NFL Draft Preview

Ehsan Azad

NFL Draft Preview

                It’s finally here! The NFL draft is upon us and how nervous are fans all over the nation. All 32 teams will be making selections that either puts them a step closer to a Super Bowl or a step closer to getting the number one overall pick next year.  The Dallas Cowboys will have the 18^th pick in this year’s draft and this will be one of the hardest drafts to predict. This is not top heavy with premier skill players and has a lot of depth on the defensive and offensive linemen. So where will the Cowboys go? Here are my predictions for this year for the Cowboys.

                I think the Cowboys will trade out of the first round. I could be totally wrong on this, but it seems like the most likely outcome. The Cowboys need an offensive lineman but it seems like the top options like Chance Warmack and Jonathan Cooper will be gone by the time the Cowboys are on the clock. Now, there is a chance they could trade up to get those players but with only 6 picks in this draft, this seems unlikely as well. The best option is to trade down and get multiple picks in the second round. This draft is deep and you can find quality starters for your team in later rounds.  If this trade happens, here are a few players the Cowboys could get.

Eric Reid-S from LSU- If the Boys trade out of the first round, look for this player to be their top pick. They need a safety and Reid is the second best safety in the draft.  Also, with his athleticism, I really think he could fit well into the new Tampa-2 defense.

Kyle Long-OG Oregon- I’m thinking that with their second pick in the second round will be O-linemen and it will be the mauler Kyle Long.  Son of Hall of Famer player Howie Long, this kid can play and I really think the one time DUI charge is why he falls this low. He can be day one starter to help infuse youth into the line.

Joseph Randall- RB Oklahoma State- The team really needs a backup running back because Demarco Murray has proven he can’t stay healthy all year long. Randall is the player for the team in the either the third or fourth round. He has speed, athleticism, and I think he would be the perfect complement to Murray.

Other positions that they need to fill is on the defensive line.  If they don’t trade out and no offensive linemen are available, pick Sheldon Richardson, Defensive Tackle from Missouri at 18. This guy is big, athletic, and will step in and become the force in the middle for the D line. I’m sure Monte Kiffin will be licking his chops to get his hands on this type of player.  Along with Ratliff, Ware, and Spencer look for the sack numbers to start to rise.

                Well, have fun tonight, don’t get too excited or depressed and let’s see if the Cowboys continue their recent successes in the Draft.

Sports Suicide

Ehsan Azad

Sports Suicide

                If you have noticed my blog hasn’t been updating in awhile, the reason be it is that I am clearly depressed by the sports world right now. It’s the end of April and I am usually prepping for the Dallas Mavericks to begin their playoff run. Sadly, no such run will begin this year as the Mavs will watch the playoffs from home for the first time since the 1999-2000 season. Bummer. But, a little mash up of the week’s topics could lighten the mood.

·         The Texas Rangers were a team that I written off as a failure before the season started. Loosing Josh Hamilton was too big of a blow on offense to let this franchise build its way back to a title, or so I thought. This team is playing on all cylinders and winning in multiple ways. This team can play small ball or long ball, and the pitching is superb. Not only are the expected starters like Darvish and Holland stepping up, but new guys like Nick Tepesch and an active bullpen are helping the Rangers stay on top of the division. Now with Matt Harrison hurt, things might get dicey, but no worries yet as the Rangers look very good going into the second month of the season.

·         The NFL Draft is fast approaching and be on the lookout for a draft preview soon before the big night Thursday. The Cowboys have the 18^th pick, and I think that a trade is imminent. There are a lot of holes to fill this year and I can see Jerry wanting to trade down and get an extra pick.  But, I do see an offensive lineman in the first round and it maybe a certain Jonathon Cooper. More on that later this week.

·         While it’s depressing for the Mavs not to be in the playoffs, good news is you can root for a spoiler. If they Mavericks want any chance at landing Dwight Howard this summer, you better hope the arch rival Spurs take care of business versus a Kobe-less Lakers squad. A first round exit will surely spill disaster for Howard’s west coast plans.

·         The NBA playoff has started and I’m yawning already. Not that the teams are boring, but it’s clear to me and everyone who knows sports that the inevitable will happen. The Heat will repeat. Only the Spurs and Thunder have a small shot to win it against them and that’s still a pretty low chance. The Heat is clearly the best team and will steam roll its way to a second consecutive title.

·         Happy Birthday to the Quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, Tony Romo. Hopefully, that alone will inspire you on a playoff run?

Eh, while it didn’t totally make me feel better; it still was better than nothing.  Hopefully, things will look up, like maybe the Mavericks landing some big fish this summer and not chilling in the shark Tank. I’ll be watching Mark!

Easter Mash up

Ehsan Azad

Easter Mashup

                What an exciting Easter weekend for sports!  On a weekend where March Madness was supposed to be the center of the world, DFW sports stole the show with its very dramatic results.

·         Tony Romo’s new contract was the first big domino to fall this weekend and it created the most buzz. Sure the public knew a new contract was coming, but now that it finally arrived, it seems like fan reaction wasn’t too pleasing. Romo got a six-year 108 million dollar extension with 55 million guaranteed. That would come out to a total seven-year 119 million dollar contract.  Cowboy fans don’t worry about this being a robbery done by Romo. This is actually a great deal for both sides. It essentially is a 4 year deal worth 55 million. After that the team can then release, restructure, or let Romo retire without feeling any major impact on the cap. Pretty much, Romo has four years to get to the Promised Land or the Cowboys will end all ties. The only reason the contract is so long is that it helps spread out the cap hit, so again don’t worry.

·         While the Cowboys stole the show, The Dallas Mavericks quietly have found themselves very much alive in the chase for the final playoff spot. After a demoralizing loss vs. the Pacers, The Mavs had to win Saturday against the Chicago Bulls in order to keep pace with the Lakers and the Jazz. Midway through the fourth quarter, that looked very bleak. Nate Robinson looked like he was playing NBA2k13 hitting big threes and putting doubt into Dallas.  I guess the beards felt really itchy, because the Mavs go on a 15-1 run that included a dagger three by Dirk with just two seconds to go. Chicago frustrated that they lost a 12 point lead twice, hurried one final shot and the game was over. 100-98 was the final and Dirk looks like he has returned. The German Moses finished with 35 points and now has his team just a game and half behind the Jazz and the Lakers. They aren’t in yet, but they are making it very fun to watch.

·         So how do you cap off a wonderful Easter sports weekend? Oh that’s right, welcome Baseball back. The Texas Rangers opened the Season Sunday night against new AL west opponent the Houston Astros.  Questions about the Rangers ability to compete in the division were put on hold before the game because most thought that Rangers were still better than the raggedy Astros. The Astros, being new to the American League and all thought the best way to say hello was a thrashing of their in state rivals. 8-2 was the final and Matt Harrison and the Rangers bullpen could not last. The Rangers offense would have helped hit in more runs, but Josh Hamilton and Mike Napoli don’t play here anymore. Anyone who thinks this team is still capable of winning the division still needs to get off the ganja.

I would mention the Stars, but I rather not.  But they did loose Sunday as well.  So there was your Easter mash up, and boy was it delicious.  Till next time.