I thought you would like to take a look at this, it made me chuckle
The Mock Mockery & Redskins Strategery
The Owner of NLFDraftDog.com, Rob Bryant, has invited his columnists to complete an overall Mock Draft and a Team Specific Mock Draft. Closest to actual gets a brand new car. (Okay, I made that part up.) Here is my response to Rob's suggestion that I try to out-guess Redskins Genius-in-Charge Vinny Cerrato & Co.
Dear Rob--
I think you are trying to screw up my Overall Mock. The idea of an Overall Mock is to put your brain to work, think like a competent GM, and try to analyze which good athlete various teams will take to improve themselves.
Now then, if I need to try to figure out the "thinking" of one Vincent Cerrato of the Redskins and try to suss out what remains of his draft possibilities this year, I will have to shut down all critical skills. This gives me virtually no chance of winning the overall Mock Draft contest.
Also, it's a slightly uneven playing field, in that the Redskins now have only four picks. The three that have gone missing weren't squandered of course. They've given Redskin fans our fair share of bitter tears at the trading prowess of Dan Snyder's Chief Cook and Racquetball Partner.
Vinny sent a second round pick to Miami to obtain former "Dancing with the Stars" performer Jason Taylor. While Taylor was out with Samba and Tango-related leg injuries most of the year. and ineffective even when healthy, he gives the 'skins a leg up if the NFL ever has a dance competition. Taylor is the gift that keeps on giving, too. The 'skins peddled a 6th rounder next year for him, also.
Hedging their defensive end bets, the 'skins gave up their seventh rounder for one Erasmus James, an always injured former first rounder whose signature rush move is sliding into the Whirlpool before teammates leave the practice field. James was hurt all year, too, but can't dance a lick. So he won't be Dancing with the Stars—or the Redskins for that matter--he was cut.
The Redskins 4th rounder went to the New York Football Jets a couple years back for 35-year-old, arthritic-kneed guard, Pete Kendall. Pete was needed because the Rocket Surgeons at Redskin Park failed to re-sign their own superb guard, Derrick Dockery, before he became a too-expensive free agent.
They then decided to try something never successfully achieved in the NFL before. They attempted to install the first ever 6'8" guard. Todd "Too Tall" Wade was formerly a mediocre tackle before he became a mediocre guard. (Who could have seen that coming?) The Toddster is also no longer with the ball club. Kendall has played serviceably for two years but is nearing the end of his warrantee.
So, Rob, you can see my issues trying to determine coherency in Redskin personnel policies. One theory I have is that Mr. Cerrato--attempting to emulate last year's draft--will try to trade out of the first round and again acquire three second round selections. Last year he drafted three receivers. The unholy trio spent most the year on the Redskin bench or in civvies. The third and fourth round picks the Redskins drafted also graced the bench or inactive list. The only draftee who worked out was a seventh rounder (S Chris Horton). So there is a real possibility Vinny may trade all his 2009 picks, and several from next year and try to obtain everyone's seventh round selection.
He might as well. Vinny has had no luck applying his "best player available" stategery in the past, possibly because he doesn't have a clue who the best players available are. Fr' instance: He passed up DeSean Jackson, Donny Avery and Eddie Royal last year--receivers who had outstanding rookie seasons for other teams.
So, you see my dilemma, Rob. I have to try to figure what bad trade downs Vinny will make, and then try to guess which underperforming players will best fill those slots.
Lord knows the team needs linemen. Thanks to inept FA acquisitions and pathetic drafting, the 'skins have an offensive line that's ready for Social Security. Logic would dictate fixing that problem before Jason Campbell gets killed or Clinton Portis goes on the radio again. But the Redskins rarely draft offensive linemen, and they have needs on the defensive line, linebacker, kicking, and backup running back that are pressing.
I also suspect they still need receivers, but I'm afraid to mention it for fear word might get back to Redskins Park. Then Vinny might draft some more WRs or Snyder might offer me a gig as the new GM. I don't think I could co-exist with The Dan. From what I hear, he's not fond of people responding to his suggestions with " Are you out of your mind?" or "Who the hell made you think you have a clue about football?"
So if I dumb myself down and try to figure the 'skins picks, it may make a mockery of my Overall Mock. Don't want to do that. That may be one of the Warning Signs of the Apocalypse, and I'm pretty sure it was mentioned in the Mayan calendar.
Actually, I believe Mocks are one of the few things less accurate than political pundits and economic forecasters. At least they rarely do as much harm. So I'll enter your contest. If I win the car, I'd like it in Redskin colors, Maroon and purple.
Not to hint at my choices, but after an initial analysis of Vinny's thought processes, I'm thinking he may stay in the first round and draft a third baseman.
Sincerely,
John Corcoran, Redskin Columnist
