Just another mock draft

You can check out the opinion of the "experts" here, but obviously mine is better.

1. Miami Dolphins: Jake Long, OT, Michigan. He is just an unbreakable wall. Without question, he deserves the Orlando Pace type draft hype.
2. St. Louis Rams: Chris Long, DE, Virginia
3. Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College. Sad to see him go. If he makes it to the eighth pick somehow the Ravens will surely gobble him up.
4. Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
6. New York Jets: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
7. New England Patriots: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
8. Baltimore Ravens: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy. I would love it if the Ravens used this pick to add some youth to the aging CB core. Ideally the Ravens then get the chance to select either Chad Henne or Joe Flacco with their second round pick.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Keith Rivers, OLB, USC
10. New Orleans Saints: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St.
11. Buffalo Bills: Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma. Best wide receiver in the entire class. I don't care if he has knee issues. The major concern with wide receivers are their hands, and he only dropped two balls in his entire college career.
12. Denver Broncos: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.
13. Carolina Panthers: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
14. Chicago Bears: Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
15. Detroit Lions: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
16. Arizona Cardinals: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
17. Minnesota Vikings: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
18. Houston Texans: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
20. Tampa Bay Bucs: DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal
21. Washington Redskins: Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
22. Dallas Cowboys: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan
24. Tennessee Titans: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
25. Seattle Seahawks: Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
26. Jacksonville Jags: Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
27. San Diego Chargers: Dan Connor, LB, Penn State. I think he will be much better in the pros than people give him credit for. He has the field awareness of Derrick Brooks, just needs to add some size.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech
29. San Francisco 49ers: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
30. Green Bay Packers: Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
31. New England Patriots: Boo hooo watch some film while you are watching your pick pass you by. Forget about the fact that you picked 7th.
32. New York Giants: Pat Simms, DT, Auburn

Priceless

AFC North

Story of the day:

"The Bengals, Baltimore and Pittsburgh have won the last three AFC North titles.

In 2008, at least forecasting from early April, Cleveland could get its turn atop the division."

Steve McNair is old

The Steve McNair question mark is still one of the primary topics of conversation for the Ravens this off-season. Since asserting that he's coming back for the 2008 season, he has been participating in team workouts. John Harbaugh recently said, "he's doing well, he's getting healthy."

Shouldn't he be healthy already?? He started six games last year, he's had an off-season filled with rehab, his activity has been very limited. The fact that he hasn't fully recovered from his injuries is a sign that his body is old and frail, not the young pro bowler he once was. I wouldn't put my stock in McNair and I hope Harbaugh isn't.

Quartback attack

Story of the day:

"First-year Ravens coach John Harbaugh has not officially committed to Steve McNair as their starting quarterback, but it’s likely McNair’s job to lose.

He wants an open competition for the quarterback job and said the Ravens will consider McNair, Boller and Troy Smith for the starting role."

Ray Lewis can stay as long as he wants

Jamison Hensley reports in the Baltimore Sun that the Ravens are looking to lock Ray Lewis up for a few more years. Lewis' contract expires after the 2008 season. Steve Biscotti asserted that if Lewis were to enter into free agency, the Ravens would outbid any potential suitors.

There has obviously been debate about Lewis' rising age and declining activity on the field, but with 112 tackles last season he was still the statistical leader of the Ravens. More integral than anything is the importance Ray Lewis has at the emotional and spiritual leader of the team. He has the undeniable ability to make his teammates play better. He is also the race of a franchise that's currently struggling. When Ray does retire, the next in line to succeed him as "the man" is Ed Reed, but until that time comes Lewis should be given whatever he wants. He can get a 4-year extension worth $40 million, all of which is guaranteed for all I care. He could ask for fluffy bunnies and gum drop rainbows, curly french fries, and the worlds largest yarn ball. He deserves it all.

Ryan Clady getting some ink

These guys think the Ravens may pick up Ryan Clady with their first round pick. He's a big and talented o-lineman that could be the potential replacement for Jonathan Ogden. Here is a quick look at the kid for those of you that don't get to watch Boise St. local television on a daily basis.

This just gets my blood going

I think I have a man crush on Ed Reed.

I can catch the ball better than you

We all know ESPN knows everything when it comes to sports. They can predict games with ease, without hesitation tell the viewers who will win the MVP, or rank players as if they're cattle (I kid, I kid). Well now they have an article ranking the top 64 wide receivers in the NFL.

Before I get to the Ravens on the list, let me say this, you cannot have a ranking of the top receivers in the NFL with Marvin Harrison out of the top 10. Yeah that's right, Harrison is ranked 13th by the worldwide leader in sports. I understand that he was injured last year and is getting up there in age, but as long as he can hobble from hashmark to hashmark he will be in the top 3 of NFL receivers.

Okay on to the Ravens. Derrick Mason heads up the list at #41. With 103 catches in 2007, but a lack of other impressive stats I respect his ranking. Mark Clayton is next at #49. He had a rough year because of injury, but proved his potential in 2006. I do have a problem with Clayton being ranked directly behind the Viking's Sidney Rice. Rice is unproven and has minimal experience. Obviously I am biased, but I think you have to give the edge to Clayton. Finally, Demetrius Williams rounds out the Raven's receiving core at #57. I'm just happy that ESPN and the rest of the country have taken notice of Williams athletic ability. He was the Raven's only deep threat in 2007 and earned his spot on this list.

Jonathan Ogden Retires!

Well not yet at least, but it is widely believed that the all-world lineman will hang up the cleats before the 2009 season begins. Obviously the loss of Ogden or a player of his caliber at any position is a blow to a team, but it's not a devastating blow to the Ravens.

The Ravens have planned and plotted for this date. Though the team doesn't have the most dominating o-line in the NFL, they certainly have a better than average one. With the likes of Adam Terry, Jared Gaither, Marshal Yanda, Ben Grubbs and Chris Chester, the Ravens have the personal to produce a quality run attack this season.

Even though I hate that the line has serious trouble pass blocking, it is pretty enjoyable to watch Kyle Boller get knocked down. Its just a little tough love for a eternally frustrating QB.