17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Reggie Nelson, S Florida

Walter: Jacksonville was already thin in the defensive backfield aside from Rashean Mathis, and that was before they lost Deon Grant to Seattle. With Grant gone, the Jaguars desperately need someone, anyone, who can cover opposing receivers. Nelson fits the bill nicely, as the premier combo safety in the draft. He can easily slide into the free safety spot, or he could pitch in an corner. Chris Houston is also a possibility.

Frazier Fan: Nelson is a good pick for us. Our secondary is the weakness for our defense, and we have plenty of talent offensively. Except we have not one, but two mediocre quarterbacks. Still, Nelson was a Florida hero, so I'm amped.

18. Cincinnati Bengals - Greg Olsen, TE Miami

Walter: What a difference a week can make. Last week we had Olsen going to the Bengals in the 2nd round, but his 4.5 40 time and 22 bench reps proved that Olsen has the skill set to be an elite level NFL tight end and a sure fire first round pick. While the Bengals could certainly use some secondary help (Revis and Houston are definite option), Olsen is too good to pass up.

Frazier Fan: A Miami tight-end? We've had enough off the field problems already, so no thanks. Our offense is a juggernaut, we need help in the defense, especially in the secondary, especially since I'm worried that Joseph already has a rap sheet. Ugh.

19. Tennessee Titans - Chris Houston, CB Arkansas

Walter: The Titans could really go in a few different directions here. They desperately need to get VY some help on offense, but they have invested a number of high round picks in wideouts very recently. On defense, they've got to find a replacement for the utterly insane Pacman Jones. One he went off the deep end the Titans were left with only Reynaldo Hill and Andre Woolfolk to man the position, and neither are even adequate NFL starters.

Frazier Fan: Fucking Pacman. This picks makes sense, if nothing else because Houston has never been know to "make it rain" in a Vegas strip club. We're losing that guy for awhile, even if we wanted his crazy ass back. Now we have to spend our first round pick making up for his stupidity.

20. New York Giants - Darrelle Revis, CB Pittsburgh

Walter: A month ago this would have been an absolute slam dunk. Now, after the G-Men released their starting left tackle and both starting OLB, they have more needs. Still Revis is a physically gifted corner who recently ran a 4.3 40 at his pro day (after a subpar combine time). While an outside backer is a possibility here, Revis represents much better value at #20.

Frazier Fan: Yes! We are desperately in need of help in the secondary. I'm not in love with Revis, but if he's the best cornerback around, then he's my guy.

21. Denver Broncos - Jarvis Moss, DE Florida

Walter: If not for the acquisition of Dre Bly, I still contend the Broncos would go after a corner here. However, with Bly in tow the Broncos can turn to the defensive line where they employ numerous retreads and castaways. Moss may be a bit undersized right now, but Shanahan has a history with undersized defensive players (most recently Elvis Dumervil and Ian Gold) and always gets production out of them.

Frazier Fan: Any defensive lineman who hasn't played poorly for the Browns is a good one! Moss will help the defense actually play the entire season this year, and we could use the infusion of actual talent on the line.

22. Dallas Cowboys - Joe Staley, OT Central Michigan

Walter: The Cowboys made a puzzling decision to sign Ken Hamlin, a natural strong safety, to play alongside Roy Williams. This is probably an indication that they simply don't believe that either Landry (duh) or Nelson will fall to them. With that being the case the Boys turn to the offensive line where the team has struggled ever since Nate Newton and Erik Williams retired. Staley has the athletic ability and raw potential to be the absolute stud left tackle the team has needed for quite some time.

Frazier Fan: Really? I'm still not convinced that we've fixed all the problems on our defense, although getting Hamlin definitely helped. We did win Super Bowls with a great o-line, but I'd like to get someone more likely to help right away.

23. Kansas City Chiefs - Dwayne Bowe, WR LSU

Walter: The Chiefs need help along the OL and in the defensive backfield, but with Brown and Nelson taken in the last three picks, Bowe represents the best value at #23. With speedster Eddie Kennison on the other side, Bowe is a perfect compliment in the Chiefs aerial attack.

Frazier Fan: YES! God do we need a wide receiver. Now I'm just afraid we're going to botch this quarterback situation. Keep them both! Bowe is no Snoop Minnis, and that's the best news I've heard in a very long time.

24. New Englad Patriots - Paul Poszlusny, LB Penn State

Walter: The Pats did a great job getting better and younger at the OLB spot in one fell swoop with the signing of Adalius Thomas. Inside, however, they are still lacking with only a decaying Tedy Bruschi entrenched as a starter. Puz is the classic Patriot. He's smart and versatile, and can stay on the field for three downs. In essence, he is a younger version of Bruschi. While he was originally viewed as an OLB, Poszlusny would be a classic fit as an OLB on the weak side for New England.

Frazier Fan:YES! YES! YES! I love the Puz! He's a smart player, a winner, and someone who might not have great measurables, but can play football. He's exactly the type of player that thrives under Belichick. We'll get the best of his ability, and be able to hide some of his physical limitations (and there aren't a lot). We don't have any glaring needs, and getting younger at linebacker has been an area of concern for a couple of years.

25. New York Jets - Aaron Ross, CB Texas

Walter: A solid pickup here by the Jets, who are able to bolster their defensive backfield with a player who can come in and be a lock down nickel back right away, and develop into a starting corner. Ross has outstanding footwork and instincts, and most of his flaws can be corrected by Eric Mangini who used to be Bill Belichick's defensive backs coach.

Frazier Fan: Nice! Ross is a good player who will benefit from coaching from the Mangenius. We're going to be tough defensively, and make enough plays on the other side to win. I love it!

26. Philadelphia Eagles - Lawrence Timmons, LB Florida State

Walter: The Eagles almost never pick linebackers in the first round but they are so thin at the position they are almost forced to reach for Timmons here. Timmons is somewhat of a project but the Seminoles have a nearly flawless reputation when it comes to their linebackers. I also wouldn't be shocked if the Eagles went with Mike Griffin to replace Mike Lewis at one of the safety spots.

Frazier Fan: Hmmmm. I think that picking up Takeo Spikes will preclude us from doing this, and it damn well better!

27. New Orleans Saints - Jon Beason, OLB Miami

Walter: Woah is the plight of the Saints. It seems like every year they spend a first day pick on a linebacker, which means that none of them are really working out for them. Beason won't dazzle anyone, but the late run on LB's (Puz, Timmons) makes this Miami product the best available and a solid pick for the Saints. In general, it's never a bad idea to take a University of Miami linebacker.

Frazier Fan:Damn do we need a linebacker! It's probably our biggest defensive hole, and the pickings are slim. But with Spikes going to the Eagles, maybe that works out for us in the end.

28. New Englad Patriots - Justin Blalock, OL Texas

Walter: Classic Patriots pick. Blalock is arguably the best player left on the board, and while the Pats don't have a definite spot to play him, he is excellent value here. The Patriots have Logan Mankins and Stephen Neal entrenched at guard, but Matt Light is getting old at LT and no real RT has emerged. Blalock immediately provides depth at guard, and could challenge to start at RT (or push Mankins, a tackle in college outside) while fitting in as a potential long term replacement for either Light or Neal.

Frazier Fan: Works for me. We don't have any real holes, although I'd love another wide receiver. Still, if this kid is that good, why not?

29. Baltimore Ravens - Aaron Sears, OL Tennessee

Walter: Too bad for Baltimore. Blalock would be a perfect fit as a young mauler on this Ravens OL, but he gets snatched up one pick earlier so they go with Blalock lite. Sears is a decent prospect in his own right, and like Blalock he can play either guard or tackle. Still, he isn't as good a prospect at either position as Blalock so this has to be viewed as a major league bad break for Baltimore.

Frazier Fan: Dammit! We need another weapon! Our offense is a total disaster, and we're going to fix it with a lineman? No! the line isn't our problem, it's that we have zero playmakers. Let's get a receiver, or someone else who can get the ball in the end zone.

30. San Diego Chargers - Robert Meachem, WR Tennessee

Walter: The Bolts love Vincent Jackson on one side, but Kennan McCardell is getting old on the other. Meachem and his 4.4 speed is a perfect compliment to the 6'5'' Jackson, and his ability to stretch the field vertically should open up even more space underneath and in the seams for Antonio Gates and Ladainian Tomlinson.

Frazier Fan: YES! As far as I know Meachem doesn't apply a layer of vaseline to his hands before games, so he'll be better than most of the bums we have at the position. Now we really are unstoppable (by anyone other than our stupid new coach).

31. Chicago Bears - Dwayne Jarrett, WR USC

Walter: Unreal value for this spot in the draft. Even though Chicago has some good players already at WR, they simply cannot pass on Jarrett. While most teams will still be scared by his alleged lack of speed, the Bears jump in and draft the immediate heir apparent to Muhsin Muhammad. Jarrett will enter the league with a chip on his shoulder, and this will be good news for whoever the Bears line up under center.

Frazier Fan: Woohoo! Couldn't be any better for us. He isn't a blazer? Neither was the Moose, and he's been fine for us, and Jarrett has a lot more skill than that fellow. It's a great fit, especially since Jarrett excels at winning jump balls, which there promises to be plenty of with Rex heaving it aimlessly around.

32. Indianapolis Colts - Brian Leonard, FB Rutgers

Walter: History tells us that this won't be a need pick, and Leonard fits that bill. Like the Patriots, the Colts love tight ends because they are so versatile. After losing Dominic Rhodes this offseason, the Colts find a more than adequate replacement in Leonard, and pick a player who will help in the screen game that Tom Moore loves so much.

Frazier Fan: Well, this guy doesn't have any sort of first-round skills, not even late-late-late first. Not only is it a reach here, but he doesn't have a position. Whatever, we won the Super Bowl. I don't actually care.

1. Oakland Raiders - Calvin Johnson, WR Georgia Tech

Walter: I'll admit it, I have no idea what the Raiders are going to do with this pick.....and frankly I don't think they have any idea yet. Jamarcus Russell has been the selection all along, but with David Carr currently on the market, and Daunte Culpepper probably to come, the Raiders may feel they can address QB via free agency and grab Johnson, the best player in the draft, with the top pick. The bottom line is that right now their are way too many permutations to accurately predict what the Raiders will do. Will they sign Carr? Will they trade Randy Moss? Will they do both and still look to trade out of the first spot?

Frazier Fan: Wait? What?! Ok, I'm confused. I mean, I know Johnson is great and everything, but isn't this putting the cart in front of the horse? Don't we need a quarterback? What about Randy Moss? If we could just get someone to work with Moss and Porter, I mean, wide receiver is actually our strongest position. I am beffudled.

2. Detroit Lions - Jamarcus Russell, QB LSU

Walter: The Lions have done a very nice job this offseason addressing most of their most glaring offensive needs. This puts them in the not so precarious position of being able to take a player like Russell and groom him for superstardom in Mike Martz's wide-open offensive system. Russell's physical tools are nearly perfect for the Mike Martz attack. Martz relies on attacking the middle of the field with post patterns and digs, two patterns that are virtually undefendable by zone against a QB with Russell's arm strength.

Frazier Fan: I am more than a little terrified. The last time we took a crack at a quarterback, well, it didn't exactly work out. That said, I think Russell has all the tools. And Kitna is not the answer long-term, so this might actually work out.

3. Cleveland Browns - Brady Quinn, QB Notre Dame

Walter: While I think Adrien Peterson is the proper pick for the Browns, I simply cannot believe that they would spend the kind of money they did on Jamal Lewis, only to spend the third pick in the draft on the best RB to come out of college in years. There is speculation that the Browns are in the market for a QB, as they should be with Charlie Frye atop the depth chart, and Quinn would represent appropriate value for such a high pick.

Frazier Fan: Well, it's him or Charlie Frye. I am still not thrilled though. I'm not sold on the Domer, and it makes me nervous that he was coached by Crennel's old running mate. Do we still have to pay Jamal Lewis?

4. Arizona Cardinals+ - Joe Thomas, OT Wisconsin

Walter: Sure it's only moving up one spot, but the Cards know that the Bucs want to move out of the #4 spot with Johnson, Russell and Quinn gone, and they simply cannot risk a team jumping over them and snatching up Thomas. While they may have to overpay to move up a single spot, Thomas is a franchise caliber left tackle, who will team with Leinart, Fitzgerald, and Boldin to form as formidable a young offensive nucleus as we've seen in a long while.

Frazier Fan: YES! WOOHOO!!!! Possibly the best pick ever. I mean EVER! This is the guy we should have been taking for the past several years. Oh my god, it just feels so, so good.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Gaines Adams, DE Clemson

Walter: I'd expect the Bucs to look to trade down once again. But the consolation prize, in the event that they cannot, is the best defensive player in the draft, and perhaps the only immediate impact pass rusher. Adams is a terror off of the edge, and is exactly the type of lineman the Bucs covet for their cover-2 scheme. Adams would play alongside Simeon Rice for a year, before replacing him as the primary edge rusher in 2008.

Frazier Fan: I like it. We have enough quarterbacks, a good running back, and some decent receivers. So the offense is not a super-need, and we're about a million years old on defense. So let's continue rebuilding, and put the quarterback on his ass.

6. Washington Redskins - Jamaal Anderson, DE Arkansas

Walter: With Adams taken a spot earlier, the Redskins settle for the second DE on their board. Anderson is actually a more complete player than Adams with a higher ceiling, so it may be a blessing in disguise. Unlike Adams, Anderson won't be ready to dominate right away, but he should solidify the Skins defensive line for years to come.

Frazier Fan: Yes! A complete player against the run and the pass. Our line play was non-existent last year, and Anderson is a physical specimen. Perfect fit.

7. Minnesota Vikings - Adrien Peterson, RB Oklahoma

Walter: I've been laughed at for this pick, but after the Texans were crucified for passing on Reggie Bush last year because they were comfortable with Domanick Davis I don't see how the Vikings say to themselves, "we can afford to pass on Peterson because we have Chester Taylor and Mewelde Moore." Peterson is a once in a lifetime back, and while the Vikes need a quarterback more than they need a running back, there isn't a passer on the board worthy of this spot.

Frazier Fan: Our coach wants to turn us into a running team, and Chester Taylor is not a viable option. Also, we don't have a quarterback, at all really. So we'll need all the help we can get toting the rock. Still nervous about his durability, but we have a good line, and he's a good bargain for this spot.

8. Atlanta Falcons - Laron Landry, S LSU

Walter: At first this seems to make no sense. Why would the Falcons trade up two spots only to draft a player that would have been available, and cheaper, with their original #10 pick? While it's possible that perhaps the Falcons are now looking in another direction, the more likely scenario is that Landry is so good they don't want to risk him getting to the Dolphins.

Frazier Fan: We could use a lot of help. I don't love losing Kerney, and I don't love any aspect of our defense, really, or our receivers. And our quarterback makes me nervous. Other than that, we're all set. Still, I like the pick. Landry is a stud and we'll make us better against the run and the pass.

9. Miami Dolphins - Alan Branch, DT Michigan

Walter: I would be shocked if the Dolphins passed on Quinn if he were still available, but in this mock he isn't. #9 is a tough spot to draft at because most of the elite players are gone. This pick should come down to the space eating Branch, or the dynamic Landry (if the Falcons pass). With Landry gone, new head man Cam Cameron chooses Alan Branch who he views as the Jamal Williams type presence he had in San Diego.

Frazier Fan:Branch is a big, physical kind of space-eater. He is not going to be a very sexy player, and he'll never have big stats, but he is the kind of guy that makes a defense work. On the other hand, our defense wasn't exactly what we needed to work on.

10. Houston Texans - Levi Brown, OT Penn State

Walter: If the top 10 picks play out like this, the Matt Schaub trade will be even better for the Texans. The Texans need a left tackle (duh), and with Thomas probably out of their reach, Levi Brown is an excellent fallback. They would probably have been targeting him with the eight pick, and if he's still available at ten that means they get the same player for less money.

Frazier Fan: YES! After the Reggie Bush-Mario Williams-Vince Young-David Carr fiasco, it looks like we're finally figuring things out. We have needed an offensive line for five years now, and we finally address it, only shortly after finally getting a competent quarterback. It's a whole new Texans!

11. San Francisco 49ers - Adam Carriker, DE Nebraska

Walter: Head coach Mike Nolan can't seem to decide if he want to play the base 3-4 or 4-3, so he picks the one player who has shown he could succeed in either. Carriker is a physical specimen who definitely has the ability to take over a game, either inside in the 4-3 or outside in the 3-4. He is the type of versatile ends that NFL teams covet.

Frazier Fan: We've got a good amount of talent on the offensive side of things, and Carriker makes us better defensively. He's versatile, talented, and strong as an ox. I love it.

12. Buffalo Bills - Leon Hall, CB Michigan

Walter: The Bills signed three offensive lineman in free agency so solidify their biggest offensive weakness, and drafting Leon Hall to replace Nate Clements replaces the key missing piece on defense. Patrick Willis is another option here as the Bills have shown that they aren't afraid to reach early in the 1st round, but Hall's 4.4 speed makes him tough to pass up.

Frazier Fan: Replacing Clements is a good thing, I just wish we'd been smarter so we could have used the pick to get better somewhere else. Still, it's a good fit for us, although I did see Hall get completely exposed at the Rose Bowl. I'll be keeping my eye on him.

13. St. Louis Rams - Amobi Okoye, DT Louisville

Walter: Okoye would be outstanding value for the Rams at this point. After missing with DT picks like Damione Lewis and Jimmy Kennedy, the Rams desperately need a dynamic playmaker in the middle of their defensive line. Okoye has the raw potential of a young Warren Sapp, but without the baggage. This pick would represent the best value thus far.

Frazier Fan: Yes! Okoye is a great pick! Our defense needs to get tougher, and this kid is only 19! He's got a hell of a future in front of him, and will help immediately. Nice job!

14. Carolina Panthers - Patrick Willis, LB Ole Miss

Walter: An absolute gimme for the Panthers. Dan Morgan is a pro bowl caliber linebacker, but he is old and always injured. Plus, Willis showed that he is a good enough athlete at the combine, and his pro day, that he can play the outside for a year or two until the coaches are ready to hand him the reigns in the middle.

Frazier Fan: Willis is a great player, don't get me wrong, but explain to me how he is going to lighten the load on Steve Smith? We are a one-dimensional (one-player) offense, and Willis does nothing to address this.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Ryan Kalil, C USC

Walter: While this would have been considered a major reach a few weeks ago, Kalil has done everything to solidify himself as a potentially special NFL center. The Steelers just lost Jeff Hartings to retirement and have a long history of hall of fame caliber centers (Dermonti Dawson, Mike Webster). Kalil could be next in line.

Frazier Fan: A perfect fit. I just want to see this guy get down and dirty and put a thumb in someone's eye.

16. Green Bay Packers - Tedd Ginn Jr., WR Ohio State

Walter: The Pack desperately need some speed on the outside, as evidenced by their feeble attempts to trade for Randy Moss. While Ginn is not the overall prospect that Johnson is, he does have world class speed and his contributions to the vertical passing game and special teams all but guarantee that he will be an effective NFL player. Another option here is Marshawn Lynch, but his timed speed has been so bad that he would be a major reach here.

Frazier Fan: Ugh. Ginn seems to have "foot issues" which can become terminal (ask Kevin McHale). Also, he's not the best at anything other than being fast. And fucking Favre will still overthrow him. Also, we don't have a running back. This is a total disaster.

Wow. It's hard to believe that it's finally come to an end. The most insane, stressful, exciting tournament in college sports history has wound to a close. Seeing the glee on the faces of the victors, and the utter devastation of the losers was incredible. But when it was all said and done, only one team remained. Only one could triumph. There's only one champion. Today, the 323 congratulates the winners of the first ever Madness tournament, your champion:

THE FLORIDA GATORS!

Basketball outcome: Florida comfortably.
Football outcome: Florida comfortably.

Frazier - Well, duh. The Gators are the defending champs in both sports. Frankly, this wasn't a tough call. Texas may have the most young talent in the country, but that doesn't mean they're ready for prime time (in either sport) yet. In basketball, Durant simply wasn't enough. Green and Brewer were able to force Augustine into plenty of mistakes, and the Florida size underneath was too much for Durant. He got his points, as always, but the athleticism of Horford and Noah gave him fits. This was a team simply not ready for the biggest stage against a veteran squad firing on all cylinders. The football game was much of the same. McCoy may have plenty of talent, but he made some foolish mistakes against a Florida defense that wasn't about to let him get away with even one. Also, while Texas has many great athletes, Florida is one of the few teams capable of matching up to them in that department. A Gator team that always found a way to win was more than enough for a Texas team that really underperformed. The scoreboard may have seemed close, but the game certainly wasn't. Gator domination on both the hardcourt and the gridiron.



Walter - Hard to argue with my esteemed co-blogger on this one. What would be even more interesting, though, would be if the same cast of characters on these teams met up again in a year or two. On the hardwood Florida has the clear advantage in both talent and experience. While Durant, Augustine and Co. can put points on the board, the Gators offensive threats are nightmare matchups for the Longhorns. Al Horford is way too much man for the Horns to stop, and he would have his way offensively matched up against Durant. Similarly, Texas has nobody capable to even slowing down Noah on the blocks, and he'd make a living with putback dunks. The backcourt play would be far more even, but Taurean Green and Corey Brewer are just more polished players at this point. Durant would keep the game close for a half or so, but Florida would pull away late making this a route. On the gridiron the matchup is a little better.....or is it. Texas' clear advantage over the Gators would be on the offensive and defensive lines where the Longhorns appear to have much stronger and more physical players. But isn't that the same thing we said about Ohio State? Bottom line is that what the Gators lack in size and strength, they more than make up for with athleticism. Just like the Buckeyes, the Longhorns defense would be a step slow all game, and those big lumbering defensive lineman would tire out very quickly. On the other side of the ball, Justin Blalock is a good enough athlete to carry his weight, but the rest of the Texas O-line would struggle with the quickness of Jarvis Moss and company. In the end, this game would resemble the National Championship Game quite a bit, although I would imagine Colt McCoy's performance would have been better than Troy Smith's. Still, Florida wins very comfortably.

Like you even had to ask........

What a thrilling weekend! More exciting Madness games to get to today. As the championship approaches, the level of play and passion is only heightened. I like to believe that the distraction caused by our own Madness tournament was the reason that the NCAA tournament seemed a tad uninspiring this year. How could they possibly compete?

Anyways, we know how excited you are to find out the winners, so without further ado, here's how it all turned out:

The East

1: Ohio St. vs.
2: Florida

Basketball outcome: Florida in a close game.
Football outcome: Um, we know how this one goes.
Overall winner:The Gators in the non-upset upset.

Frazier - Well, this one went as expected. Ohio St. may have a good young basketball team, and a dominant player in Oden, but they hardly have the pedigree of the defending champs. The Buckeyes are used to controlling the action around the rim, but Florida simply had too many bodies. Horford forced Oden to play a rough and tumble game, while Noah added his brand of ball-hawking to control the flow of the game. Richard and others provided depth in the paint, and Oden was simply overwhelmed. While Conley is a great player, the mix of Brewer and Green was simply too much for him to contend with. Florida had the depth and athleticism to win the day. It was a good, close game, but the Champs pulled away late. As for the football game? Well, we all know what happened there. It was pretty much the same as the BCS Championship game except Ginn wasn't able to return the opening kickoff. While it was nice to see him healthy for the duration, it really didn't matter as the Gators triumphed easily (again).

Walter - Somewhat anticlimactic, yet still laden with future professionals, this is the preeminent matchup of the second round. On the hardwood, I still can't shake the sneaking suspicion that the Big 10 just stinks in basketball. The tourney has done nothing to dissuade this opinion, with OSU being the only team left, and needing a miracle against Xavier to avoid succumbing to the same fate as the likes of Wisconsin, Purdue and Michigan State. Florida, on the other hand, has looked dominant during the tourney, and ran through the entire SEC this past season. The SEC, by the way, has done very well in the tourney. On the gridiron, well, we know how this goes. Say what you will about Troy Smith's off game, and the loss of Ted Ginn to injury, but the Gators simply broke out the whupping stick against the Buckeyes and I just cannot go against them here.

The West

1: Wisconsin vs.
6: Texas

Basketball outcome: Texas in a close game.
Football outcome: Texas in a close game.
Overall winner: Longhorn upset city!

Frazier - Wow! It's an incredible 6 over 1 upset! A bigger shocker than anything the "other" march madness had to throw our way this year. The basketball game was moderately uninspiring. Texas didn't play well at times, but Wisconsin was completely incapable of scoring. The tremendously overrated Alando Tucker choked in another big game, and it was Taylor who almost led the Badgers to the win. However, Texas had Durant, the best player on the court at all times, and it was his big day that made the difference. Wisconsin didn't have anyone athletic enough to hang with the super-frosh, and he made all the plays that mattered in another 35 point, 17 rebound epic. As for the football action? Well, Wisconsin tried to grind things out with sufficient offense and tough defense. It looked like a repeat of the A&M debacle for the Longhorns. However, Colt McCoy was able to lead his troops on the one drive that mattered. In a low scoring battle, it was the 4th quarter touchdown drive that made all the difference. Maybe it wasn't pretty, but it was another Longhorn triumph. Overall it was a great day for the state of Texas, and tough loss for the scrappy, but boring and uninspiring Badger bunch.

Walter - How 'bout them Longhorns! Admittedly, this is a tremendous matchup for Texas. Wisconsin proved that they suck at basketball when they got handled by UNLV, and while they had a great football season I cannot honestly say they are ready to compete with a national title caliber team like Texas. On the court, Texas is by far the more talented team led by their super trio of Freshmen Durant, Augustine, and Abrams. For the Badgers, after Alando Tucker they don't have a ton. On the football field, PJ Hill and John Stocco are a formidable run-pass duo, but Texas has it all over the Badgers in the trenches. Texas has the bigger, badder OL, and outside of all everything Joe Thomas, the Wisconsin OL would have a miserable time trying to block Tim Crowder and co.

For the first time we here at the323 proudly present to you The Official 323 prospect scouting reports. I have finally finished inputting scouting reports for most of the top prospects in April's draft and they are here for you to view. Although I feel that the list is somewhat comprehensive, I was unable to provide analysis for every single player coming out of college for 2 reasons: (i) it woud have taken me forever, and (ii) more importantly, I only provide scouting reports on my own observations so I there were a handful of players who I hadn't see play enough to render a scouting report. Keep checking back because I plan to try and add a few more guys in the next couple of weeks. Enjoy!

More thrilling games in the second round, and another set of surprises. Frankly, this tournament couldn't possibly be any better. We would also like to compliment our friend, The Baron, for correctly picking both upsets in the first round. Our readers are a very savvy lot.

But you're here for the results of what can only be described as Madness (Madness!). So here they are:

The East

1: Ohio St. vs.
5: Maryland

Basketball outcome: Ohio St. decisively.
Football outcome: Ohio St. in a semi-rout.
Overall winner: Bucky rolls on.

Frazier - The Ohio St. balance really showed itself again out there. In basketball, DJ Strawberry and company didn't have the horses to begin to deal with Oden. His defensive presence forced the Terps to take things outside, and when the 3's wouldn't fall, the game was all but over. The football game wasn't a whole lot better. Maryland played tough, and Hollenbach was solid, but he needed to be spectacular to stand a chance in this one. Maryland's defense couldn't keep up with Ohio St. The dual threat of Pittman and Beanie Wells wore down the Terps, and Gonzalez and Ginn simply ran passed them. An easy victory overall.

Walter - Maryland had itself a nice little resurgence on the gridiron under the Fridge this past season, but let's be real.....this is Ohio State. Bottom line is that John Cooper ain't around anymore and under Jim Tressell the Buckeyes eat teams like Maryland for Breakfast. Hey you aren't going to find a bigger Sam Hollenbach fan than me, but Ohio State would just completely outclass the Terps rolling to a major route. On the hardwood it would be a lot closer. Maryland is an ACC hardened team, and Gary Williams is a fiery coach who would have them up for this game. Still, even though the Big 10 is watered down this year and thus, OSU is vastly overrated, they still have the big man in the middle and Mike Conley on the outside. Maryland has enough shooters to keep it close for a while, but Oden and Conley are just way too much.

2: Florida vs.
6: USC

Basketball outcome: Florida rolls.
Football outcome: Florida in an absolute epic.
Overall winner: The Gators sneak through.

Frazier - What can you say about this matchup of the titans? The basketball game was an utterly forgettable affair. The Gators had the experience, talent and coaching to do whatever they wanted out there. However, the football game was everything you could hope for. Both teams displayed incredible speed and talent on both sides of the ball. The difference in the game was the Florida defense, and the Trojans inability to play a complete game. At time is looked like USC couldn't be stopped, throwing the ball all over the field. However, a weak running game made it difficult to sustain drives, and Booty was out of synch for periods. Florida played solid, didn't make mistakes, and consistently moved the ball on both the ground and through the air. USC had a chance to win the game late, but Booty folded under the pressure, and Nelson made a game-clinching pick on a ball heaved into double coverage. It was a disappointing end to a very dramatic game.

Walter - Talk about your legendary second round matchups! Are you kidding me? Well, the basketball game would be a route with Noah, Horford, Brewer and Co. just taking it to the undermanned and underathleted (is that a word?) Trojans. But the football game would be nothing short of spectacular. After USC lost a shocker to UCLA in the regular season finale, the talk was whether we'd have one or two Big 10 teams in Glendale. Well as things turned out no Big 10 teams showed up for the game (sure OSU was on the sideline but come on, we all watched the game), and USC and Florida proved just how big of a sham that conference was. After Bowl week it was clear that the two best teams in the land were Florida and USC (with LSU a clear 3). So what would have happened if they had played. Well the edge has to go to Florida who put up a boat load of points on a similarly talented Buckeye defense while the Trojans ran roughshod over a Michigan D that was overrated and not nearly as fast or athletic as their Gator counterparts would be. Gators-Trojans would feature speed vs. speed. Great athlete vs. great athlete. It would be nothing short of epic and in the end Florida would have pulled it out.

The West:

1: Wisconsin vs.
5: UCLA

Basketball outcome: UCLA, in a slow, ugly contest.
Football outcome: Wisconsin in a slow, ugly contest.
Overall winner: Wisconsin wins in a slow, ugly manner.

Frazier - Ugh. This whole experience was a little soul-sucking. The basketball game featured two good "defensive" teams. In other words, no one could score. As sound as the defenses played, things would have been a lot different if anyone could hit open jumpers. Needless to say, they could not. However, UCLA showed more athleticism, and scored some points in transition. Wisconsin pretty much sat on the ball, and when UCLA opened a small lead, Wisconsin simply ran out of time trying to come back. I'm going to throw up in my mouth. The football game was really no better. Both teams showed good defenses, and an unwillingness to do anything too crazy offensively. The difference in the game was PJ Hill. He kept hammering himself into the line until the Bruins defenders finally buckled late in the contest. He had a monster 32-carry, 113 yard performance. While not exactly sexy numbers, they were the difference in this grueling battle. Now, let's never speak of it again.

Walter - Ugh, come on West you are killing me. The East gives me USC-Florida and now I get UCLA-Wisconsin. Gross. I dislike both basketball teams but the nod for team I dislike least has to go to UCLA. Afflalo and Collison are decent options, but the real edge for the Bruins is that they have more than one player who can actually do anything on the offensive end of the floor. For the Badgers it's the Alando Tucker show. If he ain't hitting, they ain't winning. UCLA prides itself on defense (ugh, snooze fest) and Wisconsin is from the Big 10 (fraud alert) so let's call it UCLA 32-Wisconsin 28. In football it would all depend on which UCLA team showed up. If it was the team that torched USC with ends Bruce Davis and Justin Hickman wreaking havoc, they could give Wisconsin a game. But if it's the evil Bruins who show up, which is far more likely, Wisconsin rolls on superior coaching and talent.

Walter -


6: Texas vs.
7: Oregon

Basketball outcome: Texas in a close game.
Football outcome: Texas wins in a blow out.
Overall winner: The Longhorns win.

Frazier - Youth was served today! Texas has some of the most talented teams in the tournament, but they suffer from lack of experience. Well, against Oregon (not always the most efficient team in either sport) that didn't matter much. Durant led the high flying Longhorns in a thrilling, high-scoring, and generally exciting game. Oregon was streaky, as always, but Texas was able to stay grounded by going to Durant anytime things got tough. Augustine played well, which was crucial, and limited his turnovers. It was fun, sometimes sloppy, but overall enjoyable game by two teams not afraid to throw haymakers. The football game was less interesting. While Texas was the team with all the youth, Oregon is the one that imploded. They got away from simply handing Stewart the ball early, and found themselves in a hole after their defense couldn't do anything to contain Colt McCoy and company. Once they fell behind, they relied on Dixon and the air game more and more, which was fine until a couple of costly turnovers. Texas ended up winning the game easily, and the Ducks fell apart at the seams, as usual. Overall, it was a pair of fun matchups, with lots of offensive, but little maturity and tons of streakiness. Fun to watch maybe, but not especially well played.

Walter - Cinderella's slipper doesn't quite fit. Oregon had a great run through the Pac-10 tourney and can certainly beat any team on any given night. But this Texas team is more than a one man show and they have been steadily improving all season. Oregon has some offensive ability, but they don't guard anyone (sound familiar Mike Belloti?...more on you in a minute) and the last thing you want to do is get caught in a shootout with Kevin Durant. On the football field I think we all know how things would turn out. Assuming Colt McCoy is healthy I have no problem predicting an 80 point Longhorn win. If McCoy is hurt and the backup plays, call it Texas by 40. If the backup can't go and Mack Brown call me to come play under center for him, Oregon might get within three touchdowns. Bottom line is that Oregon is soft and they don't belong on the same field as the Longhorns.

Well, the results are in. It was a thrilling first day of competition both on the hardwood and the gridiron. Many schools found themselves sweating out tight matches in both sports, with a few points either way potentially determining the fate of the overall matchup. It was really something to see a defeated basketball team huddled around a television praying for a football victory and a chance at redemption in the next round. We here at the 323 couldn't have been happier with the level of competition, and the amount of pride all the teams showed. When it was all said and done, the winners managed to find a way, while the losers simply fell short. Without further ado, here are the results:

The East:

1: Ohio St. vs.
8: Tennessee

Basketball outcome: Ohio St. wins in a rout.
Football outcome: Ohio St. wins in a rout.
Overall winner: Buckeye dominance.

Comment: Tennessee had a tough road ahead of them when they drew the mighty Buckeyes in the first round. Ohio St. has dominant teams in both sports, and their balance really showed out there. The football team was able to capitalize on incosistent play from Ainge, and create huge turnovers which led to quick points from Smith and his receivers. The offense had a field day against the underachieving Volunteer bunch, and the game was never really in doubt. On the basketball side of things, the Volunteers didn't have anyone who could provide any sort of challenge to Greg Oden in the middle of the action. Mike Conley ably led the Buckeye attack, and quickly settled down the young squad any time it looked like Pearl's boys were going to be able to get something going. The Vols simply looked exhausted by the end, and the Buckeyes kept on bringing it. A decisive victory on both sides of the ledger for the top seed.

2: Florida vs.
7: Boston College

Basketball outcome: Florida domination.
Football outcome: Florida domination.
Overall winner: Gators rule.

Comment: Boston college didn't stand a chance out there. The speed difference in football was just astounding as the Gator defense flew all over the field. While Boston College thought they might have a size and strength advantage in the trenches, the Gator defense held tough, and Nelson and Siler simply flew to the ball. Offensively, the Gators had no problem ripping off long plays against an overmatched BC defense. Florida was simply in a different class, talent-wise. Boston College needed to play a perfect game to stand a chance, and this inconsistent bunch was far from perfect. The basketball results were no better for the Eagles. Florida really came out hot, and ready to play, and their depth and experience caused huge problems for BC. Dudley played tough, as always, but BC had no answers for Horford and Noah on the inside. The defending champs certainly showed their stuff in an easy victory. Overall, Florida was simply too much for the overmatched Eagles.

3: Louisville vs.
6: USC

Basketball outcome: Louisville in a squeaker.
Football outcome: USC in game that was close until the 4th quarter.
Overall winner: USC

Comment: The football game was probably the most exciting match in the first round in the East, but the basketball one didn't measure up. Both basketball squads played a sloppy style, and failed to capitalize on their opponents mistakes. These teams seemed overrated as no one was able to put their stamp on the contest. However, Louisville had the experience of Petino to guide them when things got too tough, and the squad was able to pull out a very close win. Even with a game that came down to the final baskets, no one was rooting for a rematch. The football game was almost completely the opposite. Both teams came out absolutely firing on offense. The USC machine was at full bore with Booty and Jarrett almost telepathically linked. Louisville didn't begin to have a defender who could keep pace with Jarrett. On the other side of things, Brohm opened things up early with a deep strike to Urrutia, but it was the precision passing of later drives that had the greatest benefits. Both offenses kept things on track with adequate running games, but this was a day of aerial assault from both sides. USC managed to gain a small lead heading into the fourth quarter, and that's when Carroll finally got through to his talented, but underachieving defense. It was the efforts of Dallas Sartz and company that finally made the difference. A couple of crucial stops was all that it took for the Trojans to race ahead, and never look back. Overall the Trojans took the matchup because their masterful victory in a thrilling game more than made up for the Louisville win in a lackluster basketball tilt. Fight on.

4: Notre Dame vs.
5: Maryland

Basketball outcome: Maryland in a close game.
Football outcome: Maryland in a shocking upset.
Overall winner: The Terps!

Comment: Who woulda thunk it?! Maryland came out and really pulled a shocking upset today. In a basketball game that most predicted would be close, and go either way, the Terps pulled out all the stops and rode to victory. It was clear that both teams had talent, but it was the experience of coach Williams, and benefit of playing in the tough ACC that led Maryland to the win. Things got close, but the players all agreed it was the crucible of the ACC regular season that gave the Terps the ability to overcome in the end. Not exactly a pretty game, but a solid victory that gave their football team hope going into the big showdown. The football side of things is where the word "shocker" comes in. Everyone expected Notre Dame to roll to victory over an unimpressive Maryland bunch. However, the Fridge showed that Weiss wasn't the only offensive genius out there today. The Irish final record wasn't any better than Maryland's, and they didn't prove during the season that there was any reason to think they could make quick work over the underrated Terps. Notre Dame struggled mightily in its' pass defense all season, and Sam Hollenbach was just the quarterback to exploit them. He played a professional game, without trying to do too much, and managed to make the big throws when they counted. No one expected this to be a defensive showdown, and it certainly wasn't. Quinn and company accounted well for themselves again, but it was a questionable Weiss decision that may have turned the tide. Facing a 4th and short at his own 40-yard line in a close game, Weiss decided to go for it. While Walker was averaging over 5 yards a carry in a tremendous effort, Weiss chose to have Quinn go for the gold by throwing deep to Samardzija. The Maryland safety wasn't fooled, and was able to come over and help break up the play. That showed great coaching by Freidgen, and it was executed perfectly by his defense. Maryland quickly turned the field position into points, and Quinn struggled late in another big game. Overall the Terps showed a lot of poise in both sports, and used excellent coaching and good game management by Hollenbach to complete the big upset. Oh yeah, and we hate Notre Dame.

The West:

1: Wisconsin vs.
8: Virginia Tech

Basketball outcome: tempting to take the ACC, but Wisconsin wins an ugly one
Football outcome: Wisconsin in a squeaker
Overall winner: Wisconsin by a nose in both

Comment: You could make a real strong argument for Virginia Tech winning both of these matchups. In football the Hoakies definitely have the defense and special teams to be in the game until the final gun, but erratic QB play will eventually doom them against a Badger squad that proves to be their equal defensively, and slightly more consistent on O behind a superb offensive line and freshman sensation PJ Hill. In basketball the case for Tech is even easier. When they are on Tech can, and did, beat anyone (see the two wins over UNC). And while Wisconsin has a sterling record, they did most of their damage against the Big 10, which will prove to be the fraud conference in this NCAA tourney. Still, as was the case in the football matchup, VTech is just too inconsistent and erratic to take over a steady as they come Wisconsin team.

2: Nevada vs.
7: Oregon

Basketball outcome: Nevada in a squeaker
Football outcome: Oregon in a semi route
Overall winner: The Ducks pull off the shocker

Comment: Nevada's two seed in this tournament was as shocking to us as it must have been to you. The Wolfpack had a semi-mediocre football season, but their basketball team, led by all america Nick Fazekas really carried the day for them. If we had done this a month ago, Nevada probably would have gotten the nod big time on the hardwood. However, the Ducks really turned things on recently, absolutely obliterating the competition on their way to the Pac-10 title. Still, Nevada's body of work on the Court this season is better than Oregon's, and they have the best player so they get the nod. On the gridiron the matchup isn't nearly as intriguing. Two semi-explosive offenses, but two incredibly sloppy teams. Nevada and its pistol Pete offense has the ability to score, especially against a porous Ducks defense, but the Wolfpack couldn't stop anyone in the WAC this year, let along the Pac-10. The Ducks are not a good football team, but they do have some offensive talent (Jonathan Stewart, Jaison Williams) that Nevada just has no answer for.

3: Texas A&M vs.
6: Texas

Basketball outcome: Texas, hey it took them 2OT but they did it
Football outcome: Texas A & M
Overall winner: Texas, by the tip of the Longhorn

Comment: Wow, what a monster first round matchup! Since they are conference rivals we have some precedent to go by here. Sure we all remember the insane 2OT win by Texas, when Acie Law just kept willing his team to compete, but people forget that the Longhorns got waxed at College Station 100-82 earlier in the year. Still, Texas is such a young team (its two best playes are Freshman) that they get better each week and they are a different team now than they were when they lost to A&M. If they met again it'd be another OT thriller, but Kevin Durant isn't going to be denied against his in state rival again. On the football field, again we have precedent. Stephen McGee did his best Ken Stabler impression, and the Aggie defense knocked Colt McCoy out of the game en route to a surprise win over the Longhorns. Still, it's hard to ignore the fact that McCoy got hurt early and Texas had no backup to turn to. I think we all know that as much as we here at the323 love the Aggie football team, that game was somewhat of an aberration. Texas takes the absolute penultimate matchup of the first round.

4: BYU vs.
5: UCLA

Basketball outcome: UCLA big
Football outcome: BYU not as big
Overall winner: UCLA

Comment: Kind of a blah matchup with BYU clearly holding the edge in football and UCLA clearly holding the edge in basketball. I know I know, we said if it was close we would weight the football performance more (this being a football blog), but I think it's fair to say that UCLA's football team is better than the BYU basketball team (relatively speaking). Let's not forget that the game before USC looked unstoppable in their dismantling of Michigan, the Bruins kicked their asses up and down the field. The Bruins football team underachieved a lot in 2006 and they should prove in 2007 that they were a lot better than they played. BYU has a nice team and all, but again, you gotta give UCLA an edge by virtue of the fact that they play in a BCS conference.

Welcome to the 323 version of March Madness (Madness!). Wait, why the double-madness? Well, because it's twice as mad as the traditional version. How do we do that? We add football, of course! At the 323 we believe that the only way you could possibly improve the NCAA Basketball Tournament, is if you added some football to the mix. So that's what we've done. Since not enough teams are good enough at both football AND basketball to make things interesting, we've slimmed the field to the toughest 16.

So what's our criteria? Well, first you have to have had success in both college basketball and college football for the most recent season. To us success means that your college football team made a bowl game, and your college basketball made the NCAA tournament (the NIT is for losers). All the teams that met those two criteria are then broken in the simplest way possible: we added up their losses. Why? Because all you can base teams on is the schedule that they play. As always, the 323 lesson is: DON'T LOSE!

So now that we have our teams, and our seeding, how the hell do we decide who wins head-to-head? First, we are dealing with last years football teams. So Chris Leak still plays for Florida, etc. It's too early to be projecting teams for next year. Second, we'll pick a winner in a basketball matchup, then a winner in the football matchup. If one team sweeps, obviously they win. If it's a blowout in one sport, and close in the other, than the team scoring the blowout is the winner. So if say, Arkansas played Duke, and Duke won a close basketball game, the Hogs blowout in the football matchup would carry the over-all matchup for Arkansas. If it's close in both football AND basketball, well, the football matchup carries more weight. It's a football blog people, get used to it. Finally, this couldn't be any more arbitrary, so what we say goes. However, feel free to contact us when you've seen the matchups and let us know who you think should win. We can be persuaded, and more participation should make it all the more fun. So here's the matchups for the first round, enjoy!

The East:

1: Ohio St. (#1 overall) vs.
8: Tennessee

2: Florida vs.
7: Boston College

3: Louisville vs.
6: USC

4: Notre Dame vs.
5: Maryland

The West:

1: Wisconsin vs.
8: Virginia Tech

2: Nevada vs.
7: Oregon

3: Texas A&M vs.
6: Texas

4: BYU vs.
5: UCLA

Send us your thoughts! Round 1 results unveiled tomorrow!

49. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jason Durant, OLB Hampton

Walter: The Jags have a history of drafting smallish linebackers for the outside (Daryl Smith, Clint Ingram and Jorge Cordova are all 6'2'' or under) and Durant fits the bill. Somewhat of an unknown coming out of Hampton, Durant would provide immediate depth for veterans Smith and Nick Greisen before challenging for a starting job in 2008.

FF: He's from where?! How do you even comment about a guy from Hampton? It says here that he's a linebacker, so that's something.

50. Cincinnati Bengals - Marshal Yanda, OG Iowa

Walter: After losing starting guard Eric Steinbach, the Bengals look to replace him with a similar type player also from the University of Iowa in Yanda. Like Steinbach, Yanda is a big, mobile guard who has the strength and ability to slide outside and play tackle as well. He'd provide Cinci with a starting caliber guard, and more depth along the whole OL.

FF: Very excited about this. Instead of over-paying to keep Steinbach, we can just grab his replacement in the second round. You can pick up starting guards pretty regularly in this area, and Iowa has a strong o-line tradition. Yanda will be fine.

51. Tennessee Titans - Quinn Pitcock, DT Ohio State

Walter: If any of the top 6 wideouts are available I think the Titans would jump on them. However, with all of them off the board the team must look to address the middle of the defensive line which took a big hit when Albert Haynesworth absolutely lost his mind. Pitcock is a smaller, quicker tackle and is a very nice compliment to incumbent Robaire Smith.

FF: Pitcock was a rock last year, and really held together that young Ohio St. defense. Since Haynesworth is either a thug or a maniac, it's nice to see us picking up a more than adequate replacement.

52. New York Giants - Tanard Jackson, CB Syracuse

Walter: Even if the Giants are able to pull off a trade for Dre Bly they still need secondary help big time. Jackson is a fairly major reach here, but he is a raw 6'1'' cornerback with a pretty unique skill set. Jackson is not ready to start right away but he really reminds me a lot of Sam Madison and would have the opportunity to learn under him for at least one year.

FF: A fucking day late and a dollar short. So typical of this team. Instead of getting a nobody in the second round, we could have had a legit cornerback with our first pick. THIS IS OUR BIGGEST NEED! At least we got one, but we need more help than poor Jackson is ever going to give us.

53. Denver Broncos - Kenny Irons, RB Auburn

Walter: This probably ain't gonna happen (Shanahan is way too arrogant to draft a RB this high), but man would Irons flourish in the Broncos system. He is a classic downhill, one cut runner whose running style would fit perfectly in Denver's zone scheme. Irons would give the Denver offense the type of reliable runner they have lacked since TD retired.

FF: Wait, he's not some anonymous rusher in the 17th round? Well, this is unexpected. We need to get the ground game in legit shape next year, since it has struggled some lately. Especially in the playoffs. The young QB needs some help, and Irons is a great step.

54. Dallas Cowboys - Victor Abiamiri, DE Notre Dame

Walter: Abiamiri to Dallas would be an incredibly interesting pick. The Notre Dame product projects as either a DE or an OLB in the 3-4 and Dallas needs help at both spots. Abiamiri is a physical specimen who new HC Wade Phillips could use in a number of different spots, kind of like a poor man's Shawne Merriman.

FF: We do need help up front of the defense, so this makes a lot of sense to me. Although I hate having another fucking Domer on the roster.

55. Kansas City Chiefs - Tank Tyler, DT NC State

Walter: Ryan Sims was a complete failure, and the rest of the cupboard is completely bare. Tyler is inconsistent at times, but he was an absolute beast at the combine (putting up over 40 bench reps) who would provide immediate toughness and physicality to a defense that sorely needs it.

FF: Rock on! I know Tyler didn't look great at times, but he's an absolute beast, and a lot of people have him rated pretty highly. At this point in the draft, it's a steal. And we desperately need his help in the middle.

56. Seattle Seahawks - Scott Chandler, TE Iowa

Walter: Jerramy Stevens is gone and I doubt many in Seattle will weep for him. Chandler is a big (6'7''), technically sound TE who is every bit the pass catcher Stevens was (and he'll drop far less balls in the Super Bowl). Plus, it's not like the Seahawks ever asked Stevens to block, so Chandler's biggest deficiency will be masked.

FF: Anyone not named "Jerramy Stevens II" is an improvement at the tight end spot. There is no way this guy could be as big a choke artist, or an asshole, as the man he is replacing. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

57. New York Jets - Tim Crowder, DE Texas

Walter: Crowder is like a poor man's Adam Carriker and is flying up draft boards after his Sr. Bowl and combine performances. Crowder is a big, strong, defensive end who is almost a perfect fit for Mangini's 3-4 defense. He can develop into an anchor agains the run to compliment pass rushers like Elllis and Thomas.

FF: We strike again! Crowder is a legit guy, a Texas boy, who everyone loved before the season. He's big and strong, and was a tough match against Levi Brown in the senior bowl. This kid can play, and our defensive line desperately needs some help. Perfect fit!

58. Philadelphia Eagles - Jason Hill, WR Washington State

Walter: After blazing a sub 4.4 at the combine, the Eagles could view Hill as a replacement for someone like Donte Stallworth. In reality, Hill is probably a lot closer to someone like Todd Pinkston in terms of speed and frame and his skill set actually fits quite well what the Eagles want to do on offense.

FF: We definitely need a receiver, and this guy can downright fly. So that's a positive. McNabb needs someone reliable to throw to, and Hill just might be that guy.

59. New Orleans Saints - Jon Beason, LB Miami

Walter: Another draft, another linebacker for the Saints. Perhaps Beason will be the guy they have been looking for all along, and with the recent signing of Brian Simmons the Saints can afford to draft a guy who is strictly on outside player. Beason did not run well at the combine, and his speed deficiency may be exacerbated on the Superdome carpet.

FF: YES! Look, we need help at linebacker. Everyone knows this. So we might as well get the best one left on the board. Beason is a Miami product, which you have to love, and he'll definitely be able to help us out.

60. Miami Dolphins - Aaron Rouse, S Virginia Tech

Walter: With the selction acquired for Wes Welker the Phins address a major need on the defensive side of the ball. Rouse is a raw defensive back, but he has outstanding triangle numbers and could really develop into an upper echelon strong safety. A tight end like Ben Patrick could also be a possibility.

FF: A solid pick. Our safeties are nothing to write home about, and this guy seems like he will be good in coverage, and move around well. I'm just still more concerned about the other side of the ball.

61. Baltimore Ravens - David Harris, LB Michigan

Walter: With Ray Lewis getting older, the Ravens jump on the best true 3-4 inside linebacker available. Harris is a classic thumper, who will be a great run stopping backer for years to come, and a solid compliment to Bart Scott. I also wouldn't be shocked to see the Ravens look at a QB here, but with Stanton off the board there may not be anyone to their liking.

FF: Well, we upgraded our offense (a hell of a lot) with the McGahee trade. Although we did give him a heap of money. So I guess we can turn back to the defensive side (again). More youth and some depth at linebacker makes a ton of sense.

62. San Diego Chargers - HB Blades, LB Pittsburgh

Walter: Strictly a depth move here, but Blades presents outstanding value this late in the draft. With Donnie Edwards on the way out, Blades may have an opportunity to see major action during 1st and 2nd down in 2007. He is more of a 4-3 Mike Backer, but the Chargers have enough versatility with guys like Merriman and Shaun Phillips to mitigate his deficiencies against the pass.

FF: LOVE IT! Blades was an accomplished backer in college, and made a ton of tackles at Pitt. He might not have the sexiest numbers, but we had some serious depth problems at linebacker last year, and Blades is a steal at this point in the draft.

63. New York Jets - Ben Patrick, TE Delaware

Walter: After years of Anthony Becht and Chris Baker, the Jets finally get an athletic pass catching tight end to move the chains. Patrick is an underrated prospect who is the rare collegiate tight end who has the ability to catch passes but also to actually block someone in pass protection or in the running game.

FF: Of course, a Blue Hen. We definitely need a tight end who can catch, especially when it's questionable whether our quarterback can throw more than five yards. So this makes a ton of sense. We'll take the big man from the little state.

64. Minnesota Vikings * - Manuel Ramirez, G Texas Tech

Walter: The Vikes definitely need an offensive line overhaul, specifically on the right side (where McKinnie and Hutchinson are not). Ramirez is a true mauler, who is quite similar to some of the best Minnesota lineman during their golden age in the late 90's. He really reminds me of former right guard David Dixon.

FF: We're going to be running a lot now, and in the future. Especially since we don't seem to have a quarterback. (Seriously, who the hell is that guy?!) So it makes sense that we'll get tougher up front, and get some balance to Hutchinson.