jtyler

High school phenom Jermey Tyler has decided to forgo his senior year to play professional basketball in Europe. He is expected to enter the NBA draft in two years when eligble.

The 17 year old Tyler is regarded as the top prospect in his class. At 6′11″, the junior center towers over his competition. But despite verbally committing to Louisville, Tyler is looking for tougher competition.

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On Monday, the Detroit Lions officially adopted a new logo for their football team. The logo is not a complete overhaul, but was modified for a new fiecer look. After going 0-16, the Lions need to do whatever possible to separate themselves from the debacle a year ago. Read more

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mvpblogpic

The MVP race has dwindled down to three possibilities, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. However, when the award is announced, the Maurice Podoloff Trophy will be handed to the wrong player. Popular opinion has the awarded going to either Kobe or LeBron with King James be crowned the NBA’s best. And yet there should be no discussion. This should be Dwyane Wade’s award.

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nfl-draft-stage-view

On Saturday, April 25, fans around the NFL will once again be filled with optimism as their teams look to the future. And yet, there is always drama to be found. Which top player will drop? Will any big name players move teams? Can a team turn their upcoming season around with their additions? These are just some of the many questions that will be asked draft day.

The following is our scenario for how the draft could play out and what teams may be looking for. There will be trades made, but they are next to impossible to predict. Therefore they were not taken into account for the mock draft.

2009 NFL Mock Draft

PickTeamPlayerPositionSchoolDetails
1Matthew StaffordQBGeorgiaWithout a win a year ago, the Lions need a leader to step into the fray right now. Stafford has the skills and appears to be that player.
2Jason SmithOTBaylorJason Smith is easily the best tackle in the draft. After releasing Orlando Pace in the offseason, Smith would appear to be the likely replacement.
3Aaron CurryOLBWake ForestCurry could be the most talented player in the draft. Kansas City is in need of an outside linebacker as well. It's hard to imagine them passing up on this possibility.
4Mark SanchezQBUSCSanchez has been flying up the draft boards. His major flaw seems to be experience. However, sitting behind Hassleback for a year or two could be the grooming he needs to make the transistion to the starting position.
5Brian OrakpoDETexasOrakpo is a freakishly talented player who has the ability to play linebacker or defensive end. If the Browns don't trade away Braylon Edwards, look for them to draft Orakpo to fill their pass rushing void.
6Eugene MonroeOTVirginiaWithout a solid pass blocking tackle and investing so much in Carson Palmer, filling that void with Eugene Monroe just seems to make too much sense.
7Michael CrabtreeWRTexas TechQB Jamarcus Russel doesn't have too many talented players to throw to. Crabtree, however, looks like he could be a great talent, drawing comparisons with Larry Fitzgerald.
8Jeremy MaclinWRMissouriMaclin is a big play receiver with a much faster game speed than his 40-time would lead you to believe. He'll need some work, but should be a good pick for the Jaguars.
9Andre SmithOTAlabamaThe Packers are in need of a tackle to protect Aaron Rodgers. Though Smith has some character issues, he is still among the most talented at his position and could fill the role the Packers are looking for.
10B.J. RajiDTBoston CollegeAt this point, Raji is clearly the best player on the board. Furthermore, he's a big tackle that fit incredibly well into San Francisco's 3-4 scheme.
11Aaron MaybinDEPenn StateAaron Maybin probably has the quickest first step of anybody in the draft. He also has the ability to play the DE/OLB hybrid, making him a great fit for the Bills.
12Tyson JacksonDELSUThroughout the offseason Denver has made it apparent they are looking to upgrade their defense. Jackson is probably the best interior 3-4 defensive end in the draft and should help the Broncos improve.
13Michael OherOTMississippiKnowing Daniel Snyder and the Redskins, they could do anything with this draft pick and it wouldn't be surprising. If they were smart, however, they would fill a need and draft an offensive tackle like Oher.
14Chris WellsRBOhio StateReggie Bush is a great talent at running back, but he can't carry the load. Chris "Beanie" Wells would be a great compliment and fill the void that Duece McCallister left.
15Robert AyersDETennesseeRobert Ayers is another player who's stock has risen in the late stages before the draft. He would be a nice compliment to Mario Williams on the opposite side.
16Ray MaualugaILBUSCInjuries may have slowed him down, but Maualuga is still the most talented inside linebacker in the draft. It would be hard for the the Chargers to pass him up with a need in that position.
17Josh FreemanQBKansas StateSigning Brett Farve a year ago proved that the Jets had little confidence in Kellen Clemens and Brett Ratliff. Furthermore, there is nobody after Freeman who looks like they could fill a starting role. Freeman might be a stretch, but could be the Jets best option.
18Everett BrownDEFlorida StateDenver continues to address defense with another player who fits well in the 3-4 hybrid roll. Brown has been overlooked by many and could end up being a first round sleeper (even at pick 18).
19Brian CushingOLBUSCAfter 15 years, the Bucs parted ways with Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Brooks. Their replacements, while adequate, aren't exactly great. Cushing has a chance to be that great replacement.
20Malcolm JenkinsCBOhio StateThis might be a luxury pick, but the Lions are lacking a standout player maker at the corner position. Despite concerns with his speed, Jenkins is easily the best corner in the draft. It would be difficult for any team to pass on his talent this late in the first round.
21Knowshon MorenoRBGeorgiaBrian Westbrook is going to turn 30 this year and has been plagued by injuries. The Eagles don't have anybody on the depth chart behind Westbrook. Moreno could fill both that role and be the running back for the future.
22Percy HarvinWRFloridaDespite some injury concerns, Percy Harvin is still too talented to pass on. He gives the Vikings another option at WR and can play a compliment to Adrian Peterson out of the backfield.
23Larry EnglishDENorthern IllinoisThis draft is abundant in DE that are athletic enough to play OLB. In one of New England's few holes, the Patriots take Larry English, a player who can play in that 3-4 scheme.
24Brandon PettigrewTEOklahoma StatePettigrew is a top 10 talent in this draft. The only reason he falls is because of a lack of need at the TE position. However, giving Matt Ryan an outstanding outlet is too good to give up.
25Vontae DavisCBIllinoisCornerback is the most pressing need for the Dolphins. Davis is the best cornerback on the board. Put two and two together and this pick is a no brainer.
26Darius Heyword-BeyWRMarylandDerrick Mason is nearing retirement and the Ravens are going to want to give QB Joe Flacco another option to throw to. Heyword-Bey has great speed and the ability to stretch the field. He would be a great option for Baltimore.
27Peria JerryDTMississippiThe Colts have almost nobody at the defensive tackle position. It is a pressing concern. Luckily, Jerry is more than capable of filling that void.
28Eben BrittonOTArizonaThe Bills were in need of offensive line help. Then they traded OT Jason Peters to the Eagles and were in desperate need of help. Britton is a legit first round talent and seems to be a near obvious pick for Buffalo.
29Hakeem NicksWRNorth CarolinaAfter releasing WR Plaxico Burress, a void at the receiver position. They will look to possibly trade for Braylon Edwards or Anquan Boldin. But if this doesn't happen, expect them to settle for draftin a receiver such as Hakeem Nicks.
30Kenny BrittWRRutgersIt's been since 2004 when the Titans had a quality WR in Derrick Mason. They need to address this position and help out Kerry Collins and Vince Young. Britt could end up being the best WR in the draft and would be a wise move for Tennessee.
31Donald BrownRBConnecticutEdgerrin James is getting old and Tim Hightower isn't the type of player that can carry the load. Donald Brown has the talent to carry the load for the Cardinals this year and into the future.
32Alex MackCCaliforniaLast year center Justin Hartwig allowed six sacks. Mack is a talented player who would be an immediate upgrade. At this late in the first round it's hard to pass on a player who will have first year impact on the field.

Be sure to check in this weekend as we update you throughout the draft with picks and reactions

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greg-paulus

Coach Rich Rodriguez has extended former Duke basketball player Greg Paulus a chance to compete for the starting quarterback job at Michigan this fall. This is a great opportunity for Paulus, however from the Wolverines point of view, this is a headscratcher.

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There I stood. Facing down the old man. Wiffle ball bat in hand, I was enjoying a modified version of America’s pastime. And when that hollowed out ball made contact with my thin yellow bat, I felt like a major leaguer. So as that ball flew across our backyard, I deserved a major league call. “Watch that baby, OUTTA HERE!” Those were the words I called out as I rounded the bases imitating the voice of summer, Harry Kalas. And now that voice will be no more.

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