Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
Ryan Callahan scored three goals as the New York Rangers beat Philadelphia 5-2 on Saturday for their seventh straight win over the Flyers.
Jeremy Lin hit a free throw with 4.9 seconds left to overcome a dreadful second half and lift the New York Knicks to their fifth straight victory, 100-98, over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans' national title chances now.
CFT: Jordan Jefferson makes it clear he wasn't happy with LSU's game plan in the Tigers' BCS Championship Game loss to Alabama.
Move over, Hollywood and NFL types, golf's two real A-listers take center stage Sunday at Pebble Beach, both in need of a win.
The United States swept favored Switzerland out of the Davis Cup on Saturday when Mardy Fish and Mike Bryan beat Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Luis Suarez's refusal to shake hands with Patrice Evra overshadowed Manchester United's 2-1 win over rival Liverpool that lifted the defending champions to first place in the Premier League on Saturday.
Tessa Worley of France fought off gusting winds to win a second consecutive World Cup giant slalom Sunday in the Andorran Pyrenees. Overall leader Lindsey Vonn was more than a second behind and finished eighth.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Grade: C
The Bills badly needed a left tackle, but passed on Michael Oher to take Aaron Maybin, yet another undersized defensive end on a team full of them. They took two offensive linemen later with center Eric Wood and Andy Levitre, but still don’t have a true left tackle. Fourth-round TE Shawn Nelson could start right away, and was their best value pick. Buffalo always sees players differently than the rest of the league, but it’s only led to mediocrity.
Miami Dolphins
Grade: B
After stocking up on linemen last year, Bill Parcells went for size and nastiness in the secondary with corners Vontae Davis and Sean Smith. Both have high ceilings, but are risky picks. West Virginia QB Pat White’s versatility and explosiveness should open up new possibilities for the “Wildcat” formation. Let’s call it the WildPat now. He will keep defensive coordinators up at night. The Dolphins' second-day wideout picks look like reaches, though, and they didn’t address their pass-rush need.
New England Patriots
Grade: A-
Just the Patriots being the Patriots. They made seven trades, drafted 12 players (6 in rounds two-to-three), and acquired two extra second-round picks in next year’s draft. Considering how mediocre this draft was, that was a smart move. As usual, they made some surprising choices, including three offensive linemen and a long snapper.
But they are the best at finding players who fit their system. Their choices were geared towards the future, but cornerback Darius Butler could be a star soon. Dealing away veteran corner Ellis Hobbs was a blow, but he’s wasn’t going to be around in 2010. And this team still needs outside linebacker help.
New York Jets
Grade: A-
This was essentially a one-man draft for the Jets: Mark Sanchez. We love their aggressive move. They targeted a franchise leader for the next decade and got him. The veterans the Jets gave up were just role players and Sanchez is a smart, accurate passer who can handle the pressure of New York. They also gave up three picks for running back Shonn Greene, who could be their answer to Brandon Jacobs. But ... when you trade away so many picks, you better be right.
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
Grade: A-
GM Ozzie Newsome is one of the best, year after year. This was another year he went for talent over obvious needs, smartly moving up grab Michael Oher. He was a fantastic value who is a worthy heir to Jonathan Ogden for the next decade. Second-round DE Paul Kruger was another good value at an aging positing for the Ravens. Second-day picks like ILB Jason Phillips and RB Cedric Pearman were good examples of taking talent over need.
Cincinnati Bengals
Grade: B-
Was there every any doubt the Bengals would draft the player with the most off-field question marks? Left tackle Andre Smith is a massive talent, but is massive risk for an undisciplined team. He fills a huge position of need, and second-round pick USC Rey Maualuga was a great value, adding toughness to an emerging defense.
Cincy went boom or bust with other picks like DE Michael Johnson and RB Bernard Scott, who was been arrested five times! The Bengals just can’t change their stripes.
Cleveland Browns
Grade: B+
Eric Mangini hasn’t made many fans in Cleveland, but this weekend should help win them over. They brilliantly moved down the draft board, grabbing three extra picks and three veterans. This was the perfect strategy for a thin roster in a deep draft without stars. Center Alex Mack, wideout Brian Robiskie, and OLB David Veikune all should help right away. Fourth-rounder Kaluka Maiava could be a steal out of USC.
They didn’t get an A for two reasons: They may regret passing on Mark Sanchez and they didn’t improve their pass rush enough.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Grade: B+
Pittsburgh’s only first day pick was Evander “Ziggy” Hood, a typical no-frills pick. The Steelers worked on their secondary and offensive line depth on day two, addressing needs. Like the best drafting teams (New England, San Diego, Indianapolis, New York Giants), Pittsburgh is mostly drafting for the future and can wait for players to develop.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
Grade: C+
Every year, the Texans draft front seven defenders. And they still need more. USC linebacker Brian Cushing is solid, but unspectacular. There were better playmakers available. Second-round DE Connor Barwin is an exciting jack-of-all trades, but we don’t understand why the Texans took two tight ends and didn’t fill their running back need in the second day.
Indianapolis Colts
Grade: A-
GM Bill Polian always finds starters in unlikely places. UConn running back Donald Brown is a major sleeper to be rookie of the year. He does everything well, especially in the passing game, and could displace Joseph Addai as the team’s starter. USC DT Fili Moala could start on day one, shoring up the Colts' run defense. Some of their day two picks represented a possible change away from Tony Dungy’s Tampa-2 defense as well.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Grade: A-
This was a draft about changing attitude. The Jaguars strayed from their meat and potatoes brand of football last year because their offensive line collapsed. That won’t happen again after drafting two talented tackles. Eugene Monroe might be the best pass protector in the draft, and Arizona T Eben Britton can play the right side. They should make David Garrard look a lot better next year. Some of their day two picks (DT Terrance Knighton, CB Derek Cox) looked like reaches.
Tennessee Titans
Grade: B-
Wideout Kenny Britt and second round pick DT Sen'Derrick Marks were clearly picks for need. Tennessee has done a far better job developing linemen than receivers, but Britt gives Kerry Collins a potentially beastly red zone option once he develops. Tennessee took their usual tough guys throughout the draft. Jeff Fisher only drafts hard-nosed football players.
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
Grade: B+
Quantity was just as important as quality for a team with so many roster holes. Denver gave up a ton to acquire five picks in the first two rounds and 10 overall. But the Broncos got quality with the best running back in the draft (Knowshon Moreno), the best 3-4 outside linebacker prospect (Robert Ayers), and a nice value in second-rounder Alphonso Smith.
Giving up a first-rounder for Smith, however, gets Denver marked down. Also, sixth-round prospect Tom Brandstater is no Jay Cutler. If Cutler’s unnecessary trade counted in this grade, we’d give Denver an F.
Kansas City Chiefs
Grade: B+
New GM Scott Pioli loves to build from the defensive line out, but LSU DE Tyson Jackson was a stretch with the third pick. He was partly stuck because the draft didn’t have much top-end talent, especially pass-rushers. The Chiefs earn this high grade because they stole a franchise quarterback in Matt Cassel with their second round pick while the rest of the NFL napped. They get a demerit for taking a kicker as Mr. Irrelevent.
Oakland Raiders
Grade: D
Just what JaMarcus Russell needs: a workout wonder in wideout Darrius Heyward-Bey that looks better running the 40-yard dash than he does playing football. Heyward-Bey could be the next Troy Williamson, a fast player who isn’t tough enough for the NFL. Second round pick safety Michael Mitchell wasn’t even on most teams boards, but he runs fast. Owner Al Davis is building a great relay team.
San Diego Chargers
Grade: B+
A back to basics draft for Chargers GM A.J. Smith after they spent two years going for luxury picks. Northern Illinois DE/OLB Larry English will learn how to play outside linebacker, and then eventually replace Shawne Merriman or Shaun Phillips as a big-time pass rusher. Three straight linemen in the middle rounds will add bulk. San Diego only gets knocked off “A” status because they dealt their second-rounder in a questionable deal for Jacob Hester last year.
Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
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Jeremy Lin hit a free throw with 4.9 seconds left to overcome a dreadful second half and lift the New York Knicks to their fifth straight victory, 100-98, over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
Doron Lamb hit a 3-pointer with 3:18 left to put No. 1 Kentucky ahead to stay, and the Wildcats took a big step toward a Southeastern Conference regular-season title by beating Vanderbilt 69-63 Saturday night for their 17th straight win.
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.