Safety Rankings - 2014 NFL Draft

Safeties are done!  I see two 1st round talent safeties with two excellent 2nd round prospects as well.  There is good depth behind them going 6 deep who can start as rookies in the NFL.

Here will be my Top 10 Ranking for Safeties.

1. Terrance Brooks - Florida State
2. Tre Boston - North Carolina
3. Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix - Alabama
4. Jimmie Ward - Northern Illinois
5. Ed Reynolds - Stanford
6. Jemea Thomas - Georgia Tech
7. Calvin Pryor - Louisville
8. Craig Loston - LSU
9. Deone Buchanon - Washington State
10. Dion Bailey - USC

I removed Ahmad Dixon from Baylor off my board.  You can't win with stupid players and he's about as stupid as they come.  He looks alarmingly too much like Roy Williams in coverage. That's enough for me.

38 days until the NFL Draft.

Senior Bowl Preview

The Cowboys brass will attend the 2014 Senior Bowl as will every other NFL team but below I will preview the most intriging prospects who either should be available or profile to fit well with their scheme.  I start off with an interesting QB and defensive tackles.

Quarterback
David Fales, San Jose State - Impressive pocket passer who throws with excellent touch especially on deep throws. He is athletic as well who can even execute the zone read play to make plays with his feet. He is inconsistent mostly on mid-range throws. Interested to see him work with different receivers and see if pro coaches can work on his footwork to improve that accuracy.

Defensive Line
Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh - Those of you who follow me on twitter @According2Boyz will know how much I love Aaron Donald. Some scouts have said he is just a situational pass rusher or too small to be a 3-down lineman. Anyone who says that I argue either hasn't watched a game of Donald or doesn't know football. You can argue he isn't a fit into every scheme, he is drastically undersized for a 3-4 man front or a 1-technique stay at home tackle in a 4-man front. Teams who value height from their lineman will also be turned off by Donald as he stands barely over 6-feet. Forget about all that measurable crap, Donald is a beast and will tear apart any lineman he sees in front of him. He profiles best as a 3-technique in an aggressive up field type scheme as a 1st round talent.

Ra'Shede Hageman, Minnesota - This is that guy who has all the measurables you look for on paper. He is a extremely athletic player who isn't an excellent football player yet. He potentially could be and there is the risk with Hageman. He is that high risk, high reward player that is too dangerous for Dallas to spend a pick on. He isn't the quick twitch type tackle that also turned off Monte Kiffin & Rod Marinelli on Shariff Floyd last year in the draft. I can't expect them to feel any different this year but he is a dynamic athlete who is capable of blowing up plays with size, strength and quickness. As of right now, I see a run stuffer who doesn't like to stay at home, he wants to get upfield and try to penetrate.

Will Sutton, Arizona State - As much as I love Aaron Donald now, that is how I felt about Sutton following the 2012 season. He was dominating as a pass rusher as a junior but he put on weight and away went the explosive burst. He weighed in at 315 in Mobile for the Senior Bowl which reports suggest is 20 pounds over his ideal playing weight. FYI, Donald came to Mobile at 288 pounds. It is absolutely vital for Sutton to find that explosive burst to get after the QB otherwise his draft stock will continue to fall possibly out of the 2nd round.

Rangers trade Craig Gentry, pitcher for Oakland prospect Michael Choice and infielder

The more I look at the Rangers - Oakland trade, the more I think Texas got the better of it. I'm trying to look at the deal from the Oakland perspective and here's why they made it.

They wanted to upgrade their center field position to spell Coco Crisp. They were willing to sacrifice power for speed & defense. Gentry gives them that. Crisp had an amazing 2013 but seems like they wanted to add a quality center field to start vs lefties and not miss a beat defensively. Gentry gives them that.

Is a 30-year old fourth outfielder who wasn't projected to start regularly in the lineup worth a #2 prospect in your system who hit .302 in AAA with 14 homers earning a September call up? I think not and make no mistake pitcher Josh Lindblom did not add any substantial value to this trade. He is a depth guy who at best can be a spot starter and long man out of the pen.

Choice instantly becomes the top outfielder prospect in the organization and could even get playing time at a corner outfield spot in 2014. Honestly, the Rangers just acquired a better more polished version of Mike Olt who can already play the outfield. He has plus power, strikes out often but not as ridiculous as Joey Gallo. The team would be wise to groom Choice to be the right fielder of the future to replace Alex Rios in 2015.

The infielder Bostick does little for me, it gives the team another talented infielder who shows some pop with the bat and quality defense at multiple positions. It gives the depth in the middle part but he's not an elite prospect anywhere close to Jurickson Profar, Luis Sardinas or Rougned Odor. The best anyone could hope for from Bostick is a utility infielder at the major league level but he's got a lot of competition in the minors.

Bottom line, think the Rangers stole a plus prospect from Oakland at a position of need for a 30-year old backup player and a non-factor pitcher.

Hello win column!

What did the Rangers get in Prince Fielder?

Jon Daniels made the offseason splash Ranger fans were hoping for that never developed last season trading away Ian Kinsler for Prince Fielder this week.  Did the Rangers acquire that left-handed power bat they desperately needed or simply take on a declining player with an awful contract for the next 7 years?

Fielder is a powerful left-handed hitter who is capable of hitting 30 homers and driving in 100 plus RBIs. He ended a streak of six straight seasons of 30 plus homers in 2013 when he only hit 25. He is a remarkably durable player missing only one game in the past 5 seasons! Prince also batted clean up in Detroit providing the crucial protection for 2013 AL-MVP Miguel Cabrera in their lineup. He is likely to be given the same task in Arlington to protect Adrian Beltre batting either clean up or 5th. His left handed bat will be put in between Alex Rios and Beltre in the lineup which is a threat the Rangers haven't had since Josh Hamilton.

Did Fielder's drop in homers in 2013 highlight holes in his swing and disturbing decline in production? There have been multiple reports from scouts within MLB indicating pitchers targeted holes in his swing in 2013 especially during the postseason. There is no question Prince had a down season in 2013 but this was a consistent theme across all teams in baseball in most offensive categories. I am not that concerned about his down season and he is far better suited to play in Arlington as a left-handed power hitter. I think the change of scenary will benefit Prince here, he will not be asked to be a leader in the clubhouse and will settle right into the heart of the lineup putting 30 plus into the home run porch.

Are the Rangers taking on a ton of new money that will prevent them from targeting more players?

Actually, the finances came out to be almost a push for the Rangers when looking at the contracts involved in 2013 including a name that no one has been referencing when discussing the financial implications of the trade.

Prince Fielder cost $23 million in Detroit in 2013.  That is a ton of money and hard for Ranger fans to digest considering it was $25 million a year sent to A-Rod during the Tom Hicks era.

However the Rangers paid a combined $23 million between Ian Kinsler and Lance Berkman in 2013. The team declined to pick up the option on Berkman for 2014 releasing the team from that financial committment.  Projected starting second baseman Jurickson Profar made $491,000 in 2013 which means the Rangers will only be paying an additional $491,000 using the 2013 figures.  Profar is likely to see a slight increase in salary but he is years away from artibration as well as free agency.  I see no reason at all where this trade would prevent the Rangers from targeting any players they wish in free agency or in the trade market.

I was thrilled when the trade was announced and nothing has changed my mind analyzing the player as well as the financial implications.  Ian Kinsler frustrated me constantly with his upper cut swing and wreckless base running.  I was never impressed with him as a leadoff hitter but that is directed at Ron Washington as it is the manager's responsiblity to slot the players in the position they feel can be the most successful. I was suprised Texas could acquire a quality piece like Fielder for Kinsler coming off a sub-par season but the same could be said from the other side.

The Rangers must handle Fielder and Profar correctly to get this team back on track as a contender in 2014.

1. Prince Fielder should be the Designated Hitter, not the starting first baseman.  His defense is poor and there is nothing wrong with Moreland's glove. I was concered that GM Jon Daniels announced post trade that Fielder would play first, I hope this changes during spring training.  Ideally, you want his bat in the lineup without his glove, the DH does exactly that and makes no sense to insist having him play in the field.

2. Slot Jurickson Profar at #8 or #9 spot in the lineup, low pressure situations so the kid can focus on his development. The kid was used incorrectly in 2013 as a super utility guy and counted on to make immediate offensive production in pressure at bats. He has a quick bat and shown some plate discipline but really struggled down the stretch seeing the ball.

Texas Rangers Offseason Plan

Last year, the Rangers were in on every top free agent (Zach Greinke) and potential trade scenarios, remember Justin Upton?

This year, the Rangers are again rumored to be in the mix for several top free agents, Robinson Cano seriously?

As the MLB playoffs move into the Championship Series, I say its time to dive into what the Rangers should do this offseason to get back into a contender.

First, I want to make it clear that I think the Rangers over achieved this year as I had this finishing 3rd in the AL West behind the Angels & Oakland with Texas missing the playoffs.  I was simply not impressed with the Rangers offense built around Nelson Cruz & Lance Berkman.

With that said, let us begin.

By my count, the Rangers have between $25 - $30 million to play with in free agency.  That puts any free agent in the discussion but do you want one mega high profile player or 3-5 mid-level players?

I argue what did Texas in last year was a poor bench (sound familiar?) and an offense that could not hit or get on base especially in the 5-7 spots on the lineup.

The poor bench has been a constant miss under Jon Daniel's watch, this can and must be addressed as Ron Washington will drive his veterans into the ground without a quality bench.

The Rangers already have 2 quality bench players who have proven to hit and be solid versus left handed pitching in Jeff Baker & Craig Gentry.  Baker would need to be resigned.

They need a bat who can hit right handed pitching who can be very affordable while also able to play multiple positions.  I insert Michael Morse here, had a disasterous 2013 with the Mariners after being traded in the offseason from the Nationals.  But he's a career. 280 hitter against righties and. 284 versus lefties. I suggest he will come cheap after such a poor season last year but the guy has a track record for hitting well, can play in the outfield and first base.

Next up is what to do about the catching position.  The Rangers dream would be to get Brian McCann from Atlanta but even if the Braves somehow let him leave, he's a top target across the league and will be able to tell teams what it will take to sign him, sources suggest he will get 90 million over 5 years.  I like McCann the ballplayer but absolutely not worth that type of money.  I move on to my next target.

Introduce Carlos Ruiz from the Phillies.

I have always been a fan of National League catchers, their attention seems to be more on working with pitchers and getting on base anyway they can.  Ruiz has done that for years after being a late bloomer averaging a. 294 BA over the past 4 years that includes a sub-par year in 2013 hitting just. 268.  His price will be below market value with his 25 game suspension this year after posting career numbers in home runs in 2012.  The question will hang over him that if he saw that increase in production naturally or with help?  That should keep Ruiz's price down and willing to take a shorter contract so he can prove he's clean and deserves big money.  I offer Ruiz a 2-year $15 million contract.

I mentioned Lance Berkman earlier and the DH position again needs to be addressed after Berkman will retire and open up the position.  Daniels should fill this void with someone they are extremely knowledgeable about, Kendry Morales from the Mariners.  He's played most of his career in the division moving over from the Angels a year ago.  He was easily the Mariners best hitter, he hit for average and power which is hard to do playing in Seattle.  He earned around $5 million last year and think he does deserve a slight raise in the $7 million range but not excessive considering he offers zero flexibility in the lineup, strictly a DH.

Here's where we stand thus far, 3 players for $16 million total allocating $2M to Morse, $7M to Ruiz and $7M to Morales.  That leaves $20 million left to address my remaining spots, first base and starting rotation.

I want to add depth to my starting rotation in the event someone gets hurt or I need that 5th starter to be an impact starter like last year. I look into someone who's been on the teams radar for years, coming off a subpar season but has track record of pitching well in the AL and willing to take a short term deal to prove he can still get it done.

Josh Johnson from the Blue Jays is that guy.  The Rangers have been involved in trade talks for Johnson for years dating back to when he was with Miami as well as last year at the deadline.  He made $13 million last year but I suggest that salary comes way down after posting career worst ERA, home run to fly ball ratio dating back to 2007.  Johnson will obviously want a multi-year deal but will have to earn it taking a one-year deal after such a poor year, Texas should jump on that.  I offer him a one-year $6.5 million contract.

Finally, first base has been a joke for the Rangers the past several seasons and the worst part is watching previous Rangers have excellent seasons with other clubs, Adrian Gonzales with the Dodgers & Chris Davis in Baltimore to mention a few.

I feel the Rangers need to add some power to that first base position with a right handed bat and upgrade my left handed hitter to play the corner outfield spots.  Jose Abreau is a Cuban defector who thanks to a few loopholes is eligible for total unrestricted free agency into the Major Leagues as a 26 year old rookie.  Recent other Cubans have transitioned well to the Majors after limited time in the minors like Leonys Martin or even no time at all like Yoenis Cespedes in Oakland.  Abreau is a big strong power right handed hitter at the first base position, pure and simple.  Sources confirm Texas is one of 6 teams heavily involved in acquiring Abreau once free agency opens a week after the World Series.

The best part of this deal is I don't cut, trade or send down Mitch Moreland, he becomes my left handed bat who can hit right handed pitching and play the outfield corner spots.  It may not be the drastic upgrade people were expecting over David Murphy but Jurickson Profar is still in my plans to be an every day corner outfielder.

Finally, what do the Rangers do about Nelson Cruz?  Local media reports the Rangers are unsure if they will make a qualifying offer to Cruz which amounts to $14 million dollars. I say yes they should without a doubt, get the draft pick in return if he signs elsewhere and if he does sign it, I'm fine with his bat and he can play left field for my team.  If Cruz does not sign the offer, I make zero effort to resign him and turn my attention to Carlos Beltran who has quietly put together an excellent career and not slowed down still hitting for power and average consistently.

Here's the lineup I give to Ron Washington with these deals.

Lineup
Kinsler
Andrus
Cruz/Beltran
Beltre
Morales
Rios
Ruiz
Abreau
Martin

My goal was to upgrade the 5-7 spots, Morales, Rios and Ruiz gives me 3 hitters all of whom would of hit in the top 4 a year ago.  Second, I wanted to add quality to my bench, this gives me Soto, Moreland, Baker, Morse & Gentry.   Mission accomplished?

BYU's Kyle Van Noy

Just watched several games of BYU's Kyle Van Noy. Disappointed honestly as I was expecting a beast capable of taking over a game. I saw that especially vs the Longhorns but other games, I saw a guy who would make about 2-3 plays a game but wildly inconsistent with a real average motor. But when he wants to be, he is as good as Von Miller.

Cannot hold vs the run and will not be a DE in the NFL. Going to have to stay at OLB in a 34 scheme. If he puts together a strong finish to the year, can easily see him being a top 10 pick but with major red flags.

Two biggest red flags when he comes to defenders, average motor and inconsistent tackler. I would attach those labels to him at this point.

Texans comeback to win over Chargers

Best thing to do when you are home sick after you slept most of the day.  Watch game film of the Texans game.

Texans game: This game started off just like the Cowboys game, Matt Schaub's first pass was picked off at their own 15 which resulted in a Chargers touchdown on the next play. The two went back and forth the rest of the first half but the Chargers managing to get out to a 21-7 lead at the half. The interesting fact to me was Houston not going to their playaction nearly as much in the first half despite running the ball effectively averaging 4.4 yards a carry, 15 rushes for 66 yards. They ran only one playaction passes hitting Owen daniels for 18 mid-way through the 1st quarter. This is a staple of their offense but thats what can happen when you trail double digits at half-time.

The Texans might have finally found their capable No.2 receiver to go along with Andre Johnson hitting on DeAndre Hopkins in the draft from Clemson, he was open often and made play after play which drew coverage off Johnson who hauled double digit catches on the night.

The Chargers were rolling to start the second half taking the opening drive 80 yards in 8 plays thanks to a monster playaction pass to Malcolm Floyd for 47 yards on the first play. They scored on a quick pass to Eddie Royal from the one yardline to take a 28-7 lead at the 10:46 mark of the third quarter.

You might think down by 3 touchdowns Head Coach Gary Kubiak would go no huddle, stay in shotgun passing every play to try and get back into the game. However that did not happen, the Texans responded with a 12 play drive going 70 yards holding the ball for over 5 minutes scoring on a touchdown pass to Garrett Graham. They still continued to run the ball 4 times on the drive to keep the Chargers pass rush from going all out for Schaub which was crucial considering how bad a game LT Duane Brown had.

Then everything changed...

The Chargers lead by 2 touchdowns with 4:45 left in the 3rd quarter, the Texans defense having trouble to stop the Chargers most of the night through the air and on the ground needed a stop. You would think a team with a 2 possession lead would want to work the clock a little as well to give their defense a break after giving up the score and protect the lead.  Instead the Chargers run the ball a total of 4 times for a grant total of 2 yards from the moment they lead in the game 28-7 to the moment they lost it.

San Diego acted like they were the team trailing by 14 in the second half, throwing the ball all over the place without success. The Texans D had to start blitz to force the issue and Rivers never made them pay for it.

Even with that said, a few things had to fall the Texans way to complete the comeback.

It is 3rd down and 8 with 14:55 left to go in the 4th quarter, Houston trails 28-14 but has driven the ball down to the Chargers 19. Schaub has a pass fall incomplete resulting in a field goal attempt to cut the lead down to 11. However a stupid personal foul penalty by the Chargers gives the Texans a new set of downs inside the 10 with a chance to make it a one possession game. Schaub waste no time finding Owen Daniels for the score turning what should have been a two possession game into a single score differential with 14:44 remaining to be played.

Fast forward to the 9:38 mark of the 4th quarter for the play of the game.  The Chargers take possession at their own 13 leading by 7. They had tried to run the ball twice on the previous possession only to gain a single yard in 2 attempts thanks to JJ Watt doing what he does to blow up running plays. The Chargers decide to put the ball in the air, Whitney Mercilus goes unblocked to rush the throw by Rivers into the flat where recently made rich Brian Cushing hauls in the interception, gets up and rumbles in for the tying score.

The Texans drove down the field from their own 39 thanks to three clutch receptions from Andre Johnson for 23 yards, and the inevitable game winning field goal as time expired.