the pinjockey

From 2003 to 2004 Atlanta's offense improved 2.6 pts/gm (18.7 -> 21.3), but to be generous I will put them at 2.9 pts/gm difference by putting their average pts/gm last year at 18.4 (what they averaged in the 12 games Vick did not play). From 2003 to 2004 Atlanta's defense improved 5.3 pts/gm (26.4 -> 21.1). So basically, competent QB play over last year's Johnson/Kittner abortion would have a high chance of yielding similar results.

I think it is silly that they are that worried about the votes being private. If you can't back up your choice, you should not have a vote.

I feel bad for Carroll, then, as he appears to be taking a few too many shots. I don't know if anyone read Peter King today, but he already wants to declare him a first round bust. Carroll is in a situation way above his head as he should be no more than a nickel back at this point (thank McKenzie for that one).

Was this Carroll's rookie year?

Ok, just when you said a couple posts up that you have no problems with Vick getting votes it appeared you were agreeing with the arguement.

Their defense was loads better than last year Last year - 20th in pts. scored, 30th in pts. allowed This year - 16th in pts. scored, 14th in pts. allowed A lot more credit appears to lean toward the defensive side of the ball. Also Warrick Dunn stayed healthy all year and Alge Crumpler became a Pro Bowl tight end.

I would like to see who voted for Vick. Nice to see a 14/12 TD/INT ratio with 900 rushing yards and 3 TDs is worthy of an MVP vote.

Steelers - Not much explanation needed here. Best team in the league right now and the Jets do not have enough on offense to move the ball consistently on the Pitt. defense. Colts - With Law out, I do not think the Pats defense will be able to hold the Colts to less than 28 points and that should be enough to win. Falcons - I do not think much of Michael Vick, but I think even less of the Rams. The Falcons front seven should get good pressure and force Bulger into at least 3 picks. Eagles - In regards to the no TO means no offense arguement, the Eagles averaged 28 points a game in the last 10 games before Westbrook go hurt last season. The Vikings defense is terrible (sorry if taking advantage of Favre passing out INTs like candy doesn't impress me) and the Eagles have a heavy advantage in special teams.

Frank Gore (Miami, RB) declares for the draft. Apparently his mom is really sick and he needs to start providing for her. Makes sense, as it is silly to declare early as a RB in this draft, unless you really need to.

I still do not get this Lito Sheppard love that the national media gives. He is a very good player who still has moments where his youth shows and he gets burnt. In time could he be an AllPro? Sure, why not. But not yet. Especially with Jim Johnson calling less blitzes, the safeties (arguably the best pair in the league) have been helping out more than ever, unlike in the past where Eagles corners were always on islands.

Offensive POY: Peyton Manning Defensive POY: Ed Reed Offensive ROY: BenRo Defensive ROY: Jonathan Vilma Comeback POY: Drew Brees All-Pro team (ties can result in multiple players in positions (ex. 3 CBs)) Offense QB Peyton Manning, Colts RB Curtis Martin, Jets RB LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers RB William Henderson, Packers TE Antonio Gates, Chargers WR Terrell Owens, Eagles WR Mushin Muhammad, Panthers OT Walter Jones, Seahawks OT Willie Anderson, Seahawks OT William Roaf, Chiefs OG Alan Faneca, Steelers OG Brian Waters, Chiefs C Jeff Hartings, Steelers PK Adam Vinatieri, Patriots KR Eddie Drummond, Lions Defense DE Dwight Freeney, Colts DE Julius Peppers, Panthers DT Kevin Williams, Vikings DT Richard Seymour, Patriots OLB Takeo Spikes, Bills OLB Derrick Brooks, Bucs ILB James Farrior, Steelers ILB Ray Lewis, Ravens CB Ronde Barber, Bucs CB Champ Bailey, Broncos CB Lito Sheppard, Eagles S Ed Reed, Ravens S Brian Dawkins, Eagles P Shane Lechler, Raiders

Does the girlfriend really provide anything? At this point I am in San Fierro and am not going all the way back to the starting area unless she actually does something useful.

Roscoe Parrish (WR/PR, Miami) declared I am interested to see where he goes. He has certainly been a playmaker, but 5'9" 175 lbs. (likely generous measurements as well) is certainly not what teams look for these days.

Wasn't that the jumping point for the idea of exclusively warm weather areas for games as that was a disaster having the game during a blizzard making it impossible for people to get there?

That is the only thing I can think of, is that it was a condition of the stadium build. Otherwise, even if you were willing to go cold weather Detroit is still down on the list.

Also remember, that you are not talking about just the game anymore. The Super Bowl has become a week long event. So while you can play in bad weather, I doubt the parties and other events would be as attractive.

Maybe they want the Ed "the Falcons allowed the 30th most points before I arrived, 14th most my first year as DC" Donatell.

The thing with Favre is that they will rip him after a bad game, but as soon as he does something halfway decent the next week it becomes a lovefest again and the analysts (who were the ones to bring up the retirement point in the first place) start mocking people who thought he should think about retirement. It is just lazy sportscasting because it gives them a topic every few weeks to talk about. Heaven forbid they actually get deep into games or find decent stories.

I do agree that ESPN really does not blow the Pats, but I know Peter King sure as hell does. I think he had about 8 weeks in a row where the MMQB was about them.

At this point, I would not even guess who will be number one, because I do not think that the pick stays with SF.

No, it is just the order of who is the best prospect, not a mock draft.

Kiper's Top 25 from ESPN.com 1. Cedric Benson Sr. RB Texas 2. Ronnie Brown Sr. RB Auburn 3. Carnell Williams Sr. RB Auburn 4. Mike Williams Jr. WR USC 5. Dan Cody Sr. DT Oklahoma 6. Erasmus James Sr. DE Wisconsin 7. Derrick Johnson Sr. LB Texas 8. Travis Johnson Sr. DT Fla. St. 9. Braylon Edwards Sr. WR Michigan 10. Matt Roth Sr. DE Iowa 11. Alex Barron Sr. OT Fla. St. 12. Shaun Cody Sr. DL USC 13. Jammal Brown Sr. OT Oklahoma 14. Marcus Spears Sr. DE LSU 15. David Pollack Sr. DE Georgia 16. Antrel Rolle Sr. CB Miami 17. Charlie Frye Sr. QB Akron 18. Bryant McFadden Sr. CB Fla. St. 19. Adam Terry Sr. OT Syracuse 20. Mark Clayton Sr. WR Oklahoma 21. Carlos Rogers Sr. DB Auburn 22. Alex Smith Sr. TE Stanford 23. Mark Bradley Sr. WR Oklahoma 24. Marcus Johnson Sr. OG Ole Miss 25. Corey Webster Sr. DB LSU

I think he should take Chris Rix with the no. 5 pick. One more thing for the Eagles, is they need to draft a backup QB and not one of the Holmgren disciple sixth round project types. They need to use a third or fourth rounder on a Greene/White/LeFors level player.

Oh, there is no way that he falls all the way to Philly.

I don't know if he has declared yet though and with the depth at RB, I could see him going back for the senior year. It is funny reading the writeup on Arrington. It looks dead on like a writeup on Westbrook.