A blueprint exists for building the type of team Pace seems determined to build. Drafting players with conviction and signing free agents that project to be more valuable in the future, rather than paying players for what they have done in the past.

So far Ryan Pace has been following this blueprint. From the trades of Brandon Marshall and Martellus Bennett, letting Matt Forte walk, and drafting Kevin White, Leonard Floyd, and Jordan Howard, Pace has shown that he can both let go of the past and draft with moxie.

After last years disappointing season, Pace was sitting in a pretty good spot with the third pick in the draft (and a top four selection in every other round besides the sixth) to appease his 62 year old head coach John Fox with players that could come in and immediately contribute. In a draft many pundits deemed to be littered with defensive talent, the consensus was that the Bears would draft a top defensive prospect such as LSU’s Jamaal Adams, Alabama’s Jonathan Allen, or one of Ohio State’s two standout defensive backs. Any one of those players would be a day one starter for the blue and orange, but that isn’t the route that Pace took.

Instead, he was smart enough to understand that it’s highly unlikely that he would ever be in a better position to acquire a potential franchise quarterback, something the Bears literally haven’t had since WWII. He traded this years third and fourth rounder and next years third rounder to move up a selection and drafted Mitchell Trubisky, the former North Carolina quarterback who has more upside then any other signal caller in this years draft class.

While it’s unknown whether or not it was necessary for the Bears to give up three picks to move up, Pace was able to gain two picks back by trading back nine slots in the second round, where he selected a Division II tight end Adam Shaheen. The 6’6 275 pound pass catcher dominated the low level of competition he played against, and if you’re going to make the investment that the Bears made in Trubisky, you have to provide him with weapons. For the many fans that moaned and groaned over the pick, let’s not act like tight end prospects with basketball backgrounds don’t have an insanely good track record of NFL success (Tony Gonzalez, Jimmy Graham, or small school product Antonio Gates ring a bell?). I understand that comparing young players to future hall of famers is silly, but Shaheen should inspire more optimism in Bears fans than he currently is.

Pace finished off the draft by adding two more small school offensive players in running back Tarik Cohen and guard Jordan Morgan, while also snagging a former all american and national champion safety/return man Eddie Jackson from Alabama. While Jackson has legitimate injury concerns, if he can stay healthy he provides first round value as a fourth round pick judging by his production and tape at Alabama.

With every pick besides maybe Cohen, Pace went ceiling over floor. In his third season, many people in his position would draft as safe as possible in an attempt to get closer to .500 and show immediate “improvement.” He didn’t, and it is more apparent than ever that his goal is to climb the entire mountain, not just chip his way to the middle.

It’s not as if Pace’s style is without its risks, his first selection as Bears general manager was Kevin White, who has only played in three NFL games in his first  two seasons due to leg issues, and it’s entirely possible that he will end up regretting not resigning the 26 year old Alshon Jeffrey in free agency. Many of his better free agent signings (Jerrell Freeman, Josh Sitton, Akeim Hicks) will be free agents again after the 2018 season, and the longest free agent contract he has given out to this point was the five year deal that Pernell McPhee received in 2015, who has been an oft-injured disappointment thus far.

While he has been far from perfect, he’s also been far from boring. For an organization that has missed the playoffs for six straight seasons, drafting like he did two weeks ago puts playoff hopes on hold for at least one more season,and probably more. A drought that long is frustrating and there will assuredly be fans that will be upset with how this draft unfolded. But, the bigger picture is more important than the present screenshot.

Ryan Pace’s initial plan to bring the Bears back to relevancy in the post Emery/Trestman era hasn’t worked out, in no small part due to factors outside of his control like the roster he inherited and the poor internal management and communication structure that has been set by the McCaskey family. So he has changed course, and now his intent is to build his team, his way, from the ground up regardless of how his grouchy head coach might feel.

It’s hard to win super bowls, there’s a lot of uncertainty in the game of football but uncertainty will not stop Ryan Pace. He’s determined to bring the Lombardi trophy back to Chicago, or get fired trying. That’s a leader I can get behind.

The post The Bears are Ryan Pace’s Team and this Years Draft is the Proof appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Desmond King held a draft party Thursday night with hopes of being selected in the first round. Many others pictured him as a mid to late second round pick. King a former Thorpe Award winner for the nation’s best cornerback returned to school to improve his draft stock.

Tight end George Kittle caught the eyes of scouts with his combine performance, particularly in the 40-yard dash. He climbed into some expert’s top-five tight ends list. Those lists include three who were selected in the first round.

Both defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson and quarterback CJ Beathard, the only Friday selection, played in the Senior Bowl as an extra opportunity to show their talent. Neither attracted as much hype as the others but still showed potential to get early selection.

The local excitement around the draft built the expectation that Iowa players would go very high. Possibly higher than deserved. Now that the draft has come and gone, those watching got a clear explanation of how the team evaluated the former Hawkeyes.

CJ Beathard, QB, 49ers (Round 3)

Beathard, the highest Hawkeye selection, joins the San Francisco 49ers after they called his name late in the third round. Beathard threw for 17 touchdowns each of the last two years.

He joins a roster that is home to veteran Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley. Having those two leading him on the depth chart creates completely different scenarios.

Option one, Beathard ends up sitting behind and learning from two other quarterbacks. Despite neither having a huge amount of success, they have more experience than Beathard. This leaves him as either a potential starter after learning in a few years or as a career backup.

Option two, he finds himself starting as a rookie. The 49ers 2-14 record a year ago presents endless opportunities for a young quarterback. Any of the third could end up under center when the 49ers play Carolina week one.

Jaleel Johnson, DT, Vikings (Round 4)

Johnson came off the board quickly as Saturday began when the Minnesota Vikings grabbed him with the 109^th pick. He won’t be playing far from Iowa City.

Johnson will fit well into the defense in Minnesota especially since defensive line is one of their biggest needs. They have a good amount of players at the position but none have been extremely impressive.

He leaves Iowa as one of many notable defensive linemen over the years including recent player Adrian Clayborn. Johnson has starter talent and could see action as soon as next season in Minnesota.

Desmond King, DB, Chargers (Round 5)

At the completion of his junior season, King was a lock in the first round. He chose to come back for another year at Iowa.

His explanation for returning revolved around the scout’s interest in him developing his speed. King used the opportunity to graduate from Iowa and continue to develop his overall game.

The change was he dropped from a first round selection, as late as the college seasons final week, to a fifth round selection by the Los Angeles Chargers. King was the 151 overall selection.

Whether or not King will fit into the Chargers secondary remains to be seem. What King does have is versatility. In the NFL, he will be able to shift freely between corner and safety.

His ability to impact the game as a hard hitting safety makes King a valuable pickup. He also plays well in coverage, intercepting eight passes his junior season.

King slipped on draft boards leading up to the draft but falling into the fifth round came as a shock for many.

George Kittle, TE, 49ers (Round 5)

George Kittle will join Iowa teammate CJ Beathard as a member of the San Francisco 49ers.

Kittle, who could’ve gone as high as the third round, found his name picked slightly before King at 146. He climbed many teams draft boards after he ran a 4.52 40-yard dash at the Combine.

It may be too soon for comparisons but Kittle has potential similar to former Hawkeye Dallas Clark. Kittle is slightly taller but possesses similar on field skills to be a receiving tight end that can block when asked.

Kittle showed up less this past season with the Hawkeyes due to injury but the previous year spoke prominently for him.

Left Undrafted

Four notable Hawkeye players went undrafted. Offensive lineman Cole Croston, running back LeShun Daniels, defensive back Greg Mabin, and punter Ron Coluzzi. None were expected to be drafted but all are looking to continue their football careers.

Croston, as an Iowa offensive lineman, led the group as the most likely to hear his name called Saturday.

The post Breaking Down the Hawkeyes Taken in the NFL Draft appeared first on KRUI Radio.

As a Bears fan, the last decade or so of draft picks has produced little worth celebrating. The bears have only extended four draft picks since the 2007 draft, and right guard Kyle Long is the only current  Bear draft pick that is in his second contract with the team. That track record is just awful, but general manager Ryan Pace is determined to change that in his third draft with the team. The Bears have seven picks in the draft, with two fourth rounders and no sixth rounder, and will have the third overall pick behind the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers.

For this mock draft, I included trades, made mock selections for each one of the Bears seven picks, and highlighted a number two option for each of the Bears first three rounds. Let’s get to it.

First Round-pick #3- Jamal Adams, Safety, LSU

If Adams is Gone? Jonathan Allen, Defensive Lineman, Alabama

The Bears secondary has been dreadful since Lovie Smith was fired in 2012, especially at safety. The Bears haven’t had a pro bowl safety since Mike Brown, and last season the Bears started four different combinations at the position. With there being so few options at the top of the draft at premium value positions like quarterback, offensive tackle, and pass rusher, Adams provides the Bears with playmaking ability in the back end of the defense. He’s a well rounded athlete who can play downhill in the run game, match up man-to-man on tight ends, and showed good range in zone coverage at LSU by snagging four picks his Junior season. While Jonathan Allen was dominant at Alabama, and would be a welcomed and immediate contributor on the defensive line along with Eddie Goldman and Akiem HIcks, the Bears can’t afford to take a player in this spot who has an extensive injury history. Allen has already had both of his shoulders operated on and it has been reported that he may already be suffering from arthritis in those shoulders. Adams on the other hand not only has a clean bill of health, but has been lauded by almost everyone in the evaluation process for his leadership ability. Considering that  the only secondary prospects that rival Adams, Malik Hooker and Marshon Lattimore from Ohio State, both come with reasonable durability concerns, Adams seems to be the safest and most sensible pick for the Bears at #3.

Second Round- pick#36- Adoree Jackson, CB/KR, USC

If Jackson is Gone? Chris Wormley,Defensive End, Michicgan

As I mentioned earlier, it’s no secret that the Bears secondary has been one of the league’s most disappointing for a few years now. An area where they are desperately lacking production is in the turnover department. The Bears were tied for dead last in the NFL in interceptions last season with eight. That number is abysmal, which is why I think Jackson would be another welcomed addition to the back end along with Adams. He played on the outside and inside at nickel over his career and picked off five passes while deflecting 11 more last season. Wormley may be the more polished prospect as of now, but defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has proven time and again he can take athletic players that are a little rough around the edges and develop them quickly. Throw in Jackson’s ability to step in day one as an NFL kick returner, and that’s a whole lot of potential value in the second round.

Third Round-TRADE DOWN WITH BUFFALO-pick #75- Tarrell Basham, OLB, Buffalo

If the Bears stay put? Nathan Peterman, QB, Pitt

 The Bears have the 67th overall pick, and with a few teams sporting multiple fifth rounders that may be eyeing a quarterback in the middle of the draft, this feels as good a spot as any to trade back for an extra pick in this deep draft. The Bears have been quiet about having any interest in some of the middle of the pack quarterback prospects, so if they aren’t in love with Peterman or Cal’s Davis Webb, find someone who is and make a deal. The third round projects to be full of pass rushing prospects, and Buffalo’s Tarell Basham has the body type at 6’4, 270 pounds to be a force off of the edge in the Bears 3-4 scheme. He played against weak competition in the MAC, but he can sit and learn behind veterans Willie Young and Pernell McPhee until he’s ready.

Fourth Round-pick #111- Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami FL

The Bears have done a lot of extensive research and scouting on this years quarterback class, but Ryan Pace continues to remain mum on the position and his interest on any one prospect. The two mid round prospects that have been most frequently linked to the Bears are Davis Webb and Brad Kaaya. Kaaya has three years of starting experience and has put up some pretty solid numbers in the ACC, and many scouts and coaches that have worked with him have praised his football intelligence. He obviously has some flaws in his game, with pocket presence and inconsistent accuracy under pressure being his most notable weaknesses, but the Bears have put off drafting a developmental quarterback for too long. Kayaa provides nice value for the Bears on the third day and he can sit behind Mike Glennon for a year or two and develop.

Fourth Round-pick #117-Josh Reynolds, WR, Texas A&M

Reynolds’ lack of strength and quickness will drop him into the middle rounds of the draft, but at 6’4 with 4.52 speed and a 37 inch vertical there will be plenty of teams who will be after the all SEC receiver. Mike Glennon was at his best in Tampa Bay making spot throws to taller targets Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, and while the Bears added Marcus Wheaton and Kendall Wright in free agency, neither one of them has the height or speed that Reynolds possesses. The Bears can’t count on former first rounder Kevin White coming back healthy and with Alshon Jeffrey gone, it’s imperative that the Bears add another toy for Glennon to play with.

Fifth Round-pick#147-Adam Bisnowaty,OT,Pittsburgh

The interior of the Bears offensive line is set for years to come, but starting tackles Charles Leno and Bobby Massie had their fair share of struggles last season. The Bears didn’t make any serious additions at offensive tackle in the offseason, so the 6’6 three year starter will have the opportunity to step right in as the team’s swing tackle off the bench.

Fifth Round-pick#156-Isaac Rochelle, DE, Notre Dame

The Bears have more needs than they can address in their first five picks, so one major need will be addressed later than it should have. The way I see this draft shaking out, I would bet that defensive line is the one spot where the Bears end up passing on some guys in the early rounds and settling late in the draft. The leader in the clubhouse for the Bears starting defensive end opposite of Akeim Hicks is last years third round pick Jonathan Bullard. There were concerns in Hallas Hall that Bullard was too lazy and inconsistent and it cost him playing time. If nothing else, the high motor Rochelle can provide effort and energy that can hopefully push Bullard to raise his competitiveness, and hopefully that will result in better production on the field.

Seventh Round-pick#221- Jacob Hollister, TE, Wyoming

It’s anyone’s guess as to how the last round will play out, but I’m guessing that the Bears add to a position that was sorely lacking after Zach Miller went down for the season with a foot injury. The Bears added a block first tight end Dion Sims in free agency and return the oft-injured Miller, and that’s about it. According to pro football focus, Hollister has the potential to be a serious threat down the field, comparing him to Julius Thomas.

So there you have it, eight picks, split evenly between offense and defense. Let’s trust that Ryan Pace knows what he’s doing, the Bears don’t have any more room for error.

The post Chicago Bears Mock Draft appeared first on KRUI Radio.

The most active team was Chicago as they made two trades. The Bears are extremely desperate for young, controllable talent on both sides of the ball. They were able to get the quarterback of the future and did so without mortgaging the future. The Cowboys pick up a talented running back to replace DeMarco Murray. The biggest winner from this draft for me is the New Orleans Saints who used all three picks to select starting caliber players at really good values.

There were several teams I wanted to trade up or down for, but was unable to due to a lack of trade partners or assets. These teams just selected the best player available if the draft spot wasn’t worth the player that was right for the team.

My next NFL piece will be a review of the draft. Until then enjoy both my final mock and the real draft.

Round 1

The post NFL Draft: Predicting the First Two Rounds appeared first on KRUI Radio.

This draft is deep in pass rushers and receivers and has more top-end running back talent than previous drafts have had. More people see the offensive line talent improving, but there is no elite tackle in the draft. The secondary and quarterbacks are underwhelming this year, and it seems that many teams are desperate for help at these positions. The selections below are where I believe the teams should go with each pick and notice there are some teams I believe should trade down if they can. If there need is deep, they should consider trading down to try and get more picks. Championship teams are built through the draft and getting the first round pick is the most important difference between the Patriots and Packers success and the Raiders and Jaguars struggles. I will put the second half of the draft soon and will also have a first two round mock draft before the Draft in late April. For now, I have the teams pick, as well a couple other options I would consider at their draft selection.

1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jameis Winston-QB Florida State

Winston Is the best quarterback to enter the draft since Andrew Luck. He has all the physical tools and has a presence in the locker room that teams like to have in a quarterback. His actual quarterback traits are what teams look for in the number one overall pick, his accuracy and vision are exceptional, and he seems able to make all the correct throws. Already having experience in a more pro-style offense should prove to be a plus in convincing people he deserves the nod over Marcus Mariota, although I’ve never been a huge believer in a pro-style offense making a difference. The only concern is the off-the-field issues that he seems unable to avoid and constantly in the media for. Outside the sexual assault allegations, none of these issues are too large and may have been overblown due to the fact he was a Heisman trophy winner and his team was the defending national champions. If the Buccaneers believe that surrounding Winston with a more stable environment and with teammates that can shield him from the media will negate these incidents, then there is no reason he should not be the first pick. Overall, Winston is the most talented player in this year’s draft and in the position that is most needed in the NFL, he will be the top pick in this year’ draft and I do project him to be a future star in the league. I really do not see his off the field issues being a huge concern and I believe Tampa may be the best situation for him to thrive.

Other Options: Trade the pick for the largest amount of picks possible.

2) Tennessee Titans

Leonard Williams- DE/OLB USC

The Titans were originally thought to be the landing spot of Mariota, but Mariota seems to be slipping down draft boards and after free agency, there seems to be less QB-needy teams who will be willing to spend a first round on a QB who will most likely not play this year. On top of that, it sounds like the Titans like what they saw from Zach Mettenberg and are content to head into next year with him as the guy. This leaves two options, draft the best available player or trade down, and I really doubt a team will be willing to trade up at this point to get Mariota. The next best available player is either Williams or Kevin White and this is a really tough decision, but since WR is so deep and the Titans see Andrew Luck twice a year, Williams is the choice. He has elite speed and power and the versatility to play multiple positions. He’s relentless chasing the ball carrier or the passer and continues to show an ability to be around the ball.

Other Options: Trade Down, Kevin White

3) Jacksonville Jaguars

Dante Fowler Jr. – DE/OLB Florida

A team that has been so bad for so many years, will finally start to see some brighter days with good free agent signings and deep draft classes starting to show signs of an improving team. Even though I do not love Blake Bortles and his talent, I do believe he will be a solid starting QB in the league as long as he protects the ball like Russell Wilson and not try to force things like Jay Cutler. Since the Jaguars are not looking for that franchise quarterback anymore, they can focus on building around their current core of players and improving the defense. I am pretty certain that if Fowler is available at this point he will be the pick. He has risen up draft boards and has a connection to the coaching staff of the Jaguars. Fowler played for a terrible Florida team that struggled in every aspect of the game and really did not get enough credit for what he did. Still raw, he is extremely athletic and has great speed and pass rush moves, it is still not certain if he can play well in coverage, but has the physical tools necessary to. The only other option would be offensive lineman based off a need perspective, but there is really no talent that can be justified for be taken in the top three.

Other Options: Maybe Kevin White…Maybe

4) Oakland Raiders

Kevin White- WR West Virginia

The Raiders are known for taking the more risky player or the faster player. Even with their struggles over recent years and new personnel in the front office, I find it hard to believe that this philosophy would change until I see it. Still this is a risk I would take, White is a ball hawk and will always go and meet the ball at the highest point. He has the athletic ability to make a catch and great speed to top it all off. If there is any reason to pass on him, it would be his route running ability and the fact that he is still raw in other areas of the game that Amari Cooper has perfected. Even with that said, White can make all the catches and will be a perfect security blanket for a young quarterback to help stabilize an offense that has been pretty lifeless. Now if only they could get an offensive line…

Other Options: Amari Cooper, Trae Waynes

5) Washington Redskins

Randy Gregory- DE/OLB Nebraska

This division could be won by anyone for any number of reasons, and the team that finished last could easily finish first. Well, actually, nothing comes easy in the NFL, but this team has talent and really just needs stability. They need to commit to one quarterback and focus on building around him and protecting him so he has time to throw the ball. The defense could also use some serious help and with so many talented offenses in the same division, getting to the ball carrier/passer may be the most important thing to do. Gregory again offers versatility in terms of his position, but he really can only come off the edge. He is so talented and can get to the passer so fast that he makes up for his lack of run support sometimes. This would not be the flashy pick that the fans would hope for, but honestly there is not a lot that can be done to this roster other than hope it gets better offensively and pray they can protect their quarterback, whoever that may be.

Other Options: Brandon Schreff, Trae Waynes

6) New York Jets

Andrew Peat- OT Stanford

Every sports league is a copy-cat league and after the turnaround the Dallas Cowboys had, there will be several teams looking to follow the blueprint and I believe the Jets will do just that. This is where the Mariota bidding may start, but if there is no trade here, I believe he will start to slide. This pick should show the commitment of the new regime to build the from the inside out and really look for sustain success instead of approval from fans. I still believe Geno Smith can be a decent quarterback and could probably could use some more time in the pocket to cut back on the mistakes and to gain some confidence. The Brandon Marshall addition looked to try and help Geno than to say “we are going to clear house,” and I expect an emphasis of helping Geno instead of trying to depend on him.

Other Options: Trae Waynes, Amari Cooper, Marcus Mariota, Trade Down

7) Chicago Bears

Vic Beasley- DE/OLB Clemson

Phil Emery managed to make one of the best defenses into the worst defenses in only a couple of years. This historically bad defense needs all the help it can get and taking the best player available is the best option. With a switch in schemes, the Bears now need more 3-4 OLB’s and Vic Beasley fits the mold and adds exactly what the Bears need, a pass rush. Now he cannot fix the defense, but the Bears need to start somewhere.

Other Options: Trae Waynes, Trade Down, Marcus Mariota

8) Atlanta Falcons

Shane Ray- DE Missouri

Atlanta has struggled with injuries recently, but has plenty of talent on the offensive side of the ball to compete. Now comes the much needed help on defense. Ray is a monster coming off the edge and will give the secondary help by knocking a quarterback out of rhythm.

Other Options: Brandon Schreff

9) New York Giants

Brandon Scherff- G/T Iowa

Scherff is an excellent run-blocker, but there are concerns about his ability to pass-block effectively, which is why a move to guard may help him, or at least to the right tackle. Very strong and disciplined, Scherff will be playing in the league for a long time and will give Eli Manning some much needed protection.

Other Options: Ereck Flowers, La’el Collins

10) St. Louis Rams

Amari Cooper- WR Alabama

Cooper may be the most NFL ready prospect in the draft and will make an immediate impact wherever he goes. The Rams addressed their quarterback problem with the Nick Foles trade, but they need some help on the outside. Cooper is an excellent route-runner who catches the ball extremely well. Even without outstanding athletic abilities, Cooper will be an excellent receiver.

Other Options: Devante Parker

11) Minnesota Vikings

Devante Parker- WR Louisville

Vikings fans would love this pick, reuniting with Teddy Bridgewater, but also an athletic receiver who goes up to get the ball. He will be the perfect addition to go with the speedy Cordarelle Patterson and help Bridgewater grow and to get out of a couple tough situations by winnings several jump balls.

Other Options: None

12) Cleveland Browns

Trae Waynes- CB Michigan St.

The signing of Josh McCown sent the signal that the Browns are not looking for a quarterback and may still have faith in Johnny Manziel to be successful. I think they will use both picks to try and improve their defense and Waynes will make big plays and set up the offense with some good starting position.

Other Options: Danny Shelton

13) New Orleans Saints

Marcus Mariota-QB Oregon

Sean Payton needs to start thinking about the future and I believe they started the process when they traded away Jimmy Graham. They really have no way to improve their team outside the draft with the cap problems they have. This pick also allows the Mariota to learn behind one of the all-time great and grow before starting, which I think he needs.

Other Options: Arik Armstead, Danny Shelton

14) Miami Dolphins

Arik Armstead- OT Oregon

Keeping Ryan Tannehill comfortable in the pocket is the most important thing the Dolphins can do to improve as a team. Wide receiver is another pick here, but the fact is the talent in the second round is as good as it would be here. Look for them to try and address another position in the first round.

Other Options: Jaelen Strong

15) San Francisco 49ers

Danny Shelton-DT Washington

This defense has been hurt with injuries the past few seasons and now they have a problem with early retirements. Danny Shelton will help to start rebuild a great defense that really could use some good news after all the departures this past offseason.

Other Options: La’el Collins. Eli Harold, Ereck Flowers

16) Houston Texans

La’el Collins- OT LSU

The Texans are not going to be able to address their quarterback problem in the draft and free agency is underwhelming, so the next best thing is to improve the group that protects the quarterback and running back. Houston could use a little help at wide receiver after Andre Johnson was cut, but they have several options to do that in the draft and free agency.

Other Options: Jaelen Strong, Maxx Williams

The post NFL Mock Draft: Part 1 appeared first on KRUI Radio.

The 2014 NFL Draft is roughly one week away (Thursday, May 08). NFL analysts and scouts have been pouring over hours of in-game footage, combine and pro-day results as they change their mock drafts weekly. This Thursday night in May will fulfill the dreams of 32 collegiate football players. For some, their career will result in their busts being enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame , but for others, they may turn out to be another type of bust in the NFL.

Aside from the jaw dropping athleticism shown by Jadeveon Clowney, I’m looking for one guy to completely steal the spotlight in this 2014 NFL Draft class.

That man is Johnny Manziel.

Think about it. Here’s a guy (Manziel) who as a freshman won the most prestigious individual award in collegiate football (arguably in all of football), the Heisman Trophy.

As a Texas A&M Aggie Manziel threw for over 7,800 yards, 63 touchdowns, and only 22 interceptions. To say he doesn’t have the NFL potential to be a Sunday starter is complete garbage. Sure, there has been the reported on-and-off field incident, but what Manziel brings to the table shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Manziel seems to have the ability on the football field to make something out of nothing. In a league full of top notch defenders though, it will be tough for Manziel to equal his “luck” which made him so exciting to watch as a college player.

As a 6’1’’ 210 lb quarterback, Manziel’s size is comparable to Steve Young who was listed at 6’2’’ and 210 lbs.  Young, who made his name as the quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, was known for his ability to both throw and run the ball efficiently, similar to Manziel.  While comparisons are held to very little standards these days, it is fair to say that given the skill set we have seen from Johnny Football over the course of two years makes a good case for the pre-draft excitement surrounding him.

Who will take the chance on Manziel?

In the past few days rumors have swirled throughout the NFL about the Dallas Cowboys making a move that would put Johnny Manziel in AT&T Stadium in 2014.

Current Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback, Tony Romo, is 34 years old and has gone through the grinder in the past few seasons. Romo underwent two back surgeries in 2013, one for a cyst and the other for a herniated disk suffered against the Washington Redskins causing him to miss the week 17 finale against the Philadelphia Eagles.

While Romo is coming off of a solid year where he threw 31 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions, the Cowboys must question the longevity of his tenure as a Cowboy. Romo is currently under a six-year contract signed in worth $108 million making him a Cowboy for life.  While all the quarterback security seems stable for Dallas, is it really all that stable?

With Romo’s current back issues one must question what will happen if he has to abruptly end his career due to back problems. Insert Johnny Manziel.

Manziel to the Cowboys would be a great move on and off the field. Not only is Johnny Manziel a Texas native, but his past with Texas A&M makes the move to Dallas that much more attractive. Manziel’s presence in Dallas could rejuvenate a team that has experienced a lack of success throughout the past few years. The Cowboys are a relatively young team. With Jason Witten nearing the end of his career and Dez Bryant emerging as one of the top wide receivers in the game, Manziel could learn quickly under the direction of Jason Garrett and some great weapons on offense.

On a final note: Expect anything and everything come draft day and don’t forget that Jerry Jones is the general manager and owner of the Dallas Cowboys.

Jerry Jones loves exciting NFL Draft prospects. In the 2012 draft, Jones and the Cowboys traded up eight spots to draft cornerback Morris Claiborne out of LSU. Two years prior to that in 2010, Dallas traded their first and third round pick to New England to claim wide receiver Dez Bryant out of Oklahoma State.

The Cowboys have been known to go after big name talent hoping for big time rewards. While the 2012 pick in Morris Claiborne hasn’t proven to be worthwhile (yet), the Cowboys making a big move (perhaps for Johnny Manziel) in the 2014 NFL Draft would not be shocking.

With the 2014 NFL Draft in the horizon, it is time for a new crop of talent to take center stage.

Johnny Manziel is going to bring the NFL a lot of excitement, talent, and probably a little bit of controversy. Is the NFL ready?

The Houston Texans are now on the clock.

The post Here Comes Johnny! appeared first on KRUI Radio.

This week I am pumping my fists fast and hard in the cool Iowa air to these sports tidbits—some Iowa-related, some feel-good, some absurdly hilarious!

10.       On April 13^th (I know, a little dated), Indianapolis Colts Tight End and former Hawkeye All-American, Dallas Clark, appeared as detective Austin Kent on the CBS show, “Criminal Minds” in the episode, “The Stranger.”  I did not get to see it, but from what I’ve read it was a brief cameo.  Check out the hyperlink too see Dallas’ goofy, cop comb over.  Detective Kent must be related to Clark Kent, because he’s not fooling anyone.  I know it’s you, Mr. All-Pro Tight End.  Overall, though, it was a neat opportunity for Mr. Clark.  I think it would be hysterical if Peyton Manning showed up in the same episode as Detective Milton Henning.  Manning does appear in about a thousand commercials a year, after all.  Here’s a bit of spoof dialogue.  I’ll set up the scene:  A baby is trapped on the third floor of a burning building, but some junkies are standing around looking to make trouble.

Detective Milton Henning: Austin, you go left and block those two junkies wearing Patriots jackets while I dash in and get the baby.

Detective Austin Kent: Alright, but you might have to fake them out.  Be quick, too, those junkies are strong and love to cheat.  Sergeant Ricky Payne is standing in the safe zone ready to catch the baby.  He’s got such great hands!

Detective Milton Henning: On two, on two.

9.         I am pumping my fists for the Hawks.  The Atlanta Hawks are up 3-1 in the opening round of the NBA Eastern Conference playoff series on the better-seeded Orlando Magic after an 88-85 win.  Jamal Crawford came off the bench to score twenty five points.   I don’t know much about the Atlanta Hawks, but since the Iowa Hawks are in building mode for the foreseeable future, I have to root for some Hawk team.  Teams like Atlanta and the Memphis Grizzlies are obscure enough that I can get excited about them.  Go Hawks!

8.         University of Iowa Video Coordinator Matt Engelbert was recently named the 2011 Collegiate Sports Video Association’s Big Ten Conference Video Coordinator of the Year.  What a title!  Honestly, I have little knowledge of what it takes to be an elite Video Coordinator, but Mr. Engelbert—employed 22 years at Iowa—seems to be pretty good.  He was also recognized with the same award in 1998 and 2008.  Kirk Ferentz and his staff have always seemed adept at correcting mistakes after a loss.  I’ll go ahead and credit Mr. Engelbert for helping with his savvy digital editing.

7.         I did some Iowa Men’s Golf recaps for Kif Richmann’s “From the Cheap Seats” show in the fall, but I have to admit I lost track of their play when school got more chaotic.  Lo and behold, they are driving, chipping, and putting like mad fiends again. Coach Mark Hankins’ crew, lead by senior dynamo Vince India—along with major contributors Brad Hopfinger, Chris Brant, and Barrett Kelpin—continue to land top five finishes in major tournaments.  The 11^th– ranked Hawkeyes finished fourth at the Kepler Invitational in Columbus, Ohio on Sunday.  Mr. India finished fourth at the tournament and also finished second at the LSU Collegiate Invitational on April 3^rd.  As a team, the Hawkeyes have five first-place finishes in major tournaments since September and eight top-four finishes in that span.  Astounding, considering that before Mr. Hankins’ arrival, the Hawkeyes were ranked 155^th and in the bottom of the Big Ten.  They have improved markedly since Mr. Hankins’ first year in 2007.  Later this week (April 29^th) begin the Big Ten Conference Championships in West Lafayette, Indiana.  Stay tuned.

6.         Last year’s Stanley Cup participants—the champion Chicago Blackhawks and the Philadelphia Flyers—both won in overtime on Sunday to force a Game 7 in the opening round of the NHL playoffs.  The Blackhawks beat the Vancouver Canucks, 4-3, and the Flyers bested the Buffalo Sabres, 5-4, in extra time, respectively.  That’s some good hockey, eh?  While the weather is cool and the Flyers are winning, I best break out my Simon Gagne road jersey.  It doesn’t matter that he plays for the Tampa Bay Lightning now, because Game 7 is in Philadelphia!  Fist pump holding a drippy cheese steak!

5.         I will be frank. I know less about the NBA D-League than I do the Atlanta Hawks.  I know virtually nothing about Iowa’s NBA Developmental League team, the Iowa Energy.  I think of D-League and I think of D-Grade meat, for some reason (if that even exists anymore—dog food?).  Or the players are one air ball away from being F-Grade players.  Yeah, yeah, I know it’s a farm team NBA system.  But I’d rather read about Iowa Football practices than D-League coverage.  Apparently, though, the Iowa Energy are one victory away from winning the NBA D-League Championship.  That’s pretty swell.  Way down in the booming town of Hidalgo, Texas, the Iowa Energy swatted the Rio Grande Valley Vipers 123-106 on Sunday night.  One more win with triple-double man Curtis Stinson and the Iowa Energy are champions!  Who they play for the title?  I don’t know.  The article did not say.  I am not even sure if it will be televised.  Perhaps ESPN Deportes de América Central will pick it up.  Ok, moving on.

4.         On Saturday, junior college player, Anthony Hubbard, picked the Iowa Men’s Basketball team as his future home.  Hubbard, a 6-5 guard, averaged about 20 points and 10 rebounds for Frederick Community College in Maryland.  He will have two years of eligibility remaining.  He picked Iowa over future rival Nebraska.  Apparently, Mr. Hubbard is an athletic scorer.  He is also a felon.  He went to prison for four years when he was 18 after being convicted of robbery.  He’s 26 now, and from what I’ve read he’s focused on basketball and being a solid citizen.  If this all works out for him, it would make a great story.  Let’s hope.

3.         I am pumping my fists with a sense of feverish mockery on this one!  Mike Hlas of the Cedar Rapids Gazette posted the ESPN College Football Live Preseason Top 25 on his blog, The Hlog (it’s great).  College Football Live is a decent show on ESPN that covers current events in college football, even in the offseason.  I am sure this Preseason Top 25 list is subject to change.  But for the fun—and fury—of it, I’m going to share my opinion on a few poll positions I take issue with.  Florida State at number six: I don’t know if they’re there yet.  First year with Jimbo Fisher last season was a nice ten-win campaign.  Just don’t know if they’re there yet.  Stanford at number seven: I can’t say I like this.  New head coach, lots of replacements on defense.  Andrew Luck is back, but things won’t be the same.  South Carolina at number eight: Steven Garcia was recently suspended for the fifth time.  He’s a punk and his future is in jeopardy.  Even when he played he was no Richard Stanzi.  I seem to remember Iowa torturing him as a freshman in the 2009 Outback Bowl.  Steve Spurrier does not have the same magic that he did at Florida.  Yes, they won their division in the SEC, but got crushed by Auburn in the title game and then lost to Jimbo’s Seminoles in the bowl game.  Oh, hey look everyone!  There is no Iowa!  Thank the maker.

2.         The NFL Draft starts Thursday and ends on July 20^th.  Just kidding, it ends Saturday.  I look forward to reading about the picks after it’s over.  I’ve got no time to watch three days of hootin’ and hollerin’ and Adrian Clayborn in a giant striped suit.  Between now and Thursday, Mel Kiper will blast into Ultra-Productive mode and crank out thirty more Mock Drafts, all of which will be wrong.

1.         I’m pumping my fists until I get arthritis in my elbows over the Iowa Women’s Softball team beating the top-ranked Michigan Wolverines 4-2 on Saturday night in Ann Arbor.  Katie Keim scored two runs later in the game after Jenny Schuelke smashed a home run with pinch runner Jordan Goschie on base for a 2-0 lead in the second inning.  Iowa came into the game at a respectable 7-3 in the conference and 25-16 overall.  But to put this win in perspective, number one Michigan came into the game at 41-3 and 9-1 in the Big Ten.

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