Sean Casey, 35, is still the mayor

Sean Casey turns 35 today. The Mayor. I absolutely love this guy. His last season, with Boston, in 2008, he hit .322. I would love to see Sean play again, but I think it's over for him. I've seen some beloved players in Cincinnati Reds history, but this guy is pretty close to the top. With good reason.

thankyouverymuch,

Here are his Cincinnati numbers:

R H 2B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SA OPS
CIN 588 1223 256 118 604 387 465 .305 .371 .463 .834

OldCleat Puts Together Free Agent Team ... Almost the '08 Lions

OldCleat is making another team. Here is a list of all the remaining unrestricted NFL free agents. This list does not include veterans who were released. So, Marvin Harrison and Deuce McAllister et al were not on the list, This team would be even better with a few of those guys. Also, I did NOT include any franchised players. My question is ... is this team, as structured, better than the 2008 Detroit Lions that went 0-16? Eh, probably not. If Marvin and Deuce and Derrick Brooks are added? Maybe. (The Millen photo slugging Pat Sullivan comes from Can't Stop the Bleeding.)

Defensive Tackle
Starters
Darwin Walker, DT CAROLINA
La'Roi Glover, DT ST. LOUIS

Backups
John Thornton, DT CINCINNATI
Jeff Zgonina, DT HOUSTON

Comment
Undersized and long in the tooth, this would not be the worse foursome I've seen in the NFL. Walker and Glover would be pretty dang good as a twosome. Thornton has had his moments. The Lions had Chartric Darby and Cory Redding as their starting duo last year, with Andre Fluellen and Shaun Cody as backups. Lions slightly better overall, though OldCleat’s team would be very close.

Defensive End
Starters
Ebenezer Ekuban, DE DENVER
Kevin Carter, DE TAMPA BAY

Backups
Orpheus Roye, DE PITTSBURGH
Roderick Green, DE SAN FRANCISCO
Josh Thomas, DE INDIANAPOLIS

Comment
Carter was a great pass rusher who says he’s ready to rumble again. Ekuban is a good NFL defensive end. Roye is a 3-4 end who can play the run. Green and Thomas fight for the last spot. Detroit had Jared DeVries and Dewayne White as its starters, with Cliff Avril was the rookie hope who got hurt and Ikaika Alama-Francis was last year’s draftee. OldCleat’s Des would be better for a one-year team, Detroit’s better with some good kids.

Middle Linebacker
Starters
Napoleon Harris, LB MINNESOTA
Nate Webster, LB DENVER

Backups
Teddy Lehman, LB BUFFALO
Rocky Boiman, LB KANSAS CITY
Derek Smith, LB MIAMI

Comment
Harris would probably be my starter, though Webster is very athletic. Smith is a grizzled old vet who would be a good option, while Lehman and Boiman are solid backup types. Paris Lenon was the Lions’ starter in ’08 … I think both Harris and Webster are better players.

Outside Linebacker
Starters
Willie McGinest, LB CLEVELAND
Rosevelt Colvin, LB NEW ENGLAND
Dontarrious Thomas, LB MINNESOTA

Backups
Donte' Curry, LB CAROLINA
Carlos Polk, LB DALLAS
Shantee Orr, LB CLEVELAND
Jason Babin, LB KANSAS CITY

Comment
McGinest and Colvin would make a good pass-rushing outside duo. Thomas is more of an overall linebacker type. The backups are all big linebackers. There is a dearth of athletic linebackers on free agency. The ’08 Lions just had athletic types. Ernie Simms and Ryan Nece were the Lions’ starters, with Alex Lewis and Jordan Dizon as backups. The Lions could use a Sam type, and OldCleat could use a Will type. Overall, the Lions score with Simms, OldCleat with Colvin or McGinest. Even.

Cornerback
Starters
Deltha O'Neal, CB NEW ENGLAND
Ty Law, CB N.Y. JETS

Backups
Aaron Glenn, CB NEW ORLEANS
Ricky Manning Jr., CB ST. LOUIS
Tyrone Poole, CB TENNESSEE
Daven Holly, CB CLEVELAND

Comment
O’Neal and Law are both experienced, athletic corners. They both are older, so it would behoove OldCleat to make sure that they still can turn and run, plus come up and force the run. But Law especially was one of the best in the business. The backups are all pretty dang good as third corner slot cover types. They are all a little smaller, but they all can get the job done. The Lions had Brian Kelley and Leigh Bodden as their staters, with Travis Fischer as a part-time starter. OldCleat’s corners are better.

Safety
Starters
Mike Brown, S CHICAGO
Rodney Harrison, S NEW ENGLAND

Backups
Will Allen, S TAMPA BAY
Lawyer Milloy, S ATLANTA
Marlon McCree, S DENVER
Michael Boulware, S MINNESOTA
Mike Green, S WASHINGTON

Comment
Brown and Harrison are among the best to have played their positions in the last two or so decades. How much do they have left? If healthy, they are great options. Will Allen is a free safety who could start or spell Brown. Milloy, McCree and Boulware are good options at strong safety. Green is a good player. The Lions had Daniel Bullocks and Kalvin Peterson as their starters, with Dwight Smith as a swing starter. Not too bad, but OldCleat safeties are better.

Centers and Guards
Starters
Tom Nalen, C DENVER
Melvin Fowler, OL BUFFALO
Chris Naeole, G JACKSONVILLE

Backups
Jeremy Newberry, C SAN DIEGO
Pete Kendall, G WASHINGTON
Chris Gray, G SEATTLE
Lennie Friedman, G/C CLEVELAND

Tackles
Starters
Wayne Gandy, OT ATLANTA
Jon Runyan, T PHILADELPHIA
Mark Tauscher, T GREEN BAY

Backups
Jason Fabini, OL WASHINGTON
George Foster, OT DETROIT

Comment
At this late date, OldCleat is still able to put together a pretty good offensive line. Nalen is undersized and older, but he is a great player. Fowler is a starting center who can swing over to guard and hold his own. And Naeole is a great run blocker who has been hurt over the past few years. The backups are all veterans who have started many years in the NFL and could start for a team all of this year and hold their own. At tackle, OldCleat has Gandy or Tauscher to play left tackle, Runyan, if healthy, to play right tackle, and Fabini and Foster to back up. Not at all bad. The Lions had Dominic Raiola as a starting center, and he’s a pretty good player. The guards, Edwin Mulitalo and Stephen Peterman, are big and young, but at this point, they aren’t that great. Left tackle Jeff Backus has been solid for many years, but is unspectacular. Gosder Cherilus at right tackle was a huge rookie last year, and he may be a very good player. Manny Ramirez, Damion Cook, and the aforementioned George Foster were the Lions backups and part-time starters. Because of the solid guard play, I would give OldCleat’s offensive line the edge.

Tight End
Starter
Marcus Pollard, TE ATLANTA

Backups
Mark Bruener, TE HOUSTON
Jerame Tuman, TE ARIZONA

Comment
OK, so tight end isn’t going to be a strength of the OldCleat team. All three are backups. Having said that, the Lions had John Owens and Michael Gaines as their tight ends. They are blockers, and my tight ends are better receivers. Let’s call it even.

Quarterback
Starter
Rex Grossman, QB CHICAGO

Backups
J.P. Losman, QB BUFFALO
Todd Bouman, QB BALTIMORE
Brooks Bollinger, QB DALLAS

Comment
I do not get it. Rex Grossman is at least a great backup in the NFL, and is probably a better starter than at least three to five starters in the NFL. The fact that he is still available baffles me. Losman has a great arm and starting experience. I would sign him if I were one of about 12 teams in the NFL. And Bouman and Bollinger would battle for my No. 3 spot, and they each could be a backup in the NFL. The Lions had Jon Kitna at the beginning of the season, Dan Orlovsky as the youngster, and got Dante Culpepper off the scrap heap. I’ll call this even. I like Kitna, and think Rex is about Kitna. Losman never was Culpepper, but at this point they are functionally equivalent. And Bouman/Bollinger are both better than Orlovsky.

Running backs
Starters
Fullback
Cecil Sapp, FB HOUSTON

Tailback
DeShaun Foster, RB SAN FRANCISCO

Backups
Tatum Bell, RB DENVER
Michael Pittman, RB DENVER
Rudi Johnson, RB DETROIT
Aaron Stecker, RB NEW ORLEANS

Foster is a heckuva player if healthy. And Bell is a speedy tailback with some size about him Sapp is a West Coast Offense type fullback, not a great blocker but more athletic than the normal guard wannabes that play fullback now. There just weren’t any fullbacks on this list. Pittman and Stecker are solid backup types. And it would be interesting to me to see if Rudi has anything left in the tank. The Lions had Kevin Smith, who is going to be one of the best all-around tailbacks in the league, I believe. Rudi played a few games, but he didn’t look that good. But he may need a whole camp to be back. And they had Jerome Felton at fullback, who appears to be a pretty good blocker. Advantage Lions.

Wide Receiver
Starters
Darrell Jackson, WR DENVER
Amani Toomer, WR N.Y. GIANTS

Backups
Brandon Lloyd, WR CHICAGO
Koren Robinson, WR SEATTLE
Reggie Williams, WR JACKSONVILLE
Ashley Lelie, WR OAKLAND
Keary Colbert, WR DETROIT

Comment
Jackson and Toomer are veteran receivers who can get a first down, though they are not downfield threats any more. Lloyd and Robinson are speed guys, but they are not consistent. The other receivers haven’t lived up to their promise. The Lions had Roy Williams for half the season, Calvin Johnson, and Shawn McDonald. Advantage Lions.

Kickers
Matt Stover, K BALTIMORE
John Carney, K N.Y. GIANTS

Punters
Hunter Smith, P INDIANAPOLIS
Mitch Berger, P PITTSBURGH

Kick Returners
R.W. McQuarters, CB/KR N.Y. GIANTS
Dante' Hall, WR/KR ST. LOUIS

Summary
While the 2008 Lions had more talent at certain spots, namely running back and wide receiver, the talent level at most roster spots isn’t much different than the OldCleat free agent team of 2009. There are some good veterans available still at this late date.

thankyouverymuch,
OldCleat

The OldCleat 2009 Did Not Get Draft defensive linemen

Here is an assessment of the OldCleat All Did Not Get Drafted Team 2009 -- the defensive linemen. I've attempted to pare down the number of players that I included on the All Did Not Get Drafted Team for this year. We'll see if that was a good idea.

Here are the defensive linemen on this year's team.

Terrill Byrd, DT, Cincinnati, ??, 5'11⅜", 267 I cannot find any information on Terrill Byrd getting signed by an NFL team. He is a vastly productive and undersized defensive tackle out of the University of Cincinnati. He has had some off-the-field problems. That, with the fact that he is so short and so light, may have caused teams to stay away. I think he could be a good fit for a Tampa-2 team, or maybe as a 3-4 defensive end.

George Hypolite, DT, Colorado, Jacksonville Jaguars, 6'0⅞", 287 Hypolite, an undersized but productive defensive tackle out of Colorado, was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has a good shot to be a productive player.

Antonio Dixon, DT, Miami (FL), Washington Redskins, 6'2½", 325 The Washington Redskins signed Antonio Dixon, a huge defensive tackle from the University of Miami. He has the size to be a nose tackle. He was not very productive in college, but at 325 pounds could be a run stopper.

Maurice Evans, DE, Penn State, New York Giants, 6'1½", 274 Maurice Evans was signed by the New York Giants. He had a good sophomore season, but a lousy junior year. He has some pass rush ability at 270-plus pounds. The image is from Reading Eagle.

Mitch King, DE, Iowa, Tennessee Titans, 6'1½", 280 Signed by the Titans, Mitch King will try to make it as a 4-3 defensive tackle. He was highly productive at Iowa. His best shot may be as a 3-4 defensive end.

Tim Jamison, DE, Michigan, Houston Texans, 6'2½", 256 Jamison is a 255-pound defensive end with good athletic ability. He should be productive in a 4-3 system. He is big enough and quick enough to play in the NFL.

Derek Walker, DE, Illinois, Washington Redskins, 6'3¾", 268 Derek Walker was signed by the Washington Redskins. The 270-pounder out of Illinois is solid all-aournd but not great in any one area. He may be a surprise as a player, however, because he had some nice games.

thankyouverymuch,

OldCleat

The OldCleat All Did Not Get Drafted Team - 2009 - signings update

Here is an update of The OldCleat All Did Not Get Drafted Team for 2009. I couldn’t find a few players on the list. I find it a little hard to believe that Byrd and Vanden Huevel weren’t signed. Lane is a little more believable, because I know he had some weight issues.

Terrill Byrd DT Cincinnati ??
George Hypolite DT Colorado Jacksonville Jaguars
Antonio Dixon DT Miami (FL) Washington Redskins
Maurice Evans DE Penn State New York Giants
Mitch King DE Iowa Tennessee Titans
Tim Jamison DE Michigan Houston Texans
Derek Walker DE Illinois Washington Redskins
Darry Beckwith ILB LSU San Diego Chargers
Dannell Ellerbe ILB Georgia Baltimore Ravens
Dominic Douglas OLB Mississippi State St. Louis Rams
Anthony Heygood OLB Purdue Carolina Panthers
Jonathan Casillas OLB Wisconsin New Orleans Saints
Maurice Crum OLB Notre Dame Tampa Bay Buccaneers (try out contract)
Bruce Johnson CB Miami (FL) New York Giants
Londen Fryar CB Western Michigan Kansas City Chiefs
Wopamo Osaisai CB Stanford San Diego Chargers
Derek Pegues S Mississippi State New York Giants (try out)
C.J. Spillman S Marshall San Diego Chargers
Robert Wilson S Miami (OH) ???
Edwin Williams OC Maryland Washington Redskins
Anthony Parker OG Tennessee ???
Ryan Stanchek OG West Virginia Atlanta Falcons
Alex Boone OT Ohio State San Francisco 49ers
Philip Trautwein OT Florida St. Louis Rams
Eric Vanden Huevel OT Wisconsin ???
Branden Ledbetter TE Western Michigan Green Bay Packers
Ryan Purvis TE Boston College Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Eric Kettani FB Navy New England Patriots
Jorvorskie Lane FB Texas A&M ???
P.J. Hill RB Wisconsin New Orleans Saints
Herb Donaldson RB Western Illinois New Orleans Saints
Kory Sheets RB Purdue San Francisco 49ers
Graham Harrell QB Texas Tech Cleveland Browns (try out)
Hunter Cantwell QB Louisville Carolina Panthers
Quan Cosby WR Texas Cincinnati Bengals
Jordan Norwood WR Penn State Cleveland Browns
Jamarko Simmons WR Western Michigan Green Bay Packers

OldCleat Redrafts Bengals Draft - 2009

OldCleat redrafted the Bengals draft in 2008 and did OK. Of course, after the draft, I thought I did better than after the year. I will examine that before the start of the season. But it is time for OldCleat to redraft the Bengals draft, 2009. As last year, the rules are, I would draft a player that the Bengals had drafted, or someone drafted after the selection, until the Bengals selected again. So, my universe of players that I would have chosen were the players in-between the Bengals draft. I, of course, had the benefit of hindsight on this. Here is the OldCleat draft, 2009 edition.

Round one, sixth pick overall. The Bengals selected Andre Smith, OT, Alabama. I would have taken Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia, slightly over Rey Maualuga, MLB, Southern Cal, and Smith. When a team in the NFL is selecting in the high first round, I think that the most important thing is the floor, not the ceiling. I thought that Monroe was the best, most complete left tackle in the draft, even over the second overall pick, Jason Smith. I think Monroe will be a left tackle who can play in the NFL starting this season. Smith was the best tackle in college football last year, but he has, let's say, some issues. Having said that, I think that if he isn't a left tackle, he probably is a right tackle. He probably is a better run blocker than Monroe. Smith also will most likely be a fine guard if he can't play tackle. Andre Smith reminds me of Leonard Davis, the tackle from Texas who failed with the Cardinals at tackle and is now an expensive guard for the Cowboys. And I LOVE Maualuga. I would have had very little problem with the Bengals taking him here. But I think the pick should have been Monroe.

Round two, 38th pick overall. The Bengals selected Maualuga. I would have taken Rey Maualuga, MLB, Southern Cal. I just have a feeling that this will end up being one of those franchise-changing picks. (The image of Maualuga, above right, is from Jodatoa’s Blog). No pressure, however. This sort of makes up for the Jerome Simpson pick of last year.

Round three, 70th pick overall. The Bengals selected Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech. I would have taken Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech, closely, over two Alabama players -- Rashad Johnson, S, and Antoine Caldwell, center. Rashad Johnson seemed like a safe pick at this point. Caldwell, a little less so. Rashad may start for the Cardinals, and he will likely be a great special teamer because of his athletic ability and football instincts. Caldwell may have some problems from the get-go at center because of his size. But he is athletic and good and should be a good center. Michael Johnson, however, could become a GREAT pass rusher. And at this point I would be willing to give up these two choices for the possibility of greatness. One hopes that Michael Johnson decides to become great, because he supposedly has some of the most impressive physical tools at that position, and he did have some pretty good games in college.

Round three, 34th pick, 98th overall. The Bengals selected Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri. I would have taken Dorell Scott, DT, Clemson, over Travis Beckham, TE, Wisconsin. Coffman was TE of the year in college, just like Beckham was the year before. But I think Beckham is a better athlete who is a more explosive player with more upside, and neither of them are blockers at this point. Coffman is healthy, and Beckham isn't, and so Coffman may be more of a sure thing. Scott is a 6'4", 325-pound space eater in the middle who would have been a pretty good backup and spot player from the get-go.

Round four, sixth pick, 106th overall. The Bengals selected Jonathan Luigs, C, Arkansas. I would have taken Jonathan Luigs, C, Arkansas. He's a big boy who has been a great player in college for many years. I think he can come in and start early. This was a very nice pick by the Bengals. Don't get me wrong, the Bengals passed on some nice players, especially D.J. Moore, a corner from Vandy who should become a starter and Mike Thomas, WR and returner from Arizona State who will be a nice slot receiver. Some others that I liked but wouldn't have worried too much about such as Louis Murphy (speedy WR), Mike Goodson (speedy RB - ?returner??), David Bruton (size-speed prospect at S who wasn't a great player at ND), Terrance Taylor (squat NT from Michigan), Gartrell Johnson (size-speed prospect at TB from Colorado State), and Kenny McKinley (quick but slight WR from South Carolina). But Luigs is a top pick.

Round five, sixth pick, 142 overall. The Bengals select Kevin Huber, P, U of Cincinnati. I would have taken any of at least 18 players instead of a punter. I am very very much not a fan of taking a punter or a kicker, especially this high. Huber better be damned good, because I think it's close to a wasted pick. I guess out of all the players, I would have taken Jasper Brinkley, MLB, South Carolina. He's a big boy who would have been a good run-stopper. I'll just mention a few of the others I would have taken, more or less in order: Duke Robinson, very large G, Oklahoma; Victor Harris, CB, VA Tech; Cornelius Ingram, TE, Florida; James Casey, TE and slash, Rice; Nic Harris, OLB-SS, Oklahoma; Marcus Freeman, OLB, Ohio State; Javon Ringer, third-down RB and returner, Michigan State; Herman Johnson, larger G than the Duke, LSU; and there are others.

Round six, sixth pick, 179th overall. The Bengals selected Morgan Trent, CB, Michigan. I would have taken Morgan Trent, CB, Michigan, I guess, over Coye Francis, CB, San Jose State, and Cory Harris, CB, Southern Cal. I actually think Trent is a special teamer, corner, and safety. Francis and Harris are sub-package corners. Trent may not be the cover corner Francis and Harris is, but Trent will be a contributor I think right away. If Francis or Harris can't cover the slot, they are in trouble.

Round six, 36th pick, 209th overall. The Bengals selected Bernard Scott, RB, Abilene Christian. Morons. I think that every pick is important. I think they got cute with this one. Scott is smallish, 25, from a DII school, a toublemaker who has gotten kicked out of two schools, and has had run-ins with the law. He is also a good player. But, so what? I would have taken Vance Walker, a talented but smallish DT out of Georgia Tech slightly over Chris Ogbonnaya, a 220-pound RB out of Texas.

Round seven, sixth pick, 215th overall. The Bengals selected Fui Vakapuna, RB and FB, BYU. Vakapuna is 5'11", 245, and he can run and catch. I am OK with this pick. But I would have taken Nick Reed, DE - LB, Oregon. I also liked Rickey Jean-Francois, DT, LSU, who was injured and a little size-challenged but talented. But Reed was extremely productive in his career. He might not have the combine measurables, but he certainly was able to get the job done in college. And he seems to be one of those guys who knows how to rush the passer.

Round seven, 40th, 249th overall. The Bengals selected Clinton McDonald, DT, Memphis. I would have taken Clinton McDonald, DT, Memphis, slightly over Derek Kinder, WR, Pitt, and Rashad Jennings, RB, Liberty. Those were my only options, because with the 252nd selection, the Bengals took a Utah WR.

Round seven, 43rd overall. The Bengals took Freddie Brown, WR, Utah. I would have taken one of many players not drafted. I guess that at this point, they all look good compared to Freddie Brown to me, but I'll go with P.J. Hill, RB, Wisconsin. As a sophomore, he looked like Beanie Wells, the first-round pick out of Ohio State. Then last year, Hill had a DUI, got a little hurt, a little out of shape, and he didn't look very good. If you can light a fire under him, I think he can be a starter in the NFL in the right system.

So here are the picks. I really only have issue with two picks, the punter in the fifth round and the running back in the sixth. If more Bengals drafts had been like this one, they would be a better team. So the differences I took are just players I liked slightly more. I don't know if my draft is all that much better than Cincy's.

Cincy
1. Andre Smith, OT, Alabama.
2. Rey Maualuga, MLB, Southern Cal.
3. Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech.
3. Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri.
4. Jonathan Luigs, C, Arkansas.
5. Kevin Huber, P, Cincinnati.
6. Morgan Trent, CB, Michigan.
6. Bernard Scott, RB, Abilene Christian.
7. Fui Vakapuna, FB, BYU.
7. Clinton McDonald, DT, Memphis.
7. Freddie Brown, WR, Utah.

OldCleat
1. Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia.
2. Rey Maualuga, MLB, Southern Cal.
3. Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech.
3. Dorell Scott, DT, Clemson.
4. Jonathan Luigs, C, Arkansas.
5. Jasper Brinkley, MLB, South Carolina.
6. Morgan Trent, CB, Michigan.
6. Vance Walker, DT, Georgia Tech.
7. Nick Reed, DE-LB, Oregon.
7. Clinton McDonald, DT, Memphis.
7. P.J. Hill, RB, Wisconsin.

And here is the 2008 draft comparisons:

Cincy
1 Keith Rivers, LB, USC
2 Jerome Simpson, WR, Coastal Carolina
3 Pat Sims, DT, Auburn
3 Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida
4 Anthony Collins, T, Kansas
5 Jason Shirley, DT, Fresno State
6 Corey Lynch, S, Appalachian State
6 Matt Sherry, TE, Villanova
7 Angelo Craig, OLB, Cincinnati
7 Mario Urrutia, WR, Louisville

OldCleat
1 Keith Rivers, LB, USC
2 Quentin Groves, DE/LB, Auburn
3 Pat Sims, DT, Auburn
3 Justin King, CB, Penn State
4 Jack Ikegwuonu, CB/S, Wisconsin
5 Jonathan Goff, LB, Vanderbilt
6 Andre’ Woodson, QB, Kentucky
6 Chauncey Washington, RB, USC
7 Angelo Craig, OLB, Cincinnati
7 Wesley Woodyard, LB, Kentucky

thankyouverymuch,

OldCleat

The OldCleat All Did Not Get Drafted Team - 2009 - First Look

Here is the first look at The OldCleat All Did Not Get Drafted Team for 2009. This list is not final, and I will have some more news and maybe a few more players on this list.

Terrill Byrd DT 5'11⅜" 267 Cincinnati
George Hypolite DT 6'0⅞" 287 Colorado
Antonio Dixon DT 6'2½" 325 Miami (FL)
Maurice Evans DE 6'1½" 274 Penn State
Mitch King DE 6'1½" 280 Iowa
Tim Jamison DE 6'2½" 256 Michigan
Derek Walker DE 6'3¾" 268 Illinois
Darry Beckwith ILB 6'0⅜" 242 LSU
Dannell Ellerbe ILB 6'1" 236 Georgia
Dominic Douglas OLB 6'0⅝" 227 Mississippi State
Anthony Heygood OLB 6'0¾" 223 Purdue
Jonathan Casillas OLB 6'1⅛" 228 Wisconsin
Maurice Crum OLB 5'11⅝" 237 Notre Dame
Bruce Johnson CB 5'9½" 170 Miami (FL)
Londen Fryar CB 5'10½" 187 Western Michigan
Wopamo Osaisai CB 5'9¾" 197 Stanford
Derek Pegues S 5'9⅝" 199 Mississippi State
C.J. Spillman S 6'0" 197 Marshall
Robert Wilson S 5'10⅝" 204 Miami (OH)

Edwin Williams OC 6'2¼" 308 Maryland
Anthony Parker OG 6'1⅞" 297 Tennessee
Ryan Stanchek OG 6'3⅛" 306 West Virginia
Alex Boone OT 6'7¼" 328 Ohio State
Philip Trautwein OT 6'5⅝" 307 Florida
Eric Vandenhuevel OT 6'7⅝" 232 Wisconsin
Branden Ledbetter TE 6'5¼" 236 Western Michigan
Ryan Purvis TE 6'3¾" 255 Boston College
Eric Kettani FB 5'11⅝" 231 Navy
Jorvorskie Lane FB 5'11¾" 295 Texas A&M
P.J. Hill RB 5'10¼" 222 Wisconsin
Herb Donaldson RB 5'9⅞" 224 Western Illinois
Kory Sheets RB 5'11⅛" 208 Purdue
Graham Harrell QB 6'2⅛" 223 Texas Tech
Hunter Cantwell QB 6'4⅜" 235 Louisville
Quan Cosby WR 5'8⅝" 196 Texas
Jordan Norwood WR 5'10⅞" 179 Penn State
Jamarko Simmons WR 6'2" 241 Western Michigan

Rey Maualuga Should Be the Lions' No. 1 Overall Pick

Rey Maualuga is the best choice in the 2009 NFL Draft. He will not be chosen in the top 10, according to the experts, but I would pick him first overall.

Todd McShay says the Maualuga lacks ideal instincts. "He makes up for his lack of ideal instincts with aggressiveness and power," though, he opines. McShay has Maualuga going No. 20 overall to the Lions.

Maualuga is rated No. 24 overall as a prospect, according to ESPN's Scouts Inc. He has a grade of 91. They gave him a "below average" mark in both durability and character. They say that his "durability is a somewhat of a concern," and they list several problems he has had in the past.

Mel Kiper has him going No. 16 to the San Diego Chargers. His opinion: "Maualuga is capable of becoming a quality "Mike" linebacker in the NFL but needs to use his hands better to ward off blocks and must be more consistent from week to week."

I think Maualuga is at least as good a prospect as Patrick Willis, Jon Beason, and DeMeco Ryans. Patrick Willis graded out a 95, Jon Beason graded out a 91, and DeMeco Ryans graded out an 87 according to Scouts Inc, while Maualuga has a 91 grade. He has more size than Beason and Ryans coming out of school, and is as explosive as those two athletes.

Whoever get Maualuga will get a difference maker from day one on defense. He is like a 250-pound Ray Lewis, or a slightly slower Brian Urlacher. I think Maualuga has more take on the guard or fullback in him than does Urlacher.

The Sporting News has Rey going No. 10 overall to the 49ers. That's actually more like it. GMJr.com has Maualuga going No. 9 overall to the Packers.

The Lions may be taking Matthew Stafford. Or they may be taking

Pete Johnson Turns 55

Pete Johnson, the Ohio State and Bengals' fullback, turned 55 today. He was born on March 2, 1954. He was, I think, the closest thing that I'll ever see to Marion Motley. He was 6-foot-nothin', 255 pounds, fast, tough, a real danged fullback. He blocked for Archie Griffin on the way to Archie's two Heismans. Johnson was a complete fullback. It is not a position that get carries any more in the NFL. So we shall see if there is another Pete Johnson that comes along. At the end of his career, he was traded to the San Diego Chargers for James Brooks, who went on to a great career for the Bengals. Johnson was done.

Woody Hayes Says "Happy V-Day. NOW!!!"

Woody Hayes was born 96 years ago today. He was a great Miami of Ohio head coach, and he also had success subsequently. Hayes was a high school football coach for a couple of years before he enlisted in the Navy in 1941. He rose to the rank of of Lieutenant Commander. After his service in the war, he returned to his alma mater, Denison, as the head coach. Hayes "drove his first squad at Denison so hard that school authorities warned him to ease up on the team or face the consequences," according to WOSU. He had a 19-game at Denison, which led to the Miami job. Sid Gillman had been the Miami coach, but moved down state route 27 to the University of Cincinnati--Miami's rival. So, before Woody's rivalry with Bo Schembechler and Michigan while the Buckeye coach, Woody was rivals with Gillman and UC. Gillman disliked Woody, as well. By 1950, Woody had the Redskins in the Salad Bowl, where they defeated Arizona State. He was hired by Ohio State in 1951. The story is that Paul Brown was interested in coming back to Ohio State, but the school hired Woody instead. (The image is from buckeyefansonly.)

Hank Aaron Hammerin' Away at Racism at 75

Hank Aaron is 75 today, and he is still hammering away at racism, according to this article on SportingNews. Here is what he had to say about those nutjobs who were upset that Hank was going to pass Babe Ruth on the all-time homer list:

"I thought, 'What in the world am I doing (to make) people despise me?'" he said during a lengthy interview in his Turner Field office for an upcoming feature in Sporting News Magazine. "But Babe Ruth was a hero. People just have their own heroes, and they don't want anything to come between them.

"A person who can't learn (to forget) is a miserable person, because you're not built to walk around all your life hating people. Everybody -- even me -- has got to walk a mile in another person's shoes before you condemn him."

At the bottom of the article I commented that I don't thing Hank Aaron is the
"real" home run king, as do several of the other commenters. Barry Bonds hit (or has hit, if he hasn't retired) the most home runs in a career. If you think he deserves an astericks or not may be one thing, but he is the homer king. Was Bonds jacked up on the juice? Maybe. Were there pitchers throwing to him jacked up? Probably. Also, though I don't really believe it, I have read that there are some who do.)

But back to Hank. Hank Aaron is what a hero looks like to me.

The picture of the dream 1960s NL outfield is from congressionalgoldmedal dot com ... left to right, Roberto Clemente, Willie Mays, and Hank.

thankyouverymuch,
OldCleat

Buddy Holly ... 50 Years Since The Day The Music Died

Buddy Holly died 50 years ago in a plane wreck shortly after takeoff after a concert in Clear Lake, Iowa. It is known as "The Day the Music Died." Holly was a rock 'n' roll pioneer. In the few short years that he recorded, he laid down some of the greatest tracks in rock 'n' roll history, like "That'll Be the Day," "It's So Easy," "Maybe Baby," Oh, Boy," "Not Fade Away," and "Peggy Sue."

Like Chuck Berry, Holly was a great songwriter, a great guitar player, and a really wonderful vocalist. Holly was also a great showman. He hit the scene just after Elvis, and was in some ways a "nice" version of Elvis. But Buddy was different than Elvis, and there were so many versions of so many folks who wanted to be like Elvis that it ain't that great of a comparison. I'm not so glad I brought it up.

Killed in the plane crash with Holly were Richie Valens, J.P. Richardson ("The Big Boppper"), and pilot Roger Peterson. Richie Valens released two great songs, "La Bamba" and "Donna." The Big Bopper did "Chantilly Lace," a nice song.

Waylon Jennings was the Crickets bass player at the time. He gave his seat up on the plane to The Big Bopper, who had the flu. Tommy Alsup, the Crickets guitar player at the time, lost a coin flip with Richie Valens for the last spot on the four-person plane. Jennings and Alup then had to take a bus to the next stop on the tour, which was Moorhead, Minnesota.

The plane was a Beechcraft Bonanza, model 35, serial # D-1019, and the wing number was N3794N. It was manufactured October 1947. The folks at www.buddyhollyonline.com are clear, very clear, to point out that the plane's name was NOT Miss American Pie.

One of my favorite parts of the entertainment business, and by "the business" I mean "the industry," is that the February 3 show WENT ON AS SCHEDULED. According to buddyhollyonline dot come, "Frankie Sardo and Dion & The Belmonts continued until the end of the tour. Bobby Vee & The Shadows performed on the Feb. 3rd date, Jimmy Clanton, Fabian & Frankie Avalon were substituted as headliners, The Crickets finished the tour with Ronnie Smith as lead vocalist."

The images are from buddyhollyonline.com. The first is Buddy playing at Rhinelander, Wisconsin, in 1958. The second is Buddy on a double-date with Phil Everly. How cool is that?

thankyouverymuch,
OldCleat

National Freedom Day, Feb. 1

National Freedom Day, celebrated in America on Feb. 1, is dedicated to remember that America is a nation dedicated to freedom. When Harry S Truman signed the bill to proclaim National Freedom Day in 1948, who would have thunk 60 years later that the President of the United States AND the leader of the opposition party would BOTH be African Americans?

Elvis Birthday Bash

Elvis Presley would have been 74 years old today. Wow. Elvis will be forever young. I see more Elvis in the media now than I did when he was alive. And I hear more Elvis on the radio. This is all good. I think American needs more Elvis. The hard thing to remember, since Elvis seems to still be with us, is that he was born into another America, the Depression-era America, in 1935. There was massive unemployment, investment in businesses collapsed, home building all but ended, and housing and land prices dropped. But that was the Great Depression. Hey. Wait. What's the difference? Anyway, that's Elvis age 2 on the top with his ma and pa, and the house in Tupelo where he was born on the top right.