Well-

If nothing else, I grabbed two sure starters. I really hoped to move out of 1.03, but the value wasn't there.

The Flats defensive line was horrible, and we needed to upgrade through the draft. Three of our six picks went towards improving our D-Line. [bc8d34b0]Cary Delgado[/bc8d34b0] will move to the left side and hopefully become a staple on our line. [bc8d34b0]Brady Schneider[/bc8d34b0], a pass rush specialist, with a strong camp will have every opportunity to start. 7th round pick, [bc8d34b0]Jay Azzoo[/bc8d34b0], will provide depth at DE.

A major goal for the Flats this off-season was to add a strong blocking FB. After failing in free agency and missing out on Blaine Stovall, we grabbed [bc8d34b0]Mark Reed[/bc8d34b0]. While not the greatest run blocker, Reed will be and improvement over last year, hopefully leading Toothpick Lang to a 1,000 yard season. [bc8d34b0]Ernest Zepplin[/bc8d34b0], a third round pick with strong run and pass blocking skills but low endurance, will be a backup this year, with potential to start in the future. QB [bc8d34b0]Levon Kranchick[/bc8d34b0] will backup new Flats QB Ernest Lorenzo.


I'm really kicking myself for not making a deal for the third pick, but Delgado should be a force. Every pick should make the team and I can see at least five of the six contributing in some way. Not the greatest... not the worst.

[bc8d34b0]Overall Grade: C+[/bc8d34b0]

C-

Notmuch value, but I'm hoping that WR i drafted mid round blows up

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1.13 (13) S Robbie Umphenour
2.13 (45) WR Marty Determann
3.13 (77) DE Dominic Ligon
4.13 (109) TE Joel George
5.8 (136) G Kevin Levine
5.13 (141) FB Leslie Tyworth
6.14 (174) CB Bert Codie
7.14 (206) QB Erik Wachsmuth

Umphenour is going to get a lot of playing time as the third safety, maybe even a week 1 start if he does well in camp. Determann is penciled in as the fourth receiver and will play a bit, but the rest is filler material unless someone really steps up.

North Carolina QB Wachsmuth is an exciting prospect with 4.49 speed, 34 intelligence and 12 formations known. Clemson FB Tyworth is brought in for his blocking and pass catching skills. Florida State TE George was rated 4th at his position but isn't a sure thing despite a good test score. Determann, the UCLA wideout, isn't proven at a high level but we think he's smart enough to handle the pro game.

Levine, the guard from SE Missouri State, is fast and agile but also a project we don't know how he'll turn out. Kentucky CB Codie was a safe pick with low volatility and 4.48 speed and a skill set we like. Tulane S Umphenour brings blazing speed and high intelligence to the table. He's very well prepared for the pros.

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Division winners in 2003, 2012, 2016, 2019
147-122-3 regular season record
3-5 playoff record

1.5 (5) ACI - QB Colin Sawyer
3.5 (69) ACI - RB Phil Houck
4.5 (101) ACI - WR Willie Garner
5.5 (133) ACI - T Stan Lyle
5.16 (144) ACI - DE Al Carpenter
6.6 (166) ACI - T Andy Bensen
7.6 (198) ACI - WR R.J. Lyons

With my first 2 picks, I hopefully addressed MY biggest needs, a starting QB, and a backup RB who can eventually start. Not having a 2nd rounder this year, may have hurt me, but what can you really do.

Going into the draft I also knew I needed 2 OTs and 2 WRs. I may have been better served to take the 2nd WR in the 5th or 6th, but I liked Bensen in the 6th and didn't think he would be around much longer.

DE Al Carpenter is a DLine body I liked alot that will get a chance to compete for either a DE or DT spot.

I'll give myself a 6.5 right now, but long term this draft is all about Colin Sawyer.

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Trample On!

2.25 (57) ELP - WR Cornelius Dawkins
2.28 (60) ELP - ILB Jeffrey Keane
3.28 (92) ELP - P Kim Wayne
4.28 (124) ELP - G Tyrus Baxter
5.29 (157) ELP - CB Oscar Franklin
6.29 (189) ELP - QB J.B. Terrell
7.29 (221) ELP - K B.J. Sutton

This draft was primarily about filling holes in the roster and it's doubtful that we drafted any immediate starters, except for punter Kim Wayne. Dawkins, Keane, and Baxter all have a shot at becoming decent players if they develop, but none of them will likely ever be stars. Franklin and Sutton are likely roster fillers until something better comes along.

The one intriguing prospect that I picked up is QB JB Terrell. He may not be able to throw a screen pass, avoid the INTs, or have great accuracy, or sense the rush, but the rest of his QB skills look damn solid. Holding a clipboard for a season or two with QB mentor Owen Rakes holding his hand should help him develop either into a solid backup or else trade bait down the road...not bad for a late sixth round pick. Of course, he'll probably bust after camp and be worthless, but I can hope.

Pre-camp, I would have to give the Rockets draft a C-.

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El Paso Rockets
2016, 2037 Wild Card Team
2005, 2006, 2015 Cavalry Divison champs

1.8 ( 8 ) DE Claude Montague
2.7 (39) ILB Lester Partin
3.8 (72) TE Maurice Deason
6.9 (169) FB Travis Gurode
6.10 (170) RB Patrick Benton
7.10 (202) QB Mario Gomez
7.26 (218) DE Vinny Fiteny

Montague is an immediate starter on the D-line.
Partin will backup Nobles and Washington at the inside linebacker position. I had a 1st round grade on him.
Deason was too good of a value to pass up. He'll take the place of Bidwell who was traded to Cleveland in the offseason. I also had a 1st round grade on Deason.
Gurode and Benton will vie for the 3rd RB position.
Gomez was a need pick with the trade of Durant to Tampa Bay.
Fiteny will be a backup this year and likely his entire career, however short it may be.

I think my first three picks will be starters in this league.
The last three are either home runs or busts. Time will tell.

Overall grade: B-

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GM, Atlanta Wolfpack
Formerly of the Anchorage Wolfpack and Huntington Beach Wolfpack and now back as a mediocre GM
CFL Champs - 2026, 2029

1.20 SHR - RB Burt Goodwin
1.28 SHR - DE Luke Manning
1.31 SHR - WR Perry Stropka
3.17 SHR - QB Bernie Weatherspoon
3.25 SHR - ILB Wayne Nofsinger
4.17 SHR - T Mike Sudnik
4.25 SHR - S Warren Gray
5.9 SHR - C J.B. Darius
5.26 SHR - RB Oscar Lyon
6.26 SHR - TE Rex Oltmanns

This year was a 'succession strategy' year for the Pride. We don't have any pressing immediate needs, so we were looking 2-3 seasons out at what the Pride needed to look like then. We have quite a few high paid starters on our team that probably won't be with us too much longer, so we needed replace them with young, cheap players.

RB Goodwin will take the backup role at RB in his first season and may end up being the future RB of the Pride. He should get enough carries to break 500 yards this year.

DE Manning will be replacing Jarret Kline eventually. Depending on how fast Manning develops, I might be able to get some value out of Kline in a trade next season.

WR Stropka will be replacing Ahmed Miller eventually. However, it may be 2-3 years out. Miller is a good mentor and should be able to teach Stropka the position well. Stropka's big-play was too much for me to pass up on. He'll be on the field in 3 WR sets this season.

QB Weatherspoon was a panic pick. My hopes for him is that he becomes a decent #2 QB that can come in and fill in for Hartman when the need arises.

ILB Nofsinger is a monster. Wayne "The Cork" Nofsinger will see no more duty than backup duty behind Joshua Mask. At 6'4" and 271 lbs, The Cork might even fill in at DT at some point in the future.

T Sudnik was a value pick. I fully expect Braddy to retire next year, so I need somebody to be able to fill the shoes of a #3 tackle that can be developed. Sudnik had slipped down the board and I just couldn't pass him up.

S Gray was a "no good corners left" pick. I needed another DB to keep in reserve and the CB pool was relatively thin at this level, so I took a safety that I thought has some future.

C Darius will be a practice squad guy this year. Clarke should be retiring next year, which will let Darius and Bleeck fight over the scraps of the starting C position.

RB Lyon is a special teamer. He was picked purely because he can fill two special teams roles. He can return kicks and he can play some good special teams.

TE Oltmanns was simply the best TE on the board when I picked. He should make the team, but he won't get much PT behind Zambrano and Jarvis. Oltmanns could be a future backup to Jarvis and Zambrano will help mentor him into that position.

Pre-Camp Grade: B+ I got just about everybody that I was going after. There are two things that I screwed up, but we'll see how that affects the Pride this year. I should have nabbed one of the punters at 3.25 and I probably gave away too much to Detroit to catch Stropka as he slid down the board. But, I [i0a3fc3a]really[/i0a3fc3a] liked Stropka.[/i]

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Deep South Division Champions
2006, 2009-10, 2019, 2023-24, 2027, 2031-32, 2034-35, 2040, 2044, 2046-47, 2051-53, 2055-56, 2058-62
Eastern Conference Champions
2009, 2031, 2055
CFL Champions
2031, 2055
Hall of Fame
Joshua Mask, Douglas Hartman, Carl Bradford, Leland Wellins, Wally Wooden (#80), Brantley Gilmore (#9)

1.29 (29) TUC - DE Lance Crane

This was a value pick, and I hope it turns out well. Crane has good combine scores (39 Sol; 32 Bench; 4.68-40), our scouts think he'll be an excellent pass rusher, and he's developed enough to see playing time during his rookie year . However, he's a high-volatility pick (96), so anything can happen.

2.29 (61) TUC - G Kelvin Connell

Connell was more of a need pick, as our O-line was clobbered by injuries last year. Starting LG William Gregg looks to be a shell of his former self after recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, and we hope Connell can come in and compete right away for Gregg's job. However, he too is a high-volatility pick (97). I felt like gambling a bit this draft, it seems.

4.29 (125) TUC - TE Anthony Torres

We only had one TE on the roster, so we needed a backup. In Torres I think we got one with the potential to evolve into a starter.

5.30 (158) TUC - G J.R. Rayburn

More depth for the O-line. I'm concerned about his apparent difficulties doing basic math (17 Sol), but at least he's not super volatile.

6.30 (190) TUC - T Frankie McDermott

See above. Dumb depth at tackle.

7.30 (222) TUC - CB Cornell McCloskey

This is an intriguing prospect - he's got decent potential at many important aspects of the game, especially at diagnosing plays and picking off errant passes. He'll likely be competing for a spot in the dime package.

[b095ff08]Summary[/b095ff08]
We chose at the bottom of every round and didn't have a 3rd rounder due to a trade last season. Thus, the likelihood of grabbing impact players was low for us in this draft. However, I think we did okay, especially with 1st rounder Carter. I'd give us a C+ on this draft.

p.s. - GI provided a healthy assist with this draft, as I was out of town/internet contact for the last 4 days. Thanks GI!

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Ring of Fire Division Champions - 2009, 2011-2026, 2028-33
Western Conference Champions - 2011-2013, 2016, 2017, 2019-2022, 2024, 2025, 2028, 2033
CFL Champions - 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2025

A 17 on the Wonderlic..er..Solecismic isn't THAT bad. It's just a few points below average.

Have you ever taken that test? It's not pleasant.

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GM, Atlanta Wolfpack
Formerly of the Anchorage Wolfpack and Huntington Beach Wolfpack and now back as a mediocre GM
CFL Champs - 2026, 2029

1.9 (9) CHI - S Casey Duran -- Will come on board and be an immediate starter. Has blazing speed and very good combine scores. Most likely to move to the Corner.

1.27 (27) CHI - ILB Wayne Garner -- Big time value pick. Didnt really need him for position but will be a backup this season and could develop into a cheaper alternative in the future as a starter.

2.6 (38) CHI - TE Gerald Thorpe -- Will be 2nd TE on the roster and play in two TE sets. Value pick here as well. This guy is mid-1st talent.

2.9 (41) CHI - CB Karl Czaplicki -- Will join a crowded group of mediocre corners in the battle for nickel/dime CB.

4.6 (102) CHI - K Billy Joe Everett -- Will start. Had to cut my other guy for cap reasons. Should be fine.

5.6 (134) CHI - DE Jim Davidson --- will combine with existing DE to provide the skill component that is currently missing. Did I hear platoon at DE.

6.7 (167) CHI - QB Irving Giles -- Along with Gabe England (2008 3rd rder) will be in the rotation as potential future QB of the franchise. Will be either 2nd or 3rd or 4th QB depending on camp and preseason performance.

7.7 (199) CHI - T Junior Canfield -- Depth with great potential. Long-term project for us.

Overall Grade: C+/B- at best. Draft class was weak and struggled to get value for the picks. Got a great LB in the late first but didnt really fill a need with that pick.

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[u029cb5a][b029cb5a]1.14 (14) RB Anthony Jennings[/b029cb5a][/u029cb5a] - Pick was made soley for need. He was the best back available and is the #2 back by default. He will join Craig Greene (aquired from NOS in a trade) in the Las Vegas backfield.

[u029cb5a][b029cb5a]2.14 (46) T Victor Twisp[/b029cb5a][/u029cb5a] - A value pick. He slid too far for me to pass up. He is the #3 RT on the squad and will learn from a decent mentor.

[u029cb5a][b029cb5a]4.14 (110) WR Jerome Hopkins[/b029cb5a][/u029cb5a] - Both a need and a value pick. I knew the run on WR's would start eventually and wanted to make sure I could start backfilling my aging corps.

[u029cb5a][b029cb5a]5.14 (142) DT Phil Weaver[/b029cb5a][/u029cb5a] - He has the potential to step in front of the current backups at DT. Fike and Ah Yat will be hard to replace but he might become the 3rd best DT after camp.

[u029cb5a][b029cb5a]7.15 (207) CB Kevin Haddad[/b029cb5a][/u029cb5a] - This was the gamble pick. A 95 volatility may propel him to the front of a young and inexperienced secondary. If he falls on his face it will be up to the Safeties to carry this crew again.

[u029cb5a][b029cb5a]7.17 (209) DE Lamar Pierce[/b029cb5a][/u029cb5a] - Three DE's just aren't enough. Aaron is a horse that rarely misses a snap but this guy might be serviceable enough to make the team.

With the 2006 draft as my only frame of reference, I will give myself a B+. 2006 would be an F since I only had 2 players worth a crap outside of the DROY taken 3rd overall. This year, I see 4-5 guys who will make the team and see decent playing time during the season, so I guess it is a [i029cb5a]relative[/i029cb5a] B+.

Next year I'll be able to have a better grasp of how these last two drafts really went.

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ROF Division Champions: 2039 - 2043, 2045, 2047, 2054, 2056 - 2060, 2063, 2066-2067
WFC Conference Champions: 2018, 2041, 2042, 2057-2058, 2060, 2062-2063
CFL Champions: 2018, 2041, 2057-2058, 2060, 2062

2.20 - RB Maurice Putzier
With the loss of Wadsworth in the CFL Bowl, I have a huge gap at RB. I adressed this by trading for Monty Boyd, but Putzier brings me depth.

2.31 - QB Clay Reilly
Will be the 3rd QB and kick holder this season, he should back up Mathias in the next few years. A 2nd round pick is probably too high for just a career backup but still...

3.31 - WR Bernie Pollard
Yet another mediocre drafted by the Vampires, I 'm still hoping to find a good one. Unfortunately, I doubt Pollard is the one...

4.31 - T Norbert Bouix
A run blocking tackle exclusively, Norb probably won't see the field too often.

5.32 - ILB Warren Brennan
Will probably be switched to OLB and be buried on the depth chart, or cut during training camp.

6.32 - ILB Julio Winters
Will stick around as a special team player.

7.32 - DT Leo Greene
I'm hoping to get a pass rush DT here, he's got the skills and high volatility. I'm not expecting too much though.

[b9cb8ec3]Summary[/b9cb8ec3]
Overall, not a great draft at all. With almost a full roster and drafting at the 31 spot, I wasn't expecting much. I'd say I got 3 backups, 1 special teamer and 3 early retirees.
so re players,I'd give a grade of D+.

I did get a 2008 1st round from Shreveport on top of all, so I will bump my grade up to C+.

Hopefully I will be completely moved in and have my computer set up by monday and I hope to do a complete review of the first round then.

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Home of Marvin "Muddy Waters" Raffo