NFL Draft Day 2 and Boston Redsox Win

NFL Draft Day 2

The Oakland Raiders addressed the run defense on Thursday night with the 8th overall pick of LB Rolando McClain. The Raiders on Friday night did the same when they picked DT Lamarr Houston from Texas. Houston comes in at 305lbs, 6'2", and a very eager attitude to learn. In his career at Texas Houston started 33 of 50 games, recording 133 tackles and 13 sacks.

3rd round pick in Friday nights draft, Oakland Raiders selected Division II OT Jared Veldheer. Veldheer stands in at 6'8", and brings with him an outstanding attitude to learn.

Oakland traded out of there spot twice in Round 2, to drop a couple spots each time to acquire Houston, and Veldheer. With Oakland dropping twice in round 2 they acquired an extra 5th and 6th round pick in this years draft.

AFC WEST Round 2 and 3

Denver did not impress me to much which is a good thing. Denver selected alot of offense with there 2nd and 3rd rounds picks. WR Eric Decker from Minnesota has the potential to be a good NFL WR. I do not think him, nor Demaryius Thomas has Brandon Marshall potential, however, any WR will look good with a good QB;I do not think Denver has a good QB.

SanDiego only had one pick in Friday nights draft, in the 3rd round they selected LB Donald Butler from Minnesota. Word has it, Butler is a better athlete than Oaklands Rolando McClain, however, Butler is undisciplined with his run defense. SanDiego did address the lose of RB LT to the Jets with the acquisition of RB Ryan Mathews and I would say Merriman is not holding up to his potential much.

Kansas City had a better draft than most out of the AFC West with the picks of RB Dexter McCluster who I feel is like Reggie Bush with his ability as a great pass catcher and can run the option very well. Javier Arenas CB from Alabama and OG Jon Asamoah from Illinois was selected to finish day 2 for the Chiefs.

Over the past few years Denver and SanDiego had success in the AFC West, however, this year I think Kansas City and Oakland will bring in some competition. Kansas City beefed up the running game with Thomas Jones and now Dexter McCluster joining Jamal Charles. The Chiefs need to focus on the OL if they want to succeed and that would probably answer the prayers of Matt Cassel as well. As much as you are suppose to hate every divisional opponent, I do not mind Kansas City, however, I do dislike Denver ALOT, and Sandiego is not exactly on my Christmas list either.

Day 3 to come tomorrow, Oakland does have 6 more picks in the draft. Focus on WR, OL, QB, SS. QB Tony Pike or Jevan Snead would suit me, Pike more than Snead. Bruce Campbell is still available, and this late in the draft any team that gets him I feel is a steal. Danario Alexander from Missouri would be great for me for WR, stats include 113 receptions, 1700 yds receiving, and 14tds. S would suit me for Kam Chancellor from Virginia Tech.

Predictions-Tony Pike, Danario Alexander, Kam Chancellor, Bruce Campbell, AirFoce Falcon himself OG Nick Charles, FB Matt Clapp from Oaklahoma.

BOSTON REDSOX

Redsox actually take game 1 with a 4-3 win over Baltimore. Kind of a boring game, Ortiz finally hit a home run, although that goes without saying much. He probably just took a swing and hit the ball on the sweet part of the bat. Lester looked good, however his pitch count was high in his 5-2/3 innings of work giving up no ER while striking out 7, actually looking like the Jon Lester from 2009.

Papelbon came in to close out the Ninth inning, however it was a nail bitter. If it was not for Markakis getting thrown at at second by Bill Hall with 1 out in the Top 9th. Papelbon walked 2 batters and then finally gets Julio Lugo to strike out swinging to end the game. Papelbon I do not think will be with the team after the season, with young hard throwing Daniel Bard in the bullpen. Bard was one prospect we would not move in the deal to acquire C Victor Martinez.

Game 2 on Saturday will be a great pitching match up with the young Brian Matusz (2-0) taking the mound for Baltimore, while veteran pitcher John Lackey(1-1) takes the mound for the Redsox.