Help Me, Tom Telesco, You're Our Only Hope

The NFL Draft - where every year brings "A New Hope"

It has become a right of Spring.  

The NFL draft comes, and for a few days, we are invested in our football teams once again.  College prospects are broken down, team needs are analyzed, projections are made...

It is a chance for fans to begin to project their hopes and aspirations for the coming season.  The addition of new and exciting college players to their favorite teams roster entices fans to think that maybe, this year could be different.

At the end of each season, there's really one one fanbase that walks away happy.  The fans of the Super Bowl Champions.  Otherwise, it's just varying degrees of misery.

• Perenial contender that continue to fall short (Patriots)
• Teams that have great seasons, but blow it in the playoffs (Broncos or Falcons)
• Teams that have been perennial doormats (Raiders)
• Teams who were contenders, but had dissappointing seasons (NY Giants)

The Draft is a fresh start.  You get your first look at your team's new players.  You see highlight packages of the newly drafted performing at a high level against other college competition.  

If your team drafted someone that you thought would help, you're happy.  If your team drafted someone that was "not on your radar", well, some fans end up "talking themselves into it", while others just want to complain.

On a personal note, I'm excited about the players drafted by the San Diego Chargers this year.  But this isn't really any different from any other year.  Every year, I find myself pulled in.  You convince yourself that if this player could develop, and that player becomes the playmaker he was in college, your team could finally win that elusive Super Bowl.

It's about hope, and dreams, and keeping the fanbase tantalized.

2013 NFL Draft Live Blog - first round

OK, technically as I am starting this we are an hour away.

It's draft day, baby!

I love the NFL Draft.  I love the trades, the projections, the "experts", the whole thing.

Planning on flipping back and forth between espn and nflnetwork tonight, but I'll probably start with espn, because Chris Berman and I have built a relationship over the years.  It just wouldn't seem like the draft, unless I kick it off with Boomer.

Word on the interwebs, is that Kansas City has decided that they will take Eric Fisher, the Offensive Tackle from Central Michigan.  Of course, they are still saying that they are "shopping" the draft pick, and I guess that's just to be expected anymore.

Lots of intrigue in this year's draft... so many questions... who will be drafted in the top 10?  I've honestly seen 6 to 8 guys listed as the #2 pick to Jacksonville.  San Francisco has a bunch of picks (something like 13), and they don't have alot of needs, won't be surprised if they attempt to "trade up".  Minnesota also has 2 first round picks, and they could be in play for moving up, if there's a player they really like.

I'll be focused on my Chargers of course.  No one has any idea what they will do with the 11th pick.  They desperately need an Offensive Tackle, but the top 3 guys are supposed to go early (maybe in the top 4-5 picks).  Does this make the Chargers a possibility to "move up"?  Possibly.  But this is a team with a lot of needs, and it will be hard for them to give away extra picks to move up a few spots.  Maybe one of the highly touted Guards will still be there at 11.  Who knows?

Also of interest, Quarterback position.  The last few years have seen a run on Quarterbacks being taken early.  In 2012, 4 QB's (Andrew Luck, Robert Griffen, Ryan Tannehill, and Brandon Wheedon) were taken in the first round.  2011 also saw 4 QB's taken in the first round (Cam Newton, Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert, and Christian Ponder).

This year's draft, has no real "super stud" at Quarterback.  West Virginia's Geno Smith is regarded as the top guy, but not by much.  Also in the running for a first round pick, are Matt Barkley, Ryan Nassib, and EJ Manuel.  But where will they go?  In the top 10 picks... 6 or 7 teams need a Quarterback, but none of the guys previously mentioned are thought of as top 10 picks.

That's what makes the draft so fun.  OK, 50 minutes to go... Going to take a quick break.

Feel free to weigh in on twitter.  We'll be using the hashtag #doofusdraft.

Text from Brother Rich:  Bears are going to take Teo, I can feel it.

I can see that happening.  And not a bad pick for the Bears, either.  He's an interesting guy...one of the top defensive players in the NCAA all season, but then the whole "girlfriend hoax", and a poor performance in both the NCAA Championship and the Draft Combine, and some people are saying he could drop out of the first round.  But I doubt it.

I just filled in Fisher on NFL.com's "Pick the Pick" game.  Don't know if Jags will keep the pick or trade it, so I'm waiting on pick #2.

They're announcing the draft prospects, and having them walk onstage, and my youngest boy (who stayed home sick today), says "Oh my God, how many players does Alabama have?".  Ha.

Early Prediction:  The Chargers move up, either to 2 with Jacksonville or 4 with Philly, and go get their Offensive Tackle.  (Of course, this only assures that they will NOT do either of those things)

Update:  Youngest son just threw up.  Made it in the bucket.  I told him he could go to bed, and he says, "I want to watch the draft with you Dad."  What a trooper.

And We Are Live!  Whoo-hoo!

Comments from the Peanut Gallery:
Dano the Mano - Wouldn't you shit if a qb got picked first.
Stevo - "hilight of the chargers year. All down hill after tonight lol. #patriots

How Long do the Chiefs let the clock run, until they select Fisher?

Commish Goodell gets some cheers, and some boos.  And Joe Namath makes a fool of himself.

The Chiefs are on the clock.

Picture from the SD War Room - Tom Telesco (T2) and Mike McCoy (M2)

First Draft for these guys in charge in SD.

And the Chiefs select:  Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan.

And the Jags are on the clock.  What do they do?  Joekel?  Trade?  We'll see...

From Timmah:  @coacharming Better chance of happening: Chargers getting a tackle in the top ten or youngest kid making it in the bucket again (trooper!)


Jacksonville's pick is in. Gotta be Joeckel. Gotta be Joeckel. and its...Luke Joeckel , Offensive Tackle, Texas A & M


The Raiders on on the clock. No idea what they do here, but it'll probably be defense.

And the Raiders select: NO One! Trade with the Dolphins!

From Timmah: @coacharming Did you see the ESPN graphic on players picked after theirs? Guaranteed all-star in #4! #doofusdraft

And the Dolphins select:  OLB Dion Jordan, Oregon

Wow...that was a surprise!  And Lane Johnson is still on the board.

And the Eagles are on the clock.  And they select:  Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma

And the top 3 Tackles are gone in the first four picks.  The Chargers will either go Guard or Defense. (probably)

The Lions are on the clock.  Who is the best WR in this year's draft?  I kid, I kid.

5th pick:  The Lions take:  DE, Ziggy Ansah, BYU

6th Pick:  The Browns are on the clock:  What do they do?  They need, pretty much everything but an Offensive Tackle and Running Back.  The Browns select:  Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU

-So they went Pass Rusher.

7th Pick is Arizona... and they could go a number of ways.  I hope it's not a Guard.

I ask the 9 year old and the 10 year old, who the Cardinals are picking?
10 year old - I don't know any of the players
9 year old - Did the Packers really lose Greg Jennings to the Vikings?  Who did they get to replace him?

The 7th Pick is in, and the Cardinals take:  Jonathon Cooper, Guard, North Carolina.

And the Chargers may be screwed out of getting a lineman.

Bills are on the Clock, but Schefter is saying they will trade... let's see.

Trade is confirmed and the Rams are on the clock.  WR?  possible.

With the 8th pick in the NFL draft...the Rams take... Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia.

Man, I'm good at this.

9th Pick is the NYJets... I think they might go with a pass rusher. or corner.
....and it's a Corner.  Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama

10th pick is up...and Chance Warmack is still sitting there for the Bolts.  Don't go and screw it up, Titans!

10th pick for Tennessee....my guess is... Maybe Star Lotulelei, DT?  (I hope)
...Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama

11th Pick, and I have no idea who the chargers will take.  Maybe a trade down?  I don't know.  I'm depressed.

The Chargers select DJ Fluker... OT, Alabama.

And, my day is officially ruined.  6th best offensive lineman, in a draft with 5 good linemen.

12th Pick belongs to the Raiders... my Guess is Geno Smith.
the pick is in... and it's:  DJ Hayden, CB from Houston.  nearly died on the practice field...now he goes to the Raiders.  So he may actually think he is in hell.

13th pick is the Jets... Maybe they go Tight End?  They could go D-line too?
-and the pick is... Jets take Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

The Panthers have the 14th Pick... no idea what they will do.
DT Star Latulelei, Utah  Good Player.

And at 15 we have, the Saints.  They gotta be thinking defense.
The Saints pick Kenny Vaccaro, Safety, Texas

16th pick, belongs to the Bills, and it's gotta be Geno Smith or Ryan Nassib.
...and the pick will be... EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State.  He's a bit of a surprise, and the first QB taken off the board.

Horrible Peanut weighed in on twitter to say:  1.  He's going to miss Fitzpatrick.  and 2.  The Bill need some new blood.

17th Pick is the Steelers:  Pass Rusher?  Jarvis Jones maybe?
-And I nailed that one Too!  Good Selection.

18th Pick, and the 49ers have traded into the Cowboys selection.  Must be targeting someone?  Who?
-Eric Reid, Safety, LSU.  Makes sense, they lost a starting Safety in free agency.

from Dano the Mano:  So whose gonna pick te'o steelers or Vikings ?? Or will steelers trade for Tebow ??

19th Pick belongs to the Giants, and they just missed out on the top safeties.
-I'm thinking they could go Tight End.  They Go:  Justin Pugh, Tackle, Syracuse.  Kinda surprised by that pick.  Thought that guy would be picked in round 2.

20th pick - is the BEARs... I think it could be Mante Teo.
-Matt Zimmer of the Argus Leader tweets: Dear Bears: Please take Manti Te'o.
-Gruden is talking like it could be the TE from Notre Dame, and so is Kiper.... foreshadowing?
-the pick is Kyle Long, Guard, Oregon.  Weird.  I didn't see that coming...and I really thought they'd do something else there.

21st Pick - Bengals have the pick here...and I'm not sure who they take... I need to look at the board.
-Tyler Eiffert, Tight End, Notre Dame.  Pretty solid pick.

22nd Pick - is the Falcons.  Maybe defensive line?
and the pick is Desmond Trufant, Cornerback, Washington

23rd Pick - The First of two Vikings selections... Corradelle Patterson the WR is just sitting there.
-So is Mante Teo.
-So is Sharif Floyd, the DT.  I'd go Patterson.  But that's me.
-Who do the Vikings pick?... Sharriff Floyd, the DT from Florida.  That guy fell a ton.

24th Selection belongs to the Indianapolis Colts...who could go in any number of directions.  Bjoern Werner DE from Florida State?  makes some sense.  And I nailed it!  This is easily the best job I've ever done in the first round of a draft...and it was supposed to be the hardest one.

Vikings back on the clock with #25, and Patterson is still there...  that would be a pretty good pick.
... and they take CB Xavier Rhodes, from Florida State.

So, three straight picks for the state of Florida, and 2 in a row from Florida State.
-Note from Timmah -  Boomer: The Vikings "first they got the Shariff, now they got the deputy"

26th Pick belongs to the Packers...and although their line stinks, and their defense needs work, Patterson is there, and they lost Brandon Jennings.  Maybe I can answer my sick kid's question tomorrow...
-Packers take DE Datone Jones from UCLA, pass rusher.  OK.  This Patterson kid has to get picked, don't he?

27th pick is the Texans.  They probably will draft someone who can illegally cut block someone while engaged, so they tear their ACL.  I tell you what NFL, if you want to make "player safety" a concern... you better get rid of the "Shanahan Zone Blocking Scheme".  Probably the dirtiest thing allowed in the League.
-WR DeAndre Hopkins, WR from Clemson.  Expect lots of crackback blocks from him over the next several years.

28th Pick belongs to the Broncos.
Since espn have pretty much given the Broncos the AFC Championship already in this coming year, I don't think they need a pick.  Or if they do...maybe it should be a fat, defensive tackle to fall on Manning's knee during training camp.    (Hey I didn't wish injury on his Neck!)
-the consensus seems to be that they want a pass rusher to replace Dumervil, so ... I don't know!  I didn't study many pass rushers.

Also, Shefty is tweeting that Minnesota is approaching NE about trading back into the first to get Mante Teo.

Broncos pick is in, and it is...  DT Sylvester Williams.... just like I said, a big fat guy, to fall on Mannings leg during Training Camp.  Perfect.

29th Pick belongs to the Patriots, lets see if Minnesota gets this trade done.  I heard a rumor of three picks, to get back into the first.  Belichick, just smiles, and laughs, and collects 2nd round picks.

- I wonder if anyone is going to trade back into the first for Geno Smith?  That's gotta be hard, he was projected top 10, and top 20 at the latest.

-Dissappoinment of the draft so far, is that Leon Sandcastle has gone undrafted so far yet.

The TRADE is in... Vikings are in the 29th Pick... Could this be Mante Teo?  Seems like it.
-  The Vikings select WR Cordelle Patterson...so, I think they did this to make me look bad, because I picked them to take him twice, and they didn't...so they pick him when I think it's Teo.
-The Patriots collect a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and a 7th for this.
- Good Lord, the Vikings better get a good player here.  Never make a deal with the Devil.  Do you remember the Randy Moss trade?  That wasn't long ago?  BB doesn't make stupid trades.  He don't.

30th Pick belongs to the Rams.... Who could do alot of things... top guys on the board are:  all pretty much D-linemen.  And the Rams take a Linebacker, Alec Ogletree, from Georgia.

What happened to the guy from KState?  thought Arthur Brown would be picked by now?

31st Pick belongs to the Cowboys.  Maybe Demontre Moore from A & M?  or a cornerback?
Johnthan Banks the Corner from Mississippi State is there.  How about this for a surprise pick... RB Eddie Lacy from Alabama?  Huh?
-The Cowboys select the Offensive Lineman from Wisconsin - Travis Fredrick... Played some Tackle, but will probably play Guard in the NFL.  Man, that's alot of Guards in the first round.

Guards in the First Round - Cooper, Warmack, Fluker may move inside, Long is a Guard, Puegh will probably move inside, and then Frederick.  That's 6 Guards in the first round...there goes the logic that you don't draft Guards in the first round.

32nd and Final, first Round Pick, belongs to the Baltimore Ravens.
The Ravens could go many ways...  Arthur Brown or Domantre Moore?  or a Safety like Cyprien?
-it always seems like the Ravens pick late, and just have a bunch of guys that will fit their system fall into their laps.  It's crazy.
-and the pick is...  Matt Elam, Safety, Florida  -Seems like a good player, but a little "light in the pants" to play Safety in the NFL.

OK, I'll probably be back tomorrow night...but with not nearly as much detail.

Hope you enjoyed the first #Doofusdraft!

Live Blog Tomorrow: The NFL Draft

Stop on by tomorrow night... going to Live blog the NFL Draft.

I plan on updating and publishing the draft page every 15 minutes or so.

Also, will be doing some draft discussion on Twitter.  We'll use the Hashtag #DoofusDraft

Draft will start at 7pm Central time tomorrow night... I'll be posting thoughts and comments from my (limited) cast of characters including:  Brother Rich, Dano the Mano, and Timmah!

I'll of course, be focusing on the Chargers at the 11th pick, but I'm starting to expect a trade, either up or down.

Hope to see you!

I Will Not Be Mocked!

Presenting my 2013 San Diego Chargers Mock Draft.

I'm no "draft expert" like Mel Kiper Jr. or Todd McShay, or Mike Mayock, etc, etc...  I don't break down players on film (except one year, when I watched highlights of Running Backs until my head was spinning...that was the year the Chargers drafted Ryan Mathews).  So, I'm not even an "amateur" talent evaluator.

However, every year as the draft starts getting close, I start frequenting a number of draft sites...and what I do is... I look up player rankings, see where the various sites have various players rated and then compare that with what need the Chargers have.  Then, I try to pay attention to some "Mock Drafts" put out by the "experts" and depending on what they are projecting, I try to fill out the Bolts needs accordingly.

In the 5 or 6 years or so I have been doing this, I have made exactly 2 selections in "My" Mock draft that the Chargers actually selected.  Marcus Gilchrist and Vaughn Martin were those two players, and to be completely honest... I had them going one round later than they were actually selected.

Why waste all this time when the team so rarely selects my picks?  That is a fair question.  What I enjoy about the process is that I get to "know" so many more prospects than I normally would, so when I am watching the draft I can go "Oh I had that guy going in the 5th round....that's surprising he was picked in the 3rd".  It just makes the draft more enjoyable, for me anyway.  This is why I'm the self-proclaimed "Sports Doofus".

The Challenge this year is twofold:
1.  The Chargers have a new General Manager is Tom Telesco, and a new Head Coach in Mike McCoy, so I really have no idea what type of players they are looking for, and when they tend to draft them.
2.  The Chargers draft at 11th in the first round, which makes things difficult.  They need some Offensive Linemen, but most Mock Drafts have the top 5 Offensive Linemen going before the Chargers pick.  However, if a few pass rushers and a Quarterback (Geno Smith) sneak into the top 10, it's possible that the Bolts do get a first round lineman...which will then affect how they pick the rest of the way.

One last caveat, I put this together without any trades whatsoever.  Which is sort of an exercise in futility, because there is usually some movement.

Helpful Sites:
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013  The NFL's site...has good player information.
http://walterfootball.com/  A great site for mock drafts, updated weekly with changes.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft  Does a pretty good job ranking prospects, and has good player bios.
http://www.drafttek.com/default.asp  A new site for me this year, I really liked it, lots of good info here.

Round 1 (11) - Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia

Barring a "trade up" scenario, I don't see the Chargers being able to draft any of the top 3 Offensive Tackles, or the top 2 Guards.  In weighing team needs, against Best Player available...I think Jarvis Jones is the pick.

He's experienced in playing the 3-4, having played it at Georgia, and he fills a big need as both Shaun Phillips and Antwan Barnes both weren't re-signed.  

Chances this pick are correct:  Slim to none.  No idea what the Chargers will do here.  None.  Bakevious Mingo from LSU is another possiblity here.  Or maybe one of the Guards (Jonathon Cooper, UNC or Chance Warmack, Alabama) falls.  It's very likely that a trade up or down could occur here.


Round 2 (45) -Terron Armstead, OT, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

The Chargers fill their hole at Left Tackle in Round 2 with the pick of Terron Armstead.  Although from a smaller school, he impressed at the combine and Senior Bowl.

The downside of Armstead is he may not be ready to start right away.  He may take some time to develop.  But he's the prototypical size and fills a huge need.

Note:  I'd like to see Florida State's Menelik Watson fall to the Bolts here, but with the top 3 picks going top 10, I don't see it happening.


Round 3 (76) - Barrett Jones, OG Alabama

The Chargers fill another need by drafting Barret Jones.  He is best suited to play Guard in the NFL, after playing all 3 line positions (C, G, and T) at Alabama.  He would step in and be an immediate starter.  In addition, Center Nick Hardwick isn't getting any younger, and Jones could move over to Center, if needed.

Jones had a stellar career at Alabama, winning the Rimington Award last year as the top Collegiate Center, and the Outland Trophy as a Junior as the top Offensive Lineman.  Alabama is also known for their dominating Offensive Lines, and Jones was arugably the best player on it.


Round 4 (110) -A.J. Klein, ILB, Iowa State

The Chargers would look to add depth and a potential starter by drafting AJ Klein in the 4th round.  Inside Linebackers Takeo Spikes and Demorrio Williams were released, and they don't really know what they have yet in 3rd year player Jonas Mouton.

Klein is a guy who could come in and compete for a starting position right away, and otherwise would be a great depth player.  He is known as a guy with "high motor" and hard worker.  Co-Defensive MVP of the Big XII as a Junior, would be a very good "Value Pick"  (channeling Mel Kiper).


Round 5 (145) -Terry Hawthorne, CB, Illinois

Cornerbacks Quinten Jammer and Antoine Cason were not re-signed, and although the Chargers signed Derek Cox from Jacksonville, they could use some depth in the secondary.

Hawthorne just kind of "fits the bill" in all the things you are looking for in a later round draft pick.  He has the size, and all the physical tools.  Needs to get into the right system, with the right coaching and could become a solid NFL player.




Round 6 (179) -T.J. Barnes, NT, Georgia Tech

We've officially moved into "let's take a shot in the dark" territory.  You never have a clue what a team is going to do in the later rounds.  The Chargers lost free Agent DT Antonio Garay to the New York Jets, and starting NT Abreyo Franklin to the Colts, so they have a need at DT position.

At 6'6", 369 pounds, Barnes has the prototypical size for the position.  Even if he lacks some talent/skill, that kind of physical presence can't be ignored, and will take up blockers.  Barnes also has experience in playing the NT in a 3-4 defense, as that is what Georgia Tech runs.  He's a good fit.


Round 7 (221) - LaAdrian Waddle, OT, Texas Tech

If round 6 is "Shot in the Dark", round 7 is "Needle in a Haystack".  Impossible to tell what any team will do.  However, the Chargers have so many holes on the Offensive Line, I think that's where they look to add some depth.

Waddle was a three year starter at Texas Tech, and was twice named to the Big XII first team.  He would not be ready to start, but would strictly be a depth signing as he learns a pro offense.  He has the prototypical size for the position and great experience.


So there you go....the San Diego Chargers 2013 "Mock Draft".  All this means, is that there is very, very, very high probability that NONE of these players will actually be selected by the Chargers.

I'll be watching next Thursday night as the 2013 NFL Draft begins, and see if any of my picks come to fruition.

NFL draft getting ready!

OK, I've got 5 tabs opened... (Twitter, Google+, Blogger, NFL networks Draft tracker, and espn).

Looks like we've had our first move of the draft, already as the Vikings have swapped spots with the Browns, so the Browns have moved up one spot to grab Alabama running back Trent Richardson.

For the right to move up One Spot, the Browns gave up their 4th, 5th, and 7th round picks.  That's a crazy bounty for the Vikings for one spot.  Good move by the Viking front office (when was the last time that sentence was typed?).

So, we're a half hour away from the start of the draft, and the top 3 picks are decided.
1.  Indianapolis - Andrew Luck QB Stanford
2.  Washington - Robert Griffin QB Baylor
3.  Cleveland - Trent Richardson RB Alabama
4.  Minnesota- ???

The Vikings had the third pick in the draft, were basically already on the clock, traded down, and now are basically back on the clock again.

What do you think the Vikings do here?  Trade Down again?  Make the Pick?  Kalil?  Honey Badger?

And... I have no reason for thinking this, other than a gut feeling... but I'm feeling a trade up move by the Chargers to target Alabama Safety Mark Barron.

I think I'm gonna try to post about every 5 picks or so.

Otherwise, I'll be starting a hangout at Google+ for some chat activity.