GMs Beware Prospects May not Appear as Good as they Seem

Each year in the NFL Draft there are three constants: (1) Prospects declare and go undrafted; (2) Can’t Miss prospects plummet down draft boards; and (3) and a darkhorse prospect will emerge . And this year is no different with a record 102 underclassmen declaring for the 2014 NFL Draft Round 1 – 7 will be mired in uncertainty. Gone are the days of sure fire locks, the pool of can’t miss prospects grows smaller and smaller each year with very little separating a first round pick from a second day pick.  And this year is apparently do different after linebacker Khalil Mack, defensive end Jedeveon Clowney, wide receiver Sammy Watkins, and offensive tackle Jake Matthews, there is a considerable drop off.

Despite these gaps separating the elite from the rest occurs every year, diamonds must be uncovered, future Hall of Famers, perennial Pro Bowlers must be found. 252 players will hear their name called on draft day, and the fortunes and fate of 32 NFL teams will hang in the balance. If your favorite franchise screws up, there is always next year. Which prospect will have their future general manager in the unemployment line? Which prospect will outshine all those picked before him and get a over worked  and underpaid scout a much needed well deserved promotion to the front office?

Since Men Lie, Women Lie, and Numbers Don’t I believe any team that selects Michigan Offensive Tackle Taylor Lewan would be making a grave mistake. Although his combine numbers were amazing 2 arrests one for sexual assault and a DUI conjures up thoughts of Richie Incognito whose character concerns cost him his job.

And anyone who told you size don’t matter, then they were lying or just trying to be nice. Because the razzle and dazzle of Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel will certainly shock and amaze but will he survive an NFL season. RGIII, Mike Vick, and Aaron Rodgers struggles with staying healthy during their careers and none have finished a NFL season unscathed as of yet. If Ben Roethlisberger whose 6’5 250 can’t seem to stay healthy, does the Manziel mighty-mite who thinks run first really stand a chance?

With all due respect to the might Trojans of USC, history would suggest avoiding their wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs at all cost. They never live up to expectations and always disappoint, Marqise Lee may be the exception but history would suggest otherwise.

GM far too often find themselves so love struck with potential that they overlook that patients is not a virtue in the NFL, especially on defense. Although UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr and Notre Dame DL duo Louis Nix and Stephen Tuitt may actually one day get it, GMs must ask themselves if it will be under their watch or after they have been fired.

Terms like game manager, NFL ready, and rotation player may not be flashy titles bestowed upon premiere playmakers and game changers. But they could be the one to make that shoe string tackle, decisive deflection, or special teams play. At the end of the day these are the guys who make the difference between winning and losing. Screw what they ran in the forty and screw what school they came from! The players mentioned may prove me wrong, but history suggests otherwise, so LIKE BEER GOGGLES buyers beware prospects may not appear as good as they seem. ‘

 

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. Listen to eatdrnkslpsprtz radio  Subscribe to podcast

 

College Basketball Coaching Carousel – who will take the leap and who will stand pat?

Although the NCAA Tournament brings euphoria too fans and memorable moments to players and millions of dollars in revenue to colleges and universities the biggest beneficiaries of march madness are the head coaches. Unlike most job basketball coaches IQ is put on display in front of millions of onlookers which conclude that the coach is either a genius or a dummy.

For the coaches who are fortunate to make the field of 68 they often find themselves in prime position to either get a pink slip for under performing which means your fired, or golden ticket, which is an invitation to run a premiere program with all of the amenities. So far two prominent coaches have become casualties of the coaching firing squad: UCLA Bruins coach Ben Howland and Minnesota Golden Gophers coach Tubby Smith.

Year in and year the need to replenish coaching vacancies continue with prominent programs pillaging mid major programs of their promising young  talented coaches.  However, unlike in times past these coaches are using the interest from elite programs to secure extensions and pay raises.

Programs like Virginia Commonwealth and Iowa State find themselves in uncharted territory as their young promising head coaches Shaka Smart and Fred Hoiberg  signed huge extensions and were not lured in by the big dollars, private jets, and television exposure.

Although programs like UCLA, USC, and Minnesota will eventually fill their coaching vacancies they will likely have to settle for option C or option F if they are lucky. Memphis Tigers coach Josh Pastner and Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon have reaffirmed their commitment to the their programs by signing extensions, and Butler coach Brad Stevens is expected to do that same.

Will Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall and Florida Gulf Coast coach Andy Enfield follow suit or will they along with Marquette coach Buzz Petterson be lured in by the bigger stage, flashing lights and private jets? Stay tuned… I know I will.

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. Listen to eatdrnkslpsprtz radio Tues/Thurs 630 PM EST & Sat 1030 AM EST