35-year old inside linebacker Brian Urlacher has decided to retire from the NFL.  He said he lost his passion for the game and his knee wouldn’t allow him to be the player he once was.  That being said, he was kind of forced out of Chicago.  The signed D.J. Williams to replace him for 2013 and they also drafted ILB Jon Bostic in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.  Urlacher played in 12 games for the Bears last year and he had 68 tackles, 8 tackles for a loss, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 interception (he returned it 46 yards for a TD) and he had 7 passes defensed.  Urlacher played in 182 games in his 13 years with the Bears and he had 1,353 tackles, 41.5 sacks, 90 tackles for a loss, 12 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries, 22 interceptions (2 returned for TDs) and 91 passes defensed.  It is sad to see Urlacher’s NFL career this way, but it would have been very odd seeing him play for someone else in 2013.

36-year old QB Donovan McNabb will retire as a Philadelphia Eagle in September.  He finally saw the light and decided to call it quits after no team called him last year.  McNabb was an outstanding player for the Eagles, making it to 6 Pro Bowls in 11 years with them, but he faded big time after leaving Philly.  He only lasted one year with the Redskins and one year with the Vikings.  McNabb played in 167 games (161 starts) in his 13 years in the NFL during the regular season and he completed 3,170 of 5,374 passes (59%) for 37,276 yards with 234 TD passes and 117 INTs (85.6 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 616 times for 3,459 yards (5.7 ypc) with 29 TD runs in his career.  McNabb was 98-62-1 (61.3%) as a starting QB during the regular season in his career.  McNabb also played in 16 games (all starts) in the playoffs and he completed 341 of 577 passes (59.1%) for 3,752 yards with 24 TD passes and 17 INTs (80.0 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 72 times for 422 yards (5.9 ypc) with 4 TD runs in the playoffs.  McNabb finishes up his career #17 in NFL history in passing yards (37,276) and #22 in TD passes (234).  McNabb is a border line Hall of Fame player, and he would have been a shoo-in if the Eagles would have beaten the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

The Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic Independent League have signed 31-year old righty starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano.  Zambrano pitched in 35 games (20 starts) for the Miami Marlins last year and he was 7-10 with a 4.49 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP.  He has now pitched in 354 games (302 starts) in his first 12 years in the majors and he is 132-91 with a 3.66 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP.  Zambrano is also a pretty darn good hitter for a pitcher.  He is 165 of 693 (.238 avg, .636 OPS) with 75 runs scored, 24 homers, 71 RBIs and 1 stolen base.  Zambrano goes to the plate hacking as he has only walked 10 times while whiffing 240 times so far in his major league career.  Zambrano joins Vladimir Guerrero and Dontrelle Willis with the Long Island Ducks as they all try to get back to the major leagues.

UPDATE:  (5/14/2013) - Zambrano didn’t sign his contract with the Ducks yet as he is trying to get a minor league deal from a major league team right now.

Earlier today the Jets cut 25-year old QB Tim Tebow.  The handwriting was on the wall for this move as the Jets passed up Tebow for Greg McElroy when Mark Sanchez was yanked out of the starting lineup.  The Jets then went out and signed free agent David Garrard and they picked Geno Smith in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.  Tebow played in 12 games (2 starts) for the Jets last year and he completed 6 of 8 passes (75%) for 39 yards without a TD pass or INT (84.9 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 32 times for 102 yards (3.2 ypc) for the Jets last year.  Tebow has now played in 35 games (16 starts) in his first three years in the NFL and he has completed 173 of 361 passes (47.9%) for 2,422 yards with 17 TD passes and 9 INTs (75.3 QB Rating).  Tebow has also carried the ball 197 times for 989 yards (5.0 ypc) with 12 TD runs so far in his NFL career.  Tebow is 8-6 (57.1%) as a starting QB during the regular season.  He has also started two games in the playoffs so far in his NFL career (he is 1-1) and he has completed 19 of 47 passes (40.4%) for 452 yards with 2 TD passes and 0 INTs (90.0 QB Rating).  Tebow has also carried the ball 15 times for 63 yards (4.2 ypc) with 1 TD run in his career in the playoffs so far.  If the NFL is truly about winning football games, some team will sign Tim Tebow.  Don’t be shocked if it’s the Patriots.

I think the 2012-13 NBA Playoffs are going to be classic this year as the first round matchups look pretty darn good.  Here is how I see things shaking out:

Eastern Conference:

Round #1:

Celtics over the Knicks in seven games

Nets over the Bulls in six games

Pacers over the Hawks in five games

Heat over the Bucks in five games

Round #2:

Heat over the Nets in six games

Pacers over the Celtics in six games

Eastern Conference Finals:

Heat over the Pacers in seven games

Western Conference:

Round #1:

Nuggets over Warriors in seven games

Clippers over Grizzlies in seven games

Spurs over Lakers in six games

Thunder over Rockets in six games

Round #2:

Thunder over the Clippers in six games

Spurs over the Nuggets in six games

Western Conference Finals:

Spurs over the Thunder in seven games

NBA Finals:

Spurs over the Heat in six games

I saw the movie “42″ yesterday and it was the best baseball movie I have seen since “The Rookie”.  But, unlike the Rookie’s main character Jim Morris, Jackie Robinson was more important to baseball and the history of sports in the United States.  After all, Jackie Robinson was the first black player ever in the major leagues.  In the movie, Harrison Ford plays Brooklyn Dodgers’ G.M. Branch Rickey, and he could win something for his portrayal.  Rickey was an amazing person as he stepped out on a limb for not only Jackie Robinson, but all black players.  Without a man of his courage, Robinson would have never gotten his chance to show what he can do.

Robinson made his major league debut in 1947 at the age of 28.  He played 1B as a rookie and he won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1947.  He played in 151 games for the Dodgers in 1947 and he was 175 of 590 (.297 avg, .810 OPS) with 125 runs scored, 12 homers, 48 RBIs and 29 stolen bases.  His best year came in 1949, when he was the MVP.  Robinson played in 156 games for the Dodgers in 1949 and he was 203 for 593 (.342 avg, .960 OPS) with 122 runs scored, 16 homers, 124 RBIs and 37 stolen bases.  Robinson played in 1,382 games in his 10 years with the Dodgers and he was 1,518 of 4,877 (.311 avg, .833 OPS) with 947 runs scored, 137 homers, 734 RBIs and 197 stolen bases.  Robinson had a sharp eye at the plate as he walked 740 times in his career while only whiffing 291 times in his career.  Robinson made the All-Star team in 6 of his 10 years in the major leagues and he was elected into Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1962.  Sadly, Jackie Robinson died on October 24th, 1972 at the age of 53.  He is buried at Cypress Hill Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

Today, everyone in major league baseball will be wearing #42 on their backs in honor of the most important player ever.  Because of him, it made things easier for all blacks who followed him and all hispanic and japanese ballplayers.

All good things come to an end eventually.  It’s purely dartboard time in the 7th round of the NFL Draft and here’s a look at the way it will play out in 2013:

1. (207) Kansas City Chiefs - John Boyett, SS, Oregon

2. (208) Jacksonville Jaguars - Cierre Wood, RB, Notre Dame

3. (209) Oakland Raiders - Kerwynn Williams, RB, Utah State

4. (210) Philadelphia Eagles - Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina

5. (211) Detroit Lions - Alec Lemon, WR, Syracuse

6. (212) Philadelphia Eagles - Chris Gragg, TE, Arkansas

7. (213) Minnesota Vikings - Greg Reid, CB, Valdosta State

8. (214) Seattle Seahawks - Denard Robinson, WR/RB/QB, Michigan

9. (215) New York Jets - Knile Davis, RB, Arkansas

10. (216) Tennessee Titans - Aaron Mellette, WR, Elon

11. (217) Miami Dolphins - Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State

12. (218) Philadelphia Eagles - Brent Russell, DT, Georgia Southern

13. (219) Oakland Raiders - Kyle Juszczyk, TE, Harvard

14. (220) Seattle Seahawks - Ray Otten, TE, San Jose State

15. (221) San Diego Chargers - Chris Jones, DT, Bowling Green

16. (222) St. Louis Rams - Jawan Jamison, RB, Rutgers

17. (223) Pittsburgh Steelers - Will Campbell, DT, Michigan

18. (224) Miami Dolphins - Rex Burkhead, RB, Nebraska

19. (225) New York Giants - Terrence Brown, CB, Stanford

20. (226) New England Patriots - Joseph Fauria, TE, UCLA

21. (227) San Francisco 49ers - Matt Furstenburg, TE, Maryland

22. (228) Washington Redskins - Alan Bonner, WR, Jacksonville State

23. (229) Minnesota Vikings - P.J. Lonergan, C, LSU

24. (230) Indianapolis Colts - Chris Thompson, RB, Florida State

25. (231) Seattle Seahawks - Caleb Sturgis, K, Florida

26. (232) Green Bay Packers - Nick Clancy, ILB, Boston College

27. (233) Houston Texans - Dayne Crist, QB, Kansas

28. (234) Denver Broncos - Onterrio McCalebb, RB, Auburn

29. (235) New England Patriots - Mike James, FB, Miami (FLA)

30. (236) Atlanta Falcons - Jeff Tuel, QB, Washington State

31. (237) Cleveland Browns - Ryan Allen, P, Louisiana Tech

32. (238) Baltimore Ravens - MarQuies Gray, FB, Minnesota

33. (239) Philadelphia Eagles - Zach Boren, FB, Ohio State

34. (240) Cincinnati Bengals - Jamie Collins, OLB, Southern Mississippi

35. (241) Seattle Seahawks - Nick Kasa, TE, Colorado

36. (242) Seattle Seahawks - Jawanza Starling, FS, USC

37. (243) Atlanta Falcons - Patrick Ward, OT, Northwestern

38. (244) Atlanta Falcons - Seth Doege, QB, Texas Tech

39. (245) Detroit Lions - I.J. Moe, WR, Missouri

40. (246) San Francisco 49ers - Alex Carder, QB, Western Michigan

41. (247) Baltimore Ravens - Joe Kruger, DE, Utah

42. (248) Tennessee Titans - Ray Graham, RB, Pittsburgh

43. (249) Atlanta Falcons - Vance McDonald, TE, Rice

44. (250) Miami Dolphins - Nick Becton, OT, Virginia Tech

45. (251) Cincinnati Bengals - Rogers Gaines, OT, Tennessee State

46. (252) San Francisco 49ers - Wes Horton, DE, USC

47. (253) New York Giants - Michael Zordich, FB, Penn State

48. (254) Indianapolis Colts - Sio Moore, OLB, Connecticut

This is where you either decide to take the best player available or the best player at a position of need and hope you luck out.  Here is how I see the 6th round going later this month:

1. (169) Jacksonville Jaguars - Corey Fuller, WR, Virginia Tech

2. (170) Kansas City Chiefs - Corey Lemonier, DE, Auburn

3. (171) Detroit Lions - Stansly Maponga, OLB, TCU

4. (172) Oakland Raiders - Eric Herrman, G, Ohio

5. (173) Cleveland Browns - Dustin Hopkins, K, Florida State

6. (174) Arizona Cardinals - Marc Anthony, CB, California

7. (175) San Francisco 49ers - Zach Line, FB, SMU

8. (176) Arizona Cardinals - Joseph Randle, RB, Oklahoma State

9. (177) Buffalo Bills - Tavarres King, WR, Georgia

10. (178) New York Jets - Keith Pough, OLB, Howard

11. (179) San Diego Chargers - Christine Michael, RB, Texas A&M

12. (180) San Francisco 49ers - Jordan Hill, DT, Penn State

13. (181) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Maliciah Goodman, DE, Clemson

14. (182) Carolina Panthers - Quanterus Smith, DE, Western Kentucky

15. (183) New Orleans Saints - Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M

16. (184) St. Louis Rams - Jasper Collins, WR, Mount Union

17. (185) Dallas Cowboys - Kenjon Barner, RB, Oregon

18. (186) Pittsburgh Steelers - Spencer Ware, RB, LSU

19. (187) New York Giants - Adrian Bushell, CB, Louisville

20. (188) Chicago Bears - Tourek Williams, OLB, Florida International

21. (189) Minnesota Vikings - David Bass, OLB, Missouri Southern

22. (190) Cincinnati Bengals - Cory Grissom, DT, South Florida

23. (191) Washington Redskins - Montori Hughes, DT, Tennessee-Martin

24. (192) Indianapolis Colts - Damion Square, DE, Alabama

25. (193) Green Bay Packers - Jordan Rodgers, QB, Vanderbilt

26. (194) Seattle Seahawks - Kenny Stills, WR, Oklahoma

27. (195) Houston Texans - Travis Kelce, TE, Cincinnati

28. (196) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Dion Sims, TE, Michigan State

29. (197) Cincinnati Bengals - Tommy Bohanon, FB, Wake Forest

30. (198) Atlanta Falcons - Lamar Mady, C, Youngstown State

31. (199) Baltimore Ravens - D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston

32. (200) Baltimore Ravens - Lavar Edwards, DE, LSU

33. (201) Houston Texans - Branden Wilson, FB, Kansas State

34. (202) Tennessee Titans - Josh Boyce, WR, TCU

35. (203) Baltimore Ravens - Travis Johnson, OLB, San Jose State

36. (204) Kansas City Chiefs - Tyrone Goard, WR, Eastern Kentucky

37. (205) Oakland Raiders - Jared Smith, DE, New Hampshire

38. (206) Pittsburgh Steelers - Josh Boyd, DE, Mississippi State

The 5th round of the NFL Draft is where some teams start throwing darts at their draft boards, trying to hit a Hail Mary.  Here is how I see the round going:

1. (134) Kansas City Chiefs - Nick Florence, QB, Baylor

2. (135) Jacksonville Jaguars - Brad Sorensen, QB, Southern Utah

3. (136) Philadelphia Eagles - Collin Klein, QB, Kansas State

4. (137) Detroit Lions - Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State

5. (138) Seattle Seahawks - Reid Fragel, OT, Ohio State

6. (139) Cleveland Browns - Marquise Goodwin, WR, Texas

7. (140) Arizona Cardinals - Tony Jefferson, SS, Oklahoma

8. (141) New York Jets - Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech

9. (142) Tennessee Titans - Leon McFadden, CB, San Diego State

10. (143) Buffalo Bills - Jonathan Bostic, ILB, Florida

11. (144) New Orleans Saints - William Gholston, DE, Michigan State

12. (145) San Diego Chargers - Chris Faulk, OT, LSU

13. (146) Miami Dolphins - Robert Lester, SS, Alabama

14. (147) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Akeem Spence, DT, Illinois

15. (148) Carolina Panthers - Marcus Davis, WR, Virginia Tech

16. (149) St. Louis Rams - A.J. Klein, OLB, Iowa State

17. (150) Pittsburgh Steelers - J.J. Wilcox, SS, Georgia Southern

18. (151) Dallas Cowboys - Everett Dawkins, DT, Florida State

19. (152) New York Giants - Sean Renfree, QB, Duke

20. (153) Chicago Bears - Chase Thomas, OLB, Stanford

21. (154) Washington Redskins - Mike Gillislee, RB, Florida

22. (155) Minnesota Vikings - Conner Vernon, WR, Duke

23. (156) Cincinnati Bengals - Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU

24. (157) San Francisco 49ers - Braxton Cave, C, Notre Dame

25. (158) Seattle Seahawks - Jordan Mills, OT, Louisiana Tech

26. (159) Green Bay Packers - Micah Hyde, CB, Iowa

27. (160) Houston Texans - Kapron Lewis-Moore, DE, Notre Dame

28. (161) Denver Broncos - John Wetzel, OT, Boston College

29. (162) Washington Redskins - Braden Brown, OT, BYU

30. (163) Atlanta Falcons - J.C. Tretter, OT, Cornell

31. (164) Cleveland Browns - Jelani Jenkins, OLB, Florida

32. (165) Baltimore Ravens - Vince Williams, ILB, Florida State

33. (166) Miami Dolphins - Lerentree McCray, OLB, Florida

34. (167) Green Bay Packers - Sean Porter, DE, Texas A&M

35. (168) Baltimore Ravens - Matt Scott, QB, Arizona

Starters and developmental projects with high upsides are still to be found in the 4th round of the 2013 NFL Draft.  Here is how I see it going:

1. (98) Jacksonville Jaguars - Emmett Cleary, OT, Boston College

2. (99) Kansas City Chiefs - Steve Beauharnais, ILB, Rutgers

3. (100) Oakland Raiders - Earl Watford, G, James Madison

4. (101) Philadelphia Eagles - Brian Schwenke, C, California

5. (102) Minnesota Vikings - Jessie Williams, DT, Alabama

6. (103) Arizona Cardinals - Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida State

7. (104) Cleveland Browns - Bacarri Rambo, FS, Georgia

8. (105) Buffalo Bills - Levin Toilolo, TE, Stanford

9. (106) New York Jets - Brennan Williams, OT, North Carolina

10. (107) Tennessee Titans - Edmund Kugbila, G, Valdosta State

11. (108) Carolina Panthers - Jamoris Slaughter, SS, Notre Dame

12. (109) New Orleans Saints - Zac Dysert, QB, Miami (Ohio)

13. (110) San Diego Chargers - Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas

14. (111) Miami Dolphins - Kiko Alonso, ILB, Oregon

15. (112) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Nickell Robey, CB, USC

16. (113) St. Louis Rams - Jeff Baca, G, UCLA

17. (114) Dallas Cowboys - Jordan Poyer, CB, Oregon State

18. (115) Pittsburgh Steelers - Cobi Hamilton, WR, Arkansas

19. (116) New York Giants - Johnathan Franklin, RB, UCLA

20. (117) Chicago Bears - Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee

21. (118) Cincinnati Bengals - Rick Wagner, OT, Wisconsin

22. (119) Washington Redskins - Da’Rick Rogers, WR, Tennessee Tech

23. (120) Minnesota Vikings - Zaviar Gooden, OLB, Missouri

24. (121) Indianapolis Colts - Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State

25. (122) Green Bay Packers - T.J. McDonald, SS, USC

26. (123) Seattle Seahawks - Nathan Williams, OLB, Ohio State

27. (124) Houston Texans - John Simon, OLB, Ohio State

28. (125) Denver Broncos - Duke Williams, CB, Nevada

29. (126) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Kwame Geathers, DT, Georgia

30. (127) Atlanta Falcons - Will Davis, CB, Utah State

31. (128) San Francisco 49ers - Margus Hunt, DE, SMU

32. (129) Baltimore Ravens - Jamaal Johnson-Webb, OT, Alabama A&M

33. (130) Baltimore Ravens - Jonathan Cyprien, SS, Florida International

34. (131) San Francisco 49ers - Tharold Simon, CB, LSU

35. (132) Detroit Lions - Robert Alford, CB, Southeast Louisiana

36. (133) Atlanta Falcons - Travis Bond, G, North Carolina

The third round is where a lot of high impact players are found, but you have to start digging for them.  Here is how I see the 3rd round of the NFL Draft going later this month:

1. (63) Kansas City Chiefs - Alex Okafor, DE, Texas

2. (64) Jacksonville Jaguars - Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State

3. (65) Detroit Lions - Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, Connecticut

4. (66) Oakland Raiders - DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson

5. (67) Philadelphia Eagles - Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon State

6. (68) Cleveland Browns - Mike Glennon, QB, North Carolina State

7. (69) Arizona Cardinals - Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson

8. (70) Tennessee Titans - Bennie Logan, DT, LSU

9. (71) Buffalo Bills - Kevin Reddick, ILB, North Carolina

10. (72) New York Jets - Stedman Bailey, WR, West Virginia

11. (73) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Gavin Escobar, TE, San Diego State

12. (74) San Francisco 49ers - Trevardo Williams, DE, Connecticut

13. (75) New Orleans Saints - Oday Aboushi, OT, Virginia

14. (76) San Diego Chargers - Hugh Thornton, OG, Illinois

15. (77) Miami Dolphins - B.W. Webb, CB, William & Mary

16. (78) St. Louis Rams - E.J. Manuel, QB, Florida State

17. (79) Pittsburgh Steelers - Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

18. (80) Dallas Cowboys - David Bakhtiari, OT, Colorado

19. (81) New York Giants - Stepfan Taylor, RB, Stanford

20. (82) Miami Dolphins - Cornelius Washington, OLB, Georgia

21. (83) Minnesota Vikings - David Quessenberry, G, San Jose State

22. (84) Cincinnati Bengals - Phillip Thomas, SS, Fresno State

23. (85) Washington Redskins - Michael Mauti, ILB, Penn State

24. (86) Indianapolis Colts - Alvin Bailey, G, Arkansas

25. (87) Seattle Seahawks - Michael Buchanon, OLB, Illinois

26. (88) Green Bay Packers - Xavier Nixon, OT, Florida

27. (89) Houston Texans - Dallas Thomas, G, Tennessee

28. (90) Denver Broncos - Nico Johnson, ILB, Alabama

29. (91) New England Patriots - Larry Warford, G, Kentucky

30. (92) Atlanta Falcons - Khaled Holmes, C, USC

31. (93) San Francisco 49ers - Gerald Hodges, OLB, Penn State

32. (94) Baltimore Ravens - Daimion Stafford, FS, Nebraska

33. (95) Houston Texans - Travis Long, OLB, Washington State

34. (96) Kansas City Chiefs - Aaron Dobson, WR, Marshall

35. (97) Tennessee Titans - Jordan Reed, TE, Florida

A ton of good players are going to be flying off the shelves in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.  Here is how I see the second round going down:

1. (33) Jacksonville Jaguars - Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

2. (34) San Francisco 49ers - Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

3. (35) Philadelphia Eagles - Brian Winters, G, Kent State

4. (36) Detroit Lions - Ace Sanders, WR, South Carolina

5. (37) Cincinnati Bengals - Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin

6. (38) Arizona Cardinals - Giovani Bernard, RB, North Carolina

7. (39) New York Jets - Kyle Long, G, Oregon

8. (40) Tennessee Titans - Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU

9. (41) Buffalo Bills - Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse

10. (42) Miami Dolphins - Justin Pugh, OT, Syracuse

11. (43) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Matt Barkley, QB, USC

12. (44) Carolina Panthers - Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

13. (45) San Diego Chargers - David Amerson, CB, North Carolina State

14. (46) St. Louis Rams - John Jenkins, DT, Georgia

15. (47) Dallas Cowboys - Barrett Jones, C, Alabama

16. (48) Pittsburgh Steelers - Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford

17. (49) New York Giants - Terron Armstead, OT, Arkansas Pine Bluff

18. (50) Chicago Bears - Arthur Brown, OLB, Kansas State

19. (51) Washington Redskins - D.J. Swearinger, FS, South Carolina

20. (52) Minnesota Vikings - Kawaan Short, DT, Purdue

21. (53) Cincinnati Bengals - Matt Elam, SS, Florida

22. (54) Miami Dolphins - Datone Jones, DE, UCLA

23. (55) Green Bay Packers - Travis Frederick, C, Wisconsin

24. (56) Seattle Seahawks - Brandon Williams, OT, Missouri Southern

25. (57) Houston Texans - Chris Harper, WR, Kansas State

26. (58) Denver Broncos - Le’Veon Bell, RB, Michigan State

27. (59) New England Patriots - Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU

28. (60) Atlanta Falcons - Sanders Commings, CB, Georgia

29. (61) San Francisco 49ers - Zeke Motta, SS, Notre Dame

30. (62) Baltimore Ravens - Robert Woods, WR, USC

I did a lot of work to prepare a full 7-round mock draft of what I think will happen later this month in the NFL.  This is assuming there are no deals (which in itself is unrealistic) that will be made.  Here is how I see the first round looking as of April 10th:

1. Kansas City Chiefs - Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M

2. Jacksonville Jaguars - Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State

3. Oakland Raiders - Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M

4. Philadelphia Eagles - Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

5. Detroit Lions - D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

6. Cleveland Browns - Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama

7. Arizona Cardinals - Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma

8. Buffalo Bills - Cordarelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee

9. New York Jets - Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

10. Tennessee Titans - Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU

11. San Diego Chargers - Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia

12. Miami Dolphins - Chance Warmack, G, Alabama

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Ezekial Ansah, DE, BYU

14. Carolina Panthers - Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State

15. New Orleans Saints - Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah

16. St. Louis Rams - Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon

17. Pittsburgh Steelers - Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida

18. Dallas Cowboys - Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina

19. New York Giants - Manti Te’o, ILB, Notre Dame

20. Chicago Bears - Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

21. Cincinnati Bengals - Terrence Williams, WR, Baylor

22. St. Louis Rams - Eric Reid, FS, LSU

23. Minnesota Vikings - Logan Ryan, CB, Rutgers

24. Indianapolis Colts - Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina

25. Minnesota Vikings - Keenan Allen, WR, California

26. Green Bay Packers - Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama

27. Houston Texans - Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State

28. Denver Broncos - Kenny Vaccaro, FS, Texas

29. New England Patriots - Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State

30. Atlanta Falcons - Alec Ogletree, OLB, Georgia

31. San Francisco 49ers - Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame

32. Baltimore Ravens - Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee

38-year old righty swinging OF/DH Vladimir Guerrero has signed on to play with the Long Island Ducks of the Independent Atlantic League.  He played in 12 games in A+AAA-ball for the Blue Jays last year and he was 19 for 53 (.358 avg, 1,043 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 4 homers and 12 RBIs before he left the team because he wasn’t called up to the majors.  Guerrero last played in the majors in 2011 with the Orioles.  He played in 145 games for the Orioles in 2011 and he was 163 of 562 (.290 avg, .733 OPS) with 60 runs scored, 13 homers, 63 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.  Guerrero has now played in 2,147 games in his first 16 years in the majors and he is 2,590 of 8,155 (.318 avg, .931 OPS) with 1,328 runs scored, 449 homers, 1,496 RBIs and 181 stolen bases.  In his 16 years in the majors, Guerrero has been on the All-Star team 9 times, he has won 8 Silver Slugger Awards and in 2004 he was the American League MVP.  Guerrero played in 156 games for the Angels in 2004 and he was 206 of 612 (.337 avg, .989 OPS) with 124 runs scored, 39 homers, 126 RBIs and 15 stolen bases.  Here’s to hoping that Guerrero gets back to the majors at some point in 2013, because it’s fun to watch him take his hacks at the plate.

UPDATE:  The Long Island Ducks have also signed 31-year old lefty starting pitcher Dontrelle Willis.  Willis pitched in 4 games (1 start) in AAA-ball for the Orioles last year and he was 0-3 with a 8.53 ERA and a 2.21 WHIP.  He has pitched in 205 games (202 starts) in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 72-69 with a 4.17 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP.  His last good year was way back in 2006 when he was the “D-Train” for the Florida Marlins.  Willis has never been the same pitcher since he was dealt to the Tigers.  He pitched in 162 games (all starts) in his five years with the Marlins and he was 68-54 with a 3.78 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP.

NFL teams have been making moves the last three weeks and here is an early look at how they are doing so far:

Teams getting an A so far:

Chicago Bears - The Chicago Bears finally have gotten smart, as they signed OT Jermon Bushrod and OG Matt Slauson to protect Jay Cutler in 2013.  They also signed TE Martellus Bennett has he is a huge upgrade over the goof balls the Bears had playing tight end in 2012.  The Bears have also upgraded at two linebacker spots by signing MLB D.J. Williams and OLB James Anderson.

Miami Dolphins - The Dolphins have been really aggressive in free agency and they have helped themselves on both sides of the football so far.  WRs Mike Wallace, Brandon Gibson and TE Dustin Keller give second year QB Ryan Tannehill some potent weapons to throw the ball to in 2013.  They also have signed offensive guard Lance Louis to protect Tannehill.  Defensively the Dolphins have added LB Dannell Ellerbe, LB Philip Wheeler, CB Brent Grimes and DT Vaughn Martin.

Denver Broncos - The Denver Broncos have already helped themselves a lot of both sides of the football.  OG Louis Vasquez and WR Wes Welker are going to give the offense a boost in 2013 and beyond.  DT Terrance Knighton and CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are going to be high impact starters on D for the Broncos in 2013.  LB Stewart Bradley will likely be a solid backup in 2013.

Kansas City Chiefs - The Chiefs have been one of the most aggressive teams on both the trade front and in free agency.  QBs Alex Smith and Chase Daniel will be a huge upgrade over the clowns the Chiefs played at QB in 2012.  TE Anthony Fasano and WR Donnie Avery will give the Chiefs two more solid pass catchers for this year.  G/T Geoff Schwartz will help out protecting the new QBs.  CB Dunta Robinson, CB Sean Smith and DE Mike DeVito are going to make big time impacts on D for the Chiefs in 2013.

Teams getting a B+ so far:

Seattle Seahawks - The Seahawks dealt for WR Percy Harvin and they have signed DEs Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett to rush the passer in 2013.  All three of these guys are high impact players.

Arizona Cardinals - QBs Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton will be on hand for 2013 and they will be a huge improvement over the jokers the Cardinals played at QB last year.  RB Rashard Mendenhall could also be a huge upgrade for the Cardinals in 2013.  OLB Lorenzo Alexander, safety Yeremiah Bell, CB Jerraud Powers, LB Jasper Brinkley, DE Matt Shaughnessy, CB Antoine Cason and DE Frostee Rucker will help improve the Cardinals’ D in 2013.

Indianapolis Colts - The Colts have added OG Donald Thomas and OT Gosder Cherilus to protect QB Andrew Luck in 2013.  They also brought in veteran QB Matt Hasselbeck to mentor Luck and WR Darrius Heyward-Bey to get deep in 2013.  OLB Erik Walden, CB Greg Toler, safety LaRon Landry, DT Ricky Jean Francois and DT Aubrayo Franklin could all play big roles for the D in 2013.

Teams getting a B so far:

Philadelphia Eagles:  The Eagles have been focusing on improving the defense and special teams so far.  Safety Pat Chung, NT Isaac Sopoaga, CB Bradley Fletcher, FS Kenny Phillips, CB Cary Williams, OLB Connor Barwin and punter Donnie Jones could all make big impacts for the Eagles in 2013.   FB/TE James Casey and WR Arrelious Benn will give Michael Vick a couple more guys to throw to in 2013.

Detroit Lions - The Lions have only made a few moves, but they have been good ones.  They have signed RB Reggie Bush, DT/DE Jason Jones and strong safety Glover Quin so far.

Atlanta Falcons - The Falcons have replaced RB Michael Turner and DE John Abraham with RB Steven Jackson and DE Osi Umenyiora.  Both of those signings were good ones.

San Francisco 49ers - The 49ers have dealt for backup QB Colt McCoy and WR Anquan Boldin to help the offense in 2013.  They have also added kicker Phil Dawson and he will be a huge upgrade over David Akers, as he is almost automatic from inside 50 yards.  NT Glenn Dorsey, LB Daniel Skuta, safety Craig Dahl and CB Nnamdi Asomugha have been added to help out the D for 2013.

St. Louis Rams - The Rams have only signed two players so far and they will give the offense a big time boost.  TE Jared Cook and OT Jake Long were the top free agents that their positions available in free agency.  Somewhere, QB Sam Bradford is smiling.

Cleveland Browns - The Browns are being very smart with their money so far in free agency.  They spent a lot of money on DE Desmond Bryant and OLB Paul Kruger, but they are worth it as they will help the Browns’ pass rush big time in 2013.  OLB Quentin Groves, CB Chris Owens and CB/S Kevin Barnes could help the Browns in backup roles in 2013.  QB Jason Campbell will challenge second year man Brandon Weeden for the starting job in training camp.  TEs Gary Barnidge and Kellen Davis will battle Jordan Cameron for the starting job in 2013.

Tennessee Titans - The Titans have spent well on both sides of the football so far in free agency.  OG Andy Levitre, C/G Rob Turner and C/G Chris Spencer could really help the Titans improve as run blockers in 2013.  RB Shonn Greene will push Chris Johnson for carries in training camp.  TE Delanie Walker and WR Kevin Walter will give Jake Locker another pair of decent receivers.  QB Ryan Fitzpatrick will slide into Matt Hasselbeck’s old role as Locker’s mentor and backup.  FS George Wilson and SS Bernard Pollard will likely both start for the Titans in 2013.  LB Moise Fokou, DT Sammie Lee Hill and DE Ropati Pitoitua will likely help the Titans off the bench in 2013.

Oakland Raiders - The Raiders made the big trade for QB Matt Flynn earlier this week and he will be their starting QB in 2013 and beyond.  Most of the moves the Raiders have made have been to bolster the D for 2013.  DE Jason Hunter, DT Pat Sims, OLB Kaluka Maiava, OLB Nick Roach, MLB Kevin Burnett, DT Vance Walker and CB Tracy Porter should all have big roles on D for the Raiders in 2013.

Teams getting a B- so far:

Minnesota Vikings:  The Vikings big move was stealing WR Greg Jennings away from the rival Green Bay Packers.  They also signed up Matt Cassel to back up Christian Ponder for 2013 and he is a huge upgrade over Joe Webb.

New Orleans Saints - The Saints have added CB Keenan Lewis, OLB Victor Butler and DE Kenyon Coleman to help give the defense a boost in 2013.  They also signed QB Luke McCown to back up Drew Brees and TE Ben Watson to back up Jimmy Graham in 2013.

Teams getting a C+ so far:

New York Giants - The Giants have cast a wide net trying to help themselves in all three phases of the game in 2013.  Kicker Josh Brown will take over for Lawrence Tynes.  WR Louis Murphy and TE Brandon Myers are going to give Eli Manning a couple of more solid options in the passing game in 2013.  DT Cullen Jenkins, CB Aaron Ross, safety Ryan Mundy and LB Dan Connor could give the Giants some help on D in 2013.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - The Bucs have only signed one big ticket item and that was free safety Dashon Goldson.  He will be a huge upgrade over Ronde Barber.  LB Jonathan Casillas, DT Derek Landri and DE George Selvie will help the Bucs depth wise on D in 2013.  WR Kevin Ogletree, WR Steve Smith, RB Brian Leonard and TE Tom Crabtree will give Josh Freeman more options in the passing game for 2013.  Kicker Nate Kaeding and punter Chas Henry will try to give the Bucs’ special teams a boost in 2013.

Houston Texans - The Texans have signed one player for each phase of the game so far.  Fullback Greg Jones, free safety Ed Reed and punter Shane Lechler could all be impact players for the Texans in 2013.

Jacksonville Jaguars - The Jaguars are staying away from the high ticket free agents, preferring to spread the wealth among a lot of decent players.  RB Justin Forsett will be a solid backup RB for the Jaguars in 2013.  LB Geno Hayes, CB/S Alan Ball and DTs Sen’Derrick Marks and Roy Miller could give the defense a boost in 2013.

Teams getting a C so far:

New England Patriots - The Patriots hope that WR Danny Amendola will be able to replace Wes Welker (he signed with the Broncos).  WRs Donald Jones and Michael Jenkins will also have good shots of winning roster spots in training camp….but they are not starting material.  RB/KR/PR Leon Washington will give the return game a solid boost in 2013.  Safety Adrian Wilson could help the back end of the Patriots’ D in 2013, if he has anything left in the gas tank.

Teams Getting a C- so far:

Carolina Panthers:  The Panthers have been signing a lot of backup type players in free agency.  LB Chase Blackburn, safety Michael Mitchell, CB D.J. Moore, CB Drayton Florence and DT Colin Cole could give the D a little boost.  The Panthers have also signed WR/KR/PR Ted Ginn, who they hope will help them on special teams in 2013.

San Diego Chargers:  The Chargers are signing a lot of backup type players so far in free agency.  OT King Dunlap, OG Chad Rhinehart and G/C Rich Ohrnberger could help the O-Line in 2013.  RB Danny Woodhead and TE John Phillips could help the offense a little bit in 2013.  CBs Johnny Patrick and Derek Cox could help the secondary some for the Chargers in 2013.

Teams getting a D so far:

New York Jets:  The Jets have done a little bit to try to improve the offense in 2013.  QB David Garrard will challenge Mark Sanchez for the starting job in training camp.  RB Mike Goodson will get a chance to replace Shonn Greene as the starting RB in 2013.  T/G Willie Colon is a good bet to win a starting job somewhere on the Jets’ O-Line in 2013.  DT Antonio Garay and OLB Antwan Barnes could help the Jets’ D depth wise in 2013.

Buffalo Bills:  The Bills signed QB Kevin Kolb, who isn’t much better than Ryan Fitzpatrick, who they cut.  OLB Manny Lawson and DT Alan Branch are not going to make much of an impact for the D in 2013.

Baltimore Ravens:  The Ravens have lost a lot of big time veteran players on both sides of the football.  They have recently signed DE Elvis Dumervil, DE Marcus Spears, DT Chris Canty and safety Michael Huff to cushion the blow a little bit defensively.

Cincinnati Bengals:  The Bengals have used their ample salary cap space to re-sign most of their own free agents.  They have only signed QB Josh Johnson from outside the organization.

Washington Redskins:  The Redskins have signed a lot of backup type players.  OT Tony Pashos, OT Jeremy Trueblood, DT Ron Brace, CB E.J. Biggers and OLB Darryl Tapp are the free agents that they have brought in so far.

Teams getting an F so far:

Pittsburgh Steelers:  The Steelers have lost a lot of big time players as they are right up against the salary cap.  QB Bruce Gradkowski, TE Matt Spaeth and CB William Gay have been the only additions in free agency so far.

Dallas Cowboys:  LB Justin Durant, safety Will Allen and DT Nick Hayden are the only three free agents that the Cowboys have brought in so far.

Green Bay Packers:  The Packers have yet to sign a free agent so far from outside their organization.