NBA Draft Ridiculousness

The NBA is amazing television. From amazing superstars, to dramatic buzzer beaters, excellent post-game interviews....everything about the NBA is greatness. But it's so flawed in so many ways, and none more than the ridiculousness of the Draft Lottery. We focus on that today, as the NBA Finals gets under way, and focuson on the history of the Lottery System, and ways the NBA should change this immediately.

The Lottery System was started in 1990, when the league switched from the ever so scrutinzed envelope system to the ping pong ball system. Before that, it was a coin flip system that was an absolute joke and most believe even that was a scam as Olajuwon was drafted by the Houston Rockets from the University of Houston. The Rockets averaged 43.5 wins from 1978 to 1983, when most believed the "invented" the tanking season, so they would have a chance to draft Olajuwon with the #1 overall pick. The Rockets only won 14 games in '82-'83 and won the rights to draft him. He would eventually lead them to 4 Conference Finals titles, and 2 NBA titles, and a HOF career, and arguably the best defensive Center since Bill Russell.

Starting in 1985 the NBA reacted to the accusations of fraud in the system and went to a more diverse system where they used envelopes to draw from the worst 3 teams in the league, to determine the 1st - 3rd overall picks; the remaining picks were lined up according to Win-Loss records. However, most argue and most will agree that it was still fixed when the rights to draft Patrick Ewing from Georgetown, fell to the New York Knicks. Everyone knows that the Knicks, Lakers, Celtics rule the ratings empire within the NBA and this made a logical choice as the Knicks had been a joke since the early '70's. Starting in 1990, the ping pong ball system we know today was implemented...but was that the right move, or just add to the debate of fraud and a set up system? The debate of the "frozen envelope" still rages to this day and though Ewing never led NY to a title, he is considered one of the most dominant big men of the 80's and 90's and one of the Top 20 players of all time.

Now here is where the fun and nonsense starts:

In 1990, with the start of the draft lottery system, the #1 pick went to the New Jersey Nets. Though he didn't become the dominant PF of the 90's as he was predicted, Derrick Coleman was a beast in college and some believe it was set up again that he went to the Nets to help balance out the power in the Eastern Conference (if you remember, the Pistons, Celtics and Bulls were dominants teams then).

In 1991, with the 3 yr old teams in Charlotte and Miami, and doing nothing to help ratings, the league "awards" the 1st overall  pick so they can draft Larry Johnson. The big, powerful, uber-talented PF from UNLV. He would quickly become a dominant force to be reckoned with in this league.

1992-the Magic had been a joke since joining the NBA in 1989, so it was finally time to 'reward' them. They "win" the lottery and get the rights to draft SHAQ. You may have heard of hm? He may have only played there 4 years, but he quickly became the face of the league and led the team to the Finals.

1993-the league must really like what Shaq can do with ratings, and with MJ retiring, I guess they felt the need to have star power in the Eastern Conference. They award them the #1 pick again, to draft Michigan supestar Chris Webber (they are idiots though and quicly trade him away). Could you have imagined a team with Penny, Webber, Nick Anderson and Shaq? They keep that team, Shaq never goes to LA.

1994-who knew the league still had a team in Milwaukee. No one knew then, or does today. Which is why the league gave them the rights and hoped it would transform their team. It didn't. Glen "Big Dog" Robinson had a great nickname, great moves in the post and star power...but never really became the name in the NBA liked they hoped.

1995-with the Rockets winning back to back titles, and the balance of power shifting to the Western Conference, the league awards the #1 pick to Golden State who then take Joe Smith. Good role player, but never really helped balance out the league.

1996-Shaq is going to LA and the league needs star power in the East. How about Allen Iverson to the 76ers? Perfect fit for a team in desperate need of a lift.

1997-you'll love this one. At this point, the San Antonio Spurs were a nightmare. Sure they had David Robinson, and he was great for the city, and a perfect ambassador for the game...but they needed somethign else. Here's Tim Duncan for you and this should help combat the 8 titles in 10 years by the Eastern Conference. Small market. low ratings? Let's give that city something to get behind 100% and follow in depth and bring storylines and marketability to a small market.

1998-Shaq & Kobe in LA? Well maybe M.Oluwakandi (hahahhaha) could help the other LA team. It doesn't. But hey, the NBA can only do so much. The teams still have to scout and coach well.

1999-Jordan retires, Pippen leaves, Jackson goes to LA. The Bulls win the lottery and get to choose Elton Brand of Duke. Not the impact they had hoped and envisioned, but was supposed to.

2000-The NJ Nets were a joke of a franchise and giving them the #1 pick to take Cincy's Kenyon Martin was supposed to bring some fanfare and maketability. He helped them get to back to back Finals appearances and did bring back respectability to that franchise.

2001-MJ is in the front office with the Wizzards, let's give them the #1 pick as a thank you for what Jordan had done for the league. Too bad they blew it on Kwame Brown and missed out on: Tyson Chandler, Jason Richardson, Shane Battier, Joe Johnson, and oh, some guy named Tony Parker. Again, the league's front office can only help so much.

2002-Houston kept basketball in the limelight with Jordan's absense in the mid '90's. Let's repay them and give them the #1 pick to take Yao Ming. You put him with Steve Francis and Cuttion Mobley and Glen Rice? That's a pretty solid roster.

2003-And this is the year that is compared to 1985 and the shenanigans and rumors are flooding the Internet. Cleveland has been a joke of a sports town for decades and there hasn't been a major sports title there in 50+ years. How do you help them out? How about the next great player, who just happens to be from Akron, 20 minutes away?

2004-The league still feels bad for the Magic as they lost Shaq to the Lakers; Penny to injury and have been a joke since the mid 90's. Let's give them the next great Center to come in the league: Dwight Howard.

2005-It's time to help out the Bucks again. But again, as all too common, they drop the ball and take Andrew Bogut???

2006-This young, up and coming team had Chris Bosh, Jose Calderon and TJ Ford. With down attendance and hits against the city and fanbase, they needed something big for this team after losing Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter recently. Let's help them out and give them the #1 pick. Too bad they dropped the ball and take Andrea Bargnani???

2007-The Western Conference is legit so teams are falling behind. We give the #1 pick to Portland and they drastically fail by taking Oden over Durant. Oops.

2008-Where have Chicago Bulls been since the glory days of the 90's? They had averaged 19 wins a year in the 6 years after the "legends" left. Then they won 47, 41, 49 and seemed to be up and coming. What would it take to help get them to prominance? A superstar in Derrick Rose.

2009-Again, with all the hoopla around the success of the LA Lakers, we help out the Clippers. They don't fail this time and take Blake Griffen. Even though he sits out his entire 1st year, he has developed into the superstar we all knew he would.

2010-John Wall to the Wizzards after the fiasco of G.Arenas and Crittenton.

2011-Feel bad for the Cavs? I mean LeBron deserted them for Miami and left them with nothing. Let's give them Kyrie Irving to re-build around.

2012-The NBA owned the New Orleans Hornets and needed to sell. They traded Chris Paul and had nothing else there. Let's get them someone to market around: Anthony Davis of Kentucky; they sell the team to the Saints' owner (Benson).

This shows a trend over 20+ years that the league has a huge investment in each team. There is a reason why they play 82 games, and then 4 rounds of playoffs with 7 game series. They need the ratings, attendance and marketability of each franchise, even the small market ones. You do that by trying to push parity as much as you can and try to alleviate dynastys. With all the new hoopla regarding players "teaming" up like the Heat, Celtics...they need to find a way to combat that and give teams a chance that no player wants to go to: Bucks, Cavaliers, Wizzards, Bobcats, Pelicans. NBA players want to play in NY, LA, Miami, etc. Here is how you fix that, with changes to the draft, and we will save the contract and free agency changes to another day.

1)Get rid of the lottery all together. You are the only franchise that has it, and it's a joke. You pick like you play: worst team picks first and all the way to the NBA Champion picking last at #30. You want to lose games to get the best pick? OK. Who cares. You're attendance will suffer, sponsorship dollars will go down and that is on you. Not to mention, it's hard to get a coach to buy into that.

2)You have 5 rounds of the Draft, and High School players are eligible. If you can go to war at age 17, you can go start your NBA career. However, I don't care if you are the next Kobe or LeBron, you MUST play 1 year in the NBA DL. This will help you mature physically and mentally. Also, having 5 rounds enables teams to take "flyers" and "risks" on European players, and high school players they can develop over time.

3)Have the Draft after the season is officially over. Why do you have it in June when players don't become free agents or can opt out until July 1st? Makes no sense.


Jason S. Vicknair

Texas Rangers Baseball Talk-Vol. 1

This is an open letter to all "REAL" Texas Ranger fans.

Be patient, and let's see how this season unfolds. The Rangers have played in Arlington for 42 years, since moving here from Washington DC in 1971. We have made the playoffs 6 times only. That is right, only 6 times in 42 years, or on average, once every 7 years. This is baseball folks, and it's hard to win consistently in this game. We remember the great teams (Steroid Squad) of the late '90's. But I think we can all agree that we became a national team as of late 2009 when Josh Hamilton really took off in the minds of the media. As of 2010, well, I think that is when we really started to become a household name and every kid from Burkburnett, TX to Metarie, LA wanted the blue baseball cap with the capital "T."

Josh Hamilton, Mikey Young, Ian Kinsler were all pretty well known. But we had pitching, defense and the antics of Ron Washington. People nationally really liked this team, but people in Texas, LOVED this team. For us true fans, we had seen our share of bad games, bad attendance, and miserable losing streaks. It was hard to enjoy a game, even as a kid, in the old, ridiculous, barely a high school type stadium of Arlington Stadium. But I always loved my Rangers, no matter what. I didn't care what the record was, or that I had to watch them lose in 100 degrees for 3 months of the season, I only cared about the red, white & blue. The capital T and they were my team, no matter what. But we all know things soon changed and this became a new team, a new city for the most part.

My 11 year old son does not understand what we went through with this team, for so many years. He's a huge baseball fan and with our success in 2010-1011, he just assumed that was common. But he, along with millions of others who jumped on the Rangers Wagon, need to fully understand something: this is a hard game to win, and be a constant winner at. It takes numerous things to happen to build a perennial winner, and I'm not even talking about a World Series title. I'm merely talking about A)staying atop your division through summer; B)being in contention to win aforementioned division in September; C)consistenly having depth and players coming up from Single A to Triple A and eventually the Majors.

We are seeing in 2014, though still a young season, what many have thought a problem with the Rangers: we have tons of young talent, but NOT enough MLB ready to compete at a high level for a whole season. I want to look at a few things the Rangers have done in the last couple years, and things they could have done differently, that I think would have changed this team.

1)We trade Ian Kinsler for Prince Fielder: though it made sense to get rid of the pop ups, the .270-.290 hitting with constant strikeouts for a legitimate superstar, and move Profar over, taking on a $168M contract was a very bad move. You refused to pay Josh Hamilton more than $20M a year, and wouldn't ante up a bit more to keep Cliff Lee, why'd this make sense?
**Move Instead-traded Kinsler to the Yankees after Cano leaves for 2 pitching prospects, $10M and a hand shake. This would have allowed you to be more competitive in the pitching market and more flexible over the next 4-7 years.

2)Sign Shin Soo Choo: 7 yrs/$130/M; basically $20M a year for a solid defender, .300 hitter, possible 20+ HR guy? I don't think so. I would have taken Nelly Cruz at 3 yrs/$45M. Still gives us a power hitter, and again, flexibility in the next few years. Take the other $4-8M and find a solid, but not great RF defender.

3)Rotation: nothing to say here because they did NOTHING. Sure, blame it on the injury bug and all of that. Whatever. The issue is they did the exact opposite of what teams like the Braves, A's, and Indians have done and the Rangers brass listened to the media too much. "Best farm system in the game." Blah. "Solid pitching prospects, near MLB ready." Really?

My issue with this season is that we had all these expectations, but don't see how the "experts" didn't see the RED FLAGS all over the place. One injury can't ruin a season. Even two. But lack of game ready starters and MLB talent ready for the long grind of a 162 game season will hurt you bad. I'm not saying it's time to throw in the towel and focus on 2015. But we have really hamstrung ourselves with the Choo and Fielder contract. What happens with Profar, Darvish and soon Beltre? We keep trying to do the "Quick Fix" and it's only hurting us more. Right now, there is talk of trading some of our top 5 prospects for a MLB veteran. Who that is, we don't know. But after Clif Lee and Matt Garza both bolted, is this really the best move? Even with our offense at full strength, we are still not hitting right and pitching would still be killing us. In the end it seems everyone is trying to give the Rangers a pass because of the injuries to all these players, but why is it that the A's are there contending still without a BIG name starter or offensive stud?

We have to do better and quit trying to get that "1 player who will put us over the top." It doesn't work that way, never has, and probably never will. Baseball is a process and you have to have players with experience come up, build them your way, and have them ready to step in and help when called. Quit trading players away (Adrian Gonzalez, J.Smoak, M.Olt, before you have a true plan). I honestly think at this point, because J.Daniels helped get us to 2 World Series, his head got big and he thinks he's a genius and can do no wrong. That is false. I hate they pushed out Nolan Ryan and don't see how that helped at all. This team has won nothing yet, and it doesn't look like that will change this year or next.



Now with all that said, I love my Rangers, and hope the fans we gathered from 2010 and on will stay with us. This is a beautiful game and I believe there is tons of potential with this organization. I like JD, but do think he needs to take a full step back and go back to basics and make sound decisions for a 2, 4, 6, 10+ year run. Quit trying to "band-aid" the issues with a trade that doesn't help or a FA signing that hampers you long term.

Draft Time: Best Picks Ever?

This is by far one of the most exciting days on the NFL calendar. From the time your team loses their 7th or 8th game, or when the final second ticks off the Super Bowl clock, this is what we wait for. Sure there is the Combine, Free Agency and small off-season moves....but this is what football fans love the most.

It's a new beginning, where that one or two players can make a huge impact. Kids can determine what new jersey they want to for their birthday or Christmas. Your QB and Middle LB can see what new players will be added to their team and start planning out with the coaches how they'll be used. Owners can start thinking about marketing around them, stadiums put up the new posters of them...and so much more than just adding a player to the payroll. Dreams are made, tears are shed, families from rough pasts become immediately jolted to social elite status. It's an amazing time and though it's more commercialized than ever, and 80% of us hate that it's now spread over 3 days in May...we accept it, and will turn in to follow like our wives addicted to "The Voice" or "The Bachelor."

In keeping with the Draft's mystique and all the aura around it, I've come up with the Top 5 BEST EVER selections for each round, in the history of the NFL. I've taken into account value (where they were selected in that round), their career in stats & production, meaning to that team, and their impact on the NFL. (Remember to take into effect the Draft used to be 25 rounds, then 12, and only went to 7 rounds in 1994). These are the best 5 picks by round, no particular stacking order.

1st Round: Dan Marino (27th pick-1983); Jack Youngblood-DE (20th pick-1971); E.Smith-RB (17th pick-1990, All Time Leading Rusher); Jerry Rice-WR (16th pick-1985; nothing else to say about him); and then take your pick between Ronnie Lott, John Elway, Peyton or Aikman or even Deion Sanders-arguably the best at their positions EVER.

2nd Round: Jack Lambert-LB (46th pick); Singletary-LB (38th pick-1981); Larry Allen-G/T (46th pick-1994; BEAST); Favre-QB (33rd pick-1991; ya, he was pretty good); Howie Long-DE (48th-1981)

3rd Round: this is where Super Bowls are won. I know the 1st round has the "sexy" picks and that is where all the pub goes, and the players who bring the media power in; however, the 3rd-5th rounds is where you cand find not only very important depth, but hidden gem superstars. The list: Joe Montana-QB (you may have heard of him, 82nd pick-1979); F.Tarkenton-QB (actually drafted as a WR but became HOFer for the Vikings, 29th pick in 1961); T.O.-WR (yes, he makes the list. He learned how to keep his mouth shut & be a team player, he's the greatest of all time; 89th pick-1996); Ray Nitschke-LB (36th pick-1958); Mel Blount-CB (53rd pick-1970)

4th Round: Charles Haley-DE (96th pick-1986; only player to win 5 SB's); Steve Largent-WR (117th-1976); Charlie Joiner-WR (93rd-1969; one of the most durable & successful WR's in history); Harry Carson-LB (105th-1976); Jared Allen-DE (126th-2004; 128 sacks and counting in 10 season, not bad for a "too small DE" out of college).

5th Round: Larry Centers-FB (115th-1990, best catching FB in history of the game); Rodney Harrison-S (145th-1994); Herschel Walker-RB (114th-1985; changed the Cowboys history by being part of the largest & most lopsided trade in history in 1989); Mike Webster-C (125th-1974; 4 time SB Champ; this is where you find your Center for a decade, not in the 1st Rd); Zach Thomas-LB (154th-1996; true leader of the Dolphins, All Decade Team 2000's); Hardy Nickerson-LB (122nd-1987; became the leader for the Bucs and led them out of purgatory; All Decade of the 90's).

6th Round: It gets a little harder in the 6th and 7th. Most teams now are happy with their drafts and let off a bit. But this is where you can set your teams up to have flexibility in free agency. Finding low round gems who can blossom and low cap hits for 2-5 years. Greatest ever 6th Round pick? It's not even close, Tom Brady-QB (199th-2000; resume speaks for itself, a Top 10 QB ever); Terrelle Davis-RB (Broncos took a flyer on him in '95 and he rushed them & Elway to Back to Back SB's; 2K yard season as well in '98); Jay Novacek-TE (1985 selection and helped Dallas win big in the 90's); Cato June-LB (2003).

7th Round: The best ever in the 7th round? Pretty easy choice to take Shannon Sharpe-TE (#192-1990; helped the Broncos dominate in the 90's and then moved on to the 'new' Ravens and ended up with 3 SB's and 10K+ yards; Gary Anderson-K (171st-1982; made two All Decade Teams; this is where you draft a K to develop, not in the 3rd-5th rounds); M.Colston-WR (#252 in '06; 600+ recs, 8300+ yds in 8 yrs); Donald Driver-WR (#213 in '99; very solid career, and possible HOF due to numbers-743 recs and 10K+ yds in 14 seasons); Tom Nalen-C (#218 in '94; another solid argument about finding your decade long Center in late rounds; anchored the Broncos for 15 yrs).

So there you have it folks, the best picks in each round. There are some arguments to have for sure, as the game has changed and my thoughts are a bit different in that regard:

-I wouldn't want to take a WR in the 1st round unless a Megatron is there; you can find value in the 2nd and 3rd rounds and develop stars (Vikings, Cowboys, Lions)

-I wouldn't take a QB unless Peyton is there in the 1st round, IF you are a team coming off a 10-16 LOSS season; they may get you 2-3 wins, but you have too many holes to fill (Browns, Jags, Texans)

-I'm not a big fan of taking a LT or RT in the Top 15 picks, unless you can be sure you are getting your franchise blind side protector for 12 years (Dolphins, Raiders) AND you have somebody worth protecting

-NEVER, and I repeat NEVER take a RB in the 1st round, unless the game changes. Too many good backs coming out of college where you can find value in the 2nd-4th rounds and find the next T.Davis or M.Turner or C.Portis.

Please visit my full website at: www.victorysportshuddle.com



*Thanks to www.BleacherReport.com and www.FoxSports.com for insight and good reads.

Dear Jerry Jones

Dear Jerry,
We first want to say thank you for being an amazing owner the past 25 years. I think too many people forget how bad this franchise was in trouble in 85-89 and going nowhere fast. We had aging players, an aging stadium that didn't make or bring in any additional revenue, and no star power other than Hershel Walker & a rookie in '88 with huge potential named Mike Irvin. So we give a big thanks to you for helping the team grow into a $2B enterprise, a revenue streaming monster, a media magnet and the most amazing stadium in the world, by far.

Now enough of that kind sir. You need to be an owner. A Bob Kraft if you will. A Rooney. An owner who throw's lavish parties in his stadium suites, hangs out with politicians and keeps the revenue coming in with savvy business moves and take a back seat to the thing you say you care about the most: YOUR team, the Dallas Cowboys.

You are single handedly RUINING this once proud franchise. Your stubbornness and egotistical ways have brought us so far down that it may take another 20 years for this to get corrected. We get it, you played football at Arkansas, won a National Championship; you were part of a team that helped win 3 Super Bowls in 4 years. But you made millions, upon millions in the oil business. Did you have to help build the derrick and climb the rig? No. Step aside and let a football man do the behind the scenes work and build a team the correct way. You have this innate desire to try and "show" the world and the rest of the NFL execs that YOU can build a team and win...without Jimmy...but you cannot. I'm sorry. You're not a football guy in that regard.

I know you're mad reading this. I get it. But Cowboys Nation adores you for what you have meant ot the blue star and everything you have helped this team do over the past 25 years. You have charisma, charm, a personality the size of DFW, and love to flaunt your money. But you don't know talent and don't know how to truly BUILD a team. There is a reason the Patriots have had continuous success for 14 years running now. They built a team and stuck with that blueprint.

You keep trying to hit a homerun in the draft or free agency and it's killing this team even more. Let's take a look at YOUR drafts the past 7 years, the year after Parcells walked away because he couldn't handle your pestering ways.

2007-Anthony Spencer, James Marten, Isaiah Stanback, Doug Free, Nick Folk, Deon Anderson, Courtney Brown, Alan Ball
*Spencer & Free have had solid careers, but nothing out of the ordinary. Safe to say you missed on all the others.
**Should have took: Joe Staley in 1st; Charles Johnson (DE) in the 3rd
2008-You had two 1st RD picks & blew them both (F.Jones & M.Jenkins). You should have traded out of the 1st to stock pile picks in the 2nd & 3rd of this & next years draft. Yout took Marty B in the 2nd (why when you had Witten), when you could have got D.Jackson and/or Ray Rice.
*Only Scandrick is still on the roster by the way
2009-You acn consider this the worst draft in Cowboys history. You had 12 picks total, 0 in the 1st or 2nd rounds because of your ridiculous trade for WR Roy Williams. None of these players are on the roster today, nor did they do anything for this team.
*You could have had: Mike Wallace, Lardarius Webb, or even Henry Melton who you just signed as a FA.
**Side note: you took a 2nd kicker for the team (Buehler) in the 5th and passed on the following-Jason Mccourty and Captain Munnerly, which our defense would have loved.
2010-D.Bryant,S.Lee and that's about it. But solid picks in this draft. But you keep dropping the ball by only having 5-7 picks a year. This team needs depth, and you need to hit at least every other year on the 4th-6th round picks.
2011-2013: By this time, your drafts have saddled this team and we had 22 picks in a 3 year span. When you should have traded down and added value and picks, you trade up for your infamous "game changer" player drafted. Yup, it sells jerseys and tickets, but doesn't help us win games. In '11 we got T.Smith & D.Murray, great picks. But nothing else after (unless D.Harris can be solid contributer on offense). In 2012 we got Mo Claiborne (gave up way too much) and....NOTHING else. In 2013 we got a 10 year center, great. But in the 1st round? Then you took another TE in the 2nd round, epic fail with these, and again, NOTHING else.

This is just draft talk by the way. We didn't even mention drafts in the '96-'03 seasons. This doesn't even begin your epic failures regarding trades regarding Joey Galloway & Roy Williams. That is four #1 picks we should have, still on this roster. But no. You blew that too. You've overpaid players after minimal success (Miles Austin, Doug Free, Marion Barber, etc). You have consistently made very bad choices since 1996. Shockingly, that is the year the cookie started to crumble as the team that JIMMY built was all but gone.

We love you Jerry. But more, we love this team. We love OUR Dallas Cowboys. We want our team back, and in good hands. Do yourself and your family a favor, step down as General Manager immediately. Hire a lifelong football man (Polian, Holmgren, Casserly) to be the GM, and let them do it THEIR way. You can then sit back and reap the benefits and fill your trophy case.

Unless all you care about is raking in tons of money for about a 10 more years, and TRYING your damndest to win "your way." But I assure you, fans will eventually walk away from the exhorbitant prices. I promise you that.


From a very concerned, lifelong Cowboys fan.

Browns & Texans GM for the day!

To Cleveland and Houston fans:
There is hope, there is time, there is potential, and I am here to help make this the most successful off-season in each of your team's history. Follow me and take a ride as I manage the moves for this year's 2014 NFL Draft....from my couch, and do a much better job than their front office execs could ever imagine.

To Jimmy Haslam of the Brown, and Bob McNair of the Texans:
I'm in mortgage, have no NFL experience, have never thrown a football over 40 yards, can't run the 40 in less than 5.5 seconds, and I still get awe struck by meeting Troy Aikman, Jason Witten and Tony Romo. I'm lucky if I get to go to 1 Cowboys game a year because the prices are incredulous and I have kids to make it even more costly. I've NEVER been in a draft war room, or been inside the mind of Gil Brandt. I haven't even seen the new football movie "Draft Day." But, I could do better than your GM and VP of Football Operations in this year's draft, and I guarantee that. Please see below and I'll be waiting with my resume.


Houston Texans draft selections:                                   Cleveland Browns draft selections:
1st Round-#1 overall                                                       1st Rd-4th & 26th
2nd Rd-33rd                                                                    2nd Rd-35th
3rd Rd-65th                                                                     3rd Rd-71st & 83rd 
4th Rd-101st                                                                    4th-106th & 127th
5th Rd-141st                                                                    5th-145th
6th Rd-177th & 181st                                                      6th-180th
7th Rd-216th & 256th                                                      7th-218th

The Texans have 9 picks this year; the Browns have 10 picks. Even if they each got the best player in this draft, and next year, they still won't have success in the playoffs, and probably wouldn't even make it. I think we can all agree that both teams need a QB...in the worst way. But Johnny Awesome or even Tom Brady can't win a Super Bowl with the way these teams are made right now. The Texans have talent, just need a few missing pieces and they can win the division. They have great players on both sides of the ball, but they can become a dominant defense in the AFC South and demolish teams if they draft right; the Browns need help all around, but starting to get better. But they play in a very tough division and need a bone rattling D to finally best the Bengals and Steelers and Ravens for the AFC North...a superstar QB and/or WR will not change that. Here is what I have in mind for both teams to help each other out:

Trade #1
Texans GET:
Browns #4 overall pick (1st rd)
Browns #71st pick (3rd rd)
Browns 145th pick (4th rd)

Browns GET #1 overall pick
(The Browns then draft J.Clowney to address a few things: 1)a brand name, jersey seller, & somebody to bring excitment AND performance to that city & team; 2)brings a much needed edge and pass rush to an already really good defense...they go from Top 10 to Top 5 immediately)

Trade #2
Texans GET:
Cardinals #20 overall pick (1st rd)
Cardinals #52 overall pick (2nd rd)
Cardinals 2nd & 4th rounder in 2015

Cardinals GET:
Texans #4 overall pick
(Cardinals then draft Bridgewater or Broyles or Manziel-who cares really though? Let them keep thinking that's all they need to win)

Trade #3
Texans GET:
49ers 30th overall pick (1st rd)
49ers 61st overall pick (2nd rd)

49ers GET:
Texans 20th overall pick (1st rd)-they'll draft WR

That's a lot of wheeling and dealing for the Texans, but it can happen, and here's what they have now:
1st RD: 30th overall
2nd RD: 33rd, 52nd, 61st
3rd RD: 65th,71st
4th RD: 101st,145th
And their other picks they already had.

Here is what the Browns then need to do, after taking Clowney:
Browns GET:
Redskins 34th overall
Redskins 102nd overall

Redskins GET:
Browns 26th overall

The Redskins want to get in the 1st rd to appease fans, good for the Browns as they can get an some much needed depth with this 2nd and 4th rounder added. Here is what the Browns have now:

1st-#1 overall
2nd-34th & 35th overall picks
3rd-83rd overall
4th-102nd, 106th, 127

Here is how to use the picks they have, take notes GM's and office execs.
TEXANS:
30th-Dee Ford-DE (Auburn)
33rd-Morgan Moses-OT (Virginia)
52nd-Lamarcus Joyner-CB (Florida State)
61st-Jimmy Garapollo-QB (Eastern Illinois); just ask Jon Gruden, Romo & Sean Payton their thoughts.
65th-Jeremy Hill-RB (LSU)
71st-Paul Richardson-WR (Colorado)
*Use the remaining picks on defense to add depth for OLB, DE, CB

BROWNS:
1st-J.Clowney-Beast Position (S.Carolina)
34th-Jordan Matthews-WR (Vandy)
35th-Jason Verrett-CB (TCU)
83rd-Aaron Murray-QB (Georgia)
102nd-Andrew Williams-RB (Boston College)
106th-C.J. Fiedorowicz-TE (Iowa)
127th-Shane Skov-ILB (Stanford)

Will this guarantee a division title? Maybe, maybe not. But it sets these teams up for long term success and has them ready to compete right away. I don't think drafting a Top 5 QB will help right away and I truly believe Garrapollo and Murray are going to have great success in the NFL. You also are adding top notch depth players and helping your team out for a nice 2-10 year run.

**Big thanks to CBS Sports for the draft rankings and insight. They are the best when it comes to NFL power rankings and draft status.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings

Elite RB's: to have, or not to have

You don't need this guy to win a Super Bowl. You don't need a 1st round draft pick, stud, 6'3" 220 lb, 4.3 40 running beast to win one either. You can do just fine drafting one in the 3rd, 4th or even 5th round.

 

Before you get bent out of shape, let me first drop some knowledge. Yes, Adrian Peterson and LeSean McCoy are absolute BEASTS with the ball in their hands. They are the best RB's in the league right now, sell a ton of jerseys, make a lot of money, have the shoe deals, and the smiles franchises like. And they will NEVER win a Super Bowl.

 

Peterson has over 10,000 yards rushing, 1,600+ receiving in 7 seasons in the NFL. He's averaged 1,687 yds from scrimmage each season, which is ridiculous. McCoy, in only 5 seasons, has amassed a grand total of 7,600 yds, or 1,520 each per season. They are both electrifying, studs for fantasy football owners, and make there teams better. But again, they'll never win a Super Bowl.

 

Peterson was drafted in the 1st Rd, 7th overall out of OU. McCoy was drafted in the 2nd Rd, 53rd overall. And according to Spotrac (www.spotrac.com), Peterson will count $14.4M this year, McCoy $9.7M, towards their team's cap this year, by far #1 and #2 respectively in the league. This won't help them win a Super Bowl.

 

There has been 22 different RB's in the last 35 years (1978 season was the first with 16 game schedule) lead the NFL in rushing. In this same time frame, there has been a RB rush over 2,000 yards only 6 times. Those were magical, fun to watch, and climatic seasons. They didn't win anything other than a cool trophy and a extra add to their signature on a football helmet. From 1978 until 1992, running the ball to control the game, win games, and win big games....just didn't go together. The 80's were controlled by the aerial attacks of the 49ers, and teams that were well structured on both sides of the ball, and great QB play. The Bears did have Walter in the early 80's but didn't necessarily use him to win the famed '85 Super Bowl. I think we all know that was Buddy Ryan and that ridiculous 46 Defense.

 

That changed in the early 90's and teams followed the Bill Parcells way of controlling the line of scrimmage, using the clock to your team's advantage, and wearing down teams to win in the 4th quarter. No team had been as good as the Cowboys of '92-'96 at this. Emmitt Smith led the league in rushing in the '92 and '93 seasons and again in '95. The Cowboys won the Super Bowl. The trend stayed that way with Terrelle Davis and the Broncos for the '98 season and they won their 2nd SB in as many years. The 90's could be looked at as a "Golden Age" for RB's as you had starpower, tremendous seasons, and HOF's aplenty. Emmitt and Barry would fight for the title of "Best Back in the League"; and shared the NFL rushing title from the 1990-1997 season, each winning 4 times. Barry had his amazing 2,000 yd season in '97 and Davis followed that up with his 2,008 yd campaing the next season. The late 90's also gave us Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James. Game changers, studs, beasts in many ways, and that would be the end of the "RB Era" as I like to call it. James led the league in rushing in '99 and since then, the rushing leader as not even made a SB. Since the 2000 season, 14 years now, there has been 12 different rushing champs. Why the drastic change? It's obvious that the change in defensive rules regarding passing, the 'wussyfied' changes to hitting the QB and the love and TV draw of the 5,000 yd passer. So this leaves me to my point, and "Jason's Rules for Drafting & Churning RB's."

1)NEVER draft a RB in the 1st Rd; especially if you run a team that is in Cleveland, Oakland, Jacksonville, Houston, Kansas City or Dallas. You have too many holes to fill and you will not EVER get a RB that will give you the extra 4-5 wins you need to get back to respectability.

2)ALWAYS draft a RB in odd years. Or even years. Just draft one every other year, in rounds 4, 5, or 6. You will find a stud, with whom has had carries and work in a nice college career and has enough left to have a decent 3-5 year career. You're not looking for a rushing champ remember, just someone who can get you 4.0-4.6 yds a carry.

3)If you have a RB that makes over $8M a season, time to cut bait (see Titans and CJ2K). Sure he'll sell a few jerseys and help your daytime talk radio shows, but he won't help you make the playoffs consistently. Instead, use that money to sure up your OL and get a nice, serviceable back.

4)If you can find a steal in the 2nd  Rd, then go for it. But never, and I repeat, never, ever, give them a deal like the ones you saw Foster get in Houston, CJ2K get in Tennessee, or even McCoy in Philadelphia. You just can't win games like that anymore.

5)If you don't listen and draft a RB in the 1st Rd and something happens be it injury or bust, you could be set back 1-3 years (ex. Browns-Richardson; Cowboys-Jones; Dolphins-Brown).

NHL Hockey-why we love/hate it

Right around this time each year, in every office, grocery store, school, and even in church...we sports fans discuss why we love playoff hockey, and why we can't stand the sport. I'm what you would call an "In Betweener" on the sport, as I just don't feel it's caught on as it should have. There's many reasons to blame, many people to blame. But in short, the 4 labor disputes in the last 22 years have not helped. The greedy players, overpaid players, and abnormal ticket prices have pushed a lot of people away. Now I know most hockey fans are up in arms right now and are saying "this is true for any sport!" And you are correct. However, Hockey is the #4 sport in America, and quickly becoming #5 behind Soccer/MLS. That is due to many reasons and most have not even been viewed by the NHL owners, front office execs in Hockeytowns, and the brass that run the league. From an "Average Joe" sportsfan, I have came up with a few quick fixes. Will this fix the game and help it become the #1 sport in America? Not even close. But it will help a new generation of hockey fans and create an identity for a sport that other than people living north of the Whiskey/Bourbon Territory...is really non-existent.

1)There are 30 teams in pro hockey. 2 have got to go. I think the "Two Teams in Florida" trick have failed. The Florida Panthers and Phoenix Coyotes have GOT TO GO! This would help the talent pool, and create a stronger system of players. Those two teams have struggled in attendance, and financials for too many years, and they will not be missed.

2)16 teams out of 30 is ridiculous making the playoffs. It's finally time to address this and make it more meaningful. Enough said. 14 teams get playoff bids in my 28 team league, and the Conference winners get byes. The 1st round is a Best of 5 series, with the first 3 games at the higher seed's home arena.

3)Better marketability for their star players. If you asked most kids, aged 10-18, NOT living in PA, NY or Canada to pick Sid the Kid out of a lineup? You'd probably have a better success rate teaching them to roller blade. You have star power in this league. Take advantage of that and a page from the NBA of the 80's and put these guys out there for the country to see, to be amazed at, and to know about.

4)Shorten the regular season from 82 games to 70. This will create a "sense of urgency" and a more meaningful full regular season for all teams. The rivalries will intensify, the games have more meaning (especially in March-April). With this, you can actually have the playoffs start in late March, and the NHL Finals ending in May possibly. Summer hockey gets no one excited except Canadians.

5)Create a better minor league system, along with better youth programs. The biggest issue facing yough hockey right now is the availability, and cost. Most kids/parents cannot afford the ice time, the equipment, and therefore, you lose out on the next generation of players/fans/followers. Give them a chance to enjoy the game, to follow the game, and learn to LOVE the game.

6)Game Atmosphere-NHL teams need to do a better job with game experience. Some fans who go are going for the first time, and it's a chance to wow them, and bring them back. I've been to a few hockey games and actually love the surroundings. But it never 'wowed' me and that is why I cannot watch it at home on TV. They need to do a better job of reaching a new mass of fans, and creating excitement from Game 1 in October, to the Finals Game 7 in May.

Just a few suggestions. In 2004-2005 there was no NHL season. I can remember how many SportsCenter fans actually loved it as it gave more time for basketball and baseball highlights. Hockey is really fun sport, and amazing to watch. But I feel if they don't make changes soon, they will find the sport going down...again.