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2010 Nick G Sports Banter NFL Mock Draft

1 – St. Louis Rams – Sam Bradford (QB, Oklahoma)
The only QB’s currently on the St. Louis roster are A.J. Feeley, Keith Null and Mike Reilly. With that said, there’s little doubt about who’s name will be called first at Radio City Thursday night.

2 – Detroit Lions – Ndamukong Suh (DT, Nebraska)
Anybody who watched what Suh did to Texas in the Big 12 championship game understands why he’s off the board next. An argument can be made that he was the most dominant DT in college football over the past 10 years.

3 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Gerald McCoy (DT, Oklahoma)
Phenomenal 3-technique DT who some think could be better than Suh. At the very least he’s poised to step right in day one and have a huge impact on the Bucs defense.

4 – Washington Redskins – Russell Okung (OT, Oklahoma State)
With Donovan McNabb on board the number priority for the Skins is finding someone to protect his blind side. Mike Shanahan will be thrilled when Okung falls to him at four. And just like that Washington is set for the next five years at quarterback and left tackle—arguably the two most important positions in football.

5 – Cleveland Browns (Via Kansas City) – Eric Berry (S, Tennessee)
New football Czar Mike Holmgren needs a quarterback (on both offense and defense), but he’s not enamored with Jimmy Clausen, especially as a top-ten prospect. Instead he trades up two spots to land the best pure football player in this draft, leapfrogging his old team in the process.

6 – Seattle Seahawks – Trent Williams (OT, Oklahoma)
Pete Caroll probably would have opted for Berry over Williams, but now turns his attention to what easily was the worst offensive line in the NFL last year. This is very high for a player with some questions marks, but he’s technically the next best OT on the board and Seattle must take him.

7 – Kansas City Chiefs (Via Cleveland) – Brian Bulaga (OT, Iowa)
Scott Pioli was more than happy to accommodate Mike Holmgren’s request for a trade, pocketing some extra picks, and still getting the guy he wants here. Bulaga is the most fundamentally sound OT in the class and was coached in college by Kirk Firentz, a guy Pioli trusts from their Dynasty Days together back in New England.

8 – Oakland Raiders – Rolando McClain (LB, Alabama)
It’s always a crap-shoot trying to predict the Oakland pick. However, it does appear like they’ll focus on their defense, especially with a glaring hole a middle linebacker. McClain manned the middle for Nick Saban’s national title team and should be a stud as an inside backer at the next level.

9 – Buffalo Bills – Dan Williams (DT, Tennessee)
Dez Bryant will be awfully tempting here, but new Head Coach Chan Gailey will opt for the safe DT over the enigmatic WR, especially after fielding one of the league’s worst run D’s in 2009.

10 – Jacksonville Jaguars – C.J. Spiller (RB, Clemson)
Jack Del Rio is firmly on the hot seat heading into 2010 and a splash is definitely needed to muster up some interest among a fading fan base. Fans are clamoring for Tim Tebow, but this is way too high for a player bound to go between rounds 2 and 3. Spiller would excite the masses and give Del Rio back the 1-2 punch he lost when Fred Taylor left town.

11 – Denver Broncos – Dez Bryant (WR, Oklahoma State)
I might never understand the thinking of so-called "whiz kid" Josh McDaniels, who seems poised to draft Oklahoma State’s prima donna WR, only days after trading away one of the NFL’s best pass catchers. But ever since he’s arrived on the scene in Denver he’s been a complete mystery. Why should Thursday evening at Radio City Music Hall be any different?

12 – Miami Dolphins – Jerry Hughes (LB, TCU)
Some may think this is high for the Horned Frog product, who has been labeled as a second-day prospect by many. But consider this: Bill Parcells is looking for a player to replace Jason Taylor and Joey Porter. And Hughes is the prototypical OLB for Parcells’ 3-4 scheme. Plus, there is precedent: back in 2005 while making the 11th overall pick for Dallas, Tuna went off the board and took the fast-rising OLB DeMarcus Ware from tiny Troy University…and look how that turned out. Could Hughes become Miami’s version of D-Ware?

13 – San Francisco 49ers – Earl Thomas (S, Texas)
If anybody understands the importance of a world-class safety it’s this organization. Blessed with one of the best ever in Ronnie Lott, Niner fans will welcome this Longhorn product to the Bay area with open arms, hoping he brings that enormous big-play ability with him from Austin.

14 – Seattle Seahawks – Derrick Morgan (DE, Georgia Tech)
For all the glitz and glam that was USC football under newly-minted Seahawks coach Pete Caroll, defense is this guy’s calling card. After being forced to use the 6th overall pick on second-best offensive lineman in the draft, Caroll and the Hawks turn around and draft the best pure DE in this year’s class.

15 - New York Giants – Sergio Kindle (LB, Texas)
Another coach potentially on the hot seat is New York’s Tom Coughlin. Lucky for him the perfect replacement for Antonio Pierce is sitting right here waiting for him at 15. Kindle was a monster at Texas and has the type of aggression and skill needed to succeed ferocious NFC East.

16 – Tennessee Titans – Jason Pierre-Paul (DE, South Florida)
Some think he’ll be a bust while others have compared him to former Titan DE Jevon Kearse. Quite a large disparity if you ask me. One thing is certain: South Florida wasn’t the number-one ranked team in college football during Pierre-Paul’s time by accident. Cowboys' Pro Bowl corner Mike Jenkins played on the same Bulls defense with Pierre-Paul, so we know this program can turn out stars. I suspect this QB terrorizer enjoys similar success.

17 – San Francisco 49ers – Jimmy Clausen (QB, Notre Dame)
One of Clausen’s biggest knocks is that he comes across as overly confident and cocky. And that’s because he is. He’ll need every ounce of that swagger to handle the enormous pressure of being anointed San Francisco’s next great signal caller, just ask Alex Smith. With the Notre Dame connection glaring obvious, let the Joe Montana comparison begin…now.

18 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Mike Iupati (G, Idaho)
Considering Ben Roethlisberger’s dramatic fall from grace, it sure would have been interesting to see what Pittsburgh would have done had Clausen dropped this far. That aside, the Steelers do the right thing and grab Iupati to sure up a major problem spot along their offensive line.

19 – Atlanta Falcons – Sean Weatherspoon (LB, Missouri)
Had Weatherspoon performed better in his final year with Missouri this kid could have been the first linebacker off the board, but he struggled. Good thing for him linebackers are in high demand this year. New York will decide between Kindle and Weatherspoon at 15 and Atlanta will take what's left. Improving their linebacker corp. is the number-one priority heading into Thursday night’s draft.

20 – Houston Texans – Joe Haden (CB, Florida)
The Texans lost Dunta Robinson via free agency to the Falcons. While this set back forces them to once again address the position with a first-round pick, they will be more than happy to see Joe Haden staring them in the face at this late juncture.

21 – Cincinnati Bengals – Jermaine Gresham (TE, Oklahoma)
Had Gresham came out last year he almost surely would have been the first TE off the board, ahead of Detroit’s Brandon Pettigrew. Despite a full year lost to injury Bengals brass can’t resist the idea of pairing this pass-catching marvel with franchise QB Carson Palmer.

22 – New England Patriots – Brandon Graham (DE/LB, Michigan)
In a more sophisticated and logical sense Bill Bellicheck is sort of like Al Davis on draft day—there’s just no telling what he’s going to do. Brandon Graham seems to have all the trappings of a Bellicheck player. And versatile linebacker is definitely a New England need.

23 – Green Bay Packers – Tyson Alualu (DE, California)
Green Bay has one of the best 3-4 linebacker units in the NFC. Now they just need that space-eating DE to keep their jerseys clean. Alualu is rocketing up draft boards and would look great along that D-line with last year’s first-round pick B.J. Raji and Ryan Pickett. Not to mention the 51 points they allowed in a Wildcard loss to Arizona is still front and center on everyone's mind.

24 – Philadelphia Eagles – Maukrice Pouncey (C, Florida)
Talk about a team filling a void via the draft. Philadelphia is in dire need of interior O-line help. Pouncey was the best center in the country last season. This kid was probably the best player on the Florida Gators aside from Tim Tebow during the Tebow era. When we look back in 5 years at the 2010 Draft this might be the best pick (and that’s coming from a Cowboys fan!).

25 – Baltimore Raven – Jared Odrick (DE, Penn State)
The Big Twelve Defensive Player of the Year gives Baltimore another stud along an already deep D-Line. Now the questions becomes: Do the Ravens like this player as much as all of the mock draft experts seem to think they do.

26 – Arizona Cardinals – Anthony Davis (OT, Rutgers)
Arizona can go a lot of different directions with this pick. The most likely scenario is to snatch Davis. He would immediately step in and start at left tackle, and that’s too great of a commodity to pass up this late in round one.

27 – Minnesota Vikings (Via Dallas) – Ryan Matthews (RB, Fresno State)
There’s nothing here that Dallas can’t live without, factor in that Minnesota probably needs to leap frog the Chargers and Jets to have any shot at Matthews and you have yourself one hell of a trade possibility. With Chester Taylor now in Chicago, Minnesota needs to find that hammer to lighten All Day’s load. Matthews is that guy and Dallas will be happy grabbing an extra pick to move down a few spots.

28 – San Diego Chargers – Kyle Wilson (CB, Fresno State)
I battled over this pick long and hard because I can truly see the Bolts drafting either Bama’s Mount Cody or UCLA‘s Brian Price. In the end I went with Wilson because he’s the next best corner after Haden, San Diego needs to replace Antonio Cromartie and Cody should be there when the Chargers pick again at 40.

29 – New York Jets – Taylor Mays (S, USC)
Wow, 29 picks before a Trojan comes off the board! What has the draft come too? This development pleases the Jets who are more than happy to add the flashy safety to a secondary that already includes Revis Island, the newly-acquired Antonio Cromartie and Jim Leonhard. If Mays turns out to be the player many expect this pick will make Jet fans quickly forget about the Kerry Rhodes trade.

30 – Dallas Cowboys (Via Minnesota) – Nate Allen (S, South Florida)
Dallas needs a safety and Mays wasn’t a good fit for their system at 27. Allen played in the same secondary with current Cowboys corner Mike Jenkins at South Florida and Jenkins has politicked internally for Dallas to draft his fellow classmate. With a huge void at FS Allen’s cover ability could place him front and center on one of the best defenses in football next season.

31 – Indianapolis Colts – Rodger Saffold (OT, Indiana)
Saffold played his college ball right in the Colts backyard. They need an OT and his style of play is better suited for Indianapolis than USC’s Charles Brown and Maryland’s Bruce Campbell.

32 – New Orleans Saints – Daryl Washington (LB, TCU)
The TCU Horned Frogs led college football in Total Defense, in terms of yards allowed, in 2008 and 2009. And Darryl Washington was a major reason why. The Saints could use a starter at either inside or outside linebacker and Washington can surely fill one of those spots.

2-18 -- The Nick G Show

Welcome back to the brand new Sports Banter Radio. Today on The Nick G Show we discuss the men's Olympic hockey tournament. Fresh off a 6-1 victory over Norway is Team USA medal bound? Does Team Canada have a fatal flaw? And how good of a job did Brian Burke do when he constructed the Team USA roster? If you need your Olympic hockey fix you came to the right spot. Plus, it's NBA Trade Deadline Day! And one team made a power move heading into the Summer of LeBron...who was it and how might it affect the most anticipated NBA off-season in recent memory. It was a busy day in the world of sports and Nick Giarrusso has you covered, take a listen, leave some feedback and make sure to spread the word if you like the show...enjoy!

Have a take? Leave your questions or feedback at ngiarrusso@espnseattle.com. Everything submitted will be read during our mailbag segment on an upcoming show.

2-2 -- The Nick G Show (Segment 1)

Welcome back to Sports Banter Radio. It's Wednesday of Super Bowl week and though Nick G isn't broadcasting live from 'radio row' in Miami, he still has you covered. What's the latest on Super Bowl XLIV? Why are the Colts considered such heavy favorites? Can the Saints pull of the upset? Need a Super Bowl fix...you're in the right place...take a listen to the The Nick G Show and join the debate.

Have a take? Send your questions and comments to ngiarrusso@espnseattle.com. All submissions will be answered during our weekly mailbag segment. Thanks, spread the word and keep listening.

2-2 -- The Nick G Show (Segment 2)

One team is a model NFL franchise, steeped in tradition and success. The other is the historical polar opposite, having suffered through decades of ineptitude. Are these perceptions playing a role in people's predictions of Super Bowl XLIV? Nick G thinks so...take a listen to see if you agree.

2-2 -- The Nick G Show (Segment 3)

On the final segment of today's show Nick G discusses his rankings of all 43 prior Super Bowls. Which one does he have rated best of all-time? And which one does he feel was the worst Super Bowl ever played? Take a listen to hear that...plus the latest of Dwight Freeney's ankle injury and how it may affect this weekend's game.

Five Plays to Remember: Vikes Oust Dallas From NFC Playoffs

The Dallas Cowboys weren’t hot entering Sunday’s Divisional playoff game with the Minnesota Vikings, they were scorching. Their tidal wave of momentum started in New Orleans with a 24-17 win over the previously 13-0 Saints. They ended the year with back-to-back shutouts; dismantled Philadelphia in the season finale to clinch the NFC East title, and ended their 12-year-playoff victory drought six days later with another lopsided win over Philly. They entered the Metro Dome on a 4-game winning streak that felt more like 40. Meanwhile, the Vikings came in losers of 3 of their last 5. And this is why we play the game.

Sixty minutes later the Cowboys tidal wave left them soaked in defeat after a 34-3 loss, Minnesota was off to the NFC Championship Game, and the widespread theory that hot teams win in the playoffs was once again proven unsound. How did it happen? Here are five plays that helped send America’s Team home early:

1Q – DALLAS BALL – 10:59 – 3rd & 14– MINN 38

All week long the Cowboys emphasized the need to start fast. On their opening drive of the game they were well on their way to doing just that. Dallas moved the ball from their own 28 down to the Minnesota 34 with relative ease. Enter Ray Edwards. In what may have been his best game as a Viking, the fourth-year Purdue product was practically unblockable, until a knee injury forced him from the game in the second half. By that point he had already totaled three sacks and made life miserable for Dallas RT Marc Columbo. With Dallas facing a 2nd and 10, Edwards tracked down the speedy Felix Jones, tackling him for a four-yard loss. This set up his signature play of the afternoon. On 3rd and 14, Tony Romo was flushed from the pocket and Ray Edwards was waiting for him. Edwards laid a savage hit on the Dallas QB. Romo fumbled; Minnesota recovered, and Dallas got their first taste of just how ferocious the Vikings defense could be.

1Q – DALLAS BALL – 5:53 – 4TH & 1 – MINN 30

Some people say that Wade Phillips isn’t the right guy for the Dallas job. And those people were given a new round of ammunition at the end of the Cowboys’ next possession. With Dallas facing a pivotal 4th and 1 from the Viking 30, Wade Phillips had a decision to make: go for it or try a 48-yard field goal? Complicating the matter was Dallas’ field goal kicker, or lack thereof. See, kicking field goals has been a season-long issue for the Cowboys. So bad so, that they decided to release former Pro Bowler Nick Folk and sign journeyman Shaun Suisham, himself recently released by the Washington Redskins. Yet, Phillips still opted for Suisham, instead of showing faith in his offense to gain one yard. Predictably, Suisham missed. Moments later Brett Favre hit Sydney Rice for a 47-yard touchdown, creating a hole Dallas would be unable to escape from all afternoon.

2Q – DALLAS BALL – 6:37 – 2nd & 11 – DALLAS 28

If one play capsulated Minnesota’s dominance best, it was this one. In a tough blow to the Dallas offense, perennial Pro Bowl LT Flozell Adams was forced from the game with a sprained knee midway through the second quarter. And with that, the task of trying to contain All-World DE Jared Allen became even more enormous. Compounding the loss of Adams was Dallas puzzling decision to keep Jason Witten in to block Allen—one on one. And the strategy proved immediately deadly. On the next play, Allen got past Witten faster than the Roadrunner gets around Wile E. Coyote. The result was a blind-side sack causing a Tony Romo fumble. Minnesota recovered and seven plays later the Vikings would make it 17-3. Another drive was prematurely stopped and all hope for a Dallas comeback was quickly evaporating.

2Q – MINN BALL – 1:40 -- 3rd & 10 – MINN 8

The Cowboys’ best chance to creep back into the game came right before the half. Trailing 17-3, Dallas pinned Minnesota deep with a 51-yard punt. Starting from their own 8-yard-line, with only 1:51 remaining in the half, Vikes coach Brad Childress was content playing it safe. He ran Adrian Peterson twice and both times the running back was stopped for no gain. Now Minnesota was looking at a 3rd and 10, still from their own 8, and Dallas was one play away from getting the ball back in great position to possibly score before the half. But Chester Taylor took the 3rd-down handoff and scampered 14 yards up field for the 1st down. Another opportunity was lost and the resulting halftime score of 17-3 might as well have read: 177-3. It felt that lopsided.

3Q – DALLAS BALL – 1:14 -- 3rd & 10 – DALLAS 20

With Minnesota still holding a 17-3 lead as the 3rd quarter wound down, the Vikings would deliver the final dagger in emphatic fashion. With Dallas facing a 3 & out from their own 20 yard line, Minnesota dialed up the same thing that work for them all day…pressure. With Romo forced to act quickly he fired a pass toward the right flat, failing to see Vikings linebacker Ben Leber in the process. The play resulted in an interception and four plays later Minnesota would make it a three-score game on a 28-yard Ryan Longwell field goal. There was still a quarter left to play, but for all intent and purposes the game was over.