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By Benjamin Knisley
The Browns –
There was nothing fancy about the Browns’ 2010 NFL draft, in fact it was a little anticlimactic considering they may have reached on each of their first three picks. With Eric Berry gone the Browns chose the next best defensive back, Joe Haden.
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By Paul M. Banks
You can describe the relationship of Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy in many ways: frienemies, unlikely BFFs, forbidden bromance. But no matter how you describe the friendship between the Oklahoma and Texas QBs, it’s certainly an unlikely one. Bradford and McCoy, last year’s Heisman trophy winner and 1st runner-up, are starting quarterbacks on opposite sides of what may be college football’s fiercest rivalry. A rivalry so heated it has a cool nickname “Red River Shootout,” and must be played on a neutral site each year. The next edition commences this Saturday at 11AM CT. 
“People outside of the game think it’s crazy that we can be friends, but he’s a great guy, we have a lot in common. Our friendship is one thing, this game is another,” Colt McCoy said on conference call this week. I considered asking McCoy a question about his unlikely friendship with Bradford, but he was getting plenty already. The sports media, ok ESPN…and maybe a few other outlets, have played this angle up so much that I’m half-expecting this week’s “College Gameday” pre-game show to include a segment on the two Big 12 QBs set to the “Guy Love” song from the television show “Scrubs.”
On the University of Texas conference call, Colt took questions about his playing ping-pong with Bradford, how often he communicates with him and through which specific communication medium. One guy took it way past the Rubicon of ridiculousness by asking whether he texted, Facebooked or used the good old-fashioned telephone to contact Bradford on the day he was injured early this season.
“He’s such a competitor and such a leader. I know how hard he’s worked to get back on the field. I know I texted him the night it happened, right when the season started and told him I was praying for him to get back…I just encouraged him, we play a physical sport and you’re going to get hit, but anytime you’re injured and not able to play, that’s a hard pill to swallow,” Colt said.
McCoy re-affirmed their relationship, “We’re friends off the field. He’s an awesome guy. we have a lot in common, I’m glad he’s back and healthy and ready to play again. He’s a solid guy.” But he also conveyed how he isn’t able to really talk with him all that much.
“It’s been tough since the season started. We’ve been really busy, football is our lives now,” he said.
Of course, having “sympathy for the devil” is impossible in a rivalry where hatred for the opponent runs deeper on both sides than the river separating the two states, or is it? “I get a hard time from my teammates, they say I can’t believe you’re friends with this guy, but I got to know him through award shows, off-season stuff. That was a lot of fun.”
After this season, both senior QBs are expected to be take their friendship to the NFL, as both are projected first round draft picks.
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By Peter Christian
The 2010 NFL Draft is about 6 months away. There is more than half of the NFL season left to play. We still have to wait two and a half months to see a BCS Champion crowned. But the 2010 NFL Draft is about 6 months away. Let’s have some fun. (Draft order is reverse order of Peter Christian and Paul M. Banks NFL power rankings, positional need has been taken into account with each pick)
#1 St. Louis Rams
Sam Bradford QB Oklahoma
Bradford’s injury status is now behind him and he is still looked upon as a potential great NFL QB. If all things stay static (Rams get the #1 pick overall, Bradford stays healthy) you can pretty much guarantee Bradford will be moving his game about 500 miles North and East up I-44. Rams fans have probably already begun counting down the days (190 to be exact) which they have every right to do.
#2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Russell Okung OT Oklahoma State
Russell Okung is as good a left tackle you will find in all of college football. He has the fundamental base of a franchise tackle to go with his physical skills. Okung also gets praised by pretty much everyone for his intelligence as well.
#3 Cleveland Browns
Eric Berry S Tennessee
If you don’t know who Eric Berry is, look him up. He could be the heir apparent to Ed Reed as the elite defensive playmaker in the NFL.
#4 Kansas City Chiefs
Brandon Spikes LB Florida
Tim Tebow gets ALL the hype around the Gators which means Brandon Spikes isn’t quite the household name it should be. He is the best inside linebacker to come out of college since Patrick Willis and will have a similar impact in the NFL.
#5 Oakland Raiders
Ndamukong Suh DT Nebraska
This is pretty much the lowest Suh should go. He is an expert at winning his battle at the line of scrimmage and causes disruption in the backfield constantly. He is an every down defensive tackle due to his dual ability to stuff the run or crash the pocket.
#6 Buffalo Bills
Carlos Dunlap DE Florida
Dunlap is one of the biggest reasons Gator opponents have backfield mishaps. He is fast AND strong which will allow him to cause nightmares for opposing tackles for years to come.
Trent Williams OT Oklahoma
The Okung or Williams debate over who is the better choice at offensive tackle is one where there really isn’t a loser. Trent Williams, like Okung, has good feet, strong hands and the talent to become elite in the NFL.
#8 Tennessee Titans
Gerald McCoy DT Oklahoma
McCoy is a pillar of strength that can dominate from the center of the field. He is very agile for a guy just shy of 300 pounds and will be a combine favorite.
#9 Jacksonville Jaguars
Tim Tebow QB Florida
Tebow gets knocked for his throwing shortfalls but he has the leadership market cornered and if there is any player in the draft pool that will work to better themselves, Tebow is it.
#10 San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina)
Jevan Snead QB Ole Miss
Snead’s stock has solidified as a first rounder but a good run through the SEC could determine if he is picked near the top or bottom. He isn’t elusive by any means but his pocket presence and second nature footwork in the pocket makes him a quarterback with a future in the NFL. He has the ability to throw to any spot on the field but his accuracy fails him when he gets lazy.
#11 Washington Redskins
Dez Bryant WR Oklahoma State
Bryant’s body of work is more than enough to impress scouts even with his current eligibility issue. His body control and athleticism is something that has NFL coaches very intrigued. He has battled injury issues, but when he’s on the field he is a force.
#12 Miami Dolphins
Taylor Mays S USC
If you asked a scout to write down their ideal size and speed numbers for an NFL free safety they’d list: 6-3, 235, 4.4. Oddly enough that is Taylor’s height, weight and 40 time on record. Enough said.
#13 Houston Texans
Greg Hardy DE Ole Miss
Greg Hardy may be the purest sack artist in the draft. He has a lethal combination of speed and power that he mixes up to get to the quarterback. Hardy also has a sort of “Overdrive” that he shifts into once he smells a possible sack.
#14 Seattle Seahawks
Jahvid Best RB California
Best is exactly what is name proclaims at his position. He has very good vision and an even better instinct on when to turn on the jets. He is very good at making defenders miss at every level. He isn’t a bruiser back but if coupled with a versatile offense he has the makings of the next young playmaking running back.
Charles Brown OT USC
Brown is a people mover that has the benefit of playing in a pro-style offensive scheme that will make the college-to-NFL transition much easier than some.
#16 Dallas Cowboys
Terence Cody DT Alabama
Cody is a big time anchor guy who could go higher if he stays in good shape throughout the combine and workout process. He is a perfect 3-4 true nose tackle and can really control the flow and direction of a play.
#17 Arizona Cardinals
Jermaine Gresham TE Oklahoma
Gresham is an elite pass catching tight end. He can run a perfect seam route or he can cover a lot of space over the middle. He needs to work on his blocking but he should be a touchdown machine with his hands, size and route running skills.
#18 Denver Broncos (from Chicago)
Arthur Jones DT Syracuse
Jones’ is a gap filler and is stronger than Atlas. He is in a Pat Williams type run stopper that will be look like a man amongst boys at times. He plays hard on every play and is of the rare breed of football players that will never quit on any play.
#19 San Diego Chargers
Jonathan Dwyer RB Georgia Tech
Dwyer is an old school workhorse running back. He can run inside and outside and can handle as many carries as the coach gives him. Dwyer’s a big back, but he has good speed as well and can be the muscle of a two back system or handle the lone number one duties as well.
#20 New England Patriots
Sergio Kindle LB Texas
Kindle is a versatile linebacker that is an excellent attacker. He takes very good angles to the ball and makes tackles all over the field. Sergio’s mix of energy and instincts allows him to overcome the fact that he is a little slower than coaches would want.
#21 San Francisco 49ers
Sean Weatherspoon LB Missouri
Weatherspoon can play both sides of the field (he’ll end up near the ball anyway) and is always around a big play. Whether he’s rushing the passer, busting up a play in the backfield, breaking up a pass or chasing down a receiver from behind, Weatherspoon can do it all.
#22 Atlanta Falcons
CJ Spiller RB Clemson
Spiller’s a fast runner built on a solid frame. His outside running game and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield is where he’ll make his mark, but he’s not afraid to go right at a defender. A little extra muscle and being able to show his durability will help Spiller’s stock go up.
#23 New York Jets
Brandon LaFell WR LSU
LaFell is a rubber band man when it comes to contorting his body in the air to make the catch. His hands are his biggest asset as he catches the ball softly and away from his body. He needs to improve his route running as he isn’t a super fast runner but as long as he makes catches to bail out his quarterback he’ll be a good NFL player.
#24 Cincinnati Bengals
Rolando McClain LB Alabama
McClain is an amazing tackler in space and can cover a lot of ground from the middle linebacker spot. He’s got great fundamentals and has a knack of shedding blockers to make big tackles.
#25 Pittsburgh Steelers
Brandon Graham DE Michigan
Graham is a big body that plays very well upfield. Scouts will love that he is versatile enough to play the end position in either scheme.
#26 Baltimore Ravens
Arrelious Benn WR Illinois
Benn is the prototype when it comes to the big, athletic receivers. He has the potential to be the first WR off the board if he starts producing or has an amazing combine and workout process.
#27 Seattle Seahawks (from Denver)
Jake Locker QB Washington
Locker’s draft stock has shot up with his solid play this season for the Huskies. I expect things will come down by draft time but he’s raised enough eyebrows to maintain his status as a potential number one pick.
#28 New Orleans Saints
Derrick Morgan DE Georgia Tech
Morgan is a high energy pass rusher with great size. He is an animal off the snap and disrupts plays behind the line of scrimmage with regularity.
#29 Philadelphia Eagles
Jermaine Cunningham DE Florida
Cunningham isn’t as explosive as his teammate Carlos Dunlap but he is more reliable on a play by play basis. He gets to the quarterback with regularity and makes a lot of tackles in the run game as well.
#30 New York Giants
Joe Haden CB Florida
Haden has jumped to the top of the board amongst other corners with solid coverage and ball skills. He makes good reads and adjusts well to the ball when its in the air.
Colt McCoy QB Texas
From a mechanics standpoint, McCoy is not quite the best he could be. Yet, he is amazingly accurate and can rifle the ball to almost any location on the field. Though its his playmaking skills that make McCoy an attractive QB to NFL teams in need.
#32 Indianapolis Colts
Patrick Robinson CB Florida State
Robinson is a super fast coverage man that is above average in nearly every aspect of the game. He anticipates routes but isn’t a huge risk taker and tackles well in the open field. He is also a very good return man.
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