Author Archive for hayatr

20
Apr

Cam Newton to Carolina a Done Deal?

By Ahmed Hayat 36 Comments
Categories: First Pick

April 28th has become a very important day for Cam Newton. Last year on April 28th Auburn announced that junior college transfer Cam Newton would be its starting quarterback for the season to come. And now this upcoming April 28th, Cam maybe announced as the number one pick in the NFL draft. It isn’t a sure thing yet but many people including Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay both believe he will go number one. Also many sources close to Carolina have admitted that they are leaning towards Cam as well. Beat Writer for the Carolina Panthers Bryan Strickland just came out with an article of why Cam will be the number one pick.

Strickland believes the main reason why Cam should be number one is due to the fact that he is not built like any other quarterback anyone has ever seen. At 6’5 248pounds Newton runs a 4.56 40-time and has an incredibly strong arm. Not only did he lead Auburn to a SEC Championship, he also received the Heisman Trophy and a National Title. Strickland states that Cam Newton is a born winner and that translates to the NFL. He knows what it takes to win and will not stop short of it. Strickland also loves Newton’s dedication to the game and how he handles controversy. This year Cam was cited by the NCAA for breaking rules which involved his dad accepting money for Cams playing time. Even though no penalty was given to Newton, he handled the situation in a very professional manner. Cam Newton never threw is father under the bus and stated numerous times that he had no idea what was going on and he did nothing wrong. Now that incident is being them and he can concentrate on football.

Also Cam is always trying to improve his skills. Prior to combine he was a sure first rounder and didn’t need to do any of the drills but he wanted to show to everyone why he is so good. He performed in every drill and performed very well. Strickland knows that Carolina needs a lot of help both on the offensive and defensive side but believes players like Cam don’t come out of the draft every year and someone of his caliber has to be taken number one.

The draft is only eight days away now and Carolina still hasn’t made it official with who they will take with the number one pick but it seems very likely that Cam Newton with be joining the team next year

19
Apr

Hesiman Winner Also Number 1 Pick

By Ahmed Hayat 41 Comments
Categories: First Pick

 

The NFL draft is only a few days away now, and the tension is growing for the number one pick. Since the season has ended Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. have gone back and forth on who they think will go number one. More often than not they never had the same person going number one. But recently in Kipers mock draft 4.0 and McShay’s mock draft 5.0 both of them have Cam Newton going number one.

Mel Kiper has stated numerous times that this is one of the most unpredictable drafts he has ever seen. The clear number one decided to stay in school, labor agreements are still being discussed, and then the high chance of trades makes it difficult to choose the true number one pick. Also it doesn’t help that Carolina is so depleted that just one player can’t fix them. But to start Mel Kiper Jr. believes Cam Newton is the way to go. Carolina has already brought him in for interviews and numerous sources have stated that Carolina was very high on him. Everyone knows the potential Cam has it’s just a risky pick because if he doesn’t become the franchise quarterback like Carolina hopes they will be set back another two three years. But Kiper believes that whoever they choose with the number one pick is risky so you might as well pick the guy who was best in college, and that was clearly Cam Newton who won the SEC championship, National Championship, and the Heisman Trophy.

Todd McShay is more hesitant when putting Cam Newton number one because on his big board he believes Marcel Dareus is the best player but from sources very close to Carolina, McShay heard they want to go quarterback with the first pick. So that leaves two clear standouts Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert. Blaine Gabbert had a great college career and many people would take him before Cam but because of Cam’s incredible size and physical tools Carolina believes he is the next big quarterback. McShay believes Carolina can’t trade this pick because the upside of a number one pick is too much to give up on so he believes Carolina will live and die with the number 1 pick in the up and coming draft.

People will continue to predict who will go number one but until the draft actually starts and Carolina comes up to the stage and announces who they are taking but until than no one truly knows. There is will a week to go and a lot can happen within that week. So as of right now Cam Newton is the projected number one but in a week it can be someone else.

06
Apr

Who Will Go Number 1

By Ahmed Hayat 25 Comments
Categories: Person On The Street

The NFL draft begins April 12th and the biggest question always surrounding he draft is who will go number one. There are many good candidates right now but no one is exactly sure who Carolina will take with the first pick. On the campus of BGSU the same can said. The majority of them believe Marcell Dareus or Nick Fairley will go number one. But there is still a small minority that believes AJ Green, Cam Newton, Da’Quan Bowers, or Blaine Gabbert has an opportunity to go in that spot as well.

Currently of ESPN the two NFL draft gurus Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay disagree with their opinions of who will go first as well. Like the students of BGSU they differ between Marcell Dareus and Nick Fairley. Mel Kiper Jr. in his latest mock draft believes Fairley is the best defensive tackle in college right now and has already proved himself in the big game, like the SEC championship and National Title game. Business major Brian Kruez, 21, from Swanton Ohio, said “I didn’t watch much of Fairley this season, but I can’t deny that he was a monster in the championship game. If he doesn’t do anything stupid he had the greatest potential and that alone should get him the number one spot.” Like-wise Applied Health Science major Scott Brady, 20, from Fostoria Ohio, stated saw Fairley play in the national title game and he dominated, Carolina would just be dumb to not take him number one. Many of the people that believe Fairley will go number one base their opinions on the overall season and the title games. However when asked about Fairley’s combine results all of them said they did not see it. Mel Kiper Jr. is very high on Fairley and states if he can get in a little better shape and stay on the field go more plays he is a perfect fit for Carolina.

Unlike Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN other draft guru Todd McShay believes Marcell Dareus will go number one in his latest mock draft. His reasoning is that he played on the best defensive team all year, was coached by a sure hall of famer in Nick Saben and his overall character and mindset is more on the NFL level than of Fairley’s. Physical Therapy major Ian Smith, 22, from Hudson Ohio, believes Dareus will go number one. He stated that “Dareus was the best DL all year and if it wasn’t for one bad half of football, Dareus would be holding the national championship.” Undecided major Xavier O’Connor, 19, from Aurora Illinois, chose Dareus to go number one because of has combine results. He said his numbers were just too good to be true. He performed well all year and kept it up at the combine. Like many of the students here at BGSU Todd McShay agrees. He believes Dareus was an absolute standout in the combine and if he’s anything like he was in college, he will be great NFL prospect.

But like with any draft, some people think there will be a surprise with the first pick. Some sleepers people having going number one are AJ Green, Cam Newton, Da’ Quan Bowes, and Blain Gabbet. Marketing Major Chris Chance, 19, from Mentor Ohio, favorite player in college was AJ Green and believes he should go number one. Even though he was suspended and hurt for a few games the year he was still the number one WR in college. Chris compared Green to NFL standout Andre Johnson. By drafting Green Carolina will have two great WRs and can make another run to the playoffs. Sports Management major Caleb Watkins, 19, from Middletown Ohio, believes the Heisman winner Cam Newton should go number one. Caleb stated Cam is a great leader and better football player. Whenever Auburn needed a big play they look for Cam t succeeds. He is built for the NFL and will be a great addition to any team.

The other two players chosen to go number one are Da’Quan Bowers and Blaine Gabbert. The two students who choose them were not big football fast but said that what they heard on sport center so there probably right. No on student or ESPN analyst can be sure who will go number one, they can only predict and infer. One will only find out on April 12th when he drafts starts

23
Mar

Combine Results Change Up The Draft

By Ahmed Hayat 8 Comments
Categories: First Pick

The final piece of the pre-season process has come and gone with the NFL Combine. The best predicator of where one will go in the up and coming draft. This year the combine has truly changed the top five projected picks. Prior to the combine Todd McShay had the first five picks going as Da’Quan Bowers, Nick Fairley, Von Miller, A.J Green, and Blaine Gabbert. But after the combine Todd McShay in his latest mock draft has the first five picks going as Marcell Dareus, Von Miller, Blaine Gabbert, A.J Green, and Cam Newton.

In this lately mock the previous top two picks are nowhere to be seen. Da’Quan Bowers is not in the top five now because of his recent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. He is still considered a top 10 pick but teams are a little more concerned to see if he is still going to be the great player he was coming out of college. As for Nick Fairley many people consider him to be the biggest boom-or-bust player in this year’s draft. He is still considered to be the best interior pass rusher, but many questions remain about his character and the amount of plays he takes off. Also many coaches were disappointed in how Fairley has handled his interviews with the teams. He is considered to be a great player, but doesn’t have the mindset of one, and that is very concerning to teams.

McShay believes Dareus will go number one mainly because Carolina has busted with their last two attempts to draft quarterbacks, and that they need a DL very bad. Dareus was an elite player in college, and was coached by one of the best Nick Saben. By drafting Dareus Carolina will not go wrong. The next player was in McShay’s previous top five but because of his great combine results moved up to the number two pick in the draft. Von Miller would be a great fit for Denver because John Fox has stated he will be changing to a four-man-front on defensive. And Von Miller would be the center of that. So it would only make sense for Denver to go with him with the number two pick of the draft. Blaine Gabbert also moved up one spot in this latest draft, and is believed to be the first quarterback projected to get drafted this year. Gabbert with his football intelligence, accuracy, size, arm strength and mobility has all the tools to become a very good starter in the NFL. A. J Green remains ad the fourth pick and the top five rounds out with another quarterback getting drafted, Heisman winner Cam Newton. Ken Whisenhunt is already known for drafting big strong quarterbacks. He was the one who brought Big Ben into the league, and just look at him now. Whisenhunt will try to transform Newton into the next Big Ben, and if that’s the case Arizona will have a steady quarterback for the next few years.

16
Feb

Defense Wins Championships

By Ahmed Hayat 116 Comments
Categories: Defensive players

 

In Todd McShay’s newest mock draft defensive players are going quick and often. McShay projects that the first three picks will all be defensive player, and seven out of the first 10 will also be defensive. The other three offensive players in the top 10 are Georgia WR A.J Green, Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert, and Auburn QB Cam Newton. In this mock McShay have two elite cornerbacks going back to back and four offensive tackles going in the first round. 

The first CB projected to be drafted is Pattrick Peterson from LSU. Peterson is the fastest cornerback coming out and as the best coverage skills of anyone this year. The next cornerback projected cornerback is Prince Amukamara. With the coaching change the Titans just add it’s likely that they will first rebuild on the defensive side. Amukamara was first team all Big 12 and lead Nebraska in interceptions. But the biggest surprise McShay had in his newest mock draft was Muhammad Wilkerson going 32nd in the first round. Wilkerson is from Temple which hasn’t had a player go in the first round for many years now. This would be an accomplishment not only for Wilkerson but for the program of Temple football as well. Wilkerson has impressive size, and as played in the 3-4 for numerous years at Temple. 

The draft is not until April still and Todd McShay knows that until the numbers from the combine come back nothing can be for sure. McShay believes many sleepers will perform well during the combine and jump into the first round because of it. But until than people can only speculate of what will happen.

09
Feb

Defensive Players Taking Over The Draft

By Ahmed Hayat 6 Comments
Categories: Defensive players

With Kiper’s newest mock draft, there is two major changes no one saw coming. Washington quarterback Jack Locker and Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett have fallen out of the top 25. This is the first time all year both of these quarterbacks have been out of Kiper’s top 25. Kiper believes both these quarterbacks have great potential but there are just too many question marks regarding there game right now. In order for them to jump back into the top 25 Kiper believes they will both need to have an outstanding combine. Instead the newest arrivals in the top 25 are Maryland WR Torrey Smith and UCLA S Rahim Moore. Torrey Smith is 6’1 200lbs, with extraordinary speed. But what Kiper loves about him so much is that he can work over the top and underneath. He is gifted enough to use it big body over the middle or run past the secondary on a deep threat. Smith has shown a lot of promise as well, performing  great in his career at Maryland. Finishing with 152 receptions, 2,218 receiving yards, and 19 touchdowns. UCLA S Rahim Moore is projected as the top overall safety entering the draft. He has great coverage skills and can be left on an island if needed and has improved his tackling tremendously which has helped him stay in the game in goal line situations. But like every great safety Moore has great instincts and is a ball hawker. He isn’t afraid to go up with anyone and try for the interception. Currently Kiper has 15 out of the top 25 players being drafted as Defensive players; this year’s draft is very deep on the defensive side of the ball, and when draft time comes many believe there were be numerous trades because of how deep the draft is this year.

02
Feb

Breaking Down the Senior Ball

By Ahmed Hayat 18 Comments
Categories: Senior Bowl

The 2011 Under Armour Senior Bowl was play on Saturday, January 29, 2011, in Mobile’s Ladd-Peebles Stadium. This is football’s premier pre-draft event, annually featuring the country’s best senior collegiate football stars and top NFL draft prospects. A total breakdown of the game was done by Todd McShay, Steve Muench and Kevin Weid.

QUARTERBACKS

A clear standout in the game was Florida State’s quarterback Christian Ponder; he performed the best out of the 6 quarterbacks who participated in the game. Ponder showed everyone how he can perform at 100%. He looked very comfortable in the pocket and often showed off his strong arm. Another standout performance at the quarterback position was Iowa’s qb Ricky Stanzi. In the second half Stanzi completed 6 of his 9 throws which included 2 spectacular throws to Vincent Brown, and one to Lance Kendrick’s. On the other hand there were two quarterbacks who did struggle. Washington’s Jake Locker and Nevada’s Colin Kaepernick. Locker has really struggled since his decision to stay in college. Locker looked flustered often and was stripped of the ball numerous times at practice and twice in the game. He has the tools to be great but seems like he is not mentally strong enough to succeed. And Kaepernick was a product of the system. He ran his offense through the pistol and is not a true drop back passer which will hurt him on the next level. His delivery is very long and it takes him to long to go through his progressions.

Best Player on the Field

Texas A&M’s OLB Von Miller was a complete monster in the Senior Bowl. His open field tackling skills as well as leadership qualities is truly the reason why Miller will be successful on the next level. He not only has the body for the NFL but also the mindset. He knows how to control the middle and often causes quarterbacks mayhem while on the field. He will be the first senior drafted in the up and coming draft.

Busts

Kendric Burney from UNC played well but is clear that he will struggle on the next level. Burney is undersized and does not have blinding speed. He could barely stay with Miami Hurricanes Leonard Hankerson and would most likely be on the field in nickel situations on Sunday. Another disappointing performance was shown by Arkansas’s OT Ryan Kerrigan. Kerrigan is limited athletically and is overwhelmed by pure speed rushers. He often seems unbalanced at times and his best decision may be to transition to a guard on the next level. And lastly Michigan State LB Greg Jones. Jones missed numerous open field tackles and that worries many scouts on the next level. He is not taking good angles on tackles and isn’t getting low enough. Jones will have to do better in the combine or else he will be a mid-round selection.

26
Jan

Carolina Out of Luck

By Ahmed Hayat Closed
Categories: First Pick

With the end of college football now here it is time for people to focus on the NFL draft. The NFL draft will be held April 28th and go on until April 30th. And like every year everyone wants to know who will be the first overall pick. Many believed that the Orange Bowl was going to be quarterback Andrew Luck last game in college. He was going to go out on top and become the number one pick in the NFL draft. However when news broke stating Luck was going to stay for his senior year, everything changed and so did the number one pick. There are still many stars entering the draft but the two standout players at the moment are DE Nick Fairley, and DE Da’Quan Bowers. ESPN draft guru Todd McShay believes Carolina will choose Da’Quan Bowers. He is the best pass rusher and strong enough to stop the run. McShay believes this will be the best pick currently for the Panthers. However another ESPN draft guru Mel Kipper Jr. disagrees with McShay like he usually does and believes Nick Fairley is the way to go with the first pick. He thinks Fairley not only suits the Panthers but is also a very safe pick. He showed his dominance in the BCS championship game and can perform on the big stage right away. In the SEC championship game Fairley had 4 tackles including 2sacks. And then in the BCS championship game he had 5tackles and 1 sack. He is clearly the best defensive tackle coming out and Carolina cannot afford to mess up this pick because it will set them back numerous years. I know it’s very early right now and not much can be determined without the results of the combine but until that happens most people are in agreement with Kiper and believe Fairley will go number one.

24
Jan

About Me

By Ahmed Hayat 33 Comments
Categories: About Me

My name is Ahmed Hayat and am a full time student at Bowling Green State University. I am majoring in Sports Management and also minor in Journalism. My hobbies involve playing watching and betting on sports. In high school I played soccer and baseball. Now in college I still continue to play but just  more as a fun activity than an organized sport. I love watching sports and watch everything from the major sports like football and baseball to soccer and tennis. I can talk about sports for days and thus this blog will mostly consist of that.  The basis of this blog will be about the up and coming NFL draft in April. I will discuss the possibilities of the number one pick as well as a break down for the whole first round. Also the blog will talk about possible trade talk, as well as the most up to date information about the draft from experts including ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr and Todd McShay. I will give you both their projections as well as mine. Hopefully you enjoy reading my blog and may learn a thing or two about the up and coming NFL Draft.