Welcome Future Rookie QBs

With the draft just little over a week away, I want to take a look at which future rookie Quarterback will have the most success with my projected team that I think they will go to. The countdown will start at the fifth projected successful quarterback and work its way down to the top.

5.) Connor Cook: Round 2 -Pick 34 Dallas Cowboy

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Connor Cook will need to sit behind veteran Tony Romo, where he will learn from one of the league recent stars. There is also the scenario that Romo gets injured and Cook takes over, just like Tom Brady did to Drew Bledsoe. Cook is one of the biggest competitors in this years QB class as it showed in his 3 years at Michigan State being the winningest quarterback in school history with a final record of 34-5. It will take Cook sometime to adjust to the NFL speed, but he will have the time to learn and develop before being the man down in Texas.

4.) Christian Hackenberg: Round 3-Pick 92 Arizona Cardinals

This may come as a surprise putting the Nittany Lion over Cook in this. However, nearly 2 years ago Hackenberg looked like a for sure lock as this years top pick in the draft. After Bill O'Brian left Penn State to take over the Houstan Texans, Hackenberg's production on the field dropped. The Cardinals will look to add a young quarterback to sit behind 36 year old Carson Palmer, who could retire within 2-3 years. I believe if Hackenberg is in the right system with an already developed roster that he will have what it takes to fight in a very competitive divison out in the NFC West.

3.) Jared Goff: Round 1-Pick 2 Philadelphia Eagles

The Browns decided to trade out of the second round in order to pick up more draft picks which was a smart idea because they need all the new talent to come from the draft. Eagles are looking to bring in competition to compete with Sam Bradford. Goff is the guy as the Rams take Wentz. The NFC East has been up and down so there is a legitimate chance that Goff can take the Eagles to the next level. The last time the Eagles held the number 2 pick they took Donovan McNabb, who took the Eagles to a Super Bowl. If history repeats itself, this trade up works out for the flying Eagles.

2.) Carson Wentz: Round 1-Pick 1 St. Louis Rams

The Rams traded away their bank account in draft picks to get their man from North Dakota. The working man will show everyone why he was worthy of the top pick in this years draft. The Rams have been on the lower half of the NFC West since 2003 where they took home the division title. However, they have been close to getting over the peak. In fact they have been one solid Quarterback away since wiffing on another 1st overall pick with Sam Bradford. This time they will strike big with Wentz. He is a 2x All American and led the Bison to 2 Championships where he was voted as the Most Valuable Player. Not to mention that he is an Academic All American too. He a smart young football player looking to take his career to the next level.

1.) Paxton Lynch: Round 1-Pick 31 Denver Broncos

The defending Super Bowl champs will take a young quarterback to come in and compete for the starting job under center. Even if he doesn't start from day 1 by the end of his first season he will be the man in mile high. The Bronco's system is easy. Don't turn the ball over, and let Von Miller and the boys do their thing. Lynch only threw 4 interceptions last year that proves he can get it done in this system. This will help Lynch gain confidence as the season goes on. In time he will become one of the better young QBs in this league. At 6'7 he reminds me of some guy who just won his 2nd ring last year on his way out of a Hall of Fame career.  Unlike Peyton Manning, Lynch is an athletic quick playmaker who can move a lot better than Manning. Like Manning though, he has the potential to take Denver to his career early and often, and a great chance to get some hardware on his hand.

Star Wars Mock Draft 2016

Outside of sports, one of my favorite activities is indoors watching movies and TV shows. My favorite movie franchise is Star Wars, and the newest movies, Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens, just came out on DVD. My past couple post and a big topic through the month of April is the NFL Draft (April 28-30). I want to combined the two and create a mock draft based on the NFL Ready Jedi Heros, Siths, and other key contributors to the Star Wars Universe. I'm going to give each character a position based on my own evaluation and assign them to a team based on their 2016 team draft needs. (Top 10 picks)

1.) Tennessee Titans: General Grievous, OT, Planet of Kalee

The four-armed Droid Commander will be hard to pass up for the Titans at the top pick. At 7'1" and 350lbs, he will do just fine against the top pass rushers in the league to help keep young signal caller Mariota healthy and on his feet. With four arms he can give help on blitz pickups while also defending his assignment on the edge.

2.) Cleveland Browns: Yoda, QB, Planet of Dagobah

Yoda told the press this week, "Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size do you? Well you should not for my ally is the Force. Powerful my ally is" Successful Super Bowl winning quarterbacks such as Drew Brees and Russell Wilson showed the league that height at the position is not a huge need. At 2'2", Yoda has the knowledge, experience, and ability to turn around a franchise that has needed a Grand Master under center for decades. With his wisdom and knowledge of the force, he will get the people around him up to speed quickly.

3.) San Diego Chargers: Darth Sidious, S, Planet of Naboo

The Emperor is a defensive leader that will fill the hole that the Charger's leader of the defense left when leaving to join the Ravens. Darth Sidious has big play making ability, and can blow up a whole offense with his play. Another major benefit of being Emperor is that it will be easy to find a new home for his new team, just in case San Diego doesn't workout for the Chargers.

4.) Dallas Cowboys: Chewbacca: DE/DT, Planet of Kashyyyk

Dallas needs to find replacements on their defensive front. Why not add the biggest beast in the draft to disrupt offensive lines. At 7'6" and 450 pounds, Chewie plays as fast just as much as he is strong. He has an incredible reach which will make it hard for opposing QBs to throw over him on quick routes. The Cowboys could also use a large redzone threat for Romo to throw up to or block a la Houston Texans with JJ Watt.

5.) Jacksonville Jaguars: Darth Maul, LB, Planet of Dathomir

Darth Maul is a humbled, proven defense of man who will prove quickly why he is worth the top pick in this draft. He has the ability to shred blocks and is quick enough to get pass a single man coming his way. He has great potential to become a true leader of the defense, as long as he can stay healthy without any major set backs.

6.) Baltimore Ravens: Rancor, OG/OT, Planet of Dathomir

Back to back Dathomirians go off the board at this pick. At 16 feet tall, he will bring a solid wall on either side of the line. The only thing holding the Rancor back, is his speed and brains. Rancor's film shows that if you hit him with a little shake and bake, he will fall for it and let defenders slip through. This is why he may be a better fit as an interior lineman where he will face stronger slower defenders rather than elite fast pass rushers.

7.) San Francisco 49ers: Luke Skywalker, QB, Tatooine

The 49ers need to find a new young play maker under center. Skywalker will have the ability to grow into a true leader after he gets over a few speed pumps early on in his career. He is a second generation player that has learned how to play from some of the best in the business. He will make the players around him rally with him which will bring a new evolution to the 49ers' offense.

8.) Philadelphia Eagles: Han Solo, RB, Planet of Corellia

Solo is a proven smuggler on the run. He has the ability to shake off defenders, and find the endzone on any run. This is the type of play that the Eagles need, and the only way they don't get their man is if someone trades up to get the great runner before them. He will be a great side kick for who ever plays under center in 2016 for Philly.

9.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mace Windu, DE, Haruun Kal

Mace Windu is one of the meanest players in this years draft class. He has big play ability, but struggles with double teams. He is suited as a great edge rusher with the chances to go one on one with opposing tackles. The Bucs won't need to worry about character issues as he is one of the smartest of the bunch in this draft. He is better with his hands than most in this class which will help on the edge.

10.) New York Giants: Jango Fett, WR, Concord Dawn

The Giants could look to add a high flying wide receiver to pair up with Odell Beckham. Jango Fett's film shows that he has the ability to compete with some of the league's better players. The only thing is that he is not ready to turn into a number one receiver right off the back. He will need time to learn and work on his route running, but once he works out that he will turn into an elite due with OBJ.

Feel free to comment on whether you agree with positions that I assigned, if you believe the character fit the team, or anything you would like.

The Half Second Shot that Put Nova on Top

Moments after North Carolina's Marcus Paige hit an unreal out of balance 3 pointer to tie the national championship game up at 74 a piece, that Villanovas Kris Jenkins tossed the ball to their best shooter, Ryan Arcidiacono, with 4.7 seconds left to play. From 70 feet out, the final buzzer beater shot came off a flip from Arcidiacono to Jenkins. With a half second left in the game the ball flew through the air building on to the suspense of what is being called the greatest college basketball championship ending of all time. It wasn't a life or death shot, but if it went in they were champions. Jenkins said after the game, "When Arch threw me the ball it was one, two step, shoot em' up, and sleep in the streets." 

While the ball was in the air, many emotions rushed through the building and in the nation. A perfect shot to end a perfect game was the end result, and the nation was quick to react to it. A common meme theme throughout social media was pictures and videos of North Carolina great, Micheal Jordan, with his famous tears picture. Other videos and pictures were captured of the security guard on the court reacting to Jenkins shot with almost the perfect stunned reaction. Another reaction was of Charles Barkley jumping around the set, and going wild for Nova's victory. Sports Analysis, Rich Eisen, tweeted "That's exactly what you grow up dreaming about on the playground." I can speak from my personal childhood, that kids practice the "Three. Two. One... Crowd goes wild" approach. Many others reached out to congratulate and comment on the game over social media, and many labeled it the best college basketball finish of all time. 

So the big question was it the greatest college basketball finish of all time? Well, Villanova became the first team to win the national championship off a buzzer-beater since N.C State defeated Houston 54-52, in 1983. That came 4.7 seconds after UNC senior guard Marcus Paige hit an acrobatic clutch 3 point shot that tied the game up. The reaction from that throughout the building resulted in chaos. With two clutch shots coming back to back, how can this ending not be one of the greatest ever. Most analyst did not give Nova a chance in this game. With 12:46 remaining in the second half, Nova sophomore guard Phil Booth made a three that gave them a 49-46 lead. After that, the Tar Heels never regained the lead. In my mind, the underdog #2 seed Wildcat's finish to top the #1 seed Tar Heels was one of the greatest finishes that I have ever seen in a championship game. If you can argue against it I would love for your thoughts in the comment, but if you watched the game and reactions itd be hard to argue.