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[Skooby]

2013 NFL draft - Baltimore Ravens draft guide - ESPN

@Skooby props in advance

2013 Ravens NFL draft guide

Personnel needs

WR, OT, ILB

Major need: The Ravens knew they would have to replace one inside linebacker this offseason after Ray Lewis retired, but the team expected to re-sign Dannell Ellerbe in free agency. The team did come to terms on a deal with Rolando McClain on Wednesday, which solves part of the equation. Second-year player Courtney Upshaw could be flexed inside if Baltimore does not add another inside 'backer in the draft.

Quiet need: It wasn't long after Ed Reed became a Texan that the Ravens signed former Raiders safety Michael Huff, but the team still needs to find a physical box safety to replace Bernard Pollard, released this offseason. James Ihedigbo is a sufficient veteran and 2012 rookie Christian Thompson was recently suspended for four games, and the ready-made replacement for Pollard isn't on the current roster.

Not a need: The Ravens not only have one of the best running backs in the league, they might have the best reserve back as well, as Bernard Pierce emerged during his rookie season as an impressive complement to Ray Rice. Any rest the Ravens can buy for Rice is a plus, and Pierce proved that he has the speed and wiggle needed to make yards in open space.


Depth chart

Jobs in jeopardy: Not only does Haloti Ngata prefer to play inside as a nose tackle, but Terrence Cody has not played up to his expected level, which looks likely to lead to him working in a reserve role behind the veteran. Ngata has played more as an end in the Ravens base three-man fronts in recent seasons, but the additions of Chris Canty and Marcus Spears plus the development of Arthur Jones allow him to transition back to his natural spot.

Don't mess with it: The Ravens tried Michael Oher on the left side of the line to start 2012, but eventually found that the best line combination involved him playing right tackle (where he played better) and inserting Bryant McKinnie as Joe Flacco's blindside protector. Rather that moving Oher back to the left side (McKinnie is a free agent), Baltimore ought to either re-sign McKinnie or invest in a fix via the draft.


What free agency solved

The Ravens were hit hard in free agency, as several key starters from their Super Bowl team are now playing elsewhere, including receiver Anquan Boldin (who was traded to San Francisco). But GM Ozzie Newsome was able to reconstruct his front seven with the additions of Canty, Spears, McClain and outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil, who will provide the pass rush lost when Paul Kruger signed with the Browns. Michael Huff should fill in as Reed's replacement, and the Ravens will return Lardarius Webb at cornerback. Credit Baltimore for turning over the roster at several key spots and keeping the talent level strong enough to compete for the playoffs again in 2013.

-- Field Yates

How they draft

Ravens Draft History (2010-12)

Each pick Baltimore has made over the past three years. Players who are projected 2013 starters are in bold.

Round Pick Player Pos
2012
2 35 Courtney Upshaw LB
2 60 Kelechi Osemele G
3 84 Bernard Pierce RB
4 98 Gino Gradkowski G
4 130 Christian Thompson DB
5 169 Asa Jackson DB
6 198 Tommy Streeter WR
7 236 DeAngelo Tyson DT
2011
1 27 Jimmy Smith DB
2 58 Torrey Smith WR
3 85 Jah Reid OT
4 123 Tandon Doss WR
5 164 Chykie Brown DB
5 165 Pernell McPhee LB
6 180 Tyrod Taylor QB
7 225 Anthony Allen RB
2010
2 43 Sergio Kindle LB
2 57 Terrence Cody DT
3 70 Ed dikkson TE
4 114 Dennis Pitta TE
5 156 David Reed WR
5 157 Arthur Jones DT
6 194 Ramon Harewood OT

Where they draft well: They treat the second round like it's the first round. Rice, Kruger, Terrence Cody, Torrey Smith, Kelechi Osemele and Upshaw have all been drafted in the second round over the past five years. If you're consistently picking impact starters (or stars in the case of Rice) in Round 2, you're going to be really good and really flexible.

Where they don't draft well: It's not much of a gripe, but tackle is not a position of strength. Osemele figures to improve on the right after being thrust into a starting role as a rookie, but the left side is a question. He's a name, but Oher hasn't graded out well since he moved back to left tackle, and another season like 2012 from the former first-rounder could have the Ravens looking to make a move there.

-- Chris Sprow


Best fits

Todd McShay provides three great fits for the Ravens' first-round pick at No. 32.

Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech: Call this one a hunch more than anything. Receiver isn't a top need, but if there's not a worthy left tackle on the board the Ravens could add another passing-game option for Flacco after the team traded away Boldin.

Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame: The Ravens need to replace Ray Lewis, and Te'o would be a consideration at this spot with his ability to make plays behind the Ravens' solid defensive line.

John Cyprien, S, FIU : Baltimore may have brought in Huff to ease the loss of Reed, but Cyprien could shore things up further with his overall skills.

-- Todd McShay


It's a successful draft if ...

What they must accomplish: They're comfortable with an addition at inside linebacker. While it's cerainly a possibility that a player such as LSU's Kevin Minter could be there for the taking at No. 32, this is a front office that has a really good idea of what they need from an interior linebacker. So even if one of the top three linebackers (Te'o, Alec Ogletree and Minter), they might go another direction, such as wide receiver or safety, and grab one later. But I'd be shocked if we're in Round 3 and Ozzie Newsome hasn't drafted a replacement for Lewis.

Additional goals: The board sets up well for the Ravens to hit a big need in either Round 2 or 3 if they go linebacker early. A deep safety class will help them add depth there, but remember, Huff isn't a big drop-off (if he is one at all) from what the Ravens would have expected from Reed in 2013. I also think the Ravens have to be looking for another tackle. We simply don't know what Oher is going to provide if he's the left tackle in 2013. He's far better on the right side. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if the Ravens went tackle at No. 32, in part a reflection of how much they just invested in Flacco.

 

[Jplaya2023]

2013 NBA playoffs: Western Conference playoff preview - ESPN

 

[954UAlreadyknow]

2013 NBA Draft - A case for why Trey Burke should be the No. 1 overall pick - ESPN
@Skooby

 

[Skooby]

2013 NBA playoffs: Western Conference playoff preview - ESPN

Playoff preview: Wild, wild West

It took until nearly 1 a.m. ET Thursday, but the matchups for the opening round of the Western Conference postseason are finally set. In a conference so deep from 1 through 8, all four series stand the chance of being competitive and entertaining.

Let's look at them. As a guide, I've provided the projected likelihood of the favorite winning the series based on the historical relationship between the difference in team ability (as measured by point differential) and head-to-head record during the regular season.

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder versus (8) Houston Rockets

Projection: Oklahoma City wins 87.2 percent of the time

When Oklahoma City has the ball: Omer Asik better get his rest between now and Sunday. He is going to be busy throughout this series dealing with Thunder players driving the paint against Houston's porous perimeter defense. During the regular-season series, the Rockets held Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook near their typical production but allowed too many kickouts for open 3s. Kevin Martin and Thabo Sefolosha were the beneficiaries, knocking down a combined 18 triples in the three games. If the outside shots aren't falling, Houston might be able to hang in on defense by keeping the Thunder off the line. The Rockets rarely foul, and Oklahoma City shot free throws on 8.8 percent of its plays against them as compared to 11.1 percent overall.


When Houston has the ball: Welcome to the James Harden show. The former Thunder star is likely to show his old team what it's missing, as he did during the regular season, averaging 29.3 points in head-to-head matchups. Harden was able to find his way to the line, helping Houston shoot more total free throws than Oklahoma City in the three games. The Rockets' next two leading scorers against the Thunder were forwards Marcus Morris and Patrick Patterson, both of whom were traded at the deadline. But Houston's lone win over Oklahoma City came the day of that trade, when the short-handed Rockets had little choice but to go small and spread out the Thunder defense.


Prediction: Oklahoma City can't be excited about drawing Houston, one of the strongest 8-seeds in recent memory. The Rockets had a better point differential than Golden State, the L.A. Lakers and five of the eight playoff teams in the East. Consistency was Houston's problem throughout the regular season, which is to be expected from a team that relies so heavily on the long ball. That's a bad thing when it means losing to Phoenix in a game that would have made the Rockets the seventh seed but a good thing in a series like this where Houston can win a game or two by getting hot.


Oklahoma City in 6.


(2) San Antonio Spurs versus (7) Los Angeles Lakers

Projection: San Antonio wins 86.7 percent of the time

When San Antonio has the ball: These two units come into the game in opposite directions. The Spurs have struggled on offense since Tony Parker badly sprained his ankle on March 1. In April, they've actually been substantially worse than average in terms of points per 100 possessions. At the same time, the Lakers have stepped up their defensive effort since Kobe Bryant's injury. Adjusted for opposition, three of their six best defensive performances since November have come with Bryant out of the lineup or playing limited minutes -- the last two games and a March win at Indiana. With Parker alternating good games and terrible ones and Manu Ginobili out of the lineup, San Antonio's only consistent threat has been Tim Duncan.


When the L.A. Lakers have the ball: We saw the game plan Sunday night when these two teams met at Staples Center. While Steve Nash's return could give Mike D'Antoni more options on offense, the Lakers will want to pound the ball down low to big men Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard. Gasol, healthy at last after a frustrating season, has been a hugely valuable playmaker from the high post in Nash's absence. Howard, meanwhile, is starting to dominate as he did prior to back surgery. Together, they've made the Lakers suddenly dangerous on the offensive glass. If Gasol and Howard click in the high-low game, the Lakers just need a couple of role players to make open shots from the perimeter.


Prediction: Because both teams are so different than they have been much of the season, the numbers tell us less about this series than any other. In fact, we've basically never seen the unit the Lakers hope to put on the floor. According to NBAwowy.com, Nash, Gasol and Howard have been on the floor without Bryant just five minutes all season. So this series could go any direction. Though the Spurs might have a renewed sense of urgency once the playoffs start, their finish to this season is disturbingly reminiscent of 2011. I think they'll escape this series, but I don't think it will be easy.


San Antonio in 7.


(3) Denver Nuggets versus (6) Golden State Warriors

Projection: Denver wins 86 percent of the time

When Denver has the ball: Hey, remember the NBA in the 1980s, when teams scored 110 points a night and nobody played too much defense? If you loved that, Denver-Golden State is the series for you. Expect up-tempo, entertaining basketball on both ends of the floor. The Nuggets' style is also a throwback because of how relentlessly they attack the basket off the dribble. Basically every perimeter player has been empowered by George Karl to try to get to the paint to score or set up someone else. The Warriors will counter by packing the middle on defense and daring Denver to shoot the ball. Golden State might even go zone for extended stretches. No team allowed more 3-point attempts than the Warriors, though they held opponents to a below-average percentage from beyond the arc. Of course, Denver shot poorly (32 percent) from downtown and still won the season series 3-1. So loading the paint might not be enough to stop the Nuggets.


When Golden State has the ball: While Denver has improved defensively, the Nuggets are still vulnerable beyond the arc. They were second in most 3-point attempts and makes by opponents. The Warriors have some fair shooters, including single-season 3-point record holder Stephen Curry, and getting out on them will be paramount. Curry shot 16 of 24 (66.7 percent) from 3 during the four head-to-head meetings. Denver did a better job against Klay Thompson, who was held to 31.4 percent beyond the arc. Otherwise, the Nuggets match up well with Golden State on the perimeter, especially since both teams like to finish with a pair of point guards (Curry and Jarrett Jack against Ty Lawson and Andre Miller).


Prediction: Even without injured Danilo Gallinari, Denver is the deeper and more talented team. There's been little sign that the Nuggets have missed Gallinari, and the emergence of rookie Evan Fournier gives Karl yet another weapon in this series. (The long-limbed Fournier might guard Curry at times.) It's hard to see the Warriors winning in Denver, so if the Nuggets can steal a game in the Bay Area, Golden State's return to the postseason might be brief.


Denver in 5.


(4) Los Angeles Clippers versus (5) Memphis Grizzlies

Projection: L.A. Clippers win 79.4 percent of the time

When the L.A. Clippers have the ball: Don't expect Los Angeles to be Lob City during the course of this series. The Grizzlies' stout defense will take away transition opportunities and force the Clippers to play in the half court. That's not necessarily a terrible thing. According to Synergy Sports, the Clippers rate better in the half court (fifth among all teams in points per play) than transition (12th). (They do score more points in transition, because teams are typically better in transition.) A slow-paced game does mean relying heavily on Chris Paul to create out of the pick-and-roll. Memphis will counter with the league's top perimeter defender, Tony Allen, and it also has Mike Conley and Tayshaun Prince to throw at Paul at times. Paul's best scoring game (24 points) actually came in the Grizzlies' lone head-to-head win. But he controlled the game with 12 points and 12 assists Saturday.


When Memphis has the ball: The action will all be in the frontcourt, but that doesn't mean it will necessarily be down low. When the starting lineups are on the floor, the Grizzlies' best option may be putting Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan in a series of pick-and-rolls to try to free Conley to penetrate. Zach Randolph should have an advantage in the post too -- especially if the Clippers finish with their smaller frontcourt of Griffin and Lamar Odom, who's their best pick-and-roll defender. The other player to watch for Memphis is sixth man Jerryd Bayless, who has picked up his production playing alongside Conley since the Rudy Gay trade. Bayless went from 12.6 points per 36 minutes before the All-Star break to 16.7 thereafter.


Prediction: Surprised the Clippers are such heavy favorites? Believe it or not, this method would have given them the edge even if Memphis held home-court advantage. Why? First, the Clippers had the superior point differential, finishing third in the league, ahead of Denver and San Antonio, at +6.5 points per game. While you might chalk that up to the Clippers' December streak, they're +5.8 since the All-Star break -- better than Memphis (+5.2). The Clippers also won the season series 3-1, including Saturday's win at FedExForum that served as the unofficial Game 1 of this series and last year's playoff matchup. One of the West's top five teams was guaranteed to be eliminated early, and it looks like it's going to be the Grizzlies.


Clippers in 6.

 

[Skooby]

2013 NBA Draft - A case for why Trey Burke should be the No. 1 overall pick - ESPN
@Skooby

Pass on Trey Burke at your own risk

Years ago, the top golf instructor in the country was Harvey Penick, a country club pro for 50 years and also the longtime head golf coach at the University of Texas. He authored "The Little Red Book," which is the best-selling golf book of all time.

In the book, he wrote about one of his players who walked into his pro shop one day and explained to Penick that he had just made the finals of a tournament in Texas. The player said his opponent in the championship round had a bad grip and a bad swing, so a win was assured. The next day Penick's player dragged into the shop, clearly having lost the tournament.

Penick taught him an important lesson: In a golf-crazy state like Texas, if a player can make the finals of a big tournament with a bad grip and swing, it means he has figured out how to score and thus should be respected.

Likewise, Michigan guard Trey Burke might not have the prototypical physical attributes of an NBA superstar, but if the team that lands the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NBA draft does not have its long-term point guard already in place, it should select Burke without hesitation.

In the TrueHoop TV episode introducing this piece, Henry Abbott offers a chart that illustrates the volume of 6-foot point guards. The point is that the very best 6-footer is the best of millions of players, while the best 6-foot-10 player is the best of a very small group of players. And since height is obviously a big advantage in basketball, it stands to reason that teams will be attracted to big men who either have been productive or look like they can be productive soon.

The problem is, as Abbott points out, with so few agile bigs around, drafting one (when available) has become standard protocol. Teams drafting in the top five are looking for those bigs -- franchise pillars -- but they will take smaller players if those guys are elite-level athletes and fill an immediate need.

Burke is neither tall nor an elite athlete. But despite being smaller and an under-the-rim player (high draft pick guards such as John Wall, Derrick Rose, and Russell Westbrook are all bigger and far more athletic than Burke), Burke still figured out how to be the best player in the country and dominated all season.

That is no small feat. He trumped his regular-season accomplishments by carrying Michigan -- the least experienced team (according to kenpom.com) in the NCAA tournament -- to a play or two away from winning the national championship. True, Michigan boasted elite talent, but the Wolverines' second-best draft prospect, Glenn Robinson III, averaged just 11 points and 5.5 rebounds a game this season, far less than Burke's 18.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG and 6.7 APG (and overall production).

Now take a look at previous drafts. Here's a list of the top point guards (excluding international draftees) in each draft since 2005, where they were drafted and where they now rank overall in terms of NBA players in their draft class:

Ranking Top PGs
Year
Name
Draft Order
Rank in class

2005 Chris Paul 4 1
2006 Rajon Rondo 21 1
2007 Mike Conley 4 4
2008 Derrick Rose 1 1
2009 Stephen Curry 7 3
2010 John Wall 1 1
2011 Kyrie Irving 1 1
2012 Damian Lillard 6 3*

*Overwhelming favorite to win Rookie of the Year and likely the third best player in draft class.

How does Burke compare to these guys? He is not the physical specimen Wall, Westbrook or Rose is. He is not a special passer like Wall, Rondo or Paul. His quickness can't compare to Mike Conley or Rondo. He can't shoot like Stephen Curry or Kyrie Irving (at least not yet), or rebound and dominate defensively like Rondo, and his ball skills might be a tad below Damian Lillard. So how did he destroy college basketball this season?

In the NCAA title game, Burke was challenged with helping his young, underdog Michigan team get off to a good start. On Michigan's first possession, he used a strong left-handed dribble to burst into the lane from the top of the key, lowering his hips to get past his man, and he lofted a gorgeous floater high off the glass to avoid the opponent's best shot-blocker. Bucket.

On Michigan's next possession, he took an open 3-pointer and nailed it. The fact that it was clearly beyond NBA range illustrates that he already has that shot in his wheelhouse (some shooters need a year or two to adjust to the longer shot; Burke does not). Michigan leads 5-0.

Then, following an offensive rebound, he smartly faked refusing a ball screen, then used it, slicing into the lane with pace before elevating to the rim off of two feet. He smartly lured Louisville's elite shot-blocker Gorgui Dieng behind him, and instead of twisting his body to reach for the rim, Burke jumped straight up and kept Dieng on his back while squaring his shoulders to the rim.

It was an impressive three-possession series for Burke, indicative of what he can do on offense: blow by his defender in isolation, shoot with range, use a ball screen to get into the paint and finish over bigger people. Burke can do it all.

But there was more to gain from watching this unfold.

There are some NBA players who are dominating now, but as college players, they were mainly focused on running their teams. It has taken years for them to figure out how to be more assertive. Prime examples Conley and Ty Lawson, once game managers for Ohio State and North Carolina, respectively, now are huge difference-makers for their contending teams. In fact, Conley's Grizzlies and Lawson's Nuggets could win the Western Conference mainly because these two point guards have become bigger scoring threats.

Of course, Burke is more like Irving, Lillard and Curry -- guys who use an outside shot to set up strong drives but are always ready to pull the trigger on a jumper. It is a talent that Burke can use to make an immediate impact in the NBA, and he has the kind of attitude to immediately take advantage of his offensive talent. He has an excellent change-of-speed dribble/attack move, and uses great body control (like Rose) to finish at the rim. Defenders will try to go under screens to keep him from getting buckets in the paint, but Burke showed Louisville he will make you pay regardless.

Unlike many NBA guards, Burke can make deep shots off the dribble. He made two long 3-pointers near NBA range when his defender went under the screen in the second half. As a rookie, he is going to be very hard to defend.

I understand that Burke does not have prototypical size and is not as quick as other small guards in the NBA. But he is long, and that will help him a great deal, as will his strength. Overall, he brings a complete offensive game to the NBA. I don't project him to be a strong defender early on, but neither was Curry, Irving, Wall or Lillard. In time, he'll be solid, which is all an offensive phenom like Burke needs to excel in the NBA.

It's possible that one or two players from this class will end up better than Burke in five years. And, as I alluded to earlier, if a team already has a future or current star at point guard, taking Burke might not make sense. Any other team passing on him at the top few spots, however, is taking a big risk and perhaps surrendering a huge reward in the process.

Think about this: The list is long in terms teams that drafted bigs and eventually realized they made a huge mistake. Conversely, the number of teams that drafted small and erred is very, well, short.

Remember what Penick said? When a player has overcome his flaws and figured out how to dominate, he is to be respected, admired and, in this case, drafted above players who might look like better prospects but probably won't end up being better players.

 

[Frump]

Tyus Jones, Cliff Alexander shine at first EYBL sesion - ESPN

 

[FreedS[ohh]lave]

2013 NBA Draft - Julius Randle, Andrew Wiggins lead 2014 draft prospects - ESPN

 

[Skooby]

Tyus Jones, Cliff Alexander shine at first EYBL sesion - ESPN

Coveted recruits descend on Nike EYBL

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. -- The first session of the Nike EYBL launched this past weekend at the Next Level Complex. As usual, it was an immensely talented event with a plethora of high majors exhibiting their skill.

Whether it was the No. 1 point guard in the country Tyus Jones handing out some mind-blowing assists or the most college-ready guard in Rashad Vaughn scoring at all three levels, the event had several epic moments.

Best Team

Meanstreets

Coached by Terrence Wilburn, the Meanstreets played with purpose from the onset of the tournament. They possess a lethal combination of elite 2014 wing-types in Paul White (Chicago/Whitney Young) and Victor Law (Chicago/St. Rita) as well as an athletic slashing combo-guard in sophomore Charles Mathews (Chicago/St. Rita). However, the catalyst that made this machine go, was the ultra-quick and savvy point guard Tyler Ulis (Matteson, Ill./Marian Catholic). Toss in the rugged, yet highly effective, Tyler Wideman (Schereville, Ind./Lake Central) and that will result in a lot of victories for Wilburn’s squad.

Best Player

Rashad Vaughn (Golden Valley, Minn./Cooper)
2014, SG, 6-foot-5, 200 pounds
Club Team: Wisconsin Elite
Status: UNC, UConn, Baylor, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Syracuse, Texas, Illinois, and Iowa State are involved.
This weekend Vaughn consistently exhibited that he may be the most college-ready guard in the class. He has a physically imposing frame and can score at all three levels. He isn't the most explosive player, but he's the most polished at this time.

Most Potential

Chris McCullough (Bronx/Brewster Academy)
2014, PF, 6-10, 220
Club Team: Team Scan
Status: Committed to Syracuse
McCullough may have the most upside of anybody in the Class of 2014. Extreme length, bounce and budding skills are the best way to describe this elite 4-man. He grabs rebounds with elbows above the rim, delivers nifty assists from the high post and possesses a soft touch around the basket. If he plays with more assertiveness, he could be the No. 1 prospect in the class.

Best Passers

Tyus Jones (Apple Valley, Minn./Apple Valley)
2014, PG, 6-1, 180
Club Team: Howard Pulley
Status: Duke, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Kansas, Baylor and Kentucky.
His jump shot isn't as consistent as you would expect from the nation’s top-ranked floor general and he isn't a blur either, but oh my, can he pass. His vision and feel are uncanny and he manages a game with aplomb. He is the best point guard right now, but others are coming fast.

D'Angelo Russell (Louisville, Ky./Montverde Academy)
2014, SG, 6-4, 175
Club Team: E1T1
Status: Arizona and much of the Big Ten, SEC and ACC have offered.
Russell is one of the more intriguing combo guards in the country. He affects the game in multiple areas due to his scoring ability, defense and passing acumen. He has great burst off the dribble and can either finish with a runner/floater or drop off a dazzling assist. Once his jump shot (needs to get his legs into his shot) gets more consistent, he'll be very difficult to stop.

Parker Jackson-Cartwright (Los Angeles/Loyola)
2014, PG, 5-8, 140
Club Team: Cal Supreme
Status: Committed to Arizona
Jackson-Cartwright is a smaller guard and his size was exposed at times this weekend. He can break down the defense and get into the lane, but he struggled scoring over length in the EYBL. However, he handed out his usual dose of spectacular assists and knocked down a number of 3s.

Biggest Revelations

D.J. Hogg (Plano, Texas/Plano West)
2015, WF, 6-7, 195
Club Team: Texas Titans
Hogg is a sleeper prospect from Texas, but he should rise significantly during the spring evaluation period. He may grow some more due to his high hips and pterodactyl-type wing span. In addition, he is the owner of one of the smoothest shooting strokes that we witnessed this weekend.

Terry Larrier (Bronx/Phelps School)
2014, WF, 6-7, 180
Club Team: Team Scan
Status: Claims offers from VCU, UConn, Miami, Georgetown, Villanova, Maryland, Providence, St. Joes, Siena and Drexel.
Larrier is the type of prospect who has his finger tapped on every aspect of the game. The willowy 3-man fills the lane in transition, roams the defensive end looking to pounce and has active hands on the boards. He needs to clean up his jump shot, but his approach will give you a chance to win each time out.

Stocks on the rise

Dion Wiley (Potomac, Md./Oxon Hill)
2014, SG, 6-4, 195
Club Team: Team Takeover
Status: Claims offers from Georgetown, Maryland, NC State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Rutgers and Cincinnati.
This nationally ranked guard was dominant this weekend in many facets. His jump shot was smoking off the catch and the dribble and he moves well without the ball. He can post up and convert as well, but it was his strength and shooting prowess that caught our eye.

Tyler Ulis (Matteson, Ill./Marian Catholic)
2014, PG, 5-11, 155
Club Team: Meanstreets
Status: Expect him to become a Big Ten priority and then some.
Ulis came into this event as a relative unknown outside of Illinois. However, he got the best of every match up -- even against highly-regarded Jackson-Cartwright. He was electric in transition, executed the halfcourt offense and got into the lane at will -- not too mention he knocked down deep jump shots as well. He has winner written all over him.

Biggest West Coast Surprise

Gabriel Vincent (Stockton, Calif./St. Mary’s)
2014, SG, 6-2, 180
Club Team: Oakland Soldiers
Status: Claims offers from Portland, San Jose State, Sac State, Utah State and Pacific.
He didn't receive much buzz from the regular season, but the heady shooter was a consistent performer throughout this event. He knocked down open 3s, delivered timely passes and he plays the game with purpose in mind.

Most Versatile Scorer

Justin Jackson (Tomball, Texas/HCYA)
2014, WF, 6-7, 185
Club Team: Houston Hoops
Status: Committed to UNC
To put it plain and simple, Jackson is a bucket-getter. The rangy wing has a terrific off-the-bounce game and he can convert baskets in a variety of ways. He has impeccable touch and he's an underrated passer -- especially in transition.

Most Underused

Cliff Alexander (Chicago/Currie)
2014, PF, 6-8, 250
Club Team: Mac Irvin Fire
Status: Michigan State, Illinois, DePaul, Florida, Florida State, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Ohio State and Indiana are involved.
Alexander is arguably the most physically imposing 4-man in the country. He is a no-nonsense post prospect who can drop-step and dunk through contact or drop in the jump shot at the elbow. Unfortunately, he received limited touches due to the frenetic pace of the Mac Irvin Fire squad’s offense.

Most Improved

Silas Melson (Portland, Ore./Jefferson)
2014, SG, 6-2, 170
Club Team: ICP
Status: Claims offers from Washington, Gonzaga and Colorado State have offered. Memphis, Oregon State, Colorado and Washington are showing interest.
Melson has evolved into a high-major scoring guard with a solid dose of explosiveness. He has a smooth stroke out to 20-feet and he gets nice lift on his shot. In addition, he has active hands on the defensive end and he'll hit the boards to boot.

Most Explosive

Jakeenan Gant (Springfield, Ga./Effington)
2014, PF/WF, 6-8, 215
Club Team: Southern Stampede
Status: Claims offers from Georgia, Alabama, Clemson, UConn and Georgia Tech.
Not sure if Gant will slide over to the 3 at the next level, but he is currently a monster at the 4. He fills the lane like a runaway freight train and he assaults the rim catching lobs and tip-dunks. He is extremely quick off the floor, has a nose for the ball and can knock down jump shots at the elbow.

Best Motor

Abdul-Malik Abu (Boston./Kimball Union)
2014, PF, 6-7, 230
Club Team: Expressions Elite
Status: Claims offers from Florida State, Miami, Iowa State, Cincinnati, Xavier, Wisconsin, UConn, Maryland, Boston College, Florida State, West Virginia and Providence.

Abu was in beast mode throughout this weekend. The Soldiers had no answer for his energy, strength or defensive prowess in their contest. He pounds the glass with a vengeance and he's quick off the floor. He threw down numerous power jams on the offensive end and caused Ivan Rabb major issues on the defensive end.

Biggest Sleepers

Sandy Cohen (Green Bay, Wisc./Seymour)
2014, SG/SF, 6-5, 180
Club Team: Wisconsin Playground Elite
Cohen is a very athletic wing with a smooth handle and the ability to step out and hit jumpers out to 22 feet. It is always great to find new top-level talent, and Cohen has a chance to explode this spring and summer.

Victor Law (Chicago./St. Rita)
2014, SF, 6-5, 185
Club Team: Mean Streets
Law has been on the scene for a couple of summers but what’s new is the transformation in his game. Formerly a 4-man with some face-up ability, Law is now a legit small forward with solid range to 20 feet. He was one of the better catch-and-shoot performers of the weekend.

Zach Brown (South Kent, Conn./South Kent)
2014, SF, 6-6, 190
Club Team: Texas Pro
Brown is an athletic wing who has some very nice pieces to his game. He has a strong body and the ability to score in bunches. His jumper is a little streaky, but Brown should become a priority for Southwest high majors this spring.

Jalen Hudson (Akron, Ohio./St. Vincent-St. Mary)
2014, SG, 6-4, 190
Club Team: The Family
Hudson is a shooting guard with all the tools. He is a very good athlete and can score off the bounce or on the catch. Hudson had his moments during the first session of the EYBL, but if he can be a little more assertive, the sky could be the limit for him.

Jeff Thomas (Norwalk, Ohio./Norwalk HS)
2014, SG, 6-4, 185
Club Team: Travelers Basketball
Thomas is a skilled wing who has a very acute ability to score when he is dialed in. He has solid size and athletic ability but it is his versatility as a scorer that makes him unique. Thomas had his coming out party in California this past weekend.

Robert Johnson (Richmond, Va../Benedictine)
2014, SG, 6-2, 185
Club Team: Boo Williams
Johnson knows how to put the ball in the basket. He may be slightly undersized for a prototypical shooting guard but his scoring ability cannot be ignored. He has a solid body, can create his own shot and has range to 22 feet.

Mikal Bridges (Malvern, Pa./Great Valley)
2014, SF, 6-6, 180
Club Team: Team Final
Mikal is a long and thin wing with a lot of ability and upside and he got better and better as the weekend went on. Bridges has nice skills but is best when he is able to shoot with his feet set. He may have come into the EYBL without much of a reputation outside of Philadelphia but could become a priority for colleges throughout the East and Midwest.

 

[Skooby]

2013 NBA Draft - Julius Randle, Andrew Wiggins lead 2014 draft prospects - ESPN

Nike Summit offers peek at 2014 draft

PORTLAND, Ore. -- In the past few weeks, a huge contingent of NBA scouts and general managers have traveled to Chicago, Brooklyn and Portland to attend practices and games at the McDonald's All American, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit to get a closer look at the prospective 2014 NBA draft class.

This past weekend, as many as 10 potential 2014 first-rounders played at the Nike Hoop Summit -- most of them possible lottery picks.

I spoke with a number of NBA scouts about which players from the high school Class of 2013 might someday be NBA players. The consensus was this is one of the strongest classes of the past decade. In fact, some GMs believe the 2014 draft could be historic.

Here's a sneak peek at the country's top 10 high school NBA prospects we saw the past few weeks.

1. Andrew Wiggins | SG | Uncommitted
Wiggins is so highly thought of, it hardly matters what he does in games or practices these days. He's a 6-foot-8 shooting guard with a 7-foot wingspan and is an elite athlete. He's quick with the ball, is a solid shooter and can score from anywhere on the floor. He had 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for the World Team at the Hoop Summit and moved just effortlessly up and down the floor. His 3-point shot could use some work, but the rest is terrific. He's the total package. He's the consensus No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft.

2. Julius Randle | PF | Kentucky
Randle is a physical specimen -- a 6-9, 250-pound big man who explodes off the floor like an elite guard. He has a very well-rounded game. He can score in the paint or take out players on the perimeter. He rebounds and is very competitive. Kentucky coach John Calipari might have to break him of his habit of drifting out to the perimeter, but like Wiggins, he's got the entire package. Right now, Randle looks like a lock to be a top-5 pick.

3. Jabari Parker | F | Duke
Parker might be the most difficult player on this list to project correctly. Everyone loves his game, his basketball IQ, his unselfishness and his winning attitude. He plays a lot like a less-athletic Grant Hill. It's the less-athletic part that gives scouts pause. Parker isn't particularly explosive, but he's a sneaky athlete. In the game against the World Team, he had 22 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals to lead Team USA. However, he will need to continue to work on his jumper. It was falling in practices the past few days, but he was just 1-for-9 from 3-point range during games at the Hoop Summit. I think he ends up going early in the 2014 draft, but if he slid to mid-lottery, it wouldn't shock me. And his skills do seem like a perfect fit for Duke.

4. Andrew Harrison | PG | Kentucky
Harrison is a huge point guard who finds great balance between scoring and dishing out assists. He is difficult to contain in the paint, has a great crossover and is a strong finisher at the rim. He is a competitor who loves a challenge. He had 19 points (10 on free throws) and led Team USA with five assists in the Hoop Summit game. He should battle Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart as the top point guard in the 2014 draft. Another potential top-5 pick, Andrew's twin brother, Aaron, also is a legit NBA prospect as a 2-guard and one to watch.

5. Aaron Gordon | F | Arizona
Gordon might be the second-best athlete in this class, behind Wiggins. He flies up and down the floor, explodes at the rim and excels in transition. But he's a bit of a tweener right now. He lacks elite size at the power forward position and doesn't have a jump shot or ballhandling skills yet to play small forward. But few players combine the athletic skills he possesses with the motor he displays. He had a quiet night at the Hoop Summit but was the MVP of the McDonald's game with 24 points and eight rebounds. Many compare him to a young Blake Griffin. Gordon, too, looks like a potential top-10 pick.

6. Joel Embiid | C | Kansas
It might be a bit of a stretch to slot Embiid with the players mentioned before him. Maybe. He's a legit 7-footer with a 7-5 wingspan who is a great athlete and has a frame that should really fill out. It's rare to find players of his size with the athletic ability he possesses. He also happens to be quite skilled and has a soft touch around the basket, and he even can step out and shoot 3s.

The biggest thing holding him back? Embiid has been playing the game for just a couple of years, so his basketball IQ still is very low. He doesn't know what he's doing out there, and he doesn't always play hard. Still, you saw glimpses of greatness at both the Jordan Brand Classic and in practices for the Hoop Summit. He finished with seven points and seven rebounds in 16 minutes at the Summit.

Virtually every scout and GM I spoke with thought Embiid is in the perfect situation at Kansas, and Bill Self is the perfect coach for him. If he develops quickly? He could be a top-5 pick next year. If not, he could be one in 2015.

7. Chris Walker | F | Florida
Walker is one of just two players on this list who did not attend the Hoop Summit. However, he had 14 points and seven rebounds at the Jordan Brand Classic and is widely regarded as a potential lottery pick because of his length and athletic ability. He also has a developing face-the-basket game, and many believe he'll make the transition to small forward at Florida this fall. He needs to add strength, but there are a lot of things to love about Walker. He's another potential top-10 pick in 2014.

8. Dante Exum | G | Uncommitted
Exum might be the most interesting case of all. He's from Australia, where he currently plays in high school. He's talking to a number of colleges, including Indiana and Louisville, about coming for the 2014-15 season. However, he graduates in November and could make the jump earlier if he wants to. He might want to consider it after the dominant second-half performance he put on at the Hoop Summit. Exum was balling down the stretch, ending with 16 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a terrific block on Gordon. He did it all in just 22 minutes. Given his size (6-6, 188 pounds), athletic ability, length and versatility, he could be a lottery pick in 2014.

9. James Young | G/F | Kentucky
Young is another member of that coveted Kentucky class. He hasn't gotten the same buzz as the Harrison twins, but he is a long, athletic scorer who thrives as a penetrator. He's a workhorse, and many scouts believe he could be Calipari's Michael Kidd-Gilchrist this season. His jump shot is a work in progress, but he also is a potential lottery pick.

10. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson | SF | Arizona
Hollis-Jefferson isn't a particularly polished offensive player, but he's a hound defensively. He can guard multiple positions, rebounds and plays with great athleticism and toughness. Like Young, his jump shot still needs major work, but he clearly showed his value in the Hoop Summit game, playing great defense, scoring 17 points and grabbing six rebounds. He's a sleeper first-rounder.

Others to watch: Aaron Harrison, SG, Kentucky; Noah Vonleh, F, Indiana; Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky; Kasey Hill, PG, Florida; Bobby Portis, F, Arkansas

 

[FreedS[ohh]lave]

Dave Telep's Top 10: What I learned from the adidas VIP Exclusive Run - ESPN

 

[Skooby]

Dave Telep's Top 10: What I learned from the adidas VIP Exclusive Run - ESPN

Telep's Top 10: What I learned this week

DALLAS -- The transition is underway. It’s time to show the Class of 2013 the door and usher in the newbies -- the 2014 class and beyond. The adidas VIP Exclusive Run was the stage last weekend. From Friday through Sunday, teams from the Three Stripes stable got after it.

Here are the top 10 things I learned from the Exclusive Run.

1. You can’t value leadership enough
Junior point guard Ahmaad Rorie (Tacoma, Wash./Lincoln) put on a clinic of leadership. He had help in the form of David Crisp (Lakewood, Wash./Clover Park) but make no mistake, the NW Panthers are Rorie’s team. The coach of his squad couldn’t participate in the event because he wasn’t NCAA certified, so the California commit played his role and the coach’s. In an era where true leadership and the ability to command a team are rare, Rorie solves any deficiency the Cal Bears may have at the point. There are better point guards and certainly better long-term prospects, and that’s fine. But this kid is destined to be a good college player and have an effect on Cal rather quickly. Mike Montgomery will trust him early in his career -- and after last weekend, trust is the last thing you’d worry about with him.

2. Throw out position molds
What’s a point guard nowadays anyway? Colleges aren’t able to recruit true point guards because fathers aren’t raising their sons to be distributors. They also can’t recruit bigs on the block because Kevin Durant erased the identity of the position when his freakish game took over the minds of the next generation. This past weekend, I came to the realization that we have to model our evaluations on the current state of the game and lighten up to the idea of points, guards, forwards and posts rather than five specific positions.

3. The truth comes out in the spring
If you’re looking for a rock to hide under and protect your reputation, the spring is not the time of year for you. Here’s the real deal in plain English. A lot of programs tossed out early offers to recruits for one reason: to keep them warm and see them in the spring and early summer. Many of those same prospects who rattle off school lists with blue bloods up and down the final 10 are about to realize that the early offer was just lip service. Programs are out in full force making sure players are who they thought and that their games have advanced. Trust me: Last weekend, college coaches were doing more crossing off than adding to their lists.

4. The 2016 class is enticing
I’ve been out at events two weekends in a row and both times was drawn to the current freshman class. Every one of us evaluators is guilty of the same thing: hope. We see new kids and hope the next class is as good as or better than the current one. At this time of year, it’s customary to look ahead and project greatness. Believe me, I’ve done this. But, man, that 2016 group is deep. Freshmen Braxton Blackwell, Kobi Jordan-Simmons, De'Ron Davis and Rawle Alkins were all good last weekend, and they weren’t the only ones. Trying to temper the excitement is hard, especially knowing that the best of the 2016 bunch, forward Harry Giles, only turned 15 on Monday.

5. Good Cheese State battle brewing
Sophomore 6-foot-3 point guard Nicholas Noskowiak (Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie) was trailed everywhere last weekend by Marquette head coach Buzz Williams. The Golden Eagles are surrounding this kid and he’s feeling their vibe. As is always the case with kids from Wisconsin, the question, though uncomfortable for Marquette fans to deal with, is necessary: Is your family devoted Badgers? With Noskowiak, despite living closer to Madison than Milwaukee, he has no true allegiances so Marquette is all in on the young man. But you know the Badgers won’t wait long to join the party.

6. Tweeners are making a comeback
As a fan of the undersized forward, I had to respect the efforts of Kelan Martin (Louisville, Ky./Ballard) and Jamal Aytes (San Juan Capistrano, Calif./JSerra Catholic). Though different years -- Aytes is a 2013 recruit while Martin is 2014 -- they have similar games and both top out at 6-6. By the end of the weekend, Oklahoma State head coach Travis Ford was trailing Martin. Ford is from Kentucky and loves leveraging his roots to up-and-coming Kentuckians. Aytes, meanwhile, needs to work on his grades if he hopes to qualify in the fall. Miami and Utah were all over him and his cell phone needs to be on vibrate during the day so as to not disrupt his classmates.

7. Too many travel teams
The Nike EYBL has a hammerlock on the talent pool in 2014. That’s just the way it is. And the guys who don’t roll with Nike teams are spread out among Under Armour, adidas and some Reebok. Plus, there are multiples of teams that don’t compete under any of those umbrellas. The feedback I received from college coaches is that they spent too much time crisscrossing the country last weekend. One Atlantic 10 assistant coach was in Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, New Jersey and Texas in the span of three days! The play on the court -- outside of the EYBL -- is taking the hit. Even at a major event like the Exclusive Run, there were some awful teams. The grassroots scene needs to contract not expand as it’s been doing the last decade. Less would be more. Without being mean, many of these kids don’t need to be out there playing on this stage. The consolidation of teams would squeeze some of the watered-down programs out and let the acceptable prospects prosper in more competitive environments.

8. Victor intent on making amends
During the high school season, word began spreading that junior forward Craig Victor (New Orleans, La./St. Augustine) was on the rebound. After watching him three times at adidas, Victor’s mindset is where it needs to be. He was the best 2014 prospect in attendance and announced his presence. Victor has the requisite skills to be an immediate starter when he gets to college. He’s grown and looks to be a legit 6-8, the magical number where evaluators give you a little more street cred in the paint. You can expect him to emerge not just as a recruit but as a priority for higher-level programs.

9. Zimmerman vs. Giddens works for me
There is nothing better than evaluating two high-level players competing against each other. Personally, I prefer the big man battles. They tend to be rare but enticing. The best one I saw last summer was a 2015 showdown between Diamond Stone and Ivan Rabb at the LeBron camp. Last weekend, fellow 2015 recruits Stephen Zimmerman (Las Vegas/Bishop Gorman) and Daniel Giddens (Marietta, Ga./Wheeler) got after it. Granted, these guys are still pups, but that didn’t stop them from embracing the moment. Giddens is best from close range and was able to use more of a power game. Zimmerman, the more polished offensive player, lured Giddens away from the rim and made shots. He also used some sophomore savvy to score around and over Giddens. It was good stuff and I’m all for Round Two.

10. Putting the power in forward
The folks out West talk about freshman De’Ron Davis (Aurora, Colo./Overland) with the reverence of a senior. Let’s face it, high school hoops in Colorado is not exactly California, but toss this prospect into Cali and he’d put a hurting on that state as well. Davis has put on muscle since the USA Basketball trials in October. He pushed kids around in the U16 division. Back in the fall, he reminded me of Brandon Bass, but he’s since outgrown that comparison. Davis beasted in the lane but has the skills to extend his game meaningfully to mid-range. He’s yet another 2016 recruit with national swagger already.

 

[bsmooth]

MMA Top 10 challengers for Jon Jones - ESPN

 

[Skooby]

MMA Top 10 challengers for Jon Jones - ESPN

Top 10 challengers for Jon Jones

Let's be clear: Barring some cosmic alignment or devastating in-fight injury, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones isn't going to lose to Chael Sonnen on Saturday at UFC 159. At 25, Jones is still very young, but based on his body of work against top-flight opponents, one could make the argument that Jones already is one of the greatest mixed martial arts fighters of all time.

So looking past Sonnen (yes, we are looking well past him), who could Jones face? In this UFC season of "superfights," it isn't beyond the realm of possibility that challengers could emerge from three different weight classes: light heavyweight, middleweight and heavyweight.

That being said, there are parameters. Most of the heavyweights on the list are lighter fighters, closer to the 205-pound limit of light heavyweight than they are to the 260-pound maximum of heavyweight. So you won't be seeing the likes of Alistair Overeem or Frank Mir. Conversely, the middleweights are closer to light heavyweight in terms of "walk-around size," similar to what fans will see in the Jones-Sonnen fight on Saturday.

Here are the top 10 fighters who could challenge Jon Jones:


1. Daniel Cormier | heavyweight

Cormier possesses the best wrestling skills in MMA, and against Jones he would need to use his spaghetti-noodle pummeling ability and upper-body positioning to control the long-armed champ against the cage. Once inside, Cormier could use short elbows and heavy fists to inflict massive damage with little risk. Should the fight hit the mat, Cormier -- as he proved against Frank Mir -- is capable of avoiding submissions and inflicting damage from the top. Though there have been rumors that Cormier is considering a move to light heavyweight, he normally competes at 230 pounds and it is not known if he could make 205. The matchup could be fought at a catch weight of 215 or 220.


2. Alexander Gustafsson | light heavyweight

Though he's eight and a half inches short on reach, Gustafsson's size (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) still could create problems for Jones. The Swede would give Jones the tallest target -- height-wise -- of his career. Gustafsson's length affords him the ability to land point-scoring kicks from a distance, a skill that none of Jones' previous opponents possessed. On the ground, Gustafsson is an active attacker off his back, and should Jones make a mistake -- as he did against Vitor Belfort -- Gustafsson's long legs offer more leverage and squeeze than Belfort's.


3. Cain Velasquez | heavyweight

Velasquez, the current UFC heavyweight champion, has managed to find the best workout partner on the planet in Cormier. Since starting his training with Cormier, Velasquez's takedown accuracy has improved. If Jones moved up in weight, he'd be hard-pressed to match the pace of Velasquez, whose conditioning is legendary. As we pointed out in our "Who's Better" exercise, Velasquez's takedowns and swarming ground-and-pound attack could overwhelm Jones. But like Cormier, Velasquez is considered a "smaller" heavyweight, weighing in around 230 pounds, so a catch-weight bout might work unless Jones officially moves up to heavyweight.


4. Anderson Silva | middleweight

A superfight between Jones and Silva easily would translate into one of the largest pay-per-view cards in history. Even with the size difference, Silva would come into the fight with considerable striking and jiu-jitsu advantages. However, Silva would be a considerable underdog due his largely nonexistent wrestling defense. Jones would have to corral Silva and land strikes against a man who has made a career of avoiding damage from his feet. Silva's head movement could disable many of Jones' whirling attacks, just as Rashad Evans was able to stifle many of Jones' attacks by balancing distance and feinting takedown attempts.


5. Chris Weidman | middleweight

Though he's officially a middleweight, Weidman was a two-time NCAA Division I champion at 197 pounds. The Long Island native would rely on his technical wrestling and jiu-jitsu skills, but Jones surely would have the advantage in striking. However, Weidman trains with kickboxing expert Ray Longo, and has shown steady improvement in his stand-up game.


6. Glover Teixeira | light heavyweight

Size matters. Teixeira (5-10, 205) offers a hulking combination of elite strength and size for the weight class, and also possesses some of the best boxing skills in the UFC. These skills are superior to those of Jones, and a single overhand right or combination of short jabs against the cage from Teixeira might be enough to wobble the champ. Teixeira's wrestling and grappling skills are honed by training with Chuck Liddell and John Hackleman (The Pit), as well as an assortment of Brazilian black belts who rotate through the Black House Gym in Los Angeles.


7. Phil Davis | light heavyweight

As an NCAA Division I wrestling champion for Penn State, there is little debate that Davis' wrestling pedigree is superior to that of Jones. Davis could find some of his slick submission opportunities from unexpected scrambles and transitions, skills he will test this weekend at UFC 159 against submission expert Vinny Magalhaes. Davis' performance should offer a good barometer of his readiness to face Jones (if he's able to avoid submissions on the ground). Also, the fight should offer some additional insight into how much Davis' striking has improved since his battle last year with Evans.


8. Dan Henderson | light heavyweight


The "H-Bomb," Henderson's overhand right, his Olympic-caliber grappling and his decades of experience inside the cage all favor the veteran in a fight against Jones. However, after injury kept him from fighting Jones in 2012, the now 42-year-old is facing the very real possibility that he'll never receive another title shot in the UFC. If he does somehow manage a title shot, Henderson's lunging overhand right will be his best chance at victory. No one knows how well Jones can absorb a knockout-like blow, simply because Jones has avoided such damage his entire career thus far.


9. Fabricio Werdum | heavyweight

True, Werdum pushes the definition of a "lighter" heavyweight at 239 pounds. Of all the heavyweights on this list, Werdum is the most dangerous on the ground. Werdum's variety of submissions and ability to create angles make him arguably the best jiu-jitsu fighter in the division. Also, his striking has greatly improved, and is more than enough to contend with Jones' unparalleled reach advantage.


10. Rashad Evans | light heavyweight

Though Jones won their first five-round staring contest, Evans' familiarity with Jones outside and inside the Octagon could give him a unique advantage. Evans and Jones are wrestling equals inside the cage, but with 1988 Olympic Gold medalist Kenny Monday now on the Blackzilian coaching staff, Evans' skills have surely sharpened. Add the striking brilliance of coach Henri Hooft, and Evans might have a much-improved tool box in a rematch with Jones. In a rematch, Evans would have to work harder to get inside Jones and look for his right hook coming out of the clinch. He'd also need to make better transitions from cage pressure to land point-scoring takedowns.

 

[Joe Sixpack]

Big Skoob can I get the 1st round analysis of the NFL Draft?

 

[Skooby]

Big Skoob can I get the 1st round analysis of the NFL Draft?

1
Eric Fisher

Central Michigan
OTKansas City

What he brings: Fisher has ideal measurables in terms of size, arm length and hand span and the light feet you look for in a left tackle. He plays with excellent balance, does a great job with angles in the run game and has good lateral agility in pass protection. He can continue to get stronger in the lower half and play with more consistent pad level. If he does that, he can develop into a top-tier left tackle at the next level.

How he fits: This might be a surprise to some, but his athletic upside probably fits what the Chiefs want to do. They will be a zone-blocking offensive line. They will run stretch plays, draws and misdirection, and that requires guys up front who are athletic in space. Fisher has the best feet at his position in the draft. He will step in immediately at left offensive tackle to protect new QB Alex Smith. If somehow the Chiefs can retain Branden Albert at right tackle, which is unlikely, they will have bookend offensive tackles for the next several years. To the Chiefs' credit, they have spent several draft picks in the past three years on the offensive line, so it's a position of some strength that will only get better with Fisher.

2
Luke Joeckel

Texas A&M
OTJacksonville

What he brings: Joeckel isn't quite as athletic as Fisher, and that might be what separated the two for the Chiefs, but Jacksonville still gets a franchise left tackle. Joeckel is an excellent pass-blocker with above-average feet and balance and also has the power and nasty streak to move defenders off the ball as a run-blocker. And when you consider his SEC experience and the awareness he shows on tape, you don't question his ability to be a starter from day one.

How he fits: The Jaguars have tried to fix this unit over the past couple drafts, but they aren't where they should be. They actually have more holes inside than outside, but Eugene Monroe is acceptable at left tackle, and Joeckel should step in immediately at right tackle. This is another zone-blocking offensive line, but they want a little more physicality in the run game. They must improve their edge pass protection -- they gave up an embarrassing 50 sacks in 2012. The Jaguars front office is from the Bill Polian school of draft philosophy, and that means selecting guys from big schools who have played against elite talent. That certainly describes Joeckel to a tee. This was an easy pick for Jacksonville.


3 Dion Jordan

Oregon
OLBMiami
from Oakland
What he brings: At 6-foot-6 and 248 pounds, Jordan has a rare combination of length and athleticism. He is one of the most versatile edge players in this class, with the ability to line up at various spots along the defensive front and rush off the edge or cover receivers in space. He needs to continue to add bulk and strength, but his upside as a pass-rusher and overall high ceiling make him an intriguing prospect.

How he fits: The more you look at what the Dolphins are doing on defense, the more this seems like an interesting fit. As a rangy guy who can play a 4-3 DE spot as the Dolphins transition from their old 3-4 front under new coordinator Kevin Coyle, Jordan has excellent edge pass-rush skills. But he also has the athletic ability, when they go to their hybrid 3-4 look, to either rush off the edge or drop into coverage. This defense will resemble the Cincinnati attacking scheme, and Jordan ran a high volume of plays in Oregon's up-tempo defense. He can team with Cameron Wake to give the Dolphins a terrific edge-rush package.

4
Lane Johnson

Oklahoma
OTPhiladelphia

What he brings: Johnson might have more upside than the two tackles selected before him. He has good athleticism and played quarterback, tight end and defensive end before moving to OT the past two seasons, though his limited experience and lack of elite awareness are likely what put him behind Fisher and Joeckel. However, Johnson has very good feet in pass protection and as a run-blocker, and he plays with an edge and won't back down against any defender.

How he fits: In new head coach Chip Kelly's offense, you must have an offensive line that is athletic enough run a high volume of plays. Linemen must be able to block in space, get in and out of the huddle and show excellent awareness and the ability to adjust. Johnson fits this bill perfectly, both athletically and with his experience in an up-tempo offense. He gives this offensive line very interesting flexibility. If left tackle Jason Peters is healthy, Johnson can line up immediately at right tackle and move last season's starting right tackle Todd Herremans inside. That strengthens this entire unit. If Peters isn't what he once was physically, Johnson gives the Eagles insurance at left tackle.

5
Ezekiel Ansah

Brigham Young
DEDetroit

What he brings: Ansah has an elite combination of size and raw athleticism, but he is relatively inexperienced. However, on tape he shows natural instincts coupled with explosive power and excellent closing burst for a 271-pounder. He also has good versatility, with the ability to reduce inside and provide some interior pass rush. With his frame, tools and freakish athleticism, he has the potential to become a Pro Bowl-caliber player.

How he fits: With all three elite offensive tackles off the board, this appears to be the Lions' highest-rated player, and he does fill a need. Both of Detroit's starting defensive ends from a season ago, Kyle Vanden Bosch and Cliff Avril, are gone. Ansah figures perfectly as an end rusher in the Lions' aggressive 4-3 defense, in which they like to attack without a lot of blitzes. Because of all the attention defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley receive, he should get a lot of one-on-one blocking situations. He's also a guy who can move around and play inside in some sub packages as a mismatch pass-rusher.

6
Barkevious Mingo

LSU
DECleveland

What he brings: Mingo's lack of ideal production is a concern, and he needs to get stronger against the run, but there is no denying his potential as an edge-rusher. He has the explosiveness, flexibility and closing speed defensive coordinators covet. The way he moved in space at the NFL combine showed his ability to hold up in underneath coverage and excel if moved to OLB in a 3-4 scheme. He is also relentless chasing the ball, and he has the chance to become a more productive pro than college player.

How he fits: In this traditional 3-4 defense, under coordinator Ray Horton, this fills the Browns' biggest need at outside linebacker. It also gives them a lot of flexibility. They have a productive edge-rusher at left outside linebacker in Jabaal Sheard, and they picked up productive pass-rusher Paul Kruger from Baltimore in free agency. Mingo gives them three athletic speed-rushers, and they can also show some 4-3 fronts at times -- especially in nickel and sub packages. The athleticism that this defensive front now has is going to be very tough to block in space. Horton loves to change his fronts and bring a variety of aggressive blitzes. Cleveland wants to play fast, but under control. This probably fits Mingo's skill set nicely.

7
Jonathan Cooper

North Carolina
OGArizona

What he brings: A four-year starter, Cooper has rare movement skills for a 311-pound offensive lineman. He is an effective zone-blocker who covers up defenders at the first level and is smooth when attacking linebackers at the second level. That athletic ability also translates well in pass protection, in which he gets set quickly and stays in front of defenders. And don't mistake his lack of overwhelming power for a lack of toughness. He has the mean streak to thrive as an interior lineman in the NFL.

How he fits: If there was ever a selection to fill a need, this would be it. Because of injuries and inconsistent personnel, this might be the weakest unit in the NFL over the past two or three seasons. Arizona's coaches seem to think that if their offensive line can get healthy, it will get better. But the Cardinals appear to need more. They could use an upgrade at all three inside positions, and they need to acquire at least one starting offensive tackle. In a perfect world, they would move left tackle Levi Brown to right tackle. Cooper doesn't fill the OT need, but he will probably start immediately at guard and improve the interior run game. Keep in mind that as an interior offensive lineman, his biggest strength might be in pass protection. This is an offensive line that gave up a league-worst 58 sacks last season.

8
Tavon Austin

West Virginia
WRSt. Louis
from Buffalo
What he brings: Austin is the most explosive offensive weapon in this draft. He has an elite combination of quickness and top-end speed, with the ability to immediately get to full speed out of cuts. His versatility is also impressive. Austin can provide big plays at any point as a slot receiver, from the backfield and in the return game. He is undersized, but he is a tough player and proved durable during his four years at West Virginia.

How he fits: This is the ultimate space player who fills a tremendous need for the Rams' passing game. They lost Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson in free agency, but they do like Chris Givens on the outside as a vertical guy. They are hopeful that Brian Quick will be much more productive than he was a season ago. That leaves Austin to be a versatile guy out of the slot for a pass offense that loves to attack the middle of the field. Austin can also line up outside, and he can even give them some snaps at varied alignments. He can certainly improve the Rams' return game from last season. The Rams are desperately looking for explosive plays, and this guy provides them. St. Louis quarterback Sam Bradford likes his receivers to be able to sight adjust on the snap, so Austin will need a quick learning curve to get on the same page.

9
Dee Milliner

Alabama
CBNY Jets

What he brings: Milliner has an above-average combination of size, fluidity and top-end speed. What stands out most, though, are his instincts, use of his eyes in coverage and understanding of angles and leverage in coverage. In addition, he plays with an edge and brings a physical element in run support. He doesn't have ideal production in terms of interceptions, but that's about the only knock on his game.

How he fits: We know that Rex Ryan can never have enough corners with the type of defense he plays. That's even more important now that Darrelle Revis is in Tampa Bay. This is a 3-4 defense that asks its corners to play a lot of tight man-to-man schemes, and they are on an island a lot of the time. With a mediocre pass-rush up front, these guys really have to hold their coverages longer than you might think. Milliner can play occasional off schemes, and he will be very versatile in their sub packages. He can step right into replace Revis. This means the Jets don't have to force the secondary to play Kyle Wilson outside, instead leaving him at nickel, where he is better-suited.

10
Chance Warmack

Alabama
OGTennessee

What he brings: Warmack masks his lack of elite athleticism in pass protection with effort and sound fundamentals. His greatest strength is his ability to create movement and space in the running game. He shows excellent strength to move defenders off the ball at the point of attack, and his angles and footwork make him a surprisingly effective zone blocker. The experience of being a three-year starter from Alabama is also a plus, and he rarely misses an assignment in pass pro or the run game.

How he fits: Coach Mike Munchak is a Hall of Fame offensive lineman, and this fits perfectly for what the Titans like to do. All three of Tennessee's interior starters wound up on injured reserve last season. While the Titans did a nice job in free agency of adding offensive guards Andy Levitre from Buffalo and Rob Turner from St. Louis, they would probably like to upgrade Turner at right guard. By nature, they are a physical, between-the-tackles run game, as they attack the defense. But they will occasionally run some zone looks, and Warmack has shown he can do that if asked. Tennessee is in pretty good shape at the offensive tackle position. So the interior of this offensive line should be as good as any in the NFL in 2013.

11
D.J. Fluker

Alabama
OTSan Diego

What he brings: Fluker doesn't have the foot speed you're looking for in a left tackle, but his 36 3/8-inch arms make it tough for edge-rushers to turn the corner. His real value is in the run game. At 339 pounds, he engulfs smaller defensive ends, and he does not lose once he locks on to the defender's frame. Even though he carries a lot of weight, his effort is consistently above average and he rarely misses an opportunity to finish.

How he fits: San Diego's offensive line was a disaster in 2012 and it negatively affected every part of the offense -- including a mediocre run game and terrible pass protection. The Chargers tried to address the offensive line in free agency with the addition of King Dunlap from Philadelphia at left offensive tackle, but he isn't the long-term answer. They probably went into this draft with a potential need for at least three new starters. Fluker will likely start immediately at right tackle, which suits his skill set. That could allow Jeromey Clary to either move to left tackle and compete with Dunlap or become a swing guy. San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers loves the vertical passing game, and he desperately needs guys on the edge who can hold up long enough for seven-step drops. Fluker might not be perfect in that area, but he's an upgrade.