Football's own economic crisis

I admit to only been a (very) casual fan of association football but it pains even me to see the parlous financial state that many of the top football clubs have put themselves in. I 'support' West Ham United, or the "Hammers" as we in the know call them. I support them not due to any family connection to the area the team hails from but because when I owned a copy of TIF 2005, I gave myself the challenge of getting a team through promotion from the English 1st Division to the Premier League with the eventual task of winning it all. Having no knowledge of the English football landscape outside the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool I simply closed my eyes, pressed the across right button on my controller and counted to 30. When I opened my eyes, the team fate chose to bestow upon me were the Hammers. Like I said, casual fan.

That said, I love all sports and it sickens me when I see finances overshadowing the spectacle that is the sport itself. And nowhere is this more seen than in football. As a financial model, the way many professional football clubs operate themselves should be outlawed. In his brilliant article for ESPN.com, "Is European Football eating itself" Leander Schaerlaeckens highlights the blatant financial mismanagement that is threatning to sink European football. He lists an extremely overinflated transfer market, with many clubs in the top leagues taking out heavy loans in order to obtain elite talent as one of the major causes of clubs across Europe sinking further into the red. A new phenomenon, is the recent spate of American owners, most notably of Manchester United and Liverpool fame who in their takeovers of the respective clubs, used the clubs as collateral in order to obtain the loans to buy the club. The result being we now see a Manchester United 'owned' by the Glazer family, who also own the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Glazer's stewardship of the club has seen the 5 years ago debt free Red Devils now owe over 500 million pounds, all of which is money owed to the bank to cover the loan the Glazers took out to buy the club in the first place. It is also worth noting that Manchester United, according to Schaerlaeckens pays the Glazer family around 20 million pounds annually to compensate them for running the club.. into the ground.

The problems are apparent, the way forward in order to solve them are not. I read calls for a salary cap of sorts in professional football on a daily basis. The argument put forward is that it works in the NFL (American Gridiron), a professional sports league whose financial clout is on par with that found in football. The NFL has a cap that rises yearly in relation to revenue increase. This salary cap is a success, with 5 weeks to go in the 2010/11 NFL regular season 18 of the 32 franchises had a mathematical chance of making the playoffs. That even spread of talent is not found in any of the major European football leagues. Let me tell you why a salary cap will not work nor be found in European football: There is too much vested interest for a bipartisan effort between the likes of the English Premiership (EP), the Serie A and the La Liga for an agreed upon salary cap to work. Those three leagues are the biggest in Europe/ the world, if the EP were to put in place a salary cap tomorrow and the Serie A and La Liga carried on the same, then the EP clubs would be financially handicapped when it came to retaining and bidding for the top talent. This would cause the value of the end product to decrease, (the actual football itself) thus companies would pay less to be associated with and the downward spiral would begin. That is why unless the three major leagues came on board and agreed to a cap this option will very likely never happen. By vested interest I mean why would the club of the Galacticos, Real Madrid agree to bound by the same financial constraints as a AC Milan, a Chelsea or god forbid a Barcelona.

The other area that needs cleaning up is the transfer market, the invisible hand (Maradona's?) has pushed transfer fees up at an exponential rate for too long. We now see a player such as Christiano Ronaldo been bought of Manchester United by Real Madrid for US$123 million. Thats not Ronaldo's salary by the way, thats Real Madrid paying Manchester United to compensate for Man U losing Ronaldo's services. To put that figure into perspective, the Spanish Government pledged US$48 million in aid to Haiti after the earthquake that killed over 100,000 people and caused widespread damage and chaos earlier this year. Here is where I do advocate professional football replicating the NFL system. In the NFL there are basically four ways of acquiring a player; the draft, a player trade, restricted free agency and free agency of which all but the draft (think about it) could possibly have a place in professional football. Imagine how many players Real Madrid would have have to have given Man U in order to obtain Ronaldo. Of course in free agency we would see mass bidding wars but it would be cleaner that a club paying a kings ransom to obtain a player then paying another kings ransom paying the player. Restricted Free Agency is a whole other deal, see here for the basics. FIFA could make it so that every player under the age of 25 was a RFA, with set price limits on salaries and compensation.

Professional football does have things in its favor though, for starters it is played throughout the world, it is a truly international sport/ pastime. Also the passion of fans when it comes to their clubs is a true cultural phenomenon. People across Europe become feudal when it comes to supporting their clubs, it must be in the makeup of the european psyche. As a result these fans will do anything for the clubs, meaning that whilst the main fan base is still not alienated, the game has a chance to learn from its largesse and move into the future practicing austerity instead. Ultimately, we need to remember that football above all is a game, and not just any game at that but the beautiful game.

BJH

What is the IRB thinking?

The International Rugby Board (IRB) turned down a great chance to improve the standard of test match rugby when it voted against changing the current eligibility laws the other day. As it stands, once a player has played for a nations top representative team, the next best team and/ or the sevens team he cannot at a later date play for a team representing another nation. See here for the statute in full.

Northern commentators have applauded the move to retain the existing eligibility laws, telling readers that it keeps the game of rugby in line with other major codes such as football (Which also only allows a player to play for one nation) and distances the sport from the debacle that is the international eligibility laws of rugby league. For the record I am not in any way advocating for Rugby to adopt the eligibility laws of Rugby League but the FIFA comparison rankles with me. FIFA has more member nations than the UN, there are over 240 million people worldwide playing association football at some level. The IRB on the other hand lays claim to 95 member states, of which around 15 national teams (at a stretch) play at a professional level. There are thought to be around 10 million people worldwide playing rugby at some level.

The point is, FIFA with its 240 million competitors can afford to be hardline on its international eligibility rules whereas the IRB cannot. Football's prevalence in communities all over the world means that players with elite talent, the Pele's, the Maradona's, the Ronaldinho's are constantly being churned out. Football is also an easier game to pick up and to participate. You see UNICEF advertisements of kids kicking a rag ball on a dirt patch in the middle of a slum almost daily. You will never see 12 year old impoverished Johnny learning the finer points of tighthead prop play by a scrum machine in the background. Rugby is alot more specialist and technical than football, more coaching is needed for a player to rise through the ranks. This limits rugby's appeal severely in that there is alot of potential out there that will forever be left untapped.

The World Cup, the IRB version (less petrodollars), is a 20 team tournament. I feel that the IRB should be looking to showcase its best product, by that I mean having the best rugby players in the world leaving it all on the field. Especially at a time of cost cutting and the all important TV networks re-evaluating the worth of sporting events the IRB should be looking to put its best product on the field. This is not achieved when you deny players such as Jerry Collins, Chris Masoe, Ben Atiga, Sosene Anesi (All eligible for Samoa) or even Doug Howlett (Tonga) a chance to play at the World Cup.

Federation of Oceania Rugby (FORU) boss Harry Schuster has accused his Celtic counterparts of acting in their own interest by not voting for the measure. And its a valid fear that a full strength Western Samoan team would be on par with a Scotland or a Wales but that is good for the game, no one wants to see blowouts. Another point to consider is that it wouldn't just be the Pacific Island nations that benefit, a fledging rugby outpost such as Georgia could do with the services of Dimitri Yachvili and Dimitri Szarzeski once their French days are over. Ireland's Ronan O'Gara is US born. More than a few South African players have come from Namibia or Zimbabwe, Percy Montgomery the example there. The knowledge these veterans of the game could pass on to the homegrown semi professional players that by and large constitute the second tier of international rugby is invaluable and I feel the IRB will rue the day they decided not to change this abomination of a law.

BJH

NFL Mock Draft 1.0

That time of the year is once again coming close, the two days where all 32 NFL teams pick players out of college in the hope that they become their respective teams next big stars, the players that will lead the way to the Superbowl. This is how i'll think the 2010 NFL draft will pan out.

1st Pick : Saint Louis Rams

Player Selected: Ndamukong Suh (Defensive Tackle, Nebraska)

Funny how things change, 6 months ago Taylor Mays was been talked about as the first safety to go as the first pick. The Rams need talent everywhere and are a long way away from their glory days as the Greatest Show on Turf. The Rams will go for a defensive player with the 1st pick, Spagnuolo is a known defensive mastermind from his days as a Defensive Co-Ordinator with the Giants and will be chomping at the bit to work with an elite talent such as Ndamukong Suh. The Rams defensive line would be well set for years to come if Suh, along with other 1st round picks Chris Long and Adam Carriker play to their potential. I dont think the Rams will use this pick on an offensive player as they have a franchise left tackle in Jason Smith(if he stays concussion free), a franchise running back in Steven Jackson (although how long his body can hold up is another question) and an injury free, fully fit Marc Bulger at QB is a force to be reckoned with. There is the possibility of the Rams using this pick to draft Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen but if rumors are true and he does have that arrogant prickly streak then this team would be better not to draft him.

2nd Pick: Detroit Lions

Player Selected: Russell Okung ( Left Tackle, Oklahoma State)

The Lions 2009 1st round pick, ex Georgia QB Matthew Stafford needs more protection as evidenced by his season ending shoulder injury last year. The Lions must make it a priority to have him protected in the pocket. Jeff Backus is a hard worker but is not the elite talent Okung is and 2008 1st round pick Gosder Cherilus has failed to live up to expectations. Also by drafting Okung it will allow Backus to move to Gaurd, a position many feel he will prosper in. If the Lions do the right thing and give Stafford the offensive line his 70 million dollar contract deserves we could be seeing a high powered Lions offense as we move into the next decade. Stafford has one of the best wide receivers in the NFL in Calvin Johnston, one of the best young TE's in Brandon Pettigrew and running back Kevin Smith is a man destined for a break out year in 2010. However the Lions do need talent on the other side of the ball and should they select Gerald McCoy or even Ndamukong Suh (if he falls to them) no one will be suprised. But in my opinion Coach Jim Caldwell and the Lions front office will look to put the offense in good order before they move to start fixing up the defense. Did i mention the 'Curse of Bobby Layne' entered its 50th and final year last season...

3rd Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Player Selected: Gerald McCoy (Defensive Tackle, Oklahoma University)

Tampa Bay is along way from its SuperBowl glory days of 2002 under coach Jon Gruden. Their defense is a long way away from the Tampa 2 unit that terrorised offences around the league during this time. Gerald McCoy is seen by many as the new Warren Sapp and should the Buccaneers be in a position to pick him at the third pick they most certainly will. Tampa could put out a handy Defense next year with Gerald McCoy alongside players such as the vastly underrated Barrett Ruud (who should be resigned), cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Ronde Barber and hardworking safety Sabby Piscitelli. While their offense is no great shakes with the exception of the vastly improved 2nd year quarterback Josh Freeman and are in desperate need of talent on the offensive line, running back and at wide receiver this team cannot pass on Gerald McCoy should he fall to them.

4th Pick: Washington Redskins

Player Selected: Bruce Campbell (Left Tackle, Maryland)

Redskins owner Dan Snyder proved last year that spending money doesnt necessarily translate to success. There is talk a Quarterback such as Jimmy Clausen could go here but i am admittedly a Jason Campbell fan and the case for retaining him is strong especially with him posting career high numbers behind a senior citizen offensive line, a running back who averaged under 4 yards a rush and receivers well past their heyday. Did i mention that Campbells favorite TE Chris Cooley also got injured early last season. If the Redskins pick someone like Clausen these problems wont go away. There is a strong case for Bruce Campbell to be picked ahead of Russell Okung and while Okung may not be as exceptionally athletic as Campbell, Okungs consistent play pushes him ahead. Still, the Redskins would be fortunate to have either one and i do think that come the draft, they will be picking a Tackle.

5th Pick: Kansas City Chiefs

Player Selected: Anthony Davis (Left Tackle, Rutgers)

Chiefs QB Matt Cassell needs more help under center and Anthony Davis at 6ft 6 (1.98cm) and 325lb (147 kgs) is the man to give it to him. By drafting Davis the Chiefs can move 08 1st round pick Brandon Albert to gaurd or right tackle. The Chiefs 'youth movement' that started under Herm Edwards is slowly starting to blossom. 2nd year coach Todd Haley will be wanting to give Matt Cassell the best chance of proving that he wasnt a one hit wonder when he took the Patriots to 11-5 after Tom Brady got injured in the season opener. The Chiefs offense is starting to come right, Matt Cassell has the goods, Jamaal Charles could be a legitmate superstar this time next year if he continues the form he showed at the end of last season. Re-signing WR Chris Chambers must be a high priority of the Chiefs and he was a favorite target of Cassells down the stretch. In saying that there is still alot of work to be done on the defensive side of the ball but all in good time.

6th Pick: Seattle Seahawks

Player Selected: Jimmy Clausen (Quarterback, Notre Dame)

Jimmy Clausen is a perfect fit to new coach Pete Carroll's west coast system and has been schooled in a pro style offense under Charlie Weis at Notre Dame. Pete Carroll is a players coach and if anyone can get the best out of Clausen it would be Carroll. Look for Clausen to spend a year learning under veteran injury prone QB Matt Hasselbeck with Clausen starting when Hasselbeck gets injured (a high probability). Clausen will certainly have the weapons to succeed with in Seattle with the likes of Justin Forsett at RB and Nate Burleson, TJ Houshmanzadeh and Deion Branch at wide receiver but the offensive line in time will definitely need to be upgraded in time. The Seahawks could be a real challenger to the NFC West crown given QB Kurt Warners retirement from the Cardinals and their fans will be hoping that the 10/11 campaign will not be as injury ravaged as the past two.

7th Pick: Cleveland Browns

Player Selected: Sam Bradford (Quarterback, Oklahoma University)

There is a school of thought that if Bradford had of entered the NFL Draft last year he might of ended up going to Detroit with the 1st pick instead of Matt Stafford. A year on and he finds himself a dead certainty to be picked outside the Top 5 and behind Jimmy Clausen (a good showing at the combine could change all that). The two quarterbacks currently on the Browns roster, former pro bowler Derek Anderson and former 1st round pick Brady Quinn have had their chances and neither have delievered. New Football President Mike Holmgren knows this and also knows that in picking a new QB, it has the ability to signal in a new era for the Browns, a team with one of the most illustrious histories in the league that has fallen on hard times in the past 20 odd years. This team is a mess, they will struggle to attract quality free agents because their facility is known to give players Golden Staph infections but between Mike Holmgren and 2nd year coach Eric Mangini (who took the team to an improbable 4 match winning streak down the stretch) they can create a combative squad for the next season at least. Look for them to play smashmouth football with breakout RB Jerome Harrison. The big question mark over Bradford is whether his shoulder is fully recovered after the collegiate injury he received on it.

8th Pick: Oakland Raiders

Player Selected: Eric Berry (Safety, Tennessee)

To be honest i would be suprised if Eric Berry fell this far and if he did im sure Al Davis would be quick to grab him. Eric Berry has surpassed Taylor Mays as the elite safety talent in this draft but there remains a question mark over his shoulder and whether it can stand up to the physical demands of the NFL. Berry is reminiscent on a John Lynch and coupled with existing Raiders cornerback Nnandi Asomugha the Raiders secondary could be one of the most potent in the NFL. There is valid thought that the Raiders might go for an offensive lineman here but after using three 1st round picks on offensive players (none who have set the world alight) in the past three years i think the Raiders will go defensive and you could do worse than Eric Berry. Can i also point out that Al Davis will probably draft the fastest player for his position at this point of the draft to satisfy his speed fetish.

9th Pick: Buffalo Bills

Player Selected: Brian Bulaga (Left Tackle, Iowa)

Buffalo QB Trent Edwards has the potential to be one of the best in this league, but he struggles behind the Buffalo offensive line, especially in a AFC East division that boasts the blitz happy Jets, the Patriots and of late the effective pass rush of the Dolphins. Trading Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters to the Eagles didnt help matters. Buffalo owner Ralph Davis has swore that he will spare no expense when it comes to rebuilding this past powerhouse and drafting Bulaga will go along way to bringing the Bills back to their 1990's glory.

10th Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars

Player Selected: Tim Tebow (Quarterback/ H Back, Miami)

Whether the Jaguars use the 10th pick on Tebow or trade down and then get him for a lower price Tim Tebow will, at the end of this draft be a Jaguar. Jaguar owner Wayne Weaver knows his franchise needs an iconic player that the Jacksonville community can rall around. There are questions over whether the Heisman trophy winner has the skillset required to be a successful NFL QB but there is no doubt that Tebow is a dynamic player and leader of men and has the superstar qualities Jacksonville desperately needs. Put it this way, if Tebow doesnt end up a Jaguar at the end of this draft, expect to start cheering for the Jags in Los Angeles.

11th Pick: Denver Broncos

Player Selected: Dez Bryant (Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State)

This pick has a lot to do on whether Brandon Marshall is still a Bronco at the time of the draft. Broncos QB Kyle Orton needs elite talent at wide receiver around him or else he will struggle. It wouldnt be a suprise to see the Broncos trade up and try and get Clausen but there is doubt in my mind as to whether coach McDaniels and Clausen would get on considering McDaniels previous relationships with QB Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall. Either way the former Heisman candidate Bryant would be a good addition to a handy receiving corps.

12th Pick: Miami Dolphins (my team)

Player Selected: Rolando McClain (Inside Linebacker, Alabama)

I'm still angry with Bill Parcells for drafting cornerback Vontae Davis in the 1st round then drafting another cornerback in Sean Smith in the second last year. Especially when we could of got WR Percy Harvin (who, btw i said was the best WR in the draft- CORRECT) and linebackers James Laurinitis or Ray Melalauga. The Dolphins need upgrades at wide receiver and in the linebacking corps so Rolando McClain will be a good fit and apparently Bill Parcells doesnt draft wide receivers in the first (Al Davis could take some of that advice RE Darrius Heyward-Bey). To be honest any draft of the Dolphins that doesnt include a trade for a QB or a QB taken in the 2nd round (Daunte Culpepper, AJ Feely, John Beck, Chad Henne, Pat White...) will be a success in my book.

13th Pick: San Francisco 49ers

Player Selected: Joe Haden (Cornerback, Florida)

Haden is without a doubt the best cornerback in the draft and the type of cornerback 49ers coach Mike Singletary needs if he is to be competitive in a division that has the talent at wide receiver that the NFC West has. If he falls this far he will be an absolute steal for the 49ers as in any other draft he would be a top 10 talent and it is a testament to the depth of this draft that he falls outside the top 10. On another note the 49ers are a stronger candidate than the Seahawks to seriously challenge the Warner-less Arizona for the NFC West crown this year and it wouldnt suprise me to see them make a deep run in the playoffs even if they do play smashproof football.

14th Pick: Seattle Seahawks

Player Selected: Taylor Mays (Safety, University of Southern California)

At the start of the NCAA season, the wraps on Mays were huge, people were calling him the next Ed Reed, people were predicting that he'd go number one overall (a feat yet to be accomplished by a safety). He could go anywhere in this draft, his potential as an athlete far surpasses any other safety in this draft but he lacks the technique and instincts at this stage. Pete Carroll's Seahawks would be a perfect fit for Mays because he played under Carroll at USC and Carroll more than anyone knows how to use Mays the best. Mays has the potential to be one of the best ever, but between now and there he needs to put in more hours than Peyton Manning if that is to be achieved.

15th Pick: New York Giants

Player Selected: Dan Williams (Nose Tackle/ Defensive Tackle, Tennessee)

The Giants defense was nowhere near the heights it reached againts the Patriots in the 08 Superbowl. The key to the Giants success then was their ability to switch key members of their defensive line keeping players fresh and keeping the pressure on the opposing offensive line. The Giants have two genuine DT's in Chris Canty and Barry Cofield. The Giants are reliant on their defense for pressure and selecting Dan Williams here will do a lot to bring the Giants back to the glory days of 07/08.

16th Pick: Tennessee Titans

Player Selected: Jason Pierre-Paul (Defensive End, South Florida)

In Matt McGuire's draft on WalterFootball.com he had Jason Pierre-Paul going to the Browns at #6. It is uncertain whether current starters at DE (and unrestricted free agents Kyle Vanden Bosch and Jevon Kearse) will be back in 2010 and this defense has struggled to get any pressure on the Quarterback outside of blitzing since Albert Haynesworth departure to the Redskins in 09. Pierre-Paul is thought to have alot more potential than is currently seen and an elite coach such as Titans coach Jeff Fisher would be the guy to get him living up to his potential. Hell, for a person who got Vince Young back on the field and took an 0-6 team to 8-8 Pierre Paul will be a piece of cake.

Pick 17: San Francisco 49er's

Player Selected: Trent Williams (Tackle, Oklahoma)

Williams is a Quarterbacks ideal T but many doubt his effectiveness in assisting the run. That said, the 49ers need help at T and Williams shows great athletic ability in protecting the pocket and 49ers QB Alex Smith needs all the time he can get to connect with promising receivers TE Vernon Davis and WR Michael Crabtree. Is Alex Smith can realise his potential this season (the same potential that saw him drafted #1 overrall in 2005) the sky is the limit for the 49ers.

Pick 18: Pittsburgh Steelers

Player Selected: Terrence Cody (Nose Tackle, Alabama)

In my opinion Pittsburgh is the ideal fit for Cody and coach Mike Tomlin would love to have him. Pro Bowl NT Casey Hampton is turning 33 this year and in true Pittsburgh style Cody would serve a season or two on the bench as a situational player learning the Pittsburgh way and getting his body and weight to a pro level. Cody is a monster, a game turner and would be a perfect addition to the Steel Curtain. Many pundits have Cody going in the 2nd round but i think he will impress at the combine and at his pro day thus boosting his stock into 1st round contention.

Pick 19: Atlanta Falcons

Player Selected: Donovan Warren (Cornerback, Michigan)

In a division containing a future Hall of Famer QB Drew Brees you need elite defensive backs. Atlanta has a high powered offense when fully fit but they need to slow down the pass and Atlanta struggled to do this. Warren is Mike Mayocks and WalterFootball.com's #2 cornerback in the draft and Atlanta could do worse than to pick him.

Pick 20: Houston Texans

Player Selected: Earl Thomas (Free Safety, Texas)

Thomas would be top 10 pick if the game was all about instincts but there are worries his 197lb frame (around 85kg) wont hold up in the pros. He is probably one of the best coverage safeties in the draft and is very adept at following the QB's eyes, a value worth its weight in gold given the Texans share a division with Peyton Manning. A black mark against Thomas, there are concerns over his effectiveness as a run stopper and in a division that boasts both Titans RB Chris Johnson and the Jags RB Maurice Jones-Drew this may count against the Titans picking Thomas. But the Texans definitely do need help at Safety and Earl Thomas would be a good fit.

Pick 21: Cincinnati Bengals

Player Selected: Arrelious Benn (Wide Receiver, Illinois)

Chad Ochocinco is a lone ranger out wide in the Bengals offense and although that suits #85 ego ideally Carson Palmer needs another option. Chris Henry was developing nicely before his untimely and tragic death and Lauverneus Coles has struggled since coming from the Jets. The Bengals proved their potential last year when they won a competitive AFC North overcoming whom many thought were superbowl candidates in the Ravens and the Steelers. Bengals owner Mike Brown would love to retain that edge and for that to happen Carson Palmer needs a brand new toy outside.

Pick 22: New England Patriots

Player Selected: Dexter McCluster (Running Back/ Wide Receiver, Ole Miss)

This is a gut pick of mine that i think coach Bill Belichick should make and i wouldnt be suprised if he did make it come the draft. Why? The Patriots attack is too one dimensional. Brady to Randy Moss for long yardage, Brady to Wes Welker under the cover for small yardage. This worked when Kevin Faulk was younger and you had to cover him coming out of the backfield (as Ray Lewis forgot to do in the 08 AFC Championship) but Faulk and indeed the entire Patriots running game struggles these days allowing defences to cover Welker and Moss almost exclusively. It is only due to the exceptional talents of these three players that allows this formula to work. McCluster is dynamic- he isnt an every down back or receiver but a perfect situational player that would cause the defense to think and be wary every time he came onto the field. He could be this drafts Percy Harvin. And he would rejuvenate this placid Patriots offense.

Pick 23: Green Bay Packers

Player Selected: Charles Brown (Tackle, University of Southern California)

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has a bright future in this league, but not if continues to be hit the way he was hit last season. He isnt as big a tackle as you would want and this could count against him as the Packers face Jared Allen and the Williams wall twice a year but he has excellent technique and shows more focus than any other tackle in this draft. The Packers cannot rely on Mark Tauscher for another year and in Charles Brown the Packers will have a player who will give them honest if not exemplary service for years to come.

Pick 24: Philadelphia Eagles

Player Selected: Derrick Morgan (Defensive End, Georgia Tech)

This will probably be the only board where you see Morgan outside the top 16 picks but in my opinion Jacksonville will trade back to get Tim Tebow at a cheaper price and the Eagles will trade up to get a good edge rusher such as Derrick Morgan as they definitely need an upgrade there. Morgan is good but dont expect to see him produce wonders in coverage cos he looks like a pig swimming in the pacific trying to cover the pass. Still a good fit for Andy Reid and the Eagles.

Pick 25: Baltimore Ravens

Player Selected: Damian Williams (Wide Receiver, University of Southern California)

Williams is probably the most polished route runner in the draft but lacks the top end speed the top WR have. In saying that Joe Flacco needs someone to throw to as Derrick Mason must be close to retiring and having Mark Clayton as your top WR is just going to end in tears. Drafting Williams will give the Ravens dependable route runner for years to come.

Pick 26: Arizona Cardinals

Player Selected: Jermaine Gresham (Tight End, Oklahoma)

Might as well make things easier for Matt Leinart and give him another set of hands to throw to as he will probably struggle throwing to the likes of Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston....

Pick 27: Dallas Cowboys

Player Selected: Mike Iupati (Gaurd, Idaho)

The sort of Gaurd the Cowboys love. One of them Texas 'good ole boys!' that will clear a four lane highway up the middle for Felix Jones, Marion Barber and Tashard Choice all day long. A good long term replacement and upgrade for Kyle Kosier.

Pick 28: San Diego Chargers

Player Selected: CJ Spiller (Running Back, Clemson)

The fact that the top ranked running back in the draft comes in at pick 28 further highlights the fact that the NFL is a passing league these days. Darren Sproles isnt an everydown player, LT's mail is unlikely to have a San Diego postcode on it next year and CJ Spiller would be a good choice to carry the torch in San Diego. A backfield committee of Sproles and Spiller would give the Chargers the kick they need to get to the Superbowl as many feel their window to win it is rapidly closing.

Pick 29: New York Jets

Player Selected: Golden Tate (Wide Receiver, Notre Dame)

Jets QB Mark Sanchez needs some toys out wide. Rex Ryan gave him Braylon Edwards for Thanksgiving and probably wishes he had kept the receipt given Edwards propensity to do everything except catch the ball. Golden Tate is a solid young receiver who would be a good fit in the Jets system.

Pick 30: Minnesota Vikings

Player Selected: Kyle Wilson (Cornerback, Boise State)

Pro Bowl CB Antoine Winfield is on his last legs at 35. Weak side Corner Cedric Griffin suffered a serious knee injury in the NFC Championship Game. If the Viking draft guys on the same level as those currently playing safety for them i wouldnt be suprised to see Jared Allen lassoo them off the field because if there is a weak point in the Vikings it is their secondary. And fuck you Favre for losing the Championship you geriatric prick.

Pick 31: Indianapolis Colts

Player Selected: Everson Griffen (Defensive End, University of Southern California)

Cant have enough Defensive Ends can you Indianapolis ahahaha..

Pick 32: New Orleans Saints

Player Selected: Sean Witherspoon (Outside Linebacker, Missouri)

Fills a need for the Saints at Linebacker, really impressed at the Senior Bowl. Has the potential to be a team leader for years to come. To be honest it doesnt matter who the Saints pick here, they could pick that guy who sings 'Pants on the Ground' as a 2nd string QB and New Orleans wouldnt care. Why? Because they won the Superbowl.

Hope you enjoyed my Mock Draft 1.0. Stay tuned for Mock Draft 2.0 (could be a while cos ill be real bogged down with uni work soon..) in which i try to justify an excuse for my boy Colt McCoy to go in the 1st round!!