Phil's Mock Draft 2012 Top 10 picks

1. Indianapolis Colts- Andrew Luck, QB Stanford

I think it’s safe to say since Peyton Manning missed the season opener we all saw this coming.

2. Washington Redskins- Robert Griffin III, QB Baylor

Swapping first round picks, and sending the Rams a 2^nd rounder and their 2013 and 2014 first round picks and with Rex Grossman as there returning starter Griffin is the pick.

3. Minnesota Vikings- Matt Kalil, OT USC

Cutting former Pro Bowl left tackle Bryant Mckinnie in 2010 and cutting former Pro Bowl left guard Steve Hutchinson this offseason makes this the logical move while the Vikings are in “rebuilding mode”.

4. Cleveland Browns- Trent Richardson, RB Alabama

I thought the pick would be Griffin but after the blockbuster trade by the Redskins and loosing running back Peyton Hillis to the Chiefs in free agency the powerful Richardson seems like the right call.        

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Morris Claiborne, CB LSU

I thought the Buccaneers would pick wide receiver Justin Blackmon but after the securing star receiver Vincent Jackson from the Chargers and with Ronde Barber going into the season at 37 Claiborne is the best pick.

6. St. Louis Rams- Justin Blackmon, WR Oklahoma State

Rams fans should be thrilled the Rams will still get Blackmon who they wanted and needed from the start off the offseason, but also added 3 great picks to help the future of their franchise, this will also help replace the loss of Brandon Lloyd.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars- Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame

This may be a little early in the draft for Floyd but with Blaine Gabbert going into his second season he needs weapons to succeed. The Jaguars would prefer Blackmon over Floyd but that won’t be an option.

      8.   Miami Dolphins- Dontari Poe, DT Memphis

While fans are screaming for a quarterback after missing out on Manning and Flynn, Joe Philbin coming from his Packer roots won’t give into pressure and draft Ryan Tannehill early just to please fans. Poe should do a great job replacing Paul Solari who bolted to the Chiefs.

9.  Carolina Panthers- Quinton Coples, DE North Carolina

Even after retaining defensive end Charles Johnson last season they are still looking for the next Julius Peppers. They would like to draft a receiver to play alongside Steve Smith to help out Cam Newton but with Blackmon and Floyd gone Coples is the choice.           

10. Buffalo Bills-  Jonathan Martin, OT Stanford

Bills fans may want Ryan Tannehill but after giving Ryan Fitzpatrick a 59 million dollar contract last season the Bills will pass on Tannehill and try and upgrade their offensive line with the Stanford tackle.

Super Bowl Recap

What a game, I must say I was close I had the Giants winning by 3 but they won by 4, even though each team scored about 13 fewer points. This was an interesting game, first off the Giants pass rush was okay but not nearly as good as I expected, and while the Giants run game didn’t seem impressive they quietly ran for a team total of 114 yard with Bradshaw and Jacobs both averaging over 4 yards a carry. Also Eli Manning played great completing 75 percent of his passes and throwing a TD and no picks while earning the MVP award.  The Patriots offense played pretty good as well with the only flaw being a few crucial dropped passes and an interception thrown by Brady, other then that Brady played good with a completion percent of 65 and 2 touchdowns.

Defense wins championships is a common saying that you may have heard a time or two. Yesterday that was the difference in the game, while the Giants got a few brakes with dropped passes they came through when needed with a safety early and a key interception in the second half. Whereas the Patriots defense kept the score well in range for them to win but they couldn’t come through when it mattered most giving away the biggest play of the game allowing Manningham to catch a 38 yard pass on the sideline on the game winning drive.

On to the offseason, I feel both of these teams will be contenders again next year. The Giants may have some struggles with the Eagles but they should still have no problem securing at least a wildcard next year. While the Patriots have good depth in most areas and have the cap room and draft picks to go after a skilled receiver, and some secondary help. I think the Patriots will have no problem securing at least a wildcard next year and will most likely win the AFC East again.

Super Bowl

A rematch of Super Bowl 42 played in February 2008, its even a rematch of a game this past November, The Giants Won those last two match ups both with game winning drives in the final minutes of regulation. This game should be similar and resemble the Patriots vs. Ravens match-up we just witnessed this past weekend. The Giants have a defense that is playing well, and will play the Patriots similar to the way Ravens played the Patriots, The Giants Secondary isn't as good as the Ravens but they make up for it with the better pass rush. While the Patriots while try and stop the Giants running game and make Eli Manning pass all day against them. Expect the Giants to try and stick to the run and rush for 150 yards or more, while Tom Brady will probably have a nice outing and pass for over 300 yards and have a few touchdown passes. I feel that this game will come down to the final minuets of the 4th quarter but the Giants won't make mistakes like the Ravens did and will come out on top.
New York 34 New England 31

Miami+Philbin=Matt Flynn?

Miami moved to the top of list today in the pursuit of singing Matt Flynn. Miami signed Packers Offensive Coordinator Joe Philbin to be there new Head Coach. Joe Philbin will obviously make one of his first priorities as Miami's Head Coach to find a Franchise Quarterback. While the Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland may prefer drafting Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III, but with the possibility of them going and 1st and 2nd overall and Miami sitting at the 9th spot in the draft free agency is more probable. Philbin having coached Flynn in Green Bay he is familiar with his skill sets, and is comfortable with him running the offense of his team in Miami. Also from Flynn's perspective Miami is ideal with Philbin in place the offense will most likely be very close to the offense Flynn is familiar with in Green Bay so no learning curve. Also Flynn being from Texas, and playing College football at LSU he may prefer playing in Southern Florida over the Pacific Northwest, Washington D.C., or Cleveland.

Championship Games

Baltimore Vs New England 3:00ET

This is an interesting match up, most likely the Patriots will be favored at home to win this match-up. The key will be New Englands offence led by Tom Brady against the Ravens defense. Will Ed Reed and the Ravens be able to slow down the production New England has been getting from Tight-ends Gronkowski and Hernandez. Also will the Patriots be able to generate the pass rush that dominated the Broncos during the Divisional Round. My best guess is that this game will be close going into the forth quarter and whichever team makes the mistake late loses. The Ravens will run the ball well and squeak out a win.

Ravens 29 Patriots 27

New York Vs San Fransisco 6:30ET

This game should be an exciting one. The Giants managed to hold the Packers to 20 points during the Divisional Round so I imagine they should be able to be successful against the not as high flying offense of the 49ers. While the 49ers will hope to rest on there defense and turnovers which were a huge part in their win over the Saints this last weekend. While the 49ers beat the Giants 27-20 during the regular season I think that the Giants are playing at a much higher level now. I think both teams will play well and lean on the running game, but the difference in the game is Eli Manning over Alex Smith.

Giants 26 49ers 17

The Saints Vs. the NFC West

After a loss today against the 49ers there are a few things to review. First off we all saw Alex Smith pull of a few late game drives that none of us thought he had in him. Going into today the 49ers may have been favored but a lot of people thought the Saints would win. But when we look closer we see interesting facts. First of this year and last year the Saints were knocked out of the playoffs by the 49ers and Seahawks. Also the only other NFC West team the Saints played this year was the Saint Louis Rams who the Saints lost to 31-21. The Rams only won 2 games while the Saints only lost 3. People will argue that the Saints struggle on the road and playing on grass and outdoors.  

The Saints go into 2012 with a 3 game losing steak against NFC West opponents. The Saints will host the 49ers at home in 2012 so we can see if the trend continues for them against NFC West opponents.

Good Luck Tebow

Good luck Tebow, the odds and numbers are against you, people don't think your skilled enough to go into Foxborough and win. If you win tomorrow people will start running out of ammunition to use against you. Tomorrow is an opportunity for you, Brady has nothing to gain only things to lose. Plus we all love watching New England lose.