Fair play but I was being serious - that is impressive if you've come up with that on your own.

Slight tangent but I find it incredible the depth NFL teams go into when drafting players - was it Stafford who saw his backside with the 49ers because they were concerned that his parents divorce was affecting him? Crazy.

Ok. Yeah I came up with the ratings. I really love the draft it is fantastic. It's great reading about potential draft picks, especially ones the Packers may draft. If anything the later round picks are more interesting than the first round. Round one it is virtually guaranteed, barring any stupid drafts who people will take. Alot of mock drafts have had Raji to the Packers since last November for example.

ESPN America is also great for college football.



I never heard that!



I suppose for some teams it is more of an issue than others. Andre Smith (Bengals) was drafted six and he has major character concerns so they obviously don't mind it. Likewise Percy Hervin (Vikings), he is undoubtedly a talented player, but he could easily have fallen out of the first round all together.

As for what kind of stuff they get into with prospects, especially first round players, it is ridiculous i'd imagine. Frankly who can blame them when they are about to invest $millions in a player who is unproven.

Thankfully we seem to draft high character/decent guys off the field.

Bengals release Ryan Plackemeier and Kyle Larson today, I can see one of them ending up with the Colts, I had no idea that they'd released Hunter Smith and that he's gone to the Redskins.

I forget the name of it, but there is a great book looking behind the scenes at the Ravens. The stuff on the draft is fascinating. In fact, it all is - excellent read.

I've just bought 'From patsies to Superbowl champions - management secrets of the New England Patriots' - should be an interesting one!

Is it Next Man Up by John Feinstein?

I've not read it but apparently it is good.



Only one page needed for that. Cheat.

Tedy Bruschi's autobiography is a very good read. Talks alot about playing and then alot about the problems with his heart attack and how he came back to play.

Evolution Of A Game by Micheal Lewis is the next book i'm going to buy. It's about Michael Oher and his story.

It was chronicled in the New York Times as [url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/magazine/24football.html?pagewanted=allThe Ballad Of Big Mike[/url

Im not sure they did i think he bacame a free agent

I like the LB San Diego picked up Darry Beckwith i think he should have been drafted in the first place

I thought Bruschi had a stroke and not a heart attack ?

He did

I agree, very glad they picked him up. Was projected as a mid rounder.

I saw some that had predicted a possible 2nd/3rd rounder so i think he is a steal

Its finally happened www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d ... nfirm=true

Its finally happened www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d ... nfirm=true

It is - absolutely belting read.

It is. I got it when it came out and found it a riveting read.

You guys have just got Amazon a sale.....

You'll enjoy it.

He did, my mistake.



I don't know why i put heart attack, i knew it was something like that.

I was thinking about who i think will win divisions next year after the draft is over.

So, I think:

NFC North: Green Bay Packers
NFC South: Atlanta Falcons
NFC East: New York Giants
NFC West: Seattle Seahwaks
NFC Wildcard 1: Philadelphia Eagles
NFC Wildcard 2: New Orleans Saints

AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC South: Houston Texans
AFC East: New England Patriots
AFC West: San Diego Chargers
AFC Wildcard 1: Indianapolis Colts
AFC Wildcard 2: New York Jets

AFC Championship Game: Houston vs New England. Winner = Houston
NFC Championship Game: Atlanta v Green Bay. Winner = Green Bay

Superbowl: Green Bay v Houston. Winner = Green Bay

OROY: Viva Mark Sanchez
DROY: Brian Orakpo
DPOY: Jon Beason
MVP: Aaron Rodgers

I had to back Green Bay but if not i'd go with Atlanta.

Houston? That's a very big call.

I've been watching some Youtube clips of Michael Mitchell, the unknown guy the Raiders took in the 2nd round, and I have to say, he could actually not be such a bad pick overall, he hits like a JCB and is very fast. If he can cover to a good standard, then we could actually do okay with him.

I always tip Houston to get into the playoffs every year but this year i agree they have a great chance not just with the players they have but the fact that Indy have a new coach and the Titans dont have Haynesworth who i think was a huge part of their team. Watch bleedin Jacksonville have a stormer of a year now ffs

AFC

East - Dolphins


North - Steelers
South - Colts
West - Chargers
WC - Patriots
WC - Ravens

NFC

East - Giants
North - Bears
South - Falcons
West - 49ers
WC - Eagles
WC - Bucs

I'm going to go out on a limb

AFC
East: Patriots
North: Steelers
South: Colts
West: Raiders
Wildcards: Ravens & Chargers

NFC
East: Eagles
North: Vikings
South: Saints
West: Cardinals
Wildcards: Giants & Falcons

AFC Championship: Steelers vs Colts
NFC Championship: Eagles vs Giants

Superbowl: Steelers vs Eagles

Maybe a big call but I really like Houston, I'm close to tipping them to make the Superbowl.

They have eveything to make the Superbowl.

Schaub is a great QB. Actually my favourite non Green Bay Packer player, closely followed by Jerious Norwood and Josh Johnson.

Slaton is a very solid running back.

Johnson is an elite reciever and Daniels is a great TE.

Super Mario is an elite defensive end.

If they can improve the defence a small amount and Cushing works out and gets pressure on opposing QB's, I have no problem with putting them in the Superbowl.

As for Michael Mitchell, i've seen some of the clips and yes he looks good. He seems a human highlight reel tackler. Even if he becomes the greatest safety ever it would still be horrible value in round two when they could have had him in virtually every round down from then.

EDIT: Infact i'm going to change my prediction and put Houston in the Superbowl!

There are reports that Chicago were going to take Mitchell 2 picks later, which could be made more reliable by the fact that Chicago then traded down, an indication that the player that they wanted had gone.

I'm not entirely convinced by Houston's secondary to be honest, outside of Dunta Robinson, who is rather injury prone, there isn't much there.

I'm counting on the front seven to get the pressue.

Teams like the Titans don't really have a very good back seven but with Haynesworth getting the pressure on the QB, players like Cortland Finnegan have great seasons.

No Haynesworth, Titans go downhill dramatically IMO. Haynesworth is also why i've put Orakpo as DROY.

Either way on Mitchell, neither team should have taken him in the 2nd round.