Atlanta Falcons 2007 Draft Preview
Football Betting Lines
04/04/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Falcons have multiple needs on defense, and with the No. 8 overall pick (obtained in the Matt Schaub trade) could justify selecting any of the following players - safeties LaRon Landry (LSU) and Reggie Nelson (Florida), tackles Amobi Akoye (Louisville) and Alan Branch (Michigan), and defensive ends Gaines Adams (Clemson) and Jamaal Anderson (Arkansas). Atlanta could also use a cornerback to play opposite DeAngelo Hall and is in need of depth at linebacker, but those positions look like more of a second-round focus at this stage. If Atlanta takes an offensive player on the first day, he is likely to be an offensive lineman to help protect Michael Vick. Wide receiver is less of a need after the team obtained Joe Horn off the free agent wire. The Schaub trade gives the team a void at backup QB, and it seems obvious that the Falcons will take a signal-caller in the middle rounds to compete with Chris Redman and D.J. Shockley for that job.
2006 Record: 7-9
First Pick: No. 8
Number of Selections: 10 (1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7)
RECENT FIRST ROUND HISTORY: 2006 - none; 2005 - Roddy White (WR, UAB); 2004 - DeAngelo Hall (CB, Virginia Tech), Michael Jenkins (WR, Ohio State); 2003 - none; 2002 - T.J. Duckett (RB, Michigan State); 2001 - Michael Vick (QB, Virginia Tech); 2000 - none; 1999 - Patrick Kerney (DE, Virginia); 1998 - Keith Brooking (LB, Georgia Tech); 1997 - Michael Booker (CB, Nebraska); 1996 - none; 1995 - Devin Bush (S, Florida State); 1994 - none; 1993 - Lincoln Kennedy (OT, Washington); 1992 - Bob Whitfield (OT, Stanford), Tony Smith (RB, Southern Mississippi); 1991 - Bruce Pickens (CB, Nebraska), Mike Pritchard (WR, Colorado); 1990 - Steve Broussard (RB, Washington State).
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Arizona has long featured one of the weakest lines in the league, and with disappointing-yet-serviceable tackle Leonard Davis now a Cowboy, the Cardinals could be setting their sights on a player like Penn State's Levi Brown
<< Chicago Bears 2007 Draft Preview
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Bears front seven was pushed around a fair amount in
the latter stages of the 2007 season, so Chicago GM Jerry Angelo and head
coach Lovie Smith are likely to focus on that area on the first day of the
draft. A replacemen
<< Dallas Cowboys 2007 Draft Preview
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The performance of the Dallas secondary was beyond poor
during the second half of last season, and the emphasis in drafting corners
and/or safeties this year will likely be focused on their ability to cover
more than hit. Ano
<< Ducks welcome rival Sharks to Honda Center
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Anaheim Ducks will try for their fourth consecutive
victory tonight, when they welcome the rival San Jose Sharks to the Honda
Center.
The Ducks, Sharks and Dallas Stars have already clinched a playoff berth, but
are s
<< St. Louis Rams 2007 Draft Preview
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Rams were extremely active in free agency, signing
arguably the top wide receiver on the market (Drew Bennett), a very good tight
end (Randy McMichael), serviceable linebacker (Chris Draft), two players with
potential to
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With Ahman Green now a Houston Texan, the Packers have a hole at running back that the franchise has not experienced heading into a season since the pre-Edgar Bennett days. Head coach Mike McCarthy says he's comfortable with
San Francisco 49ers 2007 Draft Preview >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Niners are in major need of a No. 1 receiver after
releasing Antonio Bryant, and might have to look long and hard at multi-
talented Ohio State standout Ted Ginn, Jr. There are also secondary needs,
though the signings of
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2007 Draft Preview >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - If he is still available at No. 4, there is no way the
Buccaneers can pass up Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson. However, if
another team trades up to snatch Johnson with one of the first three picks, it
won't be the
Philadelphia Eagles 2007 Draft Preview >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Outside linebacker and defensive tackle were two of the
Eagles' biggest need areas entering the offseason, but a trade for ex-Bill
Takeo Spikes and the acquisition of former Colt Montae Reagor helped offset
those respective r
D-Backs, Rockies play rubber match at Coors >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of pitchers will make debuts with their new clubs
this afternoon when the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies conclude
their three-game series at Coors Field.
Left-hander Doug Davis was acquired by Arizona in
FOOTBALL BETTING
After all the trouble that’s ensued since Braylon Edwards allegedly punched one of LeBron James’ homeboys in the face at a club, the Cleveland Browns have sent away their last remaining player of worth to the New York Jets. This is a great move for Dirty Sanchez and all, but it’s even better for the Knicks. Now Donnie Walsh can say, “You get to haunt Braylon Edwards with your posse if you sign here!” next summer.
Putting that aside for a moment, the move is a clear indication that the new-look Jets are gunning for the Super Bowl this year. I don’t think that New York thought that Dirty Sanchez was going to be such a rock star. With a 75.2 passer rating that was killed against the Jets, Sanchez is doing an admirable job of managing games and putting the Jets in a position to win. The defense has been the major story in New York thus far, but the acquisition of Braylon Edwards makes this offense loaded with talent that can dent any defense…as long as Dirty Sanchez continues his meteoric rise.
Thus far, Edwards has been a non-factor in the NFL piling up just 139 receiving yards on 10 catches. He has yet to find the endzone, and with the Browns mired in the most unsexy quarterback controversy of all time (Anderson vs. Quinn...yawn), there going nowhere fast. Edwards is two seasons removed from a career year which saw him catch 80 passes for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns when the Browns were the spread killing monsters of 2007. In 2008, injuries slowed the receiver down to just 873 yards and three touchdowns though he played in all 16 games.
So that being said, we really don’t know if Braylon Edwards is just a flash in the pan, or a legit threat. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he is a prototypical receiver. But he’s also shown a strange, and unwarranted, talent for dropping passes. Lining up opposite Jericho Cotchery, a speed demon with 23 catches, 356 yards and a single touchdown, may give Braylon the open looks he needs. A change of scenery may also rejuvenate the star receiver.
In return, the Browns will receive Chansi Stuckey, online football betting a special teams player you’ve never heard of and a pair of draft picks. That’s a tall order for a guy whose only real value right now is in his name, and it shows no promise to the Browns that they can rebuild around those acquisitions. Braylon was the only reason to hope for the Browns to go 3-14 SU this year. Without him, they don’t have a single guy on offense that can scare any team.
For the Jets, it’s a response to the pounding that they took at the hand of the Saints. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington have averaged around 4.0 yards per carry each on the ground, but striking a fair balance between the passing and rushing attacks in New York has been a struggle. You have to believe that the trio of Dustin Keller, Jericho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards will give Sanchez the weapons he needs to unleash through the air. Theoretically, that would open up holes for the rushing game. But the proposed public option health care plan works in theory too. We need to see the proof in the pudding before we start loading up mega bucks on the New York Jets to take the AFC.
The one wrinkle in this whole thing is that Braylon could very well be suspended by the league for disciplinary action due to his “brawl” with LeBron’s friend. If that’s the case, the Jets may have to bench him for a few games leaving them with a somewhat depleted receiving corps for a few games. Also, this is a guy who gets in fights with people at clubs. New York may not be the best place for him. Just sayin’.
The Jets have a long week before they meet the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football Betting in a virtual pick ‘em game. Braylon’s excess baggage may be a distraction, and his curiously low production may be what we should be expecting of him overall, but for the Jets, taking a chance to strike gold is well worth it. At the end of the year, they can simply just blame it on their rookie quarterback.
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