In The Books...

Well, with the first round done and dusted, let’s take a look at the winners and the losers of the 2010 Draft so far…

Get this: Tim Tebow is a first round pick. I said it, I meant it and I was right. But I did NOT expect things to pan out like this. Jimmy Clausen, widely regarded as the number two QB in the draft, is still on the board. That’s good (nay, GREAT) news for a team like the Bills who passed on servicing their strong need at the position and now find themselves positioned well at the top of the second (with the 9th pick) and Clausen still available – head-scratching. Concerns were raised over Clasuen’s ability to lead; word on the street was he had some character issues. But a good record and solid throwing mechanics should’ve seen him go higher, regardless of where he’s picked-up now. I think the Bills might trade up for him to just to make sure, but I doubt it’ll be necessary – the teams ahead of them either aren’t looking for a QB or have expressed disinterest in Clausen (the Browns are more likely to take Colt McCoy due to Mike Holmgren’s dislike for JC). Failing a move to the Bills, the Panthers or maybe even the Chiefs could pick Clausen up somewhere between 48 and 50.

Eric Berry hopped off at the number five – a fair representation of his talent and character and now he finds himself the latest piece in an increasingly youthful – and promising – Chiefs line-up. The Chiefs haven’t threatened the postseason for the best part of the last decade, and although they likely won’t be hoisting aloft the Lombardi trophy come February, they are now well-positioned to climb steadily and become elite contenders in two or three seasons’ time.

CJ Spiller – widely expected to land in Seattle – was passed and finds himself in a highly-talented tandem with Marshawn Lynch in Buffalo, coming off the board at number nine. This isn’t a bad move for the Bills – especially given Clausen’s continued availability – as this cold-weather, run-first team needs a group of solid backs to take the load off whoever steps in to the QB roll. It’s probable they won’t be able to throw the ball effectively for a couple of seasons yet now that they are almost certainly going to train-up a young signal caller and have parted ways with solid pass-catcher, Terrell Owens, and so relying on smash mouth football is a smart decision.

Another team whose moves I like are the Houston Texans. They play in arguably the toughest division in the AFC (though this may change this year) and are forced to contend with the perennial successes of the Colts and Titans, and the occasionally prolific Jaguars. This team has to really work in its six division games and, in recent years with the addition of long-time back-up, Matt Schaub, and the progression of all-star receiver, Andre Johnson they have given an excellent account of themselves. Their defence is not to be sniffed at either. But having lost high-grade cornerback Dunta Robinson in free agency they had no choice but to address that need first in the draft: they did just that, snaring Kareem Jackson with the twentieth pick. And, in the second round, they might have the chance to select another Running Back – most likely Auburn’s Ben Tate – a tough, no-nonsense runner who could balance Houston’s explosive, score-fast offence.

Tomorrow I’ll take a look at developments after Round Two and then, for the rest of the week, evaluate how teams have done and speculate as to which positions still need attention for the teams most capable of making a run in the postseason.

God, it’s good to be a football fan…


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