NFL DRAFT, NBA PLAYOFFS, QUAIL HOLLOW
Apr
28
Written by:
4/28/2010 10:41 PM
The 2010 NFL Draft was full of surprises, this year seemingly more than normal. Between Denver drafting Tim Tebow in the first round, Jimmy Clausen slipping to the Panthers at pick 48 in the second round, or possibly the Panthers giving up their second round pick next year to take Appalachian State QB Armanti Edwards in the third round while Jordan Shipley and Golden Tate were still available, deciding which move was the most far-reaching, is something that will not be determined for several years. Just because a guy was a standout in college, that does not mean it will translate to the next level. Word is coming out that the Oakland Raiders are about to cut 2007 #1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell. The draft, much like National Signing Day for college basketball and football, is such an inexact science. Tom Brady was a sixth round draft pick coming out of Michigan. Ronald Curry was the #1 player coming out of high school in Virginia, yet has been an average wide receiver in the NFL. Jimmy Clausen was a Top Three player overall by Mel Kiper Jr., yet was the third quarterback taken in the draft. My thought process at evaluating draft choices is did you address your needs? Some teams operate with the best player available mentality, but I think you have to address the holes on your team, unless someone just falls into your lap. My guess is this was the Panthers mentality when Clausen was available in the second round. Defensive Line and Wide Receiver were positions the Panthers needed to address, and while they did with the receiver position, nothing was done with the D-Line. Maybe they will try and address this in free agency, but many of the moves made this off season by the Panthers have been questioned by many of their fans. Hopefully one team’s trash (cut player) will become a Panthers’ treasure.
The NBA Playoffs are still going thru the first round, and three teams are already setting tee times for next week: The Bobcats, Heat, and Bulls. While I understand television runs all sports scheduling today, the multiple days off between games is a bit ridiculous. Game 5 of the Lakers-Thunder series is being played Tuesday evening, yet game six is not until Friday night. WHY? Friday has always been one of the worst nights for television ratings so why not play the game Thursday evening?
Speaking of the Bobcats, Congratulations for making the playoffs, being the first team eliminated from the playoffs and the only team swept in the first round. Several media outlets are reporting that Larry Brown may leave Charlotte for a position with the Philadelphia 76ers. Brown has repeated said he will not coach for anyone other than Michael Jordan, but that does not include a Pat Riley role as President or General Manager of another franchise. The question then becomes, if Larry Brown does leave, who will be the next coach of the Charlotte Bobcats? My money would be on Doug Collins, a member of Michael’s circle. Should Collins come here, the next question becomes would his son, Chris, an assistant at Duke, follow his father to Charlotte? I am sure there are some other guys I am overlooking, but Collins has to be atop the short list for Michael should Brown leave.
The Bobcats have to find two guards this off season to get to that next level. I am a big Raymond Felton fan, but Orlando and specifically Jameer Nelson exposed Felton. Orlando also exposed the lack of scoring threats, specifically from the wing, of the Bobcats. Maybe Jordan’s influence can get a couple of free agents to look at the Bobcats this off season. Hey Dwyane Wade, give MJ a chance to talk to you this summer!!
The Quail Hollow Championship begins Thursday with a star studded field. Phil Mickelson make his first start since his Master’s victory and Tiger Woods makes his return to normal tournament play this week. Looking at the tee times for Thursday and Friday, Tiger Woods was not given any favors. The early forecast for Friday afternoon is windy conditions and Tiger has a 12:50 tee time Friday after going off at 7:40 Thursday morning. The wind, Friday afternoon, could make for some interesting decisions, should it become windy Friday, especially these shots: the tee shot on 6, the second shot on 7, how to play 14, approach on 16, tee on 17, and both shots on 18. I look forward to seeing these professionals attack this course when they can and seeing how they approach some of these holes should conditions become a little less than favorable. I really wanted to pick Mickelson this weekend,
but after he left Wednesday’s pro-am after 5 holes, I am going to go with a dark horse and say Ryan Moore wins this weekend.