LTSBlog's 2011 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 (Because It's NEVER Too Early For A Mock Draft)

Recovered from your Super Bowl hangover yet? Even though the football season is over and millions of fans have to find new ways to occupy their Sunday afternoons (no tears, people) we still have some key NFL happenings going on for the next couple of months. We have the NFL scouting combine from Feb. 23rd - Mar. 1st, colleges holding their annual "pro days" and prospects having individual workouts for teams, all leading up to the NFL Draft April 28-30th in New York.

While all of this is going on, we at LTSBlog will attempt to keep you well versed in the whole draft process (because that's what we're here for, right?) So with that said and with the draft order already set we bring you the first edition of our NFL 1st Round Mock Draft, which will be updated every Monday morning leading up to draft week, then daily as things begin to take form.

1. Carolina Panthers 2-14 (need: QB, WR, DT, CB) - Nick Fairley, DT Auburn
The Panthers are going to have a busy draft period ahead of them. They could use help everywhere. I was one of the few who thought they should pass on Andrew Luck before he decided to go back to school. I also say give Jimmy Clausen a full year to see what they have in him. They could trade down for more picks, but if they keep #1 they should go for the best player on the board. Fairely is disruptive, deceptively quick and relentless when pursuing the QB. He's not as athletic as Ndamukong Suh, but not many DTs are.

2. Denver Broncos 4-12 (needs: DE, CB, WR) - Patrick Peterson, CB LSU
Broncos and new head coach John Fox could use some depth on their defensive line as the loss of Elvis Dumervil was a huge hit to their defense. This year's draft is deep with defensive ends, so there is no need to panic and jump to draft one too high as they also need to get younger on the outside in a pass heavy league. Peterson has the size, speed and instincts to make an immediate impact.

3. Buffalo Bills 4-12 (needs: QB, LT, DT, OLB) - Blaine Gabbert, QB Missouri
Buffalo needs more help than their 4-12 record indicates, if that makes any sense. They were dead last in the NFL against the run. And although Ryan Fitzpatrick did a solid job at QB they would benefit from having a franchise quarterback in the fold. I think 3rd overall is a little too high to take any of the defensive ends on the board so Gabbert would be the pick in this scenario. He's got NFL size, a strong arm and is a very good athlete for his size.

4. Cincinnatti Bengals 4-12 (needs: WR, DE, DT, QB) - A.J. Green, WR Georgia
Since it looks like Carson Palmer will be back with the Bengals next season (which may not be a good thing) the best option may be to get him targets in the passing game, especially with Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens on their way out the door. Green appears to be a sure thing as a number one receiver and can come in and start from day 1. Another option would be Bowers on the end but I give the edge to Green here.

5. Arizona Cardinals 5-11 (needs: QB, DT, WR, CB) - Da'Quan Bowers, DE Clemson
Arizona's biggest need is quarterback but they somehow found a way to win 5 games with no one worth mentioning under center. The Cardinals have to hoping and praying Blaine Gabbert falls to them here and I think top 5 is too high to pick any of the remaining QB's on the board. So in this scenario you have to go for the best player available and target a veteran QB during the off season. Bowers is still a great pick any way you slice it.

6. Cleveland Browns 5-11 (needs: WR, DE, S, CB) - Prince Amukamara, CB Nebraska
Cleveland hit the jackpot in last year's draft with Joe Haden and Colt McCoy. They would be well served to select Amukamara to pair with Haden and form a great pair of cornerbacks for the future. Sheldon Brown is aging and Amukamara can learn the ropes while Brown still holds down the starting spot.

7. San Francisco 49ers 6-10 (needs: QB, DE, RB) - Robert Quinn, DE North Carolina
In 2010 the 49ers were a coaching change and a quarterback away from winning the division. They have a lot of solid pieces already in place to succeed. A back up running back for if (and when) Frank Gore goes down with injuries would be good but that can be found later in the draft, and they can probably get a solid QB in the off season as well. Quinn would be an upgrade at either end position and can play some outside linebacker if needed.

8. Tennessee Titans 6-10 (needs: QB, LB, DT) - Von Miller, LB Texas A&M
Jeff Fisher is gone, and Vince Young appears to be right behind him out the door so the Titans are a franchise in turmoil right now. Jake Locker or Ryan Mallett may be in play here due to the need to bring in a QB now but I don't think either are a good fit for the team in it's current state. Von Miller is a beast at outside linebacker and will be a very good pro for a very long time. Call this one a "safe" pick, if you will.

9. Dallas Cowboys 6-10 (needs: S, RB, DE) - Jimmy Smith, CB Colorado
The Cowboys have more talent that their 6-10 record would indicate. I think if Romo stayed healthy they would have been at least a 8-8 team. Dallas got shredded in the passing game and needs to infuse some youth into their secondary ASAP. Prince Amukamara would be ideal for them but Jimmy Smith's combination of size, speed and instincts are a nice consolation. He can even play some safety if needed. Dallas would love this kid.

10. Washington Redskins (needs: RB, DT, WR) - Mark Ingram, RB Alabama
Redskins most glaring need is on the defensive side of the ball, where they ranked in the bottom three in virtually every category. But at the same time the Redskins haven't had a healthy running back to handle some of the load offensively in quite some time. Ingram is a reliable pro-style back that knows how to get yards and is faster than he looks on film. He also didn't fumble much in college and bounced back well from knee surgery. Some have compared him to Emitt Smith and those comparisons are not far off.

Thoughts, opinions and comments are always welcomed. Check back tomorrow for mock draft picks 11-20.

-ALR

Los That Links: T'was the Night Before Super Bowl

How do you come up with something creative, original, and though-provoking for a sports website during Super Bowl season? The NFL season finale is upon us, and the one sport that can legitimately claim to be ruler over all things sport in America, has been impossibly dissected, scrutinized, examined, and any other word you would use to express those sentiments.

So what do you do if you're in our shoes, and are looking to provide our own proverbial log to accelerate the Super Bowl fire? Links, baby. Interesting, made-to-order, mother-lovin' links.

Los That Super Bowl Links (Super Bowl story lines)

- EA Sports has already decided the winner to Super Bowl XLV. That should free up your Sunday to do those chores your wife/mom has for you.




- When stat geeks put their powers to good use, stuff like this happens. The Pac-10 is well represented in Super Bowl history.

- PORN! So, remember the last time the Steelers made the Super Bowl, and folks in Arizona had their game interrupted with 37-seconds of porn? Well...

- A two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback, an accused rapist, and an image-rehabbing NFL star go to a bar. Stop me if you've heard this one before.

- Personally, I love Buzz Bissenger because he's such a chap-ass. Here he is with his curmudgeonly hype on the Super Bowl hype.

- Jason Whitlock with his take on the 2011 NFL Hall of Fame class, and why denying entry to a fellow fat man will make him cry.

- Bill Romanowski picks the Packers to win. More importantly, now is a good time to appreciate that Romanowski is the only linebacker to start in five Super Bowls, winning four times. See what steroids can do for you?

- Get your Super Bowl XLV gamble on (where it's legal).

- Lil Wayne versus Wiz Khalifa. Loser has to get a face-tattoo. (Wait a minute...)

Non-Super Bowl, but still NFL-related links

- Mark Sanchez may have a Long Island Lolita.

- Michael Vick never wanted to go to that party that bore his name (and Roger Goodell asked him not to attend) in the first place. (Yeah baby, I really don't want to go to the strip club with the homies. I just wanna stay here with you tonight and watch "Real Housewives of Atlanta".)

- It's fun to play like Chad Ochocinco-Johnson is unintelligent, but really, we know he's not.

- Google "Goodell, Labor issues", and you get about 5,832,964,897,692 articles. Some positive, mostly not. Here's a negative piece worth reading.

- Dave McKenna of the Washington City Paper listened to "Hit Em Up", "Takeover" and "Ether" for 72-consecutive hours, then wrote this piece on Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder back in November. Now Snyder wants to sue for libel.

Video: Bart Scott's Hilarious Post Game Interview

Following the New York Jets 28-21 victory over the Patriots earlier today, ESPN's Sal Paolantonio caught up with Jets linebacker Bart Scott. MUST SEE!



Bart Scott interviews >>> his tackling late in the season. We need the Jets in the Super Bowl if for nothing more than entertainment value during media week. That would be EPIC.

-ALR

Vince Young And Public Speaking Don't Mix

To his credit, Vince Young is trying really hard to say the right things. He just may need a translator to express them for him. Every time he speaks I'm reminded of just how little he grasps the use of the English language. See this interview conducted by ESPN and judge for yourself...



Someone please get this man a 2nd grade grammar textbook and some Hooked On Phonics tapes ASAP.

Vince Young has the talent and athletic ability to maintain a solid NFL career. But I honestly don't think he has the mental capacity to be "Elite". And he still seems a tad bit clueless. He just doesn't get it. Who knows....

Just know that I will not be a believer until he learns how to form proper sentences, as a 3-year college student at Texas University should be able to.

-ALR

Video: Brett Favre "What Should I Do" Commercial Spoof

Now this right here is funny. Watch and laugh a little...



Brett Favre >>>> Chuck Norris.

-ALR

AEG Presents Pitch Of NFL Stadium To Los Angeles City Council

As the saying goes "Money Talks"; and AEG Worldwide has plenty of it. Per latimes.com Lance Pugmire, AEG President Tim Leiweke made his first presentation on construction of an NFL stadium to Los Angeles.

AEG President Tim Leiweke was well received in his first presentation before a Los Angeles City Council committee, telling Chair Janice Hahn of the council's Trade, Commerce and Tourism Committee and Councilman Tom LaBonge of plans to build a possible Super Bowl site capable of being the home to two NFL teams.

"The case to bring a team here is a great case," Hahn said.

After the meeting, Hahn said there was reason to move on the massive project expeditiously.

"We get a better convention center out of this, more hotel rooms, more tourism; that's an increase to our general fund," she said. "We want all hands on deck."

AEG's plans for a privately financed $1-billion, 64,000-seat stadium include the need for $350 million in city-approved bonds, which Leiweke said would be repaid with a seat tax, "the same thing we do at Staples," he said. He said any shortfall will be paid off by AEG.

"We are beginning a process officially today to bring forth a vision that will bring the NFL back to Los Angeles ... a catalyst to the largest downtown development in Los Angeles, with 20,000 to 30,000 jobs created," Leiweke said.

Bringing an NFL team back to Los Angeles, one of the biggest media and sports markets in the nation, would be a great thing for the city that already hosts championship caliber basketball and an improved college football scene. Also according to the story, the proposed stadium with be capable of seating 78,000 people for Super Bowls and Final Fours, include a retractable roof and offer more convention center space if necessary:

Authorities who addressed the committee referred to the current convention center as "in need of a major renovation," with one noting Los Angeles ranked 15th among U.S. cities in drawing conventions.

By renovating the convention hall, Leiweke said, a new stadium would provide a massive 1.4 million square feet of contiguous convention space and add 1,400 parking spots.

Being a current resident of the renovated downtown Los Angeles area, of course a huge concern will be one of LA's biggest drawbacks will be traffic, as the commuting area currently includes interchanges to multiple southern California highways (I-10, I-110 and I-101). Per AEG's president:

Leiweke additionally defended traffic concerns, noting AEG studies found that "you could've landed a helicopter on the freeway here" on Sunday mornings when fans would arrive and said AEG will fund improved rail access.

Apparently the NFL has encouraged the endeavor, as a new stadium in Los Angeles will be quite attractive to any teams in need of an upgrade and looking to move into a bigger market. There hasn't been an NFL team in L.A. since the Raiders relocated back to Oakland and the Rams jumped ship to St. Louis in 1995.

AEG currently owns a number of arenas across the country, including the Staples Center, Rose Garden in Portland, Prudential Center in NJ and American Airlines Arena in Miami (home of the Heat). You can check out more of the LA Times story here.

But professional football back in Los Angeles? I'm all for it.

-ALR

Laurency Maroney Arrested Following Rick Ross Concert

Athletes and celebrities getting arrested is nothing new. Happens once or twice a week on average. The bigger story here is Denver Broncos running back Laurence Maroney's mugshot above. He will from now on be referred to as the Black Raggedy Andy. The cops should have put out an APB on whoever agreed to braid his hair like that.

You can see info on the arrest here.

People, please do better. Do it for the children. Do it for your self dignity. Just please, do better.

-ALR

Carolina Panthers To Name Ron Rivera As Second Latino Head Coach In NFL History

As reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, San Diego defensive coordinator will be the next head coach of the Carolina Panthers. Rivera will be only the 2nd Latino head coach in NFL history (Tom Fears was the first in 1967). Rivera is of Puerto-Rican and Mexican decent.

The 49-year-old Rivera had previously interviewed for head coaching positions and been denied eight times before finally breaking into the head coaching ranks. He began his coaching career back in 1999 with the Philadelphia Eagles before becoming the defensive coordinator for the Bears in 2004 and constructing one of the best defenses of the decade. After interviewing for several head coaching positions in 2007, his contract was not renewed by the Bears and Rivera moved on to join the Chargers coaching staff in 2008. The Chargers finished the 2010 season at the top of the NFL in total defense, allowing the league's fewest yards.

Rivera instituted an impressive base 3-4 scheme in San Diego and will most likely bring this same strategy to Carolina, but Rivera will be faced with turning around a franchise that is coming off a disappointing 2-14 season. The good news is that Rivera has a young roster to mold as well as the number 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft. I think with Rivera, it's a safe bet the Panthers go the defensive route with the pick if they do not elect to trade down.

The deal is reportedly for 4 years, $11.2 mil. Congrats to Coach Rivera. Good luck.
-ALR

Nnamdi Asomugha's Contract Voided, Now a Free Agent

Thanks to a little known performance clause in his contract, the Oakland Raiders will allow Nnamdi Asomugha to enter free agency, without the ability to place the franchise tag on him.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Asomugha's contract included a clause that said if he didn't improve statistically from 2009 to 2010, his contract would be voided. He could have done so by reaching his incentives for games played, interceptions, fumbles, or sacks. He played two less games this season, and did not number in any of the other categories.

Asomugha recorded 19 tackles this season, and was set to recieve $16.8 million in 2012. The 30-year old shutdown cornerback is sure to garner a lot of attention this offseason.

This move comes on the heels of the Raiders allowing head coach Tom Cable to walk after leading the team to its first .500 season since 2002.

Video: Marshawn Lynch's 67-Yard TD Run Lifts Underdog Seahawks Over Saints

"Beast Mode"


Say no more...

Jim Harbaugh Expected To Accept 5-Year Deal With 49ers

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh is expected to sign a 5-year $25 million deal to become the San Franscisco 49ers next head coach. Harbaugh's name has been red hot for numerous coaching positions including Denver, Miami and Michigan. He will be leaving Stanford a 12-1 season and an impressive Orange Bowl victory over Virginia Tech.

Harbaugh began his coaching career as an unpaid assistant under his father at Western Kentucky while still playing in the NFL before becoming an assistant coach for the Raiders in 2002-2003. He then moved on to become head coach at San Diego U. from 2004-2007 and led the team to a 29-6 record. His coaching record with the Cardinals is 29-21 and he has a career coaching record of 58-27, all in the college ranks.

Coaching the 49ers will not be an easy task, as the team will be looking for a quarterback next season and they drastically need to upgrade their secondary. With that being said the 49ers still have a solid nucleus of young talent on both sides of the ball and have a chance to be much improved very soon. IF they can find a quarterback. Stanford red shirt sophomore Andrew Luck will be returning to school so you can go ahead and forget that scenario playing out.

I'll update with details as they become available.

-ALR

Titan Tragedy: Young, Fisher Worked Against Each Other Very Well

Vince Young's maturity has often been questionable since entering the NFL. Jeff Fisher's professionalism has never been questioned. Both are equal parts of the same problem.

Fisher could be entering his 17th season with the same franchise, and while he's never won a Super Bowl, has taken the team to it's greatest heights under Bud Adams' ownership. Fisher has 142 wins under his belt, and six playoff appearances. In other markets that record would seem mediocre, but Fisher provided the stability for a team that moved from Houston to Memphis and then to Nashville, all while playing in arguably the toughest division in the AFC. (The old AFC Central and current AFC South provided 6 Super Bowl finalists, and 4 winners in the last twelve seasons.)

So why didn't this marriage work? Because both people were just too good at what they do.

When your efforts are met with success, it can be hard to find a reason to change your approach. Sixteen years ago, Fisher was the youngest head coach in the NFL. At 35, he was the same age Jay-Z was when he released "The Black Album". In Fisher's seminal work, he took a franchise that was under threat of relocation from 2-14 in 1994, to 7-9 in '95, and then 8-8 in '96, the final season in Houston. In five seasons, three cities (Houston, Memphis, and Nashville), and a name change (from "Oilers" to "Titans"), he had them one yard away from a Super Bowl victory.

You could have told Kanye West more than you would have been able to tell Fisher after that early success.

Were his tactics perfect? Who knows, and who cares? He won, and that's all that mattered. Never mind that he's coached only two playoff victories since 1999. Never mind that he once wore a Peyton Manning Colts jersey to a Nashville fundraiser last season because he "Wanted to feel like a winner..."

Never mind that he stood idly by while the Titans banned Steve McNair from the facilities back in '06.

Looking at Young, his habits too were formed by his own early success. In his first season as a full time starter at Texas, he led the Longhorns to an 11-1 record, losing only to Oklahoma (eventual BCS runner-up) and winning the Rose Bowl. He never lost another college game, and eventually led his Longhorns to the classic BCS Championship victory over USC, earning his second Rose Bowl MVP.

(Again, cue the Kanye West.)

Never mind his awkward throwing motion, or the fact that before his final year at Texas, he'd only thrown the same amount of TDs as INTs (18). Never mind that his low Wonderlic Test score (6) was leaked during the NFL combine.

Never mind that Fisher was a USC alum, and was rumored to want Heisman winner Matt Lienart in the same draft. Young was selected number three overall by the Titans.

As the story goes, Young became the Titans starter in October of his rookie season, led the team to three come-from-behind victories, set a rookie QB rushing record (552 yards), won Offensive Rookie of the Year from the Associated Press, and made two playoff appearances in his first two seasons..

Never mind that he threw more INTs (13) than TDs (12). Never mind that in his sophomore season, he threw 17 INTs to only 9 TDs. Never mind that he had to be benched for breaking team rules. Never mind that sources close to Young have been telling him to "Get his sh-- together" for some time now.

So we fast-forward to 2011, and two men (for lack of a better term) who are so ingrained in doing things their way have let their egos corrupt a situation so thoroughly that in Young's best season statistically of his career (60 percent completion, 10 TDs, 3 INTs through 9 games), and Fisher's team looking playoff worthy (5-5 through 9 games), they blow the whole thing up.

You can draw similarities from the Vince Young and Jeff Fisher dispute to the ancient Greek myth of Perseus (from "Clash of the Titans" box office fame), and have fun doing so.

Young would be cast as Perseus, the unwanted grandson of King Acrisius.

Fisher in a duel role, would play Acrisius (who tried to have his grandson killed at birth to prevent a prophecy that foretold his own death if his daughter had a son) and Calibos (the would-be king of Joppa and husband of Andromeda, cursed by Zeus, and dedicated to preventing Perseus from marrying Andromeda).

Zeus would be played by owner Bud Adams, the true father of Perseus, who did all he could to protect his bastard son.

The story changes once you focus on the details. In true Greek tragic form, there is no clear cut "bad guy". To cast Young as such is to say that a player with a 30-17 record as a starter, a Rookie of the Year award, and two Pro Bowls, was somehow working in nefarious ways.

Fisher was not anywhere near as corrupt as the antagonists in the Greek myth, but he did make the tragic mistake that is made in many failed marriages; he tried to change the other person.

In the end though, a tragedy is a tragedy. No one wins.

Tennessee Titans Choose To Move On Without Vince Young

Can't say that I didn't see this coming. Per Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean, Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams has decided that Vince Young will not be on the roster next season, meaning the team will either trade or released the troubled QB. There has been a lot of speculation regarding the rocky relationship between Young and head coach Jeff Fisher as the coach seemed to at his wits end with Young's inconsistency and maturity (or lack thereof).

This doesn't guarantee that Fisher will still be around next season but it definitely makes his chances of returning much more likely. It remains to be seen what the Titans will do as far as a quarterback next season with the ancient Kerry Collins (38), Chris Simms and the legend known as Rusty Smith as their remaining options. I say they take a QB prospect in the draft and let him develop behind the vets.

Vince Young owns a career record of 26-13 as a starter (0-1 in the playoffs), with 42 touchdowns, 42 interceptions and a QB rating of 75.7. He missed the final 6 ga,es of the regular season.

VY is probably gonna cry in the car.

-ALR

Ricky Williams Eviscerates Dolphins, Says He's 'Done' in Miami

Ricky Williams went on his weekly radio show Monday night, and held nothing back.

The Daily Dolphin has reported that the 33-year old running back went on WQAM-560 and expressed disappointment in the Miami Dolphins season, which ended with a 38-7 loss to the New England Patriots this past Sunday. He said the team was not ready to play the Patriots, and placed a large part of the blame on the coaching style of Tony Sporano.

Williams called out Sporano for his "micromanaging" coaching style, and also said that after consecutive losing seasons, the coach's message had become too "nitpicky" and "repetitive". He also said that he wasn't happy with his role in the team's offense. Williams gained 673 yards on only 159 carries, and two TDs.

With his most scathing remarks, Williams evoked the teachings of former head coach Nick Saban, stating:

"Coach (Nick) Saban had a saying - he said, 'We're worried about mouse manure, when we have elephant s--- all over the place."

He compared Saban's philosophy as being ideal, compared to Sporano's focusing on the smallest mistakes.

Williams was also critical of quarterback Chad Henne and wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

On Henne, when asked the main difference between the Dolphins and the Patriots:

"They have a quarterback."

As for Marshall:

“Being around Brandon a lot – I like the guy, I think the world of him – but as a teammate, sometimes he makes it difficult to like him and support him,” Williams said. “It’s not necessarily what he says, it’s when he says it and the way he says it. But for the most part the things that he says are things that everyone else wants to say, but no one has the courage, or the balls. And some of it is intelligence – they’re smart enough not to say those things, because they don’t want to burn bridges. But when you have $50 million, then you can get away with whatever you want.”

Well then...

Williams is no stranger to controversy himself. This is the same guy who retired at 26 years old, allegedly because he wanted to be able to smoke weed (marijuana) in peace. But Williams has managed to regain some favor with the public since returning to the NFL, even setting an NFL record for the longest span between 1,000 yard seasons (6 years).

Williams departure from football was chronicled recently in ESPN's "30 for 30" documentary series. His documentary, "Run Ricky Run" was one of the most poignant of the series, and for many NFL fans, it was their first time seeing the always reclusive Williams up close and personal. He revealed that he was sexually abused by his father, the very complex relationship that he has with his mother, and even admittedly not being a good father to his children.

And yes, he discusses marijuana.

At the very least, it seems this latest Williams controversy is strictly football-related, and there is nothing to suggest that he has fallen off the wagon. You know, except for the whole going on the radio and giving train of thought unfiltered criticisms of your employer and co-workers thing.

Brett Favre Facing Sexual Harrassment Lawsuit From Christina Scavo and Shannon O'Toole

And here we all were thinking Favre got off easy for the Jenn Sterger fiasco. According to this ABC News report, two female former NY Jets massage therapists (Christina Scavo and Shannon O'Toole) have filed suit against the retiring iconic quarterback. Here are some snippets from the report:

In the suit, Scavo alleges that Favre sent text messages to another unidentified massage therapist, asking Scavo and the unidentified woman to "get together" with Favre.

Scavo said that in 2008 while Favre was with the New York Jets, he treated her like a "hanging slab of meat." In the suit she claims he wanted a three-way with her and another therapist.

Favre allegedly texted the unidentified therapist, writing, "Brett here, you and Crissy want to get together, I'm all alone," according to the lawsuit.


Favre allegedly sent another text message reading, "Kinda lonely tonight, I guess I have bad intentions."

Looks like Favre may be just another dirty old man with weak game. Texting sexual advances to female Jets while your a member of the team wasn't the smartest idea. Especially when you're married and your last name is Favre. This just leads me to wonder how many other chicks Favre was hitting on and may come out of the wood works for their 15 minutes of fame (ala Tiger Woods).

Even more interesting that the Jets employ many young women as massage therapists. Probably because football players with enhanced testosterone levels wouldn't be too fond of getting rub on by a man (hell, neither would I).

There's a lot more in the report so click the link and check it out. You can also watch the report on tomorrow morning's edition of Good Morning America (7am E.T.)

Talk about kicking a man while he's down...

-ALR

Lloyd's Not Scared of Niners and Redskins and Bears

Brandon Lloyd has been a completely mediocre wide receiver since being drafted out of Illinois by the San Francisco 49ers in the 4th round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Actually, mediocre might be an overstatement. From 2003-2009, Lloyd amassed an underwhelming 164 catches for 2,370 yards and 15 TDs. Over that time, Lloyd was mostly recognized for making the spectacular catches (like these):




...and missing time due to injury and/or questionable attitude.

This season, Lloyd has been the lone bright spot for the Denver Broncos, this fourth team he's played for over seven seasons. He was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career after catching 72 passes for a league leading 1,375 yards and 10 TDs. When asked by Denver Post reporter Mike Klis if he had anything he'd like to say to his previous employers, he responded by saying, "I want to say F--- you. And I mean that in the most professional way possible..."

The quote was reportedly a joke (like Lloyd's entire career), and meant to be good-natured (yeah right). The interview was promptly cut short by Broncos media relations director Patrick Smyth, in the most professional way possible.

Favre To Only Be Fined For Texts To Sterger

Looks like Brett Favre dodges the bullet again. Accoriding to this NY Post report, the NFL will fine Favre for the package pics that he was sending then NY Jets "Gameday Host" Jenn Sterger (pictured above).

Why Sterger didn't report this back when it happened is anyone's guess. Maybe she liked the attention. Who knows. But what we DO know is that Favre won. Sorry Ms. Sterger. Sh*t happens when you mess with the Favre.

Just another story to add to the legend that is Brett Favre, who has apporached Chuck Norris levels in my book.

-ALR

Should The Carolina Panthers Try Their Luck on Andrew Luck? I Say No...

This happens every NFL season, and for 2010 the lucky winner of the worst team in the league and number one pick in the upcoming draft is the lowly Carolina Panthers. Everyone is projecting the no. 1 pick to be Stanford QB Andrew Luck and for good reason. But I may be in the minority of those that think the Panthers should pass on drafting Luck and focus on other areas of need...

1.) They just spent a 2nd round pick on Jimmy Clausen
Now I know Clausen hasn't been very good this season, but he's a young rookie with a lot of potential. He was also on a team with a shaky offensive line, inconsistent running game and only one true talented receiver. What did you expect Clausen to do besides struggle? In comparison, Mark Sanchez was almost as bad his rookie season. Every QB can't be a Matt Ryan or a Sam Bradford out of the gate. If they draft Luck, they'll have to pay him #1 QB money and Luck isn't guaranteed to be a stud. They have Clausen for the low right now and if it doesn't pan out they can always get a veteran QB in free agency. That strategy worked out pretty well for Kansas City.

2.) The Panthers need to upgrade their D-Line
Except for DE Charles Johnson, the Panthers have had very little pass rush and haven't been able to generate much pressure. Why not take the same route the Houston Texans did and go for a pass rushing defensive end to compliment Johnson like Clemson's De'Quan Bowers or North Carolina's Robert Quinn, or even a DT like Auburn's Nick Fairley.

3.) Trade the No. 1 slot & move down for more picks
As it stands right now, the 3 teams who would be slotted to draft directly after the Panthers would be Denver, Cincinnati & Buffalo (not exactly in that order). Two of those teams desperately need a quarterback (Bengals & the Bills). Why not trade down a slot or two, acquire more picks and build your team through the draft. The Panthers have virtually no shot at being good next season so it may be a good idea to stock up on young talent and build for the future. Maybe if they can surround Clausen with some pieces to go along with him and RB Jonathan Stewart they can return to be competitive. If they trade down they can take a game breaking WR like A.J. Green. What would they have to lose?

I think the Panthers are in a great position to improve their team going forward. They should see what they have in Clausen before jumping at the opportunity to nab Andrew Luck. I do think Luck will be good but I also think that, given time, Clausen can be a solid pro QB. He proved at Notre Dame that with time to develop he can be very good. The Panthers will probably be looking for a new head coach this off season as well so maybe a change in philosophy will be beneficial for Clausen. Give the kid a chance. Isn't that why they picked him in the first place?

-ALR

Ryan's Discover What "YouTube" Means

Rex Ryan's wife, Michelle, is being claimed by some to be the true identity of an Internet foot fetish personality.

Deadspin originally broke this story involving the Ryan's and this particular aspect of their sex life. There were a series of videos posted on YouTube under the username "ihaveprettyfeet" where a woman resembling Michelle Ryan engages in typical foot fetish film behavior. She was pretty popular too. When "ihaveprettyfeet" stopped posting videos back in 2009 (around the time Rex Ryan began coaching the NY Jets), fans of "ihaveprettyfeet" took to the Internet message boards clamoring for her return (interrupting countless masturbation hours).

You can read the Deadspin piece here.

As an adult, I respect everybody's right to get "freaky-deaky" in whatever way they see fit. No two sex lives are exactly alike. More power to the Rex and Michelle if they've found a level of connection that they can share with each other, and brings them closer. After 23 years of marriage, who are any of us to judge what they've done to solidify their union?

However, much like any professional athlete sending naked pictures out via the Internet, sharing these fetish videos publicly, especially on a non-adult only site like YouTube, comes with it's own set of scrutiny and consequences.

Translation: we get to laugh at them for being stupid.

But, she does have pretty feet, though. I'll give her that.

NFL Week 15 One-and-a-Half Liners

A look back at NFL Week 15.

San Diego Chargers 34, San Francisco 49ers 7

Vincent Jackson's 3 touchdowns proves general manager A.J. Smith was right not to meet his contract demands. (As he explains to a wig-wearing LaDanian Tomlinson, "Pimpin' been pimpin' since been pimpin'...")

Cincinnati Bengals 19, Cleveland Browns 17

The Bengals snap their 10-game losing streak, while the Browns snap Terrell Owens meniscus. (Might need to cop some Knee Grows...)

Dallas Cowboys 33, Washington Redskins 30

Rex Grossman threw 4 TDs, but in the end was no match for Jon Kitna and the Cowboys offense. (Donovan McNabb just threw up, again...)

Tennessee Titans 31, Houston Texans 17

In the second of the two matchups this season, the Titans jumped on the Texans early with 21 first quarter points. (Kind of how Andre Johnson jumped on Courtland Finnegan early in the first matchup...)

Indianapolis Colts 34, Jacksonville Jaguars 24

The Colts, in true big-brother fashion, let the Jags get their division title hopes up just long enough before snatching it away yet again. (Maybe the Jags can put the Colts on the next season of "Bully Beatdown"...)

Kansas City Chiefs 27, St. Louis Rams 13

The Chiefs may win the AFC West by being the best team in the NFC West (4-0 against the 49ers, Rams, Seahawks and Cardinals this season). (Boise State laughs uncontrollably at the Chiefs non-conference schedule...)

Buffalo Bills 17, Miami Dolphins 14

The Dolphins fall to 7-7, but are 1-6 at home. (If something like this happened to Sun Life Stadium, the Dolphins might be leading the AFC East...)

Detroit Lions 23, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20 (OT)

The Lions win a road game for the first time in three years. (Geno Auriemma is disappointed that you care more about the Lions losing than his women winning over the same time period, you miserable bastards...)

Philadelphia Eagles 38, New York Giants 31

DeSean Jackson returned a muffed punt 65 yards for a touchdown on the game's final play to cap a 28 point fourth quarter comeback by the Eagles. (You wanna know how Jackson got his pet cheetah? His Benjamin pile? Because he's faaaaaaa-aaast...)

Carolina Panthers 19, Arizona Cardinals 12

Nobody cares. (Nobody cares...)

Baltimore Ravens 30, New Orleans Saints 24

Even after watching the game, it remains unknown if these teams are both Super Bowl contenders, or first round flame outs. (Also, fantasy football owners of Ray Rice thank him for having his first great game of the season, ten weeks too late to validate taking him number one overall...)

Atlanta Falcons 34, Seattle Seahawks 18

The Falcons continue to lure people into believing that they are the best team in the NFC. (Pete Carroll continues to be a completely mediocre head coach on the professional level, even though it's legal to pay players...)

Oakland Raiders 39, Denver Broncos 23

Tim Tebow allegedly made his first start at quarterback, yet carried the ball 8 times for 78 yards and a TD. (Meanwhile, God smiled on the Raiders, who are at .500 in December for the first time since 2002, when this massacre happened...)

New York Jets 22, Pittsburgh Steelers 17

The Jets beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh for the first time in franchise history, and score an offensive TD for the first time in three games. (The Steelers secure a playoff spot in the loss, and the media ignores Mike Tomlin allowing Big Ben to throw 44 times in the snow, when Rashard Mendenhall became the first player to run for 100 yards against the Jets on only 17 carries...)

New England Patriots 31, Green Bay Packers 27

Matt Flynn filled in admirably for Aaron Rodgers (251 yards passing, 3 TDs), but was no match for Tom Brady's hair or clock management capability. (Somewhere in Louisiana, Les Miles is smiling...)

Chicago Bears 40, Minnesota Vikings 14

As Brett Favre picked himself up off the turf after being planted by Bears DE Corey Wootton, it reminded me of the end of "Fallen", when the demon Azazel leaves Denzel's dead body, floats around, and finally reveals itself having possessed a cat that was nearby, saying "Oh, you forgot something, didn't you. I said I was going to tell you about the time I almost died..." (Jay Cutler sings, "Time is on my side...")