty Georgia tackle, plug him in at one tech and spell Tommie Harris and get some more pressure on the QB.


51 - Arizona Cardinals: Lee Ziemba, OT Auburn

Mike Gandy was exposed in pass protection against James Harrison in the super bowl and an upgrade for him might be required soon. Lee Ziemba is an absolute monster protecting the Auburn Tigers blindside. He's 6'8" and 315 lbs. of sheer athletic dominance and he would be a good blindside protector for Kurt Warner... or a frontside blocker for Leinart.

50 - Kansas City Chiefs (from Atlanta Falcons): Josh McNeil, C Tennessee

Niswanger might as well be Dutch for bad center. An immediate upgrade is required and with KC missing out on O'Dowd, they get the second best center in Tennessee lineman Josh McNeil who would easily provide the Chiefs with a new starting day center come September 2010.


49 - Carolina Panthers: Marvin Austin, DT North Carolina

The Panthers have little to no depth inside on the defensive line with injuries mounting and a long season ahead of them, they'll need some young blood inside to help stuff the run and despite some inconsistency issues Marvin Austin is a first round talent. The Panthers land him here and start to rejuvinate their defensive tackle line up.

NFL Post Preseason Mock: Picks 33-48

48 - Dallas Cowboys: Jared Odrick, DT/DE Dallas Cowboys

Chris Canty was a huge loss even if they replaced him with Igor Olshansky, Jared Odrick is able to play DT or DE in a 3-4 and should be able to help contribute nicely to the front 3 of the Cowboys 34 defense.



47 - Seattle Seahawks: Trevard Lindley, CB Kentucky

When it gets to week 6, the Seahawks will be so happy Trufant is back and they will realize it is essential that they draft another cornerback. Though Lindley has potential to be a first round selection, I think his size helps him slip into the middle of the second round and sends him to the Pacific Northwest of Seattle.


46 - Houston Texans: Reshad Jones, S Georgia

Eugene Wilson and Domonique Barber are not the greatest starting safety duo and could use an upgrade. Reshad Jones from Georgia would be an immediate upgrade at either free or strong safety depening on which player is more likely to be replaced by the UGA playmaker.


45 - Washington Redskins: Joe Pawelek, LB Baylor

Redskins need a replacement for London Fletcher, though H.B. Blades plays tough I don't think he is the future, same goes with 2009 draft pick Robert Henson. Pawelek has that same innate ability to be around the ball at all times like Fletcher. He had 6 ints and a wealth of tackles at Baylor and is easily one of the most consistent and safe backers in this draft.

44 - New York Jets: Mardy Gilyard, WR Cincinnati

Mardy Gilyard stretches the field better then almost any of the receivers in this draft not to mention he is a capable kick and punt returner. Gilyard is insurance if Leon Washington can't be retained or he is used more in the offense, not to mention he provides another down the field target for QB Mark Sanchez.


43 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rico McCoy, LB Tennessee

Phillips didn't work at backer and Crowell was lost for the season, McCoy fits the mold of what Jim Bates would like from his backers. He is fast, strong and good in coverage. He could stand to fill out a bit but I think by the time he is ready for draft time, he'll be a physical specimen worthy of a first day selection.


42 - Cincinnati Bengals: C.J. Spiller, RB Clemson

Bernard Scott may or may not be the answer to the Bengals tailback question, but with C.J. Spiller available I don't think the Bengals are going to let him get past them as he can be a more every down back then Scott, he can return kicks and punts and be a more then capable third down back when they pound the rock with Benson.

41 - San Francisco 49ers: Tim Tebow, QB/ATH Florida

Mike Singletary wants winners and he hasn't exactly found a winning combination with Shaun Hill and Alex Smith, Nate Davis may never get his chance and Tim Tebow may just be a 2 time Heisman winner and 3 time National champ when he enters the draft, it is hard to bypass those accolades even with his sub par mechanics but I think he'll find a spot on the 49er roster. Worst case scenario, he gets converted to a fullback.

40 - New England Patriots (from Jacksonville Jaguars): Eric Norwood, LB South Carolina

Tully Banta-Cain, Pierre Woods and Shawn Crable are all unproven. With Adalius Thomas coming off injury, Tedy Bruschi retired and Mike Vrabel a Chief, Gamecock LB/DE Eric Norwood would be a welcome addition to the Patriots linebacking core as he can get to the QB, play the pass and stop the run.


39 - Cleveland Browns: Evan Royster, RB Penn State

Cleveland will likely see its last season from Jamal Lewis and if James Davis doesn't work out then Cleveland is definitely in the market for a new RB, since they missed Dwyer in the first they get Royster here who is a big and physical back who will pound the defenses in a very tough AFC North division.


38 - Buffalo Bills: Charles Brown, OT USC

Bills got their new franchise guy, now they need someone to protect him. Charles Brown is athletic and strong and will compliment the new and youthful Bills offensive line with Levitre, Wood and Hangartner and allow Langston Walker to move back to RT where he is better suited based on his skill set.


37 - St. Louis Rams: Everson Griffen, DE USC

Rams would probably have liked to get Carlos Dunlap in the first but ended up with massive DT Suh, now they get their RE in Everson Griffen who is one of my personal favourite players and I think he sits nicely into RE and Chris Long moves over to LE as he is much better at playing the run then current LE Leonard Little who may or may not still be with the Rams after next season.

36 - Kansas City Chiefs: Jerry Hughes, DE/LB TCU

Kansas City has an aging LB and a converted LE playing rush backer... they need help big time so they get the 2008 NCAA National sack leader in TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes. Hughes came in as a running back so there is no doubt he has the athletic ability to stand up and rush the passer and with a guy to learn from in Mike Vrabel, he could see some real success surprisingly quick.

35 - Denver Broncos: Boo Robinson, DT Wake Forest

Denver needs a massive two gapper inside and Boo Robinson is easily the best available. Combine Robinson with Spikes and the Broncos defense should get even more stout against the run which they had problems stopping last year and may still have problems stopping without the correct personnel for the 3-4 defense new DC Mike Nolan employs.

34 - Oakland Raiders: Vince Oghobaase, DT Duke

The Raiders picked up a massive DE in Carlos Dunlap in infuse some pass rush and run stopping on the front four, now the Raiders add the massive Duke DT Oghobaase to stuff inside and hopefully help Tommy Kelly reach his potential and the Oakland Raider defense is going to play the run better and get to the passer just as well.

33 - Detroit Lions: Sam Young, OT Notre Dame

The Lions finally select their LT of the future in the monstrous and athletic Sam Young from Notre Dame. Shifting Jeff Backus from LT to RG should help along with consistent play from Gosder Cherilus, Domonic Raiola and Daniel Loper and the Lions offensive line might actually not be a liability anymore.

NFL Post Preseason Mock: Picks 17-32

32 - Pittsburgh Steelers: D'Anthony Smith, DT Louisiana Tech

The Steelers are yet again the tops of the league and I think they don't really have any glaring needs, so I think they grab Smith from Louisiana Tech to learn from Casey Hampton as Hampton could use some fresh legs to spell him and Chris Hoke is aging behind him. Add Smith to the roation with Hood and such and the front three for the Steelers will be just as nasty but have youth on their side.

31 - New England Patriots: Trent Williams, OT Oklahoma

Kaczur is a weak link despite his Canadians roots and Matt Light has an expiring contract. OT is going to be a very big need this offseason for the Patriots if they want to keep Tom Brady up right.


30 - Indianapolis Colts: Arthur Jones, DT Syracuse

Jim Caldwell is going to find out why 260 lb. DTs can't hold up against the run first hand and after that, they'll be moved to DE to make room for the big guys. They already drafted Fili Moala and Terrence Taylor, now add in Arthur Jones and the Colts actually have a DT rotation that won't be mistaken for DE or LB.

29 - San Diego Chargers: Rolando McClain, LB Alabama

The Chargers need some help at ILB where Dobbins and Wilhelm aren't holding up. If free agent pick up Kevin Burnett shows to be more then a special teams guy then this pick could change to an OT like Trent Williams but considering what they have and the talent on the rest of the defense, ILB needs to be upgraded and McClain provides an amazing force inside.

28 - Minnesota Vikings: Kristofer O'Dowd, C/G USC

The Vikings will experience this year why letting Matt Birk go and replacing him with an inconsistent Ryan Cook or inexperienced John Sullivan is not a good mix with a QB like Brett Favre. I have a feeling center and QB will be the biggest needs for this team come the 2009-2010 offseason.

27 - Baltimore Ravens: Brandon LaFell, WR LSU

The Ravens were looking for a receiver in the last draft, albeit a veteran one like Anquan Boldin, but a guy like Brandon LaFell has to appeal to them. One of the more complete receivers in the game and would provide a solid weapon for Joe Flacco on deep and intermediate routes along with his superb blocking in the run game.

26 - New York Giants: Javier Arenas, CB Alabama

Rich get richer, the Giants have few needs and may look for a pass rusher or cornerback, they get the amazing Javier Areans who is a stellar corner and probably the number one return man in the game, he'll start on special teams and contribute immediately as a dime or nickel cornerback.

25 - New Orleans Saints: Greg Hardy, DE Ole Miss

Once Will Smith and Charles Grant serve their star caps suspension, the Saints will realise just how thin at DE they really are and that is where they should focus their attention in the 2010 draft. Defensive end and defensive tackle, though they could go D'Anthony Smith to give the front four that Minnesota feeling with an active 3-tech (Ellis) and an immovable 1-tech (Smith), I think Hardy provides more value with what the Saints are going to do with new DC Gregg Williams at the helm.

24 - Green Bay Packers: Ras-I Dowling, CB Virginia

Charles Woodson and Al Harris are aging, Patrick Lee, Tramon Williams and Will Blackman don't have much game time experience and Ras-I Dowling is an amazingly talented and athletic cornerback who is more physical then his size would indicate. Not to mention Ted Thompson loves going BPA and Dowling could easily fit that bill.

23 - Miami Dolphins: Terrance Cody, DT Alabama

Jason Ferguson will be almost 36 going into the 2010 season, the Dolphins need to start grooming his replacement and I believe Coach Sporano and Bill Parcells can turn Cody from inconsistent and lazy to a hard working beast of a NT.


22 - Philadelphia Eagles: Corey Wootton, DE Northwestern

The Eagles have little to no needs and could easily be challenging for the Super Bowl, if they end up here I imagine it is because they couldn't stop the run because of their smaller DE's and missing inside backer Bradley. So, I think Wootton would be a great pick for the Eagles as he will be their LE for years to come, he is an absolute monster at 6'7" 274 lbs. and he stacks up well against the run and can also rush the passer, he is an immediate upgrade over Juqua Parker and Darren Howard.

21 - Tennessee Titans: Syd'Quan Thomspon, CB California

The Titans have very few needs, Britt has shown some real skills, Nate Washington is looking to be a good pick up which leaves the Titans with two real needs which are at cornerback where Nick Harper is aging and at linebacker where Bullock and Thornton are aging. However, I think Bullock and Thornton have more left in them and thus CB becomes the pick, I think SQT will have a huge season and vie for the top CB spot, the Titans would be thrilled to get him here.

20 - Denver Broncos (from Chicago Bears): Brandon Spikes, LB Florida

Though Denver needs a big nose tackle to occupy multiple gaps, Terrence Cody's work ethic scares some people and he might not fit into McDaniels system well. However, a guy like Brandon Spikes might make some more sense and considering I had him going to the Broncos before he decided to return for his Senior year I can't imagine a better pick here.

19 - Arizona Cardinals: Jermaine Gresham, TE Oklahoma

The Cardinals need a consistent tight end threat, they have not gotten much from Leonard Pope, Ben Patrick will be spending some time riding the pine because of a substance abuse violation and add in terrible acquisitions like Domonique Byrd and Anthony Becht and I think Gresham becomes even more appealing as a vertical threat. He'll need to work on blocking, but most tight ends now a days have to and playing for a run heavy team like Oklahoma might make him more ready then other tight ends.

18 - Atlanta Falcons: Sean Weatherspoon, LB Missouri

Coy Wire starts at WLB. Nuff' said.






17 - San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina Panthers): Sergio Kindle, DE/LB Texas

Sergio Kindle is a pass rush specialist and the 49ers might be looking his way if Manny Lawson can't handle the starting role for yet another year. Kindle has all the physicality and talent to rush the passer from a stand up position as he often transitions between down and space when he rushes and I think add him to the class with Bulaga and the 49ers are another step closer to challenging for the NFC West crown.