Rhonnie's Blog

Running Back Round Up - Part I

Rhonda F. Esq. — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 06:43:20 GMT

Running Back Round Up - Part I

Thank you Lord! We have survived another off-season! Finally, it's time! Camp is in session, pre-season is right around the corner, and fantasy leagues are being built! THANK you HELLALUJAH...can I get a AMEN!

As we count down to kick off I have a few questions, concerns & comments! Consider my next few posts my ???soap box.' First issue up, Edgerrin James! How much longer will he be homeless? Are there REALLY 32 RB's who are better than James?! As we found out last week, James darn sure doesn't think so!

In this 2 part blog post I'll examine each team's top RB (listed in no particular order.) We've heard EJ now let's hear what the stats have to say.

Before we start, let's look at EJ's stats. Last season EJ failed to bring the business. Yes he was benched in favor of rookie RB Tim Hightower but EJ only produced a disappointing 514 yards rushing and 3TD'S (the league average was 315 yards rushing, since when is EJ near average?!) And it kills me to say, (darnit it hurts) but when my Cards needed EJ the most (Super Bowl) he went MIA, despite all the pre-game hype he received. However, EJ is still a potential future hall of famer...he's a 4 time pro bowl selection (on second thought, we need bullets)

2 time First Team All Pro Selection
1 time Second Team All Pro Selection
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year
Twice lead the NFL in rushing (1999, 2000)
Holds the Colts rushing yardage record
Holds the Colts rushing touchdown record
After ten seasons EJ has 2,982 carries, 12, 121 yards rushing and 80 TD's

EJ's a bad motha-shut- yo-mouth! But that was then, this is now...

1. Minnesota: Adrian Peterson (3/21/1985) -Peterson isTHE playmaker despite having a case of the sticky fingers (receiving skills are nada!) As for his rushing game, shoot, get outta here...he's unmatched. 363 carries, 1,760 rushing yards and 10 TD's. ** Adrian rushed for the most yards last year - LEAGUE AVERAGE = 315 Yards**

2. Atlanta: Michael Turner (2/13/1982) - From backing up in San Diego to racking up in Atlanta...376 carries, 1,699 yards, and 17 TD's. **Isn't he one of the only RB's to successfully go from being one team's backup to another team's starter? He had a lot of naysaysers (where ya'll at now?)**

3. Jacksonville: Maurice Jones Drew (3/23/1985) - Fred Taylor's out Jones Drew is in! Time to shine! Despite playing second fiddle, Jones Drew racked up 824 yards, 197 carries &12 TDs...watch out now! **Throughout his career Jones Drew hasn't carried the ball more than 200 times in a season so he still has a lot of wear on tear left on those knees and ankles.**

4. Carolina: DeAngelo Williams (4/25/1983) & Jonathan Stewart (3/21/1987) - This is a great tandem so we have to mention both guys. Stewart is liable to explode in his sophomore season. But right now it's Williams' show. Last season he carried the ball 273 times, rushed 1,515 yards and scored 18 TD's. This duo will wreak havoc in a backfield near you.

5. Tennessee: Chris Johnson (9/23/1985) & LenDale White (12/20/1984) - Like Carolina, Tennessee has an awesome duo. Johnson is a freak of nature; the sophomore back out of ECU is a speed demon (he officially ran a faster 40 than DRC!) As a rook he registered 10 TD's, 1, 228 rushing yards in 251 carries while White registered 773 yards rushing in 220 carries. **White is unstoppable at the goal line.**

6. Redskins: Clinton Portis (9/1/1981) - I want u to remember this...Portis allowed Washington to have the 8^th best rushing attack. 342 carries, 1,487 yards rushing and 9 TD's. Stop sleeping; Clinton is still a top back (underappreciated much?!)

7. San Diego: LanDianian Tomlinson (June 23, 1979) -LT is the 7th best RB in the game (still outperforming these young boys.) So, the hype over his age/decline is a bit much. At worse he went from abnormally great to abnormally good. LT's not done yet...292 carries, 1,110 yards rushing and 11 TD's **PLEASE, let's hold back on handing Sproles the reigns**

8. San Francisco: Frank Gore (5/14/1983) - Gore is an every down back, he's a fighter. Last season he became the first 49ner to rush for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. If Gore can stay healthy and 3^rd rounder Glenn Coffee becomes the complimentary back he was drafted to be then Gore will return to his 2006 form. Remember the game against Seattle @ Seattle in '06?! Smith and Gore were unstoppable!

9. Chicago: Matt Forte (12/10/1985) -Matt Forte is one of the best offensive players in the league...period! This season, with the addition of Jay Cutler, we may have a monster on our hands. Not only can Forte run the ball (1,238 rushing yards) but he's a decent receiver, actually he's Chi-towns best receiver. **lead the Bears in receiving last season, posting 63 receptions for 477 yards**

10. St. Louis: Stephen Jackson (7/22/1983) - 1,042 rushing yards in 253 carries with 7 TD's. He's young & poised to make a stellar comeback (not that he went anywhere really.) Ok, I'm a St. Louis hater so I can't stomach this discussion any longer, moving on.

11. Pittsburgh: Willie Parker (11/11/1980) - Willie P is my people (a Tar Heel & a friend) so I'm team Parker. The Steelers are being "Steeler-ish" right now. They've yet to resign Willie who is in the last year of his contract. So it looks like Mendenhall is being prepped for a starting role. BUT, not so fast. Willie Peezy may be coming back from a serious injury and he's knocking on 28 but he's still producing (ergo hold down the hate!) It's irrelevant what the stats say...we're team Parker, best RB in the league! (210 carriesM 791 rushing yards, and 5 TD's.)

12. Dallas: Marion Barber (6/10/1983) - His nickname is "Marion the Barbarian" enough said! Barber will be splitting carries with sophomore back Felix Jones. Good Ole Wade refers to them as "featured backs." I suspect Barbarian is putting in extra PT to solidify his top rank. He already pulled a Lendale and shed a few pounds this off-season. (dare I say it, I'm excited about the Cowboys, naaawww let's not go that far!) Last year Barber had 238 carries, 885 rushing yards, and 7 TD's. ** Barber is said to be the hardest RB to hit and tackle **

13. Denver: Knowshon Moreno - Moreno should be the next shut'em down rookie aka Adrian Peterson. While at Georgia he touched the ball 551 times without a single fumble (the same can't be said for Peterson.) While at Georgia, Moreno became the second RB to post back to back 1,000-yards rushing seasons (Hershel Walker was the first.)

14. New York: Brandon Jacobs (7/6/1982) - Ward is out, Jacobs is in. Last season Jacobs carried the ball 219 times and recorded 1,089 yards and 15 TD's. Considering he competed with Ward for carries I think it's safe to say Jacobs is about to BLOW UP!

15. Philadelphia: Brian Westbrook (9/2/1979) - Westbrook is a prolific RB. He registered 963 yards in 233 carries. Despite his age Westbrook (fresh from rehab) enters the season as the starter but power rookie LeSean McCoy will be high on his heels so Westbrook def. has some desire to light the fire (is that corny?!)

16. Houston: Steve Slaton (1/4/1986) - Slaton had a stellar rookie campaign shoring up 1,202 yards in 268 carries and 9TDs. Slaton's biggest hurdle is his own team...so sad. But hey he still managed to be a top RB despite playing with an aiiiight quarterback. Let's hope he isn't hit by the sophomore slump.

Well...we're halfway through our trip around the backfield and let me tell ya...It's not looking good for EJ. I think we've found 16 backs that are better than EJ. What say you?

To Tweet or not to Tweet that is the Question.....

Rhonda F. Esq. — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:33:21 GMT

I have a confession...I'm an addict. I have an extremely addictive personality...I get addicted to pretty much anything that's half way decent. This months obsession is TWITTER (Facebook was so Q1 2009!) And with the start of Trainning camp right around the corner I've decided to share with you the best way to get free camp updates and live feeds! Seriously, who needs a NFL Network subscription when you have TWITTER! ESPN/CNNSI/NFL Network are so 2008...time to get Twitter!

Personally, I love Twitter mainly for its networking capabilities...I own a sports based nonprofit consulting firm. So, Twitter is the only site that allows me to connect directly with soon to be clients (I've actually had some success!) Twitter is like having a direct pager linked to Larry Fitzgerald or Ray Lewis.

Plus, we fans get hit way too often with negative publicity about athletes. Twitter really helps break down/combat some of the negative sterotypes/images created by the media...you'd be surpised at how many of your favorite atheletes are actually quite politically, business, and civically minded! It's reassuring...some of these guys really do have the potential to be tremendous role models (with my help of course!) Come on, you know that's pretty darn cool!!! Oh and it's pretty entertaining to read these guys tweets to each other...finally I get to be that 'fly on the wall' in the locker room!

On a personal note, I do think my obsesssion also stems from the fact that I live alone and work from home...so my daily human interactions are pretty limited (so sad, oh so sad!) But now thanks to Twitter I'm able to connect not only to friends (my family isn't peep to the hotness that is Twitter) but I can connect to (well attempt to connect to) potential clients...sure does beat chasing people down in the streets!!

So be sure to follow me on Twitter (Rhonniefesq) and make sure to constantly tweet the following guys and BEG them to hire me to represent their nonprofit interest...afterall we are a fannation family! To support me is to support u :)!!

Top 10 NFL Tweeters...

1. Domonique Foxworth - @foxworth24 - He actually responded to one of my tweets, checked out my website and said he'd help me out! Can you say AWESOME dude! Not to mention Foxworth is the prototype when it comes to athletes and people in general...check out his political and community involvement! (Shhh...gosh ok! Admittedly he, Darnell Dockett and Fabian Washington are the only people I've actually tweeted...guess I need to get a bit more active, I'm a Cards and Ravens fan!!!!!)

2. Matthew Hasselbeck - @matthewhass08 - gotta love a father who isn't ashamed to discuss his choice between Huggies and Pampers. Plus dude is a natural comedian!

3. Terrell Owens - @Terrellowens81 - He's actually good at responding to fans and haters. Don't ask where he finds the time to actually address ESPN's hate! Actually, stop haing on Terrell ESPN...ya'll just mad you didn't pick up his show concept first!

4. Ray Lewis - @Ray52Lewis - he actually promotes his youth camp participants through his twitter account...gotta love his mentorship skills!(his tweets are boring but gotta respect a man who shouts God out daily!)

5. Warren Sapp - @QBKilla, his name is QBKilla and he refers to himself as "daddy"...do you really need another reason to peep his tweets?! Funny enough, I think he gets hit on the most by overally thirsty females...lol do these women know that you can see their tweets?! Stop with the Tweetpics...it's sad but yet entertaining!

6. Chad Ocho Cinco - @OGOhcocinco , He's in the process of filimg a pilot for a show concept with Bernard Berriman...copycats much?! I just love reading broken english...keeps my street cred up (I'm not a PC blogger...I call it how it is!)

7. Ryan Grant - @RyanGrant25 - someone should really learn how to Direct Message people..TMI! Please review his conversation with Michael Strahan, was that really meant for the public to read?!

8. Darnell Dockett -@ddockett - makes you ask...what really goes on inside some people's heads?! Funny tweets, love it when he's at the strip club. Oh and we all know how he feels about being underpaid! Oh and PLEASE don't insult him cause he will come at you hard!

9. Nick Barnett- @NickBarnett - gotta respect a man who cooks dinner for his wife and isn't afraid to tweet about it. I support positiveness man!!!!!! (*Breaking News - sent me a note thanking me for the post** People really do read my blog, that's hot...does this make me a reputable news source?!)

10 (tie). Donte Whitner -@DonteWhitner - Again, I promote positive thinkers. This guy is actually quasi deep...he speaks real.

10. (tie) Steven Jackson -@sj39 you got to love anyone who refers to himself as a "community servant and lover of fashion!"

Honorable Mention

1. Fabian Washington - @fabewash31, dudes stays on twitter...makes me want to get my twitter weight up!

2. Jeremy Shockey - @therealjshockey - he's new to twitter, he made the honorable mentions because I presume his tweets are going to get real interesting! I mean we all know the dude loves Vegas...fun times ahead right?!

3. Larry Fitzgerald - @Lfitzgerald - just because he's a Cardinal

4. Visanthe Shiancoe - @vshiancoe - only shouting him out because his background pic has J. Vilma in it...ya'll know I'm a fan!

5. Kerry Rhodes - Kerryrhodes - I'm not a Jet's fan so he couldn't realistically make my top ten although his tweets are straight....he's worth following

Top Commentators

6. J.A. Adande - @jadande - he actually listens to hip hop...i just didn't think he'd be a "cool" dude. The things you learn on twitter!

7. Jamie Dukes - @jamiedukes - I'm just a fan!

WHERE IS SHANNON SHARPE?!

In case you're interested....

Champ Bailey - @champbailey

Andre Johnson - @johnson80

Drew Brees - @drewbrees

Pierre Thomas - @CPT23

Sinorice Moss - @humble83

Devin Hester - @D_Hest23

Deangelo Hall - @Dhall23

Antonio Pierce - @AntonioPierce (he's awful proud to be a gman!)

Darren Sharper - @sharper42

Sidney Rice - @sidneyrice

Takeo Spikes - @TakeoSpikes51

Willie Anderson - @willanderson79 (he owns three fatburgers!)

Kawika Mitchell -@ka_michell55

Mike Jenkins - @mikejenkins21

Najeh Davenport - @FAITHBOii

Shawne Merriman - @shawnemerriman

Kirk Morrison - @kirkmorrison52

Shaun Phillips - @shaunPhillips95

I'm back

Rhonda F. Esq. — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:20:00 GMT

Friends! I've been gone way too long! I've been on a HUGE football hiatus! The last year has been a bit hectic to say the least! For starters I'm no longer in Arizona...yeah I had to give a peace and two fingers to my beloved desert oasis! I'm now back in my home state of NC..after four years away it's good to be home! So, you're wondering why I moved...simple! My brother and his wife had their first baby...she was born on my birthday July 14th and I just felt that I needed to be closer to family. Oh and let's be real...I got laid off from my firm...so hey all signs pointed to home!!

Also, I FINALLY started my own sports themed company...foxxconcepts.com. Momma always said...when live gives you lemons, make lemonade! That's exactly what I'm attempting to do. Foxxconcepts is geared towards athletes...essentially I manage their nonprofit endeavors. TRUST YOU ME...working with young male athletes is NOT and has NOT been easy...boy do I have some stories for ya!

Let's see...other than a move, a career change, and the birth of my first niece I've also experienced other losses and heartaches (we'll keep those private lol :), no TMI here!) I allowed negatively to permeate in my life and take me away from some of the simple pleasures/joys in life....namely sports blogging! Can you believe I didn't even do a single mock draft this year...GASP!

Well, ladies and gents the wait is over...your girl is back! I'm hoping I can get back into the swing of things! I've missed you all...let's get things poppin! Camps start soon and I know for one I'm REALLY amped!

Stay tuned because this season I'm going to follow my Cardinals of course...as they make that super bowl run one more time! However, I'm adding in some new favorites...Bmore, NO, and perhaps the Panthers...afterall I am a North Carolinian now...well again!

Death of a Cardinals Fan....Training Camp and Antrell Rolle!

Rhonda F. Esq. — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:14:01 GMT

As you read this article, keep in mind that Saturday was the Cardinal's Fan Day.

This past weekend I went to Cardinal's training camp. For the past few seasons, I've always told myself that I would go to some teams training camp...but as a law student, time and money were LIMITED! So, needless to say, I was VERY excited to finally have an opportunity to experience my first training camp. As a reward for my recent struggles my girlfriend agreed to make the 2.5 hour hike to Flagstaff with me. On Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, I sat for the Arizona state bar exam and let me tell ya, every person who survives preparing for and actually taking that 12 hour beast deserves a treat. Tragically, my joy and excitement was VERY short lived. My camp experience quickly transformed into a bitter one.

I now understand why this franchise has such a minute fan base. A friend of mine went to Redskin's camp this past weekend...there were nearly 20,000 people in attendance...Card's at max had about 5,000. The "men" who comprise this team are the most disrespectful and downright disgusting individuals. How are they cocky and they've never made it to the playoffs?!

I admit, I am not your average fan nor am I your average NFL blogger. BUT, despite my outward appearance I am (or shall I say used to be) a devote Cardinals fan. My passion, knowledge, and thirst for the game are unparallel. In terms of sheer football knowledge I possess more than the average man. So you shouldn't let my appearance fool you. Funnily enough, a few of the pictures that I took this weekend captured the facial expressions of several players. In the photos that other fans took of me and my girlfriend you can clearly see players smirking and making faces at us in the backdrop. I can only imagine the denigrating or just plain mean remarks that were made. As a woman who's been following this team for several years, who was THRILLED to finally get a chance to see her favorite players up close and personal, this experience was just plain hurtful.

First, Larry Fitzgerald is quite possibly the rudest person alive. I witnessed this "man" make a child cry by refusing to shake the little boy's hand. Every other player took a second to give an occasional high five, thumbs up, or a head nod. Most players proffered some sign of acknowledgement to the children as they shouted their names....but oh no not Larry. He wouldn't even look up. I was appalled! Doesn't he know that if it wasn't for these screaming and adoring kids there would be no mega pay day. The fans make the team so give the fans (at least the children) a simple head nod! Oh and we haven't forgotten the paternity (abortion request) debacle...Larry could use some positive publicity!

Secondly, Antrell Rolle is the personification of disappointment. I went to camp primarily to interview Rolle about his transition from CB to S. It's a move that many have suggested since he first left Miami. Rolle has long been a favorite Card for me. I think he has the potential to be a respectable talent if he gets his confidence back, focuses and puts in the time to learn the new position...after all nothing comes easy in the Not For Long (NFL) league. Additionally, I was curious about the support system that Adrian Wilson is providing Rolle. As one of the league's best (and most underrated safeties) I think he will be a huge reason why Rolle succeeds. And finally, I wanted his take on rookie DRC. As you loyal AZ fans know, drafting DRC was a slight gamble...so after ten days of camp I wanted to know what a Vet, an actual AZ CB (former), thought about DRC's progress. As you can see I was stoked for the opportunity, I just knew this man wouldn't reject a five minute interview...ON FAN DAY! Boy, I was oh so wrong!

I an effort to get Rolle's interview, I decided to approach a coach as opposed to just running up to Rolle. Momma didn't raise no fool, I knew there would be an immediate presumption of impropriety. So, I opted to ask an older black coach, I erroneously assumed that as a minority himself he wouldn't judge me! Well, we all know what happens when you assume...I was certainly made an **** out of. The man, Anthony Edwards, gave me lip service stating "sure, I will see what I can do...I'll come find you and let you know." I saw this man at least two times after this dialogue and he wouldn't even look in my direction.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to see Rolle after practice, as he and every other big named player ran immediately from the field to their dorms (please remember that Saturday was fan day, and a large percentage of the crowd drove great distances to see the players.) Naturally, I felt defeated. I had blown my opportunity for the interview that I was going to use to launch my new Cards blog site.

PUMP YOUR BREAKS FAN, all was not lost. As God would provide, I ran into Adrian Wilson at a local gas station right after practice. A glimmer, a slight iota of elation returned. Ordinarily, I would NOT have stopped Wilson, but I REALLY wanted Rolle's interview. After debating it for about two minutes, I decided what the hell, to succeed you got to be thirsty! I introduced myself, stated my purpose, and gave Wilson my business card in hopes that he would pass it on to Rolle. I must say, Wilson is the MOST intimidating individual I've run across. He is HUGE, doesn't crack and smile and is VERY dismissive. When I told Wilson that I too was an NC native, he just blew me off! I once again felt defeated. I knew that there was no shot in hell he would be passing that card along.

WELL, brace yourself readers! On Sunday night, around 10pm I get a phone call from a Miami number...I immediately think **** is this about!!!! Could it be, NAWWWWW no way! Low and behold it was Antrell Rolle! I couldn't believe it; I didn't know what to say. Ironically, I got his phone call as I was preparing an in-depth research project concerning community needs in New Orleans for another former Cane (who I pray doesn't also turn out to be a sexist male chauvinistic ****.) Anway, I was F-L-O-O-R-E-D!

As you can guess by now, my excitement was short lived! Within two minutes I would have my face cracked yet again! I presume Rolle either realized I wasn't a groupie **** or he doesn't like female fans. Either way, I'm without a Cards interview for the launch of my new Card's blog.

I will admit, there was one lone player who took time after practice to sign every single autograph. He even agreed to take photos with me and my friend. I pray this young man stays humble and remembers his fans as he goes through the maturation process. Clearly his teammates have missed the essence of FAN DAY!

But, of course this positive experience had to be capped with some good ole fashioned Cardinal's negativity! As my girlfriend and I were getting DRC's photo...a black man (go figure) with the team walks up and says, "ok girls thanks but keep it moving." Now, I don't know about you...but I'm 25 and my girlfriend is 26 and I darn sure don't look like a child nor do I appreciate being called one. I know some of you may read this as being overly sensitive, but I'm SERIOUSLY doubt either of you male fans would have been refered to as a boy...I deserve better. I quickly corrected him, as his options where either...women, ladies, Doctor (my girlfriend is a doctor) or Lawyer (I'm the law negro, you betta recognize.)

I have struggled, fought, grinded and straight busted my tail for the last four years trying to break into the sports profession. I attended a top undergraduate institution, continued straight to a top twenty law school and graduated at the age of 24. I immediately moved myself to Arizona, the up and coming "sports capital" of the US. I cannot begin to count the "informational interviews," volunteer programs, internships, cold calls and random emails, and degrading jobs that I have taken in order to break into sports. I understand that to succeed in this industry you must crawl before you can walk. Well, I've been crawling for 4 plus years and I'm still fighting on both hands and knees.

At each angle I've been shot down and pissed on, I've been told to tone down my image, advised to get a "beard", instructed to start with a white client as they would be more inclined to trust a black woman, and had David Falk himself tell me that he nor any of his clients would ever contemplate working with a black woman. I cannot help but wonder how much easier my plight would be if I were male or even a white female. Pam Oliver is the only black female face we see within sports, and that's a darn shame! Oh and in case you are wondering why I didn't just apply for a Cardinals press pass...well, I did...I went through Darren Urban and Mark Dalton both. And yep you guessed it, I was shot down.

In conclusion, I must admit that after the Rolle debacle I was a bit dejected. It was disrespect up close and personal. But, despite the ignorance of some, I want you (my supporters) to know that I'M NOT GIVING UP! God didn't bring me this far to leave me. I will succeed within this industry and I will make my mark...the struggle continues! YES WE CAN, CHANGE IN 08!

Who am I........

Rhonda F. Esq. — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 04:42:48 GMT

it's high time we got to know each other! Below is a little questionnaire I stole borrowed from another blogger...needless to say, this post is all about me!

Ten Random Things About me.......

10. I don't eat fruits or veggie's...but EVERYTHING in my house is low fat, fat free, low carb or no carb, point being, if you come to my house bring your own food and drinks! P.S. I do LOVE the occasional cookie and/or cake, did someone say sweet potato pie!!!!!!!!

9. I lived in Germany for four years...military brat

8. I snore like a man...unattractive I know

7. I've never been in a committed relationship....I once talked to the same guy for two months but he lived across the country so not sure if that counts, needless to say something is amiss in my love life!

6. I love to go to the movies alone and order a large popcorn with extra butter and white cheddar flavoring with a large diet soda (gotta watch the waistline somewhere!)

5. I love margaritas and red wine!

4. I'm a gym rat...five to six days a week, go HARD on the weekends

3. My mother is my best friend...we look like twins.

2. At first impression people think I'm a stuck up biotch...but I'm not I'm just a shy girl, I open up quick though

1. I have A LOT of friends....and I LOVE making new friends!

Nine Ways to win my heart......................

9. Call me your "Shorty"

8. Be Chill, its ok to wear a fitted, a white tee, sweats, and matching ones when we're chillin; suit to work Jordan's at the crib.

7. Listen to hip-hop and r&b, by that I mean Mos Def, Common, Nas AND Rick Ross, Luda, Jay-Z, Wayne (gotta love Wayne,) Trina, and Yola....respect Beyonce, Chrisette Michelle and Alicia Keys.

6. Be genuine.....love me, need me, and desire me....know me well enough to make me happiest and maddest, find my corny jokes and unique mannerisms adorable, get lost in my big brown eyes (if you cannot do these things...I'll take single for 600!)

5. Be a MAN's MAN ....if not I will run right over you....this includes loving football!

4. Have a nice physique...be tall and big enough to pick me, to hold me and make me feel protected (I'm 5'2 this shouldn't be hard,) and most importantly have nice hands and forearms

3. Love your family, moma's boys preferred

2. Be intelligent with ambition

1. Love God

Eight things I want to do before I die..............

8. Plan a charity weekend for Jonathan Vilma in New Orleans....after I start my own 501(C)(3)

7. Travel to Africa, the Ivory Coast and Cape Town

6. Go to my first NFL game....always a student never been able to afford it, and also go to a training camp, never had the time....lol, always a darn student!

5. Enable my parents to retire....they are my blessing!

4. Read the entire Bible

3. Pay off my student loans, the house note I hope to one day have and the car note on the Range Rover that I too hope to one day own

2. Get a job within the sports industry...journalism, legal work, agency, sports philanthropy (something, anything!)

1. Find peace and happiness

Seven Ways to Annoy me.............

7. Being a hypocrite

6. Bragging, if you are tight it will shine through on its own

5. Talking too much....I talk enough, you can't talk a lot too, we'd get NO WHERE!

4. Being a hater, especially black women disrespecting each other

3. Ignorance...for example, referring to Michelle Obama as "Barak's baby momma," as a young black woman (lawyer nonetheless) let me say I am PISSED with Fox news.....she is a Harvard educated woman (and unlike Bush she earned her entrance into an Ivy league,) she is married to the world's most inspirational and profound man (behind every great man is a greater woman) and a devoted and HIGHLY fashionable mother of two beautiful daughters....how DARE you refer to her as she just some" baby momma" I think that title is better reserved for a Laura Bush, her husband is a JOKE!

2. Rudeness....I have the WORSE temper in the world, LOW tolerance for rude people, I will drop kick you in your throat...don't get stomped! Ok, I don't know a THING about fighting, but I sure will try little buddies!

1. Smacking your food and gum....HATE IT, like no seriously, I HATE IT! I'm really getting mad thinking about it

Six things I believe in.............

6. The Cardinals...it's our year guys (it's always our year...oh well)

5. My family...I cannot stress how important their love, support and guidance is...a love so pure

4. Love....it's out there, it will find me (a man's greatest gift is to find his wife, not the other way around folks!)

3. Change....Barak Obama, enough said

2. Myself...perserverance, passion, determination, drive, and devotion (my strongest attributes)

1. GOD...faith is a beautiful thing

Five things that I am afraid of.....................

5. Being murdered...being a single female, living alone in today's world makes you a bit concerned!

4. Failure...career wise, what if I don't pass the bar?

3. Never starting a family....never finding that my perfect teammate, never raising children to continue my legacy

2. Getting fat (ok looks matter a bit, gees i never said i was perfect) and most importantly being unhealthy

1. Losing a family member

Four of my Favorite Things.......

4. Food....Macaroni and Cheese, Sesame Chicken, and Pizza (cheat days are wonderful)

3. Make-Up...MAC, Estee Lauder, and Laura Mercie , and Smash Box...take me to Sephora!

2. Shopping....shoes, hand bags, clothes, jewelry, and furniture (pottery barn and West Elm)

1. My family...my mother, father, brother, Jackson (the best shi-poo in the world) and my extended family (I come from a HUGE southern family!)

Three Things I do Everyday

3. Study for the bar...FOR HOURS!

2. Call my parents, twice a day

1. Pray and Praise God

Two Things I want to do Right Now...........

2. Crawl into my mother's arms and sit on the couch with my pops and Jackson...I miss them so much!

1. Go shopping...and not have to look at the price tag!

One person I want to see right now...........

1.Jonathan Vilma...I believe that he is the one athlete who will give me a chance to test my hypothesis regarding sports philanthropy. I believe if we pair professional athletes with "traditional" professionals (i.e. doctors, lawyers, accountants, investors, agents) who work behind the athletes then we can expand our kid's horizons. It's disheartening that most minority children in America aspire to be the next hip hop or football star. It's no wonder that inner city schools like Frederick Douglas High School in Baltimore, Maryland have less than a 50% graduation rate, around the tenth grade when minority boys realize that they will not become the next Lebron James they give up (look in the media, what examples of success do they have; athletes and entertainers.) The responsibility lays with us fortunate few, who were shown reality, we must fight for change. Together Jonathan and I (you like my confidence right) will show these kids that there are other professions out there (within sports and entertainment) that minorities are succeeding in. I just need to borrow Jonathan's influence over children .....read the book "Forty Million Dollar Slaves" for more explanation!

P.S. Does anyone have ANY suggestions of how I can actually meet Jonathan Vilma and give him my project proposal....I thought about going to their hotel when they play the Cards (Aug. 7^th, right after the bar is over) BUT, my father said that wasn't a good idea (something about people getting the wrong perception.....a young black woman lurking in a hotel full of athletes, go figure??) Anywho, I'm taking advice....so give it!

Jonathan Vilma

Rhonda F. Esq. — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:30:14 GMT

Guess what....I'm a Saints fan. No, this doesn't mean that I love my Cards any less! I've always been interested in this franchise...we all remember the Monday night spectacular two years ago when the Superdome reopened! But, before February 29^th I wasn't totally sold on the Saints....something was missing, or shall I say someone was missing! But, on the 29^th the scale tipper, the confirmer, the DARN straw that broke the camel's back occurred; the signing of Jonathan Vilma! Ladies and gent's, the fat lady has sung, I'm sold!

Vilma's athletic prowess is nothing short of amazing! His on the field play during his first three seasons with the Jet's can best be described as freakish. The undersized middle linebacker out of Miami was out to prove a mission, as Vilma says in his Rocawear advertisement, "I will not lose," and he hasn't! During his rookie campaign the 12^th overall pick in '04 draft recorded (brace yourself fools) 108 tackles, two sacks, and three interceptions, including one which was he returned for a touchdown. In 2005, the 2004 NFL Defensive Rookie of the year won his first trip to Honolulu (the Pro Bowl fools!) Vilma's play action combined with his mature demeanor allowed him to rack up endorsement after endorsement. From Rocawear, to Under Armour, to Sprint, Vilma became a staple in the New York media.

Unfortunately, towards the end of his tenure in New York Vilma's production slipped. This can be attributed not to faltering dedication but to new coach Eric Mangini's transition to a 3-4 defense. Under the new regime, Vilma struggled to block the oversized (obese) centers and guards of the dominate (overrated) AFC.

Despite all of his stats, Vilma's on the field accomplishments pale in comparison to his off the field strides. While at Miami, Vilma majored in finance and is rumored to have maintained 3.5 GPA (W-O-W, especially considering that the NCAA is a fatally flawed "educational institution," amateurism my ARSE....ok, ok a debate for another blog!") In addition to being THE true man-genius (Mangini has nothing on this dude) Vilma is a steady force in his community. Early in his career he founded Financial51, an innovative and impressive 501(c)(3) dedicated to educating children and athletes about the importance of sound financial investing. Additionally, Vilma can be seen around his hometown of Coral Gables giving back to his community not only through financial contributions (he ain't in it for the tax breaks,) but most impressively by giving his time (and no, it's because of a mandatory community service sentencing; oh little buddies, he's no Chris Henry/Mike Vick type!)

What does this mean for US Saint's fans....it means H-A-L-L-E-L-U-J-A (both on and off the field!) In the Saints defense, Vilma should return to the top! So have no fear, after signing Dan Morgan and then losing Dan Morgan, we still have hope, tons of hope! We've got Vilma, we've got a 4-3 defense, we've got Sedrick Ellis and now we have Will Smith (for a long and expensive time)....oh we will survive!

So, as you can see I'm a true ‘black and gold' Vilma STAN (a ridiculous fan) and now a Saints fan! The Saints kick off the pre-season here in Arizona against my BELOVED Cards, and I'm so torn!!! Is it ok if I rock my Vilma Jersey (all provided that my credit card doesn't get D-E-N-I-E-D) and my Cards baseball cap?

Ya'll mark my words...I will get Vilma's autograph and a brief interview for the blog!! I'm prepared to scale walls, run onto the field, and/or chase a bus if necessary (maybe not I am lady!) But, if I "bump" into Vilma, I'll be like a fat kid in a candy store....OUTTA DARN CONTROL!

Rhonnie's Top Ten NFLers of all time...according to ME!

Rhonda F. Esq. — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:42:26 GMT

Rhonnie's Starting Line-up

Everyone is talking about the draft and their picks...so I thought I would take a few moments during my study break and create my own picks. So, if I could meet any ten players in the NFL these would be my top choices (we'll two I've already met, but I still like them A LOT,) on with the picks.....

10. Ocho-Cinco; WR Cincy drafted 2^nd round 31^st overall in '01 out of Oregon; this guy is pure comedy, and I like him...l teeth and all. Any relative of Keyshawn Johnson is cool with me. I don't know how Ocho comes up with half of his shenanigans!!! Chad has been labeled as the guy not to have on your team; his organization is rumored to have referred to him as a cancer. Chad has been labeled as a regular ball of good'ole destruction. How did Chad respond to all of this negativity? He simply said "it hurt me"....well Chad, it hurts me too! Trade the "cancer", TJ said so! Dan, call him already!

9. Frank Gore: RB San Francisco drafted 65^th out of Miami to San Fran: I love me a good ole' southern boy! You know I love Arizona so it pains me to say it, but San Francisco is about to be the team to beat in the NFC West....ouch! This team is rich with young talent and I will never forget during the end of the '06 season when San Fran dominated Seattle, Frank Gore and Alex Smith worked something magical....and I haven't given up on Nolan and his young boys...with Frank Gore by your side you can only go so wrong, right? Frank Gore had an emotionally devastating '07 campaign, I couldn't imagine losing my mother and then having to pick up and play in front of millions the following week, I admire his strength and dedication to his sport. Frank Gore was def. a steal of the ‘05 draft. In '07 Frankie boy ranked 6^th in the NFL in total yards from scrimmage...and mind you San Fran's passing game is horrific so all the heat was on my Frankie and he still performed.

8. Walter Payton: RB, Chicago Bears drafted 4^th overall in '75 out of Jackson State. My throwback favorite...arguably one of the greatest players to ever play, his dedication to both football and his team are unparalleled; this man played in 186 consecutive games while capturing the NFC rushing title for five consecutive seasons (‘76-'80.) From the infamous "stutter step" to his revival of the "strong-arm" tactic...Payton truly set a NFL precedent. Perhaps Payton's greatest accomplishment was the music video "The Super bowl Shuffle," a shear stroke of creative genius, I kid I kid (I was only two when it came out!) Payton is by far one of the most prolific players in the game, he should by a mandatory role model for every player...from his disapproval of TD celebrations (I guess Ocho-Cinco didn't get the memo) to the camaraderie he shared with his teammates...a true standup character who amassed 16,726 yards rushing, 110 touchdowns rushing, 492 receptions for 4,538 yards, 21,803 combined net yards and 125 career touchdowns. With nine pro bowl appearances and seven all pro selections...now, that's "Sweetness."

7. Kerry Rhodes; S, NY Jets drafted 123^rd overall in the 4^th round in 2005 out of Louisville, Kerry became a starter that same year, can we say bargain catch. So, why does he make the list, well he is close friends with my number 1 selection, so he made the list by default. Just trickin, I kid, I kid...this dude is skilled, smart, and simply adorable (yes, I'm a heterosexual female, so I can look gee's it can't all be about talent!) Everyone knows I love black QB's, so I have a special place in my heart for Rhodes, (Kerry Rhodes was recruited to play QB for Louisville but somehow ended up at safety.) It's safe (pun very much intended) to say that that was a wise move as he was one of Louisville's best safeties and he's quickly becoming one of the league's best safeties...it's about time they pay the guy! With a total of 273 career sacks, 213 solo tackles, 60 assist, and 8 sacks...Kerry is well on his way to becoming a household name and finally winning a much deserved trip to Honolulu. Kerry's rise to fame is not only because of his skills (dude also excels in basketball) but because he is one attractive cookie, Essence magazine listed him as a "Do Right Man"...whatever that means, do right man? Isn't that an oxymoron?" Despite the fact that he is a backwoods bama from Alabama...I still think Rhodes is an alright fella....not to mention friends with my number one selection (did I say that already?)

6. Shannon Sharpe; 7th round in the '90 draft, 192nd overall, by the Broncos out of Savannah State, current CBS Broadcaster. Shannon and brother Sterling (NFL wide out) truly went from rags to riches, as Shannon infamously explained, "we were so poor, a robber once broke into our house and we ended up robbing the robber." Some people don't like the guy and I don't understand that...I attribute it to severe hater-ism. Not only is Shannon pure comedy but he is equally and ridiculously talented, one of the best tight ends in history. With 815 career receptions, 10,060 yards with a career average of 12.6 yards per carry. Oh, and don't forget 62 career touchdown, 4 all pro sections and 8 trips to Honolulu...big up's to all his haters. In terms of his commentating, Shannon mixed with Dan Marino equates to one special Sunday morning broadcast. Shannon's unbelievably hideous vocabulary (not to mention his lisp) combined with his unique wit simply makes my day (it's a reprieve from the pretentious legalese I hear on a daily basis.) Also, it is impossible to deny the pure hilarity of Shannon's Danny Greene/Miss America breakdown rendition...if you can't appreciate the humor then your smoking rocks. When Shannon said, in reference to one of Larry Fitzgerald's ridiculously unfocused plays, that "this boy must have Veeerr-tigo," I was straight DONE! Did anyone else see Hard Knocks with the Baltimore Raven's? Shannon Sharpe for President! Let's recap some Shannon favorites.

"Plexiglas"
"ocho-no show"
"I've got a better chance of winning the Kentucky Derby on the back of a donkey than they have of winning the Super Bowl with Kyle Boller."
"I would rather die in an abandoned building alone, and my family not know what happened, than play for Coughlin."

5. Vernon Gholston DE/LB drafted 1st overall to Miami out of Ohio; ok so he isn't technically an NFL player as of yet, and he hasn't technically been drafted to St. Louis either, but we all know his time to shine is on the horizon...I'm putting it all on this guy to go number one! I adore this young fella, he's a Mike Vrabel mini-me...actually, their similarities are a bit freaky, so let's keep it moving. I like this guy simply because of his physique. He is a work out fiend...his determination and dedication to strength and conditioning is going to make him one of the most prolific DE's in the league. I cannot agree that Chris Long is the better option, if Chris is drafted above Vernon then politics played a factor (Howie come get your boy.) After Gholston's combine performance I don't know how people still think there is a chance in Hades that he will be on the boards for the Patriot's selection....Vrabel and Co. fall back! On a side note, Gholston lives with a girl, who interestingly enough isn't his girlfriend, they are just really good friends...there is something refreshing about an athlete that doesn't view all women as merely sexual objects....I LOVE this guy!

4. Alex Smith, QB San Francisco drafted 1st overall in the 2005 draft out of Utah; there is no explanation for this selection....I just like this tall lanky white boy. I think his photo's partying in Mexico on Drunkenathlete.com really did it for me...I love a party boy! But seriously, Alex Smith not only has the athletic ability (in '04 he finished 4^th in total votes for the Heisman) but he excels academically, he graduated from college in two years with a degree in economics with a 3.71 GPA....enough said! Alex Smith is my little engine that could...he's going to fight and earn that starting position. ..with his cute self!

3. Jay Cutler; QB Denver drafted 11^th overall in ‘06 out of Vanderbilt; once again, there is no logical explanation for this selection other than...he was on Opera's Big Give...if she likes him, then (as her future mini-me) I like him too... just trickin, I kid I kid. Every Sunday, as I watch my Card's brave it out on the gridiron I feel an awful pain in my heart, we got Leinart and we could have had Cutler! Leinart is a decent (well maybe) but clearly Scottsdale, a.k.a. lil'L.A. isn't the best place for Matty-boy; this combined with his deadbeat daddy syndrome is a bit much for my taste....can we get a '06 redo? Culter, is so quiet, unassuming and extremely philanthropic...and he is a steady work in progress, the boy has an arm on him and for the most part he has remained uninvolved in drama...well until he opened his mouth about Brandon Marshall, but hey dude deserved it...c'mon a McDonald's wrapper????

2. Braylon Edwards, WR Cleveland drafted 3^rd in the ‘05 draft out of Michigan; Braylon's philanthropic endeavors are to be admired. This guy is literally the poster boy for the NFL, not to mention his skills are insane, sick, wicked...naasssty. We have all seen his you-tube fantasy files video (for you slowboats, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrk9I1jhJ9U). Dude is a freak of nature athletically, but even more impressive are his off the field endeavors. In a time when the NFL is facing a costly and devastating image crisis Braylon Edwards dives to the rescue (similar to his jaw dropping plays every Sunday.) He's every NFL franchise owners fantasy; intelligent, devilishly attractive, articulate, and philanthropic (Braylon pledged $1million in scholarship money to children in the Cleveland area who maintain a 2.5 throughout high school), his charity will select 10,000 eighth-grade students to potentially receive funds)....what more could you ask for, dare I say it...the total package???

1. Jonathan Polynice Vilma, LB New Orleans 12^th overall to the Jets out of UMiami: Hands down my favorite athlete. I'm not a stalker but if I EVER run across this man, OH BOY! I don't typically buy athlete's jerseys....ask yourself, would you by a Honda without test driving it? My point exactly, without meeting a player I refuse to spend money on their product (operative word being spending, I'm actually just TOO cheap)...but what if their personality sucks and they're really the spawn of Satan? Despite my rule of thumb, I just decided to order my very first customized T-shirt from NFL.com (too cheap to buy an actual jersey, a t-shirt will suffice.) New Orleans comes to Arizona for the preseason opener...oh I'll be all up in it, with my very own personalized Jonathan Vilma T and my favorite Card's hat! So what is it about this guy that rocks my socks? It's best that I bullet this...brace yourself, this guy is the best thing since sliced light wheat bread.

2006 pro bowler
2004 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year
Owns and operates a 501(c)(3) which helps athletes invest wisely, Financial51 (financial51.org)...how generous! I respect intellect and philanthropy....this is the primary reason why I like this, addressing a major issue within the NFL....misplaced priorities.
In 2005, Jonathan led the NFL in tackles with 173, forced four fumbles, notched one fumble recovery, half a sack, and one interception
In 2006, he compiled 114 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one interception.
In 2007 he only played in seven games, but he still lead the team as a captain at the age of 25
Endorses Under Armor, Rocawear, Sprint, Campbell's Chunky Soup, Ice Rocks...a walking billboard! Vilma is one articulate, talented and all around intelligent dude, so what company wouldn't want to have him on their team?
Vilma will not lose, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idNDppR3SJA (I love this commercial)
Majored in finance at UMiami.... most colleges discourage athletes from majoring in anything remotely challenging...but Jon Jon didn't fall victim. He's a smart dude who realizes that football careers are only temporary, Vilma is marketing himself for the future.
He is an alleged penny pincher...just like me, 74.99 for a jersey I think not! It's refreshing to see a young athlete who doesn't spend $1000's in clubs every weekend (I used to be a hostess at a top night spot in DC and tons of athletes would stop by and drop up to $5000-$6000a weekend just to get women drunk, pathetic and wasteful!)
Regularly visits school children promoting his charitable missions
Haitian...no, I'm not Haitian but it's hot to be foreign
Has the tightest website out there (when it's functioning properly) http://business4.odc.net/jonvilma_v255/default.asp

Are you surprised that no Cardinals made the cut?

Compensatory Picks: Top UNC Players (there wasn't too much to choose from, but these two guys out ran the competition, the limited competition that is.)

Willie Parker; RB Pittsburgh I often say...Willie's slogan should be "Where there's a Will there's a way." At UNC, I was Willie's Resident Advisor, and I remember fondly the night that he almost cost me my job. During a rare but hellish snow storm, Willie and several of his friends paid my girlfriends to cook them a home cooked meal, yes this meant we had to brave the conditions, risking life and limb, and drive to the grocery store. Money makes you do crazy things...and in my youth I sure could be bought (wait, who am I kidding, I still can!!!) Anyway, it was a night of awkward twist and turns, figuratively and literally! Now, at UNC Willie was pretty much a end guard tackle (sat on the end of the pine, guarded the water, and tackled anyone messing with the water supply,) I remember receiving Willie's mail and he would have letter's from NFL agents...honestly my girlfriends and I used to joke about this...no way our favorite end guard tackle was going pro!!! HaHaHa, look who got that last laugh...Willie 1, Rhonnie 0! I darn near crapped myself to see Willie score that touchdown in the super bowl...record breaker! Dude defied all odds, where is the man who benched him at UNC anyway...Couch Bunting phone home!

David Thornton; LB Tennessee drafted 8^th in the 4^th round by the Colts, a former Tar Heel and a religiously devout man...what more do you need. I like David because he is a fighter. David walked onto UNC's football team and worked his way up to be a solid NFL starter down in Tennessee with that horrendously tacky QB Vince Young. *Warning, warning, warning this section if for the female fans only* During my freshmen year, girls used to die when David would walk into a building, I couldn't figure out their attraction to him (I was more into frat boys) and he has that Michael Strahan gap...icky right? WRONG, a few years back when I was fulfilling my Miss. UNC duties I was appearing at Dre Bly's Charity golf tournament and in walks David...I'm tellin you, I was like DDDAAANNNGGG, NIIICCEEE, times been good to this guy!

Rhonnie's Mock Draft 3.0

Rhonda F. Esq. — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:20:48 GMT

Rhonnie's Mock Draft 3.0

*Warning, Warning, Warning....mock is subject to change at any moment.* This year's draft will most probably be filled with several unpredictable twists and turns. Miami will truly set the pace. One thing I can assure you is that Miami isn't trading down...considering this year's draft class, no one wants to go first. I predict that several teams will find themselves reshuffling in order to acquire that dream talent that they never thought would make it past pick five, ten, and so forth. I admire my fellow bloggers who believe that they can adequately predict the trades and the team moves, up or down, that will be made on draft day...but I'm simply unable, or shall I say unwilling, to follow pursuit. My legal training has made me one risk adverse cookie, I play it safe (I am not Al Davis, Jerry Jones type woman)...so don't expect too many surprises in this mock...but nonetheless enjoy!

1. Miami - Vernon Gholston; I will NOT fall victim to the Jake Long rumors; I think Vernon Gholston is as good as they get, ahhh... to be both a Mike Vrabel mini-me and Shawn Merriman replica. Chris Long could arguably go here as well, but for now I'm betting on Gholston, his combine performance was insane, he is a physical phenomenon. Argument against Jake Long, Jake's being thrust into the more valuable left tackle position, but he def. plays better at the Right Tackle position...but who's paying 60+ million for a right tackle (for those of you who don't know, right tackles tend to be less valuable than your left tackles. Why? Because...most QB's are right handed, which means when they tend to throw with their left shoulders turned and slanted towards the line of scrimmage thus creating a blind spot on their left side (left tackles traditionally block the run rushers, less technical than their right tackle counterparts who tend to block the pass rush, a bit more agile and talented attack.)
2. St. Louis - Jake Long; when Orlando Pace got injured last season, St. Louis went straight down the drain. Marc and Steve need adequate protection...I understand that St. Louis also has gapping wholes on their D line, but since Jake is still on the board he is simply too sweet an offer to refuse, his right tackle self!
3. ATL - Glenn Dorsey; I hear that ATL loves this guy; if Miami doesn't scoop him with their selection I'm pretty confident that he will be a Falcon. Dorsey is arguably one of the most talented players in this year's draft class; I think his tibia injury was a bit overblown (similar to DRC's kidney issue.)
4. Oakland - Chris Long; how fitting that Howie's boy winds up here. I know a lot of Mock's predict that Chris Long will be a first overall selection, but I'm not convinced (football has no room for politics.) Chris is a solid athlete who will certainly be a stellar athlete but I don't think he is leaps and bounds better than Gholston.
5. Kansas - Ryan Clady; admittedly it will be hard for the Chief's to pass on Ryan, but I don't think it's time to classify their current QB corp. as a failure ...well maybe, but before they upgrade at QB the Chiefs need immediate assistance on the OL...what's the point of having a star QB with gapping wholes on your OL?
6. New York Jets - Darren McFadden; just because he is available, not because he is there biggest need.
7. Patriots - Leodis McKelvin; the Pat's don't traditionally invest too much in their CB's but when you got nothing, you gotta do something. With that being said, I'm going to pass on the Brandon Albert talks and the Keith Rivers talk, anything above ten is a bit high for these fellas. The problem with this pick, is deciding which of the talented four will go to the Pat's. Personally, I'm perplexed by all the bloggers who project DRC going 7th...it's just not happening. The Pat's need a DB who is going to make an immediate impact, DRC is a bit small and could use some extra time developing ...he needs some time in a top notch strength and conditioning program (did someone mention Arizona's program under John Lott? ) Leodis McKelvin is the better selection; he has the size and the skills to be an instant shut'em down corner.
8. Baltimore - Matt Ryan; simply because someone has to take him, if he does in fact fall this far don't expect Bmore to let him slip away. I think there is a reason why McNair retired this past week....Bmore needs immediate depth within their QB ranks, the CB need is going to have to wait.
9. Cincy - Sedrick Ellis; I haven't seen one blog that predicts otherwise, well no one other mock.
10. New Orleans - Keith Rivers; this pick is partially because I'm biased towards DRC going to Arizona, but the Saints have made some serious upgrades on the defensive side of the ball, so this pick is going to be tough. However, at the end of the day I have to say that my beloved J. Vilma needs someone opposite him in defensive coordinator Gary Gibb's 4-3 scheme...Dan Morgan is a bit too injury prone to suffice. So, I ask, why not add Keith Rivers and leave DRC to AZ?
11. Buffalo - Devin Thomas; this could go one of two different ways. Buffalo has gapping needs for both a WR and a CB. With this being said, whoever they draft must be able to immediately jump in and fulfill some serious holes. If Buffalo passes on a WR, what are they going to do...Tamp Bay, Philly, Tennessee, and Dallas might all be taking receivers...so waiting until the second round could be dangerous, especially considering that this WR class isn't the best and Lee Evans needs some support. Either way, Buffalo needs an immediate impact player, so DRC really isn't their guy (he's AZ's guy!)
12. Denver -Chris Williams; Jay Cutler is on the cusp of NFL success...he just needs adequate protection, and protection that he is familiar with. There are rumors out there that Williams' stock is dropping...something about him not being ‘tough' enough. But, Chris William's is Vandy alum and we know Cutler is a devoted Vandy guy, after all he did participate in Vandy's pro day. Matt Lepsis' retirement is going to force Denver to focus on their O-Line and why not draft Chris Williams.
13. Carolina - Brandon Albert; his draft value is steadily increasing and many mocks have Albert going as high as 5 to Kansas, while the guy is truly out performing himself now, I'm not ready to sing his praises and shoot him up too far. Albert is an OG and has seen LIMITED action at the OT position...he isn't worth a top ten investment. In my previous mock, Albert didn't even make the first round so for now, this is as high as he goes. Admittedly I wouldn't be shocked to see Albert headed to Denver and Williams' in Carolina.
14. Chicago -Rashard Mendenhall; Cedric Benson is a bust...call it what it is and keep it trucking
15. Detroit - Jonathan Stewart; this is going to be an interesting pick. Detroit has serious concerns on their OL and within their LB core. With that being said, Jared Mayo is also a real possibility with this selection, but at the end of the day I believe Millen isn't passing on the skills of Stewart (what are his other options, rely on Brian Calhoun or wait and see who falls to the second round.) One toe injury can't negate Stewart's talent, he is a proven competitor and he will be ready to go by the state of the season. With that being said, Detroit cannot afford to let the skill of Stewart pass them by, with the release of Kevin Jones a replacement is an immediate need.
16. Arizona - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie; I could go on for days about this appropriateness of this selection, DRC has the potential to be a fantastic corner with a 37inch vertical and a 4.3 40. However, he is lacking in size and has completely been shorted in terms of strength conditioning over the years....that's why spending some time in Arizona's work-out program truly would be the best thing for DRC and my team (John Lott would make DRC a beast.) Rolle is now a safety, Holt is gone and Green and Hood are not the solution (one of these two guys is going to need some friendly competition to spark their game, and allow them to be the clear pair to DRC.) AZ needs depth in the secondary, no questions asked, so def. look for AZ to choose a CB especially since Mendenhall will be off the board.
17. Minnesota - Derrick Harvey; this selection is all contingent on the Jared Allen trade, if that falls apart then Harvey is a shoe in for this pick, but if the trade goes through, expect Minnesota to acquire a WR, that would bring DeSean Jackson of the board.
18. Houston - Mike Jenkins; Houston could use a top notched RB however at this point they are all gone, so the next best option is the CB position. A boost to the secondary is just want the Dr. ordered for this up and coming franchise.
19. Philidelphia - DeSean Jackson; McNabb needs additional targets, and I don't suspect that he will be pleased unless the Eagles commit to taking a WR early in the draft. If Minn. is able to get the Jared Allen trade complete by draft day expect Limas Sweed to come off the boards with Philly's pick.
20. Tampa Bay - Aqib Talib; a WR is a tempting option with this selection, however the CB talent is running thin and there aren't that many stellar CB's left after the first round. Since Aqib is still on the boards he is too hard a target to bypass.
21. Washington- Phillip Merling; once again, provided Derrick Harvey isn't still on the boards. This is an extremely questionable selection. The Skin's are just as likely to go with WR with this selection...so Malcolm Kelly or Limas Sweed could wide up in Washington next season.
22. Dallas - Brandon Flowers; this is another interesting pick. Dallas could go one of three ways; (1) trade up and select Mendenhall, (2) stay put and take a WR, or (3) also stay put and take a CB. Option stinks because Dallas already has Marion Barber, you don't need Stewart or Mendenhall; Dallas only needs someone with wheels to compliment Barber. Option two is alluring and is a serious consideration; however I think the more pressing concern is option three. The Boys need to improve their secondary, admittedly the selection pool isn't that great at this point but that doesn't negate the need. If Dallas doesn't take a DB now, then when? So the question is who...Antoine Cason or Brandon Flowers? Personally, I'm a Cason fan but I haven't heard much about him playing in Dallas...I've heard a bit of chatter about Flowers so he is getting my nod. Flowers is stylistically one of the best, if not the best corners in the draft, the boy just cannot run.
23. Pittsburgh - Jeff Otah; I myself am a bit surprised to see Otah still on the boards with this selection, but that's the way the cookie crumbles, and with the 23^rd selection Pittsburgh would have a steal on their hands.
24. Tennessee - Limas Sweed; I originally had Tenn. taking a WR as a much needed extra target for Vince Young who struggled with his pass game but with the departure of several key defensive players I then decided to reconsider my initial selection and place Jared Mayo here. But after much reflection I would still love to see Limas Sweed go to Tenn. (another long horn and another target). Tenn. has avoided upgrading their pass game for some time...it's time to stop running and address the need.
25. Seattle - Dustin Keller; crazy combine performance, but this is my most uncomfortable selection. Seattle could use a good DT here as well.
26. Jacksonville - Kentwan Balmer; he's a Tar Heel...enough said. Balmer was my former bridge student (mentee) so all J-Ville fans can thank me later for shaping this young man into a future NFL star.
27. San Diego - Gosder Cherilus; San Diego has had several good draft years and they don't have a they...the loss of Michael Turner will undoubtedly produce concerns at the RB position in terms of adding depth...however the first round isn't the place to address this worry. There is talk of San Diego adding another CB to their already decent secondary, so I don't think this is their immediate concern.
28. Dallas - Chris Johnson; I stick by this, Johnson has burners and would be a wonderful compliment to Marion Barber
29. San Francisco - Jared Mayo; with the acquisition of Bryant Johnson through free agency, Mike Nolan can rest on his desires to get a big bodied WR...so the next best option at this pick is a LB. Mayo paired with Patrick Willis will create a fierce young tandem that will be next to unstoppable.
30. Green Bay - Antoine Cason; depth at several positions I needed, Aaron Rodgers is already being doubted so bringing in a first round back-up would only be another esteem breaker. Admittedly, I wouldn't be too shocked to see Sam Baker go here as added protection for Rodgers. But overall, I think Green Bay can acquire the needed depth at the QB position in subsequent rounds and add much needed depth at the CB position...the CB talent pool is considerably reduced at this point.
31. New York Giants - Kenny Phillips; honestly, because everyone else said so. I kid I kid, the Giant's need a replacement for the departed Gibril Wilson...so why not.

Rhonnie's Post Combine Mock NFL Draft

Rhonda F. Esq. — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:18:46 GMT

The combine is not decisive; it is only one piece of a gigantic puzzle...but after analyzing several combine performances I've decided to make some alterations to my mock.

I analogize the combine to a player's Super Bowl performance; it's the big game and all eyes are on you. Players are nervous and anxious to be crowned victors. Yes, it's important to gauge how a player will perform under pressure, but you can't make it to the big game without one heck of a season. Thus, performing under familiar circumstances with one's own team (i.e. pro days), is what I analogize to regular season play. This is the most critical component.

With this being said, expect this mock to change yet again after pro day workouts are complete. *Note*I added this commentary primarily to support players, like Matt Ryan who opted not to participate in combine workouts. Team familiarity and cohesiveness are key...look at Romo and Witten, Brady and Moss, Strahan and Umenyiora.]

**After the mock, posted below, please find a list of recent free agent signing**

Rhonnie's 2008 NFL Mock Draft - Second Edition

Miami - Chris Long, pro day 3/18/08, (DE); Prior to free agency I debated between Dorsey and C. Long, although neither option is worth the money (actually no player is.) I originally decided to pick Dorsey, he is a phenomenal athlete, tibia injury and all. However, Miami acquired DT (Randy Starks) and are negotiating with the Cowboys to obtain (DT) Jason Ferguson. So I moved to C. Long as Miami's selection. Until I read that Miami inked LB/DE Calvin Pace. These free agent acquisitions made me start thinking Matt Ryan, but Miami pulled another one and acquired Josh McCown. What does all of this mean? First, selecting another DT would be ridiculous. Secondly, McCown's signing means John Beck will get another season to prove his worth. Lastly, Pace's signing means nothing...he is no C. Long. *Note* Long received the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the year award. **Double Note** In 2007, Glenn Dorsey was awarded the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Outland Trophy, the Lott Trophy and the Lombardi Award, becoming the only player to have won all four awards.**

St. Louis - Vernon Gholston, pro day 3/7/08, (DE); I'm going to take a gamble here. St. Louis needs a DE, so I'm calling it...it's between Chris Long and Vernon Gholston. Due simply to his pedigree Long will go first. Both players are phenomenal, and despite the stats I'm not convinced that Long is hands down better than Gholston. Gholston had a stellar college career. On Nov. 13, Gholston sacked Wisconsin's QB a whooping four times, tying the OSU record for most sacks in a game. Also, Gholston broke Mike Vrabel's record for the most sacks in a season by recording 14 sacks in 13 games. This past season, Gholston also dominated Jake Long's Wolverines by making 3 sacks (two against J. Long.) In 2007, Gholston recorded 37 tackles, 151/2 for a loss. *Note*I spoke with Vernon about my mock draft. Naturally, he thinks I'm a bit misguided! According to him, he is the best DE in the draft... I certainly look forward to Gholston proving me wrong. **Double Note** St. Louis also needs a replacement for Orlando Pace (OT). Pace is aging and St. Louis's offense was decimated when Pace was missing. Bulger needs protection, STL cannot have a repeat of last season.**

Atlanta - Matt Ryan, pro day 3/18/08, (QB); anyone or anything that Atlanta drafts will be an upgrade. Atlanta is on the brink of a meltdown. So, we must ask...does Atlanta have the time to wait an additional year for their first round draft pick to mature? Atlanta needs an instant playmaker to gain the fans back and to sell some tickets. So, is QB M. Ryan the best option; or should ATL choose a guaranteed instant playmaker like D. McFadden? The bottom line is, "if ATL doesn't take a strong QB now, then when?" There are no decent QB's still available in free agency, so drafting a QB now is the smartest option. The argument can be made for taking McFadden now and selecting Henne, Woodson, or Flacco in the second round but are they worth the gamble? I think not. Several teams are looking for depth at the QB position, so why risk missing a top rated QB. *Note* McFadden has DOUBLE baby momma drama. Atlanta is still suffering from the negative publicity created by Mike Vick...the double paternity suit may be a precursor to future issues. I know this is a bit harsh, but ATL has no time for additional confusion. **Double Note** After reading several ATL fan blogs, it's apparent that the fans want McFadden. ***Triple Note*** Atlanta just inked RB Michael Turner.***

Oakland - Jake Long, pro day 3/15/08, (OT); Oakland will use good business judgment (first time for everything) and forgo on Darren McFadden. Last year the Raiders drafted JaMarcus Russell at an OBNOXIOUS contract price. Financially speaking, it doesn't make sense to draft yea another costly powerhouse such as McFadden. Most importantly, Oakland doesn't need McFadden (Oakland resigned Justin Fargas.) Also, Oakland resigned DT, Tommy Kelly and they cut OT Barry Sims (got to get protection for last year's number 1 pick, J. Russell.) I can almost guarantee that Oakland will make a move for Jake Long...provided St. Louis doesn't rain on their parade.

Kansas City - Ryan Clady, pro day 3/18/08, (OT); K.C. needs serious assistance here and there is no QB worth the money associated with a number five pick. I have my doubt's placing Clady this high, but as I said the need is immediate. Clady is 6'6 weighing 317 pounds...he's a big boy who still manages to impress with his athleticism and footwork.

New York Jets - Darren McFadden, pro day 3/25/08, (RB); First, let's agree that the Jet's week 17 victory was pointless. The Jet's need a DE/LB, Vernon Gholston would be the ideal selection, but I don't foresee him lasting this long. However, if St. Louis opts for Jake Long then expect everything to change. For now the Jet's are my catchall team, whoever is still available they will take. If McFadden is available then he will be a Jet, if not and Gholston is available then he will be a Jet and if neither is available then Ellis will be a Jet. I cannot determine the most pressing need; Vilma is gone so a replacement is needed. But, Thomas Jones isn't getting any younger or better, so I've decided to just give them the best player available. I'm not sure Keith River's is worth the pick. Additionally, the Jets will not mimic Arizona's blunder last season. The Cards passed on 2007's most touted RB, Adrian Peterson, and opted instead for Levi Brown (OT). Peterson almost singlehandedly carried his team to the post season...and what did the Card's fifth pick Levi Brown do? Exactly!

New England - Leodis McKelvin, pro day 3/4/08 and 3/11/08, (CB); Asante Samuels is officially an Eagle so a replacement is necessary. This team could also use a quality LB. While Bruschi just resigned a multiyear deal, he is still on the decline, Seau was born in the 60's and undergoing shoulder surgery, and Varbrel isn't getting any younger either, so finding a young LB is must. Keith Rivers or Dan Conner could go here...but a top ten pick is a bit generous for these two. *Note* bloggers are predicting that New England will trade down for the Cowboys two picks thus enabling the Cowboys to acquire McFadden. While, this is a novel ideal, especially since New England has two pressing needs, I don't predict this happening. I expect McFadden to come off the board before New England picks, thus rendering this trade moot.

Baltimore - Mike Jenkins, pro day 3/7/08, (CB); no other QB is worth a number 8 pick. I stick with my original prediction....Troy Smith, stand up!

Cincinnati - Glenn Dorsey, pro day 3/4/08, (DT); I know, this is awful low for Dorsey, but crap happens.

New Orleans - Sedrick Ellis, pro day 4/2/08, (DT); N.O. desperately needs to improve at the CB position, but they also need a solid DT to rush the pass. If Ellis is still on the board, he would be a steal. *Note* N.O. signed C.B. Randall Gray today, they can acquire another CB later in the draft.*

Buffalo - DeSean Jackson, pro day 3/11/08, (WR); Lee Evans could use additional help to split the load. I read that Buffalo is also looking for a top tight end. However, when doing a cost benefit analysis a receiver makes more sense. A decent tight end can be picked up later. Jackson is an All American WR and decent return specialist. In his senior year Jackson recorded 60 receptions for 1,075 yards and 15 TD's.

Denver - Kentwan Balmer, pro day 3/4/08 and 4/1/08, (DT); In my first draft I predict that Denver would select a SS to eventually replace the aging John Lynch, however I neglected to pay adequate attention to the retirement of Matt Lepsis. So, I then selected an OT for this team. However, as you can see, the top two OT's are off the board, so acting strategically Denver must address another concern, DT. Balmer is one of the draft's most underrated players. Balmer stands 6'5, weighs 295 and ran a 5.05. Additionally, Carolina is known for taking N.C. natives (Balmer is a UNC alum, like myself.) **Double Note** During the summer before Kentwan's first semester, I was his pre-college counselor...so you Denver fans can thank me later for molding this future NFL star. **

Carolina - Rasard Mendenhall, pro day 3/12/08, (RB); Carolina has a lot of holes to fill this off-season. With Deshaun Foster (RB) gone there is a need at this position and with the trade of Kris Jenkins (DT) there is also a need here. So, this pick can arguably go either way. However, to best maximize this pick, Carolina would be wise to take Mendenhall. * Note* Carolina looks to be extremely active during free agency... however, they might not be in the best position in terms of salary cap...so acquiring a first round RB might be a bit sticky.*

Bears - Brian Brohm, pro day 3/18/08, (QB); I stick by this....Rex isn't the long term solution; he will help train young Brohm....because I said so folks!

Detroit - Jeff Otah, pro day 3/24/08, (OT)

Arizona - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, pro day 3/21/08, (CB); I am hesitant to talk about this pick for fear that I may jinx it. I originally had Antoine Cason going to AZ, but I now think 16 is a bit high for Cason. DRC amazed scouts and fans with his pure athleticism. His Senior Bowl performance, vertical jump, and 40 were all ridiculous. AZ released Terrence Holt and moved Antrel Rolle to S. This leaves Eric Green and Rod Hood at the CB position. Needless to say AZ does not have the best secondary. Arizona's offense is finally meshing; all we need now is a defensive boost. Adding a shut it down CB will bring a competitive spark to the current CB corps. Realistically speaking, Hood is a total loss, fbut Green recently extended his rookie contract. So, the added competition might finally bring Green's talents to light. Admittedly, a DE might go here, but DRC will be well worth the price tag. *Note* adding a RB in the first round is ridiculous. EJ is aging but he isn't done yet...and signing a RB in the first round wouldn't be wise. Jamaal Charles or Chris Johnson might be available in the second round...either player would have time to mature under the tutelage of EJ...our offense is straight but our defense is not. Enough said*

Vikings - Phillip Merling, pro day 4/3/08, (DE); Minnesota needs any and everything on defense possible, especially a good pass rusher. Minn. ranked worse in the NFL in pass rush. *Note* Minn. acquired Mandieu Williams (S) in free agency, so this need is now moot.* **Double Note** Merling and Chris Long both ran a 4.75 40, the only DE to run faster is Vernon Gholston**

Houston - Jonathan Stewart, pro days 3/13/08 and 3/20/08, (RB); at this point Houston is going to have to sit back and analyze who is the best player left. I agree with bloggers who believe Houston will greatly benefit from a top CB, but the CB's left don't amount to Stewart.

Philadelphia - Mario Manningham, pro day 3/25/08, (WR); The Eagle's just acquired CB Asante Samuel. This acquisition has a lot of mocks out of sync...this time the early bird doesn't get the worm. I purposefully postponed posting my mock to await the first day of free agency (lie, I couldn't decide the order of the first five picks J.) Anyway, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to determine that Philly no longer needs a CB and must now address the WR issue. Manniningham is a spectacular athlete. In 2007, Manningham recorded 72 receptions for 1,174 yards and 12 touchdowns. *Note* On October 10^th 2006, Manningham underwent arthroscopic knee surgery...ouch*

Tampa Bay - Derrick Harvey, pro day 3/18/08, (DE); because of his inconsistency I've decided to place Harvey behind Merling.

Washington - Malcolm Kelly, pro day 3/11/08, (WR); Washington would like to acquire a big bodied WR through free agency, but I don't that will occur...Javon Walker isn't worth it. Instead, I predict Washington will select big bodied possession receiver Malcolm Kelly. This kid stands 6-4, weighs 219 pounds and still managed to run a 4.45 40 (yes he is a bit thin...but weight is adjustable, height isn't.)

Cowboys - Chris Johnson, pro day 3/5/08, (RB); I don't know what Jerry Jones and Co. have up their sleeves BUT I suggest they sit back and relax. The Cowboys are going to eventually need a receiver and thy currently need a replaced for Jones...so Johnson would be the perfect option. Johnson has amazing speed and has the potential to develop into either a good running back or wide receiver. Johnson lacks the bulk that many running backs possess however he can still get the job done. He reminds me a lot of Willie Parker.

Pittsburgh - Brandon Albert, pro day 3/18/08, (OG); Faneca's out, Albert's in.

Titans - Limas Sweed, pro day 3/19/08, (WR); a former teammate of Vince Young, so why not. Some mocks have Mario Manningham going here but recent reports mention that Mario has a questionable attitude. Needless to say, the Titans need any additional hot heads or anyone with an attitude that might ignite a hot head. Haynesworth and Young are volatile enough.

Seattle- Fred Davis, pro day 4/2/08, (TE)

Jacksonville - Quentin Groves, pro day 3/10/08, (DE); with the recent signing of Jerry Porter, I am pretty darn confidant J-Ville will not select a WR in the first round. With this need addressed I look toward the DE position. This might be a bit too high for Groves but he is a decent player. He recorded 23 career sacks (2^nd in Auburn history.)

San Diego - Kenny Phillips, pro day 2/29/08, (S)

Cowboys - Aqib Talib, pro day 3/11/08, (CB)

San Francisco - Early Doucet, pro days 3/26/08, (WR); 49ner's coach Mike Nolan analogized Doucet to Arizona's Anquan Boldin. Nolan's interest is certainly peaked by Doucet who unfortunately left the Senior Bowl early due to injury. In his collegiate career Doucet made two game winning touchdowns and amassed 1,400 yrds. QB Alex Smith, who signed a contract extension until 2010, could use another talented target.

Green Bay - Antoine Cason, pro day 3/8/07, (CB); I like this kid. This Thrope winner is going to make his mark on the NFL and if my Cards can't have him, then I suppose Farve and Friends can. Cason's speed was a concern going into the combine but he managed to run a 4.4 40...so I think he silenced some of the critics. *Notes* this kid has already started his non-profit work, he established Cason Cares in honor of his Grandfather who passed from a form of leukemia on Feb. 6th. Cason's efforts have helped raise funds for the American Cancer Society*

Giants - Keith Rivers, pro day 4/2/08, (OLB)

Free Agent Updates

Jonathan Vilma (LB) signed the Saints
Asante Samuel (CB) signed with the Eagles
Jerry Porter (WR) signed with the Jacksonville
Alan Fanaca (OG) signed with the Jets
Mandieu Williams (S) signed with the Vikings
Derek Anderson (QB) resigned with the Browns
Kris Jenkins (DT) signed with the Jets
Javon Walker (WR) was released by the Broncos (scheduled to visit the Cowboys)
Josh McC own (QB) signed with the Dolphins
Tommy Kelly (DT) resigned with the Raiders
Shaun Rodgers (DT) signed with the Browns
Justin Smith (DE) signed with the 49ners
Calvin Pace (LB/DE) signed with the Dolphins
Bernard Berrian (WR) signed with the Vikings
Donte Stallworth (WR) signed with the Browns
Issac Bruce (WR) signed with the 49ners
Allan Rossum (KR/CB) signed with the 49ners
Chris Clemmons (DE) signed with the Jets
Drayton Florence (CB) signed with the Jaguars
Michael Turner (RB) signed with the Falcons

Rhonnie's 2008 NFL Mock Draft!

Rhonda F. Esq. — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 23:53:06 GMT

Rhonnie's Mock Draft - Pre Combine

I pondered over my draft predictions for some time...with Miami possessing the number 1 section and with Jerry Jones on the loose...NO one can predict what's about to happen....I can't wait to see what unexpected surprises the 2008 draft will hold!! Side note: Ryan and McFadden REALLY make this hard....where will they go!!!!!

1. With the number 1 pick in the 2008 draft the Miami Dolphins select...Glenn Dorsey(DT); I literally debated for HOURS...Matt Ryan or Glenn Dorsey. Here are my arguments for both:

a. For Glenn: It's just dumb to pay ridiculous dollars for Matt Ryan and no team is realistically giving up a top ten draft pick...so don't expect Miami to be moving down in this year's draft. Defensively, Miami is in a world of hurt, there is no immediate solution for this team...so many needs, but Miami certainly doesn't have any time to wait for a rookie QB to develop, right now the greatest impact will be felt with Glenn Dorsey. This argument wins at the end of the day...Matt isn't a safe enough bet to spend top dollar

b. For Matt: Choosing a QB this early is a costly move (JaMarcus Russell) but when Miami hired the "Tuna" they became dedicated to improvement...at all cost. Late last season, Miami gave Beck the starting nod in order to determine if he would be their '08 starter. Well, he proved himself incapable, for at least now. No one wants a rookie QB, but what are you to do when your back ups are John Beck, Cleo Lemon, and Matt Baker (newly acquired, cut from Dallas and Arizona, Parcells likes this former Tar Heel)? In 1993 Parcells drafted Bledsoe as the number 1 pick...this was the rebirth of the Patriots. Miami is in need of a SERIOUS rebirthing and where better to start than with Matt Ryan. Let's look at what's available and compare it with Miami's needs....Miami needs defensive assistance, but this can be acquired later...but a QB is needed now, POINT BLANK. If Matt is around for Atlanta's pick then he is gone...plus Miami is has plenty of salary cap room.

2. St. Louis - Chris Long (DE); I would like to see him in Oakland too, but NO! Side Note: Zach Thomes is being looked at by St. Louis!

3. ATL - Matt Ryan (QB); dependent on Mia's selection. Atlanta needs a QB as evident by Leftwich's dismissal and Joey Harrington's existence...but if Ryan goes to Miami then ATL will take McFadden, Warrick Dunn is on his way out ...and drafting Brian Brohm this high is RIDICULOUS! Side note: Oakland may pick 3^rd. Atlanta and Oakland will do a coin toss (at the combine) to determine their position. If Oakland prevails (selects 3^rd) then Atlanta and Kansas will then toss to determine the 4^th and 5^th selections. If ATL prevails then Oakland will select 4^th and Kansas 5^th.

4. Oakland - Darren McFadden (RB); Oakland could use a fresh running back and they tend to take the flashy players, so McFadden will be too sweet to pass on. If Miami takes Ryan (QB), and ATL takes McFadden(RB) then expect Oakland to take Glenn Dorsey(DT) as Warren Sapp's much needed replacement.

5. Kansas City - Jake Long (OT);-regardless of position; Kansas really needs a new QB, but they have more pressing concerns at OT and no remaining QB is worth a fifth pick....

6. NY Jets - Sedrick Ellis (DT); the Jet's week 17 victory was WORTHLESS....that victory forced a sixth pick as opposed to the third pick...they could have made a run for Glenn Dorsey

7. New England - Leodis McKelvin (CB); Asante Samuels will be out of New England at the beginning of free agency (DON'T expect New England to offer a Nate Clements type deal) The Pats could use a youthful LB, but this help can be secured later. A lot of teams are looking for a quality CB; if they pass on Leodis they will NOT acquire an adequate replacement for Samuels'. Side note: It is my sincerest hope that Arizona release Edgerrin James, restructure Larry Fitzgerald's contract, and make a move for Asante Samuels...a girl can hope can't she!

8. Baltimore - Mike Jenkins (CB); The Ravens also need a QB...Steve McNair has seen better days and Kyle Boller is out....but selecting Brian Brohm this early isn't efficient...Rolle and Reed are aging and new talent is needed. Remember, they have Troy Smith....give him a year, he might surprise ya!

9. Cincinnati - Vernon Gholson(DE/OLB); this guy is awesome, he plays well at this hybrid position...and needless to say Cincy's defensive leaves a lot to be desired especially at the LB position....that is if the Jets doesn't choose him.

10. New Orleans - Aqib Talib (CB); we know N.O. is choosing a CB, but which one...this draft has a rich CB supply....but the demand is equally high, so the question is, who lands here?

11. Buffalo - DeSean Jackson (WR); Buffalo needs a well sized WR to pair with Evans.

12. Denver - Kenny Phillips(S); I really don't know about this....Kenny Smith would be the best option available as the highest rated Safety going into the combines, but Denver needs serious assistance at the DT position.

13. Carolina - Ryan Clady(OT)

14. Chicago - Brian Brohm(QB); A great acquisition for Chicago, it's time to chuck Rex the deuces, peace!

15. Detroit -Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (CB); SERIOUSLY debatable.

16. Arizona - Antoine Cason (CB); because I said so! However, if we dumP the Edge (yes, I've changed my mind he must go) and miraculously acquire Asante Samuels...then of course Jonathan Stewart (RB) would the best selection.

17. Minnesota - Calais Campbell (DE); they need any and everything on defense possible, especially a good pass rusher...Minn. ranked worse in the NFL in pass rush...

18. Houston - Jonathan Stewart (RB); yes, Houston could use a great safety, but considering what is left on the draft boards and that Mario Williams has stepped his game up BIG time, the most efficient bet would be Stewart. Houston hasn't found its perfect RB yet...until now!

19. Philly -James Hardy (WR)

20. Tampa - Pat Simms(DT); Tampa Bay might be better off choosing a well ranked receiver at this position.

21. Washington - Phillip Merling (DE)

22. Dallas - Rashard Mendenhall (RB); this is a tough call because Dallas needs a CB, but once again looking at the boards and seeing what is available Mendenhall is the best bet. Dallas can acquire a CB a bit later...the CB studs have all gone, so why not catch Mendenhall....teams are now looking for the running back combo (a regular Portis/Betts.) Well, provided that Jerry Jones doesn't pull something out of his hat, or should I say DEEP pockets!

23. Pittsburgh -Jeff Otah(OT)

24. Tennessee - Limas Sweed(WR); in terms of skill I wouldn't rank him higher than Mario Manningham or Early Doucet (who has been compared to Boldin,) but Manningham's attitude and work ethic have been questioned so who needs that (as we saw earlier...Vince likes to fight unruly teammates, so Manningham wouldn't' be a fitting match.) Vince Young played with Limas at Texas and since he is a respectable pick (minus his wrist injury)...expect Tennessee to go with Limas.

25. Seattle -Fred Davis (TE); performed extremely well at the Senior Bowl and Marcus Pollard is a free agent.

26. Jacksonville - Malcolm Kelly (WR)

27. San Diego - Kentwan Balmer (DT); San Diego really needs a S, but looking at who is available and who is worth this selection, it's got to be a DT...if Kenny Smith goes to Denver then expect San Diego to take DT, they can acquire a safety later. Side Note: in college I was Kentwan's mentor his freshmen year...so San Diego can thank me later for molding this young man into a star!

28. Dallas - Reggie Smith (CB); kinda high for this guy especially since he is coming off of a injury, but Dallas needs help here... just like a lot of other teams who happened to have higher first round picks!

29. San Francisco - Early Doucet(WR); the missing piece in a wonderful unit of young talent (Nolan is quoted as saying he reminds him of Boldin, "he's got the talent" although he said he lacks Boldin's competitiveness)...let's just hope Alex Smith comes back revitalized. Note: Doucet didn't participate in the Senior Bowl due to a Hamstring injury.

30. Green Bay - Tracy Porter (CB); SUSPECT PICK, but Green Bay desperately needs assistance in this position...just like half of the 29 teams that selected before them!

31. Forfeited by New England

32. New York Giants - Keith Rivers (OLB); if he is available, a complete steal!