The 2010's Reflection Baseball Edition

The end of the nameless decade is less than a month a way and before we step into the roaring 20's I'm going to take a look back at the last 10 years of the sports I like to talk about. Tonight let's visit the past decade of baseball in the coming weeks I'll talk some NASCAR, College Football, and probably the NFL. Baseball is my first love so let's get into it.

Team of the Decade: San Francisco Giants
Well if it wasn't obvious who I would pick. The Giants won 3 of the 10 World Series, more than any other team, they made the Postseason 4 times, which isn't the most by any means but still respectable. The key to the Giants was great pitching, getting hitting hot at the right time, and great pitching again. My favorite part of the Giants run through the first 5 years of the decade was it was different ace every year. 2010 Tim Lincecum dominated, then 2012 Matt Cain was the horse, and finally 2014 Madison Bumgarner had a dominating postseason. Only a few players were on all 3 teams, most of the 2010 position players didn't stick around, sans Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval who wasn't an every day player in the postseason.

Player of the Decade: Mike Trout
Again the answer was obvious, Trout threw up a 72.5 bWAR and 73.4 fWAR, higher than everyone is baseball for the decade and he didn't play 2010 and only played 40 games in 2011, he basically gave everyone a 2 year head start and nobody was close to him. 285 Home Runs, 200 SBs, while batting over 300 and pushing across 752 RBIs for all you old stats people. He is the most dominate player in baseball and has been for 7 years running.

Now let's pick a starting 9, 5 man rotation and a bullpen (of sorts)

Catcher: Buster Posey
This is a close call between Buster and Yadier Molina, but Buster gets the nod because he's got the hardware. Buster has an MVP, 4X Silver Slugger, batting championship, and of course 3 rings. He truly was the best all around catcher for the decade, sorry best fans in baseball.

First Base: Miguel Cabrera 
Again another close call between Miggy and Joey Votto. I give the nod to Miggy with the hardware and the postseason success. Miggy also won the Triple Crown in 2012, if you're into that sort of thing. He even played third most of that Triple Crown season. Miggy was a dominate player in the early part of the decade and even though he's struggled last couple years, I think he did enough to get in the line up.

Second Base: Jose Altuve
Another close call between Altuve and Robinson Cano. This time I'm choosing Altuve for a few reasons, he got a ring and MVP, 3X batting champion, meanwhile Cano has none of those things and a PED suspension, which I'm using to split hairs, I don't care he used. Altuve is a hitting machine and is the heartbeat of the team of the 2nd half of the decade. I think we would all want Altuve in our line up.

Third Base: Adrian Beltre
Man do I want to put Nolan Arenado on that line, but Beltre is going to the Hall of Fame and the work he did from  2010-18 is part of the reason. Dude played amazing defense, hit the absolute shit out of the ball, tallied 3,000 hits in his career, hit 227 homers in the decade. He was a great great player and will have his Cooperstown day in a few years.


Shortstop: Andrelton Simmons
This is one of the tougher choices. Shortstop the first 5 years outside of Tulo was a wasteland. The last 5 years have been amazing with the arrival of so many great young studs. However, Simmons played the entire decade, and mostly because of his defense he led all SS's in bWAR. Simmons can play on this team, gobble the ball up at SS, bat 9th and we'll still win 120 games.

Left Field: Alex Gordon
This sucks, left field has been a wasteland for the decade, I've seen lists with Braun and Yelich on them, but I'm going with Alex Gordon, based on his defense and he played the entire decade out there. He isn't amazing and doesn't have any stats that jump off the page. He won 7 Gold Gloves in the decade, was a 4 WAR player per season the first 5 years. Again, he may not have the biggest numbers but he has a ring and honestly he's probably the purest LF of the decade.

Center Field: Mike Trout
See above for all the reasons Trout belongs on this team. If I could use this space to make a case for Andrew McCutchen as this teams 1st outfielder off the bench. Cutch put up great numbers in the decade and just so happens to be behind the best player in the last 50 years.


Right Field: Giancarlo Stanton
Chicks dig the long ball and so do I. This is a close race between, Stanton, Bryce Harper, and Mookie Betts. I'm giving the nod to Stanton. He was 3rd in the decade in homers with 308, and that was with being hurt for large portions of different seasons. Stanton is the best pure power hitter of our time, signed the longest MLB contract ever and has an MVP award.


Designated Hitter: Nelson Cruz
Nelly lead all of MLB in homers in the decade, 346 to be exact. He started the decade in the middle of a power laden Rangers line up that went to back to back World Series, and then he ended the decade in the middle of a power laden Twins line up that made the postseason in 2019. Cruz was awesome and belongs on this team.


So here is the line up
1) Mike Trout CF 72.5 WAR
2) Jose Altuve 2B 38.5 WAR
3) Miguel Cabrera 1B 43.5 WAR
4) Nelson Cruz DH 34.3 WAR
5) Giancarlo Stanton RF 39.9 WAR
6) Adrian Beltre 3B 51 WAR
7) Buster Posey C 42.2 WAR
8) Alex Gordon LF 31.5 WAR
9) Andrelton Simmons SS 36.9 WAR

Now the rotation

The Ace: Clayton Kershaw
Kershaw is a beast, has been the most dominate regular season pitcher of the decade. He belongs on this team, 3 Cy Young awards, 2nd twice, and the MVP in 2014. That's 5 years where he has been either the #1 or #2 pitcher in the NL. He racked up 156 W's if you're into that sort of thing, plus over 2,000 K's in the decade. He truly was the ace of the decade. Only knock is the zero rings which I'm only pointing out for my own amusement.

The #2: Justin Verlander
What would a rotation be without a 2-time Cy Young winner and MVP winner as the 2nd guy to take the mound. Verlander was the absolute beast of the decade. He lead the AL in innings 3 times, and K's 4 times. For comparison in 2011 he had 24 W's 2.40 ERA 250 K's in 251 Innings as a 28 year old, 8 season later he put up 21 W's 2.58 ERA 300 K's in 223 innings. Plus all him domination in between, along with Kershaw they were the best pitchers of last 10 years, and Verlander may be the best of our generation.

The Bulldog: Madison Bumgarner
My staff isn't going to be just the 5 best pitchers of the last 10 years based on regular season numbers. I need that guy who is going to come in and be the bulldog, win you that game that needs won. Say the Wild Card game in 2014 9 innings 4 hits 0 runs 10 K's, or Wild Card game 2016 9 innings 4 hits 0 runs 6 K's. Mad-Bum truly was the bulldog of the decade, he locked it down in the 2010 World Series game 4 as a rookie, he struggled in 2012 postseason but still went 7 shutout innings vs Detroit in the World Series, then in 2014 he went full on Bob Gibson vs the Royals, 21 innings 1 run 17 K's, a complete game shutout in Game 5, plus the greatest relief appearance in World Series history in Game 7. He belongs on every all decade team, not because of his regular season stats but because he was an absolute monster when the lights were the brightest.

The Playoff Warrior: Jon Lester
Lester is another guy who doesn't have the elite numbers but you know what he's done? Pitched in the Postseason 6 times in 10 years. I want that guy on my wall, I need him on my wall. 2013 Posteseason Lester went 34 2/3 innings 6 earned runs and 29 K's for Boston, then in 2016 35 2/3 innings 8 earned runs and 30 K's helping the Cubs get their ring. The dude is a gamer and I want that type of dude on this team.

The Youngin: Jacob deGrom
Want a funny story, Jacob deGrom is older than Mad-Bum, he just debuted 5 years after him, so his innings are much less. Since debuting in 2015 all deGrom has done is, win Rookies of the Year and 2 Cy Youngs, while sporting a 2.62 ERA and racking up 1255 K's in 1100 innings, he is awesome. deGrom has come so far in just 5 years and to be considered one of the greats of the decade is amazing.

The Closer: Craig Kimbrel
He was an absolute shutdown pitcher for 9 of the 10 years, since debuting in 2010 Kimbrel had a career WAR over 20, until 2019 brought him back down with a negative .5 WAR. He lead the NL in saves 4 years in a row. Never had a season below 13 K/9, and has only 1 season where he's given up at 1 hit per inning, again the debacle that was 2019. Kimbrel to me gets the edge as our 9th inning guy.

The Set-Up Man: Sergio Romo
In a game dominated by velocity, Romo has done it differently. He has rode his slider to be the best set up man of the last 10 years. Sergio has done every job in the bullpen, set up man, closer, and even opener, but he was dominate in the 8th inning for a few years, and when I think of the 8th inning guy, he's the dude I think of.

The Relief Ace: Andrew Miller
The Relief Ace is next great thing in baseball, many teams are trying to copy what Andrew Miller did in the middle of the decade for the Yankees and Indians. Starting in 2014 Miller put up ERAs of 2.02 2.04, 1.45, and 1.44 and over 60 innings in all 4 seasons, coming out of the bullpen. He dominated his innings for 4 straight seasons.

That's it, that's the team. It took me a while to put this one together and it may not be perfect but it's what I think would make a great team. There are plenty of guys not mentioned but hey sometimes guys come up at the wrong time. Feel free to yell at me about my homer picks and my blatant disregard for the Cubs, except for that one guy. Let me know your all decade team on twitter @derekbredeson, comment on here or comment on the Facebook link, catch ya next week with some NASCAR decade talk.

The Case Against The Playoff

It's championship Saturday, Ohio State is struggling on offense, somehow the Minnesota defense has found the formula to shut down one of the best offenses in the country. On the other side of the ball Chase Young has been out since the 2nd drive with an apparent hamstring injury and the Gophers offense has used that to their advantage. Minnesota is holding a 13 point lead with 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter. Suddenly Ohio State has life, Fields starts finding his receivers and the Buckeyes march down the field and get the game with  6 at the 3 minute mark.  Ohio State elects to kick it deep with 3 time outs remaining. Minnesota obliges and Ohio State gets the ball back with 2:35 left on the clock. Fields again gets it going as the Buckeyes drive the 68 yards and score a TD as time expires, it's pandemonium, the roof is ready to blow off Lucas Oil Stadium, the Buckeyes need an extra point to win the Big Ten Title and finish the season 13-0. They snap it back and a Minnesota LB Carter Coughlin blocks the kick, defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr. scoops it up and runs the ball 90 yards the other way and converts giving Minnesota a 29-27 win and they win the Big Ten Championship. PJ Fleck is rowing his way to the Rose Bowl, somewhere the Gophers haven't been to since 1962. What an amazing moment, you can't believe it happened, you look on social media and what is everyone talking about? Fox throws it to the studio show what are they talking about? You watch Sportscenter, what are they talking about? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE PLAYOFF. An incredible turn of events ruined by one talking point, "does Minnesota belong in the playoff?" And that my friends is why the playoff sucks.

The college football playoff is a cool idea in theory, we take 4 teams let them settle it on the field. My problem with playoff though is it takes moments like the one above, possibly the most unlikely scenario in the history of football, (aside from the kick 6 and Michigan vs Michigan State 2015), and makes it the second part of the story because of the all important playoff. The playoff hangs over college football like a cloud all year long. Lose a game in September, what does this mean for their playoff chances. A "surprise" team is 8-0 entering November, "why doesn't the playoff committee respect us." Alabama, "how is the playoff committee going to make sure they make it." The playoff which let's be honest really only affects about 8 teams in college football, is the driving force behind every conversation about the game. No other sport has these discussions because the margin for error is much broader in every other sport. It riles up fan bases and makes their expectations super high.

To me college football is special and unique, it has it's flaws. Mainly the CTE without getting paid, but that's slowly changing. I prefer the college game to the NFL, not because I think it's a better game but because I like seeing guys with flaws make plays. There is an excitement to a college game that you just don't get in the pro's, that's my opinion it's probably wrong just me though. Part of the specialness of the college game is playing your neighbors, and all of your neighbors have a team. College is built on rivalries, whether it's OSU-Michigan, Texas-Oklahoma, Army-Navy, even Colorado State-Wyoming, which I didn't know was a rivalry until Josh Allen called Colorado State the sheep last week. Being regional is what drives the game. What the playoff does, is it takes some of the edge out of that rivalry. 2 weeks ago a small but vocal group of Iowa fans called the Minnesota game "meaningless" after Iowa's loss to Wisconsin thus leaving Iowa out of the B1G Championship Game. When you play Minnesota for Floyd of Rosedale it isn't meaningless, it's a big ass game and I don't care if Minnesota is 9-0 or 0-9, it means more. But the playoff has changed the narrative, as soon and someone not in the chosen ones loses a game their season is "over" and the bowl game is "meaningless" and winning 9 games is "mediocre" and so on and so on. Basically the playoff has given fans another thing to bitch about and they don't need more to bitch about.

And that's the next point, the playoff just turns into a big bitchfest. Why does the SEC and ACC only play 8 conference games while the other 3 conferences play 9, THAT'S NOT FAIR. Your cupcakes were softer than our cupcakes. We play our cupcakes September not November. They haven't played anyone, And on and on it goes. College Football lives for debate, but the playoff hasn't squashed any of the debate, in fact it's enhanced it. Instead of arguing over 2 teams claiming a National Title, we're arguing over why Penn State was ranked ahead of someone they lost too when Penn State had a huge game in 4 days and when the new rankings were coming out they would either have earned that spot by winning their huge game or fallen back behind by losing that game. Look I did this dance in 2015, I yelled at the TV, demanding respect for Iowa, but I also said if they go 13-0 they will get in. The debates are so over the top they are basically political all the time, there is so much "what about isms" it's a joke. People brag about who they lost too, well our loss is better than your loss so we should be higher. That's so stupid, winning doesn't matter anymore it's all about who you lose too.

Another thing about the playoff is 2 of the last 3 years it was unnecessary, Alabama and Clemson destroyed their opponents both years as #1 and #2, now it doesn't always happen that way but we everyone knew they were the best 2 teams them seasons, the semifinals were formalities. It's just and unneeded extra game that gets played on weird nights because of when New Year's Day is and the Rose Bowls refusal to not be New Years Day in the late afternoon. In the BCS, or even the prehistoric preBCS days the champ game could be played without the crappy 31-0 drubbing in the semifinal. Those games aren't entertaining and that's what the playoff is, a television show for entertainment.

That brings me to my final point, what is the goal of college football every season? Crowning a National Champion is cool and all, but to me it isn't the most important part of the season. If winning a National Championship was the goal for everyone then after week 3 80% of teams would be done. To me college football is about everything I've written about, it's about your rivals first, then your conference, and if you're good enough then we can talk National Titles, but with the playoff those first 2 things become mute because winning a conference title isn't a prerequisite for the playoff. The playoff is fine if it's put in proper perspective, but it isn't. The playoff drives the narrative of college football year round and drives fan bases crazy for no reason. Let's go back to the BCS and with just 1 game, let's get the magic back in college football, and let's have fun arguments instead of these silly playoff discussions 1 minute after every game.

That's all I got for this one, I know my opinion is unpopular but I'm ok with that. This was kind of a jumbled mess but I think I got my points across. Hit me up on twitter @derekbredeson. Come back next week for more, maybe.......

Them Cheating Cheaters

It's been over a week since Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich blew the lid off Major League Baseball by publishing a report about the Houston Astros using a sophisticated system to steal signs from the catcher and a not so sophisticated way or relaying the signs to the hitter during the 2017 regular season. If you haven't yet go to the Athletic and read their reporting, they have a follow up story about telling their scouts to film signs when they are in opposing stadiums.  After reading the article for on twitter and find @jomboy as he breaks down the at bat in 2017 that Rosenthal and Drellich use as a testimony from former White Sox pitcher Danny Farquhar. The video is very damning. Since then there have been a few questions about the practice and I figured why not give my view on a couple parts of this. I haven't done much research aside from reading the original article and watching a couple ABs from Astros hitters from 2017 where you can hear the banging before a home run.

First question: Is it cheating? Yes, in my opinion it's cheating. You got a runner on 2nd, he picks up the signs and relays them to the hitter, that's gamesmenship, you put a camera in CF and have a guy bang a garbage can with no runners on base that's cheating. Sign stealing by humans is as old as baseball and part of the game. What the Astros did is over the line, you can't have that kind of system in place. An employee sitting there banging a garbage can watching a monitor in real time is cheating beyond cheating. The signs from a catcher to a pitcher are important for many reasons and one of the biggest is player and umpire safety, if a catcher isn't sure what pitch is coming he's in danger. Every watched a video of a catcher crossed up, it usually doesn't end well. Anyway so signs are a necessity and aren't going away. They must be protected, especially in this era where MLB limits how many times a catcher can talk to a pitcher in the middle of an inning.

Second question: Are the Astros the lone offenders? I doubt they are, but the Astros are maybe the most hated franchise in baseball at the moment and other clubs are willing to line up and speak out against their actions. The Astros from office isn't well liked for some of their practices (see ex: Osuna, Roberto) and I think other clubs were willing to let their players put their names on this report with repercussion just to make the Astros look bad. I'm not sure who else could have been doing it and I doubt we'll ever find out, the Red Sox were fined after 2017 for using Apple Watches to communicate during the game. One of my favorite games is wondering who is the worst team from 2017 to use this cheating method, like if the Giants or Tigers cheated their way to 64-98 records how funny would that be? Anyway I'm sure this story is far from over so in due time another team or 3 will be named.

Third question: What should be done? This is wear this get tough, what can MLB do to the Astros or any other club found to be cheating to this magnitude. The Red Sox were fined in 2017. Early word is the Astros could be fined 2 million dollars and draft picks, honestly drop in the bucket. 2 million is nothing to these teams, so I think MLB has to come down hard. They can't take the World Series title away, they aren't the NCAA. I think they have to come down on the faces of the franchise and I propose, 200 game suspension for AJ Hinch (the manager) and 3 year ban for Jeffrey Luhnow (the general manager). MLB has to show they take this seriously much like the NFL came down on the Saints after bounty gate. Hinch was feet away from the garbage can so you know he was aware of the system, and Luhnow is in charge of everything so he had to approve the scheme. I don't think you can go after the players but you can make an example of the team, and hopefully put an end to this.

That's it for this one, I'm looking forward to seeing what MLB does and if they find out more than the initial report. Either way it's a bad look for baseball and not what you want in the off season news cycle. Let me know your thoughts on twitter @derekbredeson or drop a comment. Hoping to keep doing a couple of these a month.

Top 10

The beauty of music is that whatever music hits you and makes you groove makes that music good to you. I have been guilty of telling people their music sucks but I've tried to change that mentality in recent years. You can't help what a song makes someone feel, whether it's a memory, an important point in their life, or even the video being so good they learned to love the song. So in my return to blogging I'm going to publish my top 10 songs ever. This list could change in a week, it could be the same in a year, you never know, hell I might find a song I love tomorrow (not likely I've hit the point where new music isn't for me and I've accepted that, I'm 37 nobody writes good music after they turn 35).  So here we go, my favorite songs ever, ever ever.

#1 Metallia "Nothing Else Matter" I used to listen to the Black Album every night when going to bed. I had a portable CD player and little speakers plugged into the head phone jack.  I listened to that CD every night for 3 years.  Nothing Else Matter was and still is my favorite song from that album, you don't hear it often but the song just speaks to me in a lot of ways.

#2 Notorious B.I.G. ft/ Bone Thugs and Harmony "Notorious Thugs" Another song from my high school years.  I got Life After Death and would listen to it on the way to basketball and baseball games.  Notorious Thugs was a great start to the double album and I usually played it right before getting off the bus, I'll still play the CD every once in a while.

#3 Billy Joel "Piano Man" In my college years my brothers and I would lock arms and sing this song at every party and we still do it at weddings.  I know all the words and in my drunker years I would sing it at karaoke without looking at the screen.

#4 Gary Allen "Right Where I Need to Be"  It's the song I chose for our first dance at our wedding, we went and saw Gary Allen for our 5th anniversary. Was a great show and a fun night, still love the song and reminds me of the days when I first met my wife and I was traveling all over the place for work.

#5 Sevendust "Face to Face" You want to see me make a fool of myself? Play this song and I lose my shit, I have no idea why but it just hits me. The words and the music just fit and it's the best damn Sevendust song there is. I become a 1 man mosh pit whenever it hits.

#6 Carly Rae Jepsen "Call Me Maybe" It's the best damn pop song ever in my opinion. It's catchy as all hell, it's got the perfect verses and the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders made the best version of the lip synch video. This song is my damn jam, I love it I love it I love it.

#7 Nelly "Batter Up" I like Nelly, I like baseball, Nelly raps a song with baseball as the theme, what else could you want?  It's on the Country Grammar CD and I wore this song out with Country Grammar, Ride Wit Me, and St. Louie.  Man that album was the album of the summer in 2000, you couldn't get away from it. I remember moving into my dorm that fall and 4 rooms had the album playing and after I got my stereo plugged in it was 5 rooms, so many memories. Plus Nelly and Ali do play by play on the song, so great.

#8 Dispatch "The General" This entire idea started the other day when I heard this song on Pandora and it got me thinking about what my top 10 are. I found this song years after it was made but I still love the hell out of it.  It's just a simple song that's totally great and has a great story.  It doesn't have some deep meaning to me, I just love it.

#9 Rise Against "From Heads Unworthy" Such a damn good song. Falls into that category of not the most popular song on the album, but the deep cuts are what true fans like, right? I'm kidding but seriously I love this song, it's got 3 different breakdowns in it, lots of great lyrics. One lyric I love, "I'm not after fame and fortune, I'm after you, when I served my time I swear I will come back for you" just that verse makes the whole song for me, so good.

#10 Semisonic "Closing Time" Well much like my wedding I have to end with this one.  Not sure why, but it's been my jam forever. I can't remember when the light bulb went off for me but it hasn't gone off yet. The song is about life and it's a great listen, just remember "you don't have to go home but you can't stay here."

There you have it, my favorite 10 songs. You may not like it and think I'm crazy but that's the beauty of music, everyone hears it differently. Of course I would be remiss to have an honorable mention. Every song from the first 2 Linkin Park Albums, every song from Eric Church's Chief Album, "Happy" by Mudvayne, "Psychosocial" Slipknot, "South Texas Death Ride" The Union Underground, and "Breathe" Nickleback.  That's the list, let me know some of your favs, we can hash it out.  Follow me on Twitter @DerekBredeson and who knows I might do a few more of these.

Chase Utley

If you follow me or the QC Hassle guys on Twitter you might of saw how we passed the time during the World Series and part of the NLCS.  It all started with a terrible tweet by me, I asked if anyone could describe Chase Utley's hair cut to me.  And well this started.  I didn't filter anything, I tried my best to find all of them on twitter, our threads were all over the place and we had a lot of reply fails, but here you go.  Some are awesome and some suck but let me know what you think either in the comments or on twitter.  I would love to pick 10-20 and do something cool or put them all in some sort of coffee table book, if anyone has access to a printing press. So again starting in the NLCS Dodgers vs Cubs I tweeted, Can someone talk to Chase Utley about his hair?

Utley looks like the guy who worked at his dad’s insurance agency for 12 years while being the Assistant Coach of the local High School baseball team. Then the Head Coach job was opening up, so he returned to college as a non-traditional to get his education degree.  Now he is currently your P.E. Student Teacher and it’s just awkward. @JAY_FOS

Now he’s in his late 30’s and thinks he’s still got it so he goes all out at open gyms for the basketball team. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley would name his kid Chase Utley Jr. @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley would throw inside at coach pitch 8U Little League @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley once started a bench clearing brawl at the company softball game. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley threatens to take his bat & ball and go home, and he does. @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley argues balls and strikes at beer league softball. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley coaches his daughters Junior High Basketball team and dunks on them during drills. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley thinks it’s hilarious to start a foot race with “Ready. Set. Smoke a Cigarette.” @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley barks out coverages on defense playing 2 hand touch football in the back yard. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley replies to every @ tweet. But only with “You Mad Bro?” & “Why So Serious?” GIFs. @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley buys college girls drinks all night and tries to fight their boyfriends in the parking lot at bar time. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley loves the song “Don’t Stop Believing.” @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley orders a Seagrams 7 & 7Up drinks by saying, “I’ll have a 14.” @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley drives a Firebird with the T-Tops off year round and has Whitesnake on repeat in the CD player. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley offers to help you move apartments but he doesn’t lift anything and just eats your pizza and drinks your beer for “helping: @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley always screams “I GOT IT,” after hitting a pop fly. @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley has a “Gas, Ass, or Grass Nobody Rides For Free” sticker in the back window of his pick up. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley licks Puig’s bats. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley always tells his taxi drivers the “quickest way to get there” directions. @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley always takes your last beer. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley is a HUGE Game of Thrones fan. Big Time. Like, the biggest. Owns every season. Read every book. Don’t believe him? Just ask him. @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley is secretly a scientology follower. @troythewino

Chase Utley believes MLB would be better if Brian McCann were the commissioner. @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley knocks his empty glass on the bar & calls the female bartender a barmaid #Dodgers. @troythewino

Chase Utley thinks Hooter Waitresses and Stripper really like him. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley never takes less than 17 items into the 12 items express register at the grocery store. @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley is completely unaware on how to navigate a roundabout. @troythewino

Chase Utley spent your entire wedding hitting on your mom. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley hit on my wife at my wedding. @troythewino

Chase Utley raps on the Burger King spice spice baby nugget commercial. @troythewino

Chase Utley owns 2 pit bulls, 3 cats, a guinea pig, 1 boa snake, & 14 chickens in a coop. Guess what they are named? Yep-Chase Utley. @JAY_FOS

These are the Chase Utley Games 1 and 2 of the World Series Tweets

Chase Utley sings Journey at Karoake bars. @milrey76

Chase Utley gives kids fun-sized tins of long cut Skoal every Halloween @DaveLevora

Chase Utley still says “spoiler alert” when he talks about the Sixth Sense. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley has a cigar box stuffed with ticket stubs from every Limp Bizkit concert he’s ever attended. @davelevora

Chase Utley calls Peoria “Little Chicago.” @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley clears his browser history daily. @troythewino

Chase Utley strongly argues Billy Martin’s side of the “Pinetar Incident.” @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley hope the #WorldSeries gets over in 5 games so he can go trick or treating on Tuesday in his favorite costume-Chase Utely. @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley routinely takes sleeping pills because he wants to prove his 1984 statement, “I would totally kick Freddy Kruger’s ass.”  @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley secretly drums for GWAR. @troythewino

Chase Utley still uses Ask Jeeves as his search engine. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley gets excited when his AOL account says “you got mail.” @troythewino

Chase Utley thinks “Pressure” and “Ice Ice Baby” sound nothing alike. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley uses the “Stars and Scrubs” approach to his auction fantasy baseball team. He pays $238 for Chase Utley $1 per scrub. @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley thinks Jerry Maguire is a sports movie. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley was on Family Feud by himself. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley thinks the Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Braves were successful. @milrey76

Chase Utley thought that game sucked. @DerekBredeson (game 2 World Series)

Chase Utley thinks Tony Romo is terrible in the NFL booth and Troy Aikman is fantastic. @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley think Applebee’s is his neighborhood bar and grill. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley only plays Powerball because lottery scratch off tickets “are for pussies.” @davelevora

Chase Utley tells people that Jack Dawson & the movie “Titanic” is loosely based upon him and paddleboat accident he once was in. @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley only tells “you had to be there” stories. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley prefers the original Cy-Hawk Trophy. @tykash21

Chase Utley thinks Blue Moon is a craft beer. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley thinks Major League 3 is the best movie in the franchise. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley needs assistance every time he uses self check out at the grocery store. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley bets $1 on every dog in the number 6 race just so he can say he won later on. @milrey76

Chase Utley was deputized by the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Department. @milrey76

Chase Utley always leaves just his phone number as hit tip to waitresses. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley got stuck in the 53^rd St Middle Rd roundabout for 23 minutes. @troythewino

Chase Utley will shake off all steal signs because you should pay for that fucking Doritos Locos taco you hippie. @milrey76

Chase Utley starts all his tweets with “Don’t @ me.” @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley thinks he’s better looking than Jay Foster & Bryce Harper. @troythewino

Chase Utley gives Natural Light a 5 on Untappd. @DerekBredeson

Now these are from games 6 and 7 of the World Series

Chase Utley gives fun size granola bars out for Halloween. @derekbredeson

Chase Utley wears Chase Utley pajamas. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley only gets on base by unlikely hit by pitches. @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley asked to be the most interesting man in the world. Denied. @troythewino

Chase Utley prefers the Godfather Part 3. @milrey76

Chase Utley has a MOM tattoo on his bicep….still thinks it says WOW. @troythewino

Chase Utley thinks he’s funny when every time he goes to Burger King he orders a Big Mac. @DerekBredeson

6-4-3=2 6-Utley-3=Safe. @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley didn’t join Scientology because he failed Biology. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley ALWAYS dekes a tag. @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley just tagged the dirt, that isn’t a “Chase Utley” joke, he literally just did it. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley wants a Turner mask for Halloween. @troythewino

Chase Utley hasn’t been taken out like that since prom. @troythewino

Chase Utley insists on separate checks. @milrey76

Chase Utley gives his entire name when ordering Starbucks. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley bought Joe Buck that tie. @troythewino

Chase Utley just sent that brunette back left of home plate a hot dog. @troythewino

Chase Utley plays 2 innings and is spent. @DerekBredeson

In High School Chase Utley worked at Foot Locker and called fouls on the customers. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley talks himself INTO speeding tickets. @DerekBredeson

If the Dodger lose Chase Utley is going to put his World Series ring on and tell his teammates see what I did without you fucks. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley still shops at Spencers. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley knows Carly Simon was singing about him.; @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley keeps photos of himself in his wallet. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley has a bumper sticker that says “I Chase Utley am an honor roll student at Chase Utley Junior High.” @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley is celebrating in the Dodgers Clubhouse right now and when asked why he says because I’m Chase Utley and just keep raging. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley is upset Chase Utley wasn’t named World Series MVP

Chase Utley wrote his autobiography but he refuses to read it because reading is for nerds. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley would choose Limp Bizkits “My Way” as his retirement song. @milrey76

Chase Utley cock blocks his wing man. @DerekBredeosn

Chase Utley always takes up two parking spots so his ’87 Camaro doesn’t get door dinged. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley created and runs his own Twitter fan account, you can follow him @UtleyChasers. @crap_heads (that might be me, but don’t tell anyone)

Chase Utley calls fouls in pick up basketball at the Y. @milrey76

Chase Utley thinks Dane Cook is funny. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley requests music at the Strip club. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley has all of Mark Wahlberg’s movies on blu ray. @milrey76

Chase Utley brings a gun to a knife fight. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley gives all his one night stands an autographed Chase Utley baseball card. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley gave himself a nickname, that nickname is Chase Utley. @crap_heads

Chase led the Dodgers team huddle before the game and said “play like Chase Utley tonight and we’ll win.” @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley’s favorite Van Halen front man? You guess it, Chase Utley. @milrey76

Chase Utley quote retweets his own tweets when he tweets something that hits. @tykash21

Chase Utley joins into jokes a week and half late and isn’t funny. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley stacks his license plate registration stickers above the old ones vertically. @tykash21

Chase Utley has personalized plates that read I (heart emoji) UTLEY. @DerekBredeson.

Chase Utley is now dating Madonna. @troythewino

Chase Utley has broken up with Madonna. Now looking for a hotty from Philly. @troythewino

Chase Utley is going to write the forward for Brian McCann’s ironically titled book “Unwritten Rules of Baseball.” @milrey76

Chase Utley just started telling anyone in earshot about how long he has been a Houston Astros fan. @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley never breaks kayfabe. @milrey76

Chase Utley still hasn’t decided on what to order when the busy bartender finally gets to him. @tykash21

Chase Utley just put $20 worth of Journey songs on the jukebox. @milrey76

Chase Utley orders his steak well done with ketchup. @tykash21

Chase Utley never hits on 16 at blackjack. @milrey76

Chase Utley invented the gimmick of asking someone if they can hear your middle finger and then asking if they want you to “turn it up.” @davelevora

Chase Utley owns a golf cart with a T-Top roof and naked lady silhouette mud flaf. He has never played golf. @davelevora

Chase Utley has Monster Mash as his ringtone. 365 days a year. @davelevora

Chase Utley really seems like a cat person. @tykash21

If Chase Utley started a band he would insist on calling it “The Chase Utley Experience” and it’s all Dave Mathews covers. @milrey76

Chase Utley calls out “oh Chase Utley” when he climaxes. @DerekBredeson

Chase Utley tells people he was the ghost writer for that 2014 SI cover article predicting the Astros WS Champ. @JAY_FOS

Chase Utley saw this and said he would kick your ass but it was leg day at the gym and he’s a little sore. @DerekBredeson

Super Bowl LI Preview.

        A tradition unlike any other, my annual Super Bowl Preview.  I only turn this thing on once a year and that's to do a tale of the tape for the upcoming Super Bowl. I'll break it down by positions until we have our winner, with no further ado let's check out the Falcons and the Patriots.

QB Advantage: Patriots, This is nothing against Matt Ryan this is only because according to this reporter Tom Brady is the greatest ever.  Brady playing in his 7th Super Bowl with a chance to win his 5th (most for a QB).  Brady and Ryan are both playing at a high level but if you look at who has what, (which we'll get to) Tom has the slight edge.  If both guys plays to their abilities we'll have one hell of a game.

RB Advantage: Falcons, I like the 3 headed monster New England rolls out with Blount, Lewis, and White, but Freeman and Coleman are both studs.  For context I used Tevin Coleman in fantasy football all year and he was the "back up." Last week Coleman torched Green Bay, with his running and pass catching, him and Dion Lewis are a lot alike but Coleman is better and Freeman is a lot better than Blount who hasn't gotten going in the postseason.

WR Advantage: Falcons, no #disrspkt to New England's white guy posse, but Julio Jones is in the conversation for best WR in the league.  Sanu is a good 2nd fiddle and that Gabriel can be a secret weapon of sorts.  I love Edelman, Hogan, and Amendola but Julio is a match up nightmare and if he does his thing, Atlanta should be in business.

TE Advantage: New England, Martellus Bennet has the edge on Austin Hooper only because of his age and experience.  Imagine if New England had Gronk.

Offensive Line Advantage: Falcons, Atlanta has started all 18 games with the same Offensive Line, that's a huge deal.  Center Alex Mack got dinged in the NFC Championship Game but should be back.  If one of these teams can run the ball they will win.  The lines have to be sharp in pass protection and stay away from penalties.

Defensive Line Advantage: Push, I will admit I haven't watched much of either team, but from what I saw last week, New England will only rush four.  Atlanta did get after Aaron Rodgers a little bit but not much with just 4 guys.  If New England can get to Matt Ryan with just 4 guys huge advantage to them.

LB Advantage: Falcons, only because I like Vic Beasley, other than that not sure.  New England really relies on the LB's in pass coverage, will be interesting how/if they use LB pressure to get to Matt Ryan.

Secondary Advantage: Patriots, and they're gonna need it.  The Belichik Formula is we'll take away your best weapon, so if they neutralize Julio then they got a shot.  Against Pittsburgh they sat back in zone and rallied to the receiver.  Atlanta has a different obstacle, to stop the short passing and WR screen game of the Patriots.  This will be where the game is won, if someone can force a turnover they get the advantage.

Special Teams Advantage: Push, the kickers are the same, punters won't be a factor and either of the returners have ability to break one.

Coach Advantage: Patriots, this isn't even close.  Belichick is in the pantheon of great coaches, Dan Quinn isn't.

Final Score: Patriots 4 Falcons 4, a first ever tie.  Can't say I planned it but it just so worked out perfectly.  I don't have a good feel for this game, I love Brady but I also like Atlanta.  I'm a Julio guy since his Bama days and Matt Ryan is my QB on my Madden Franchise.  This is the first Super Bowl I can remember where I'll be happy no matter who wins.  Brady and Belichick getting #5 would be special and maybe people would realize they are witnessing history.  On the other hand Atlanta getting one would be awesome for the franchise the great players on their team.  Let's have a great game and good time watching, enjoy.  Follow me on twitter @derekbredeson for my thoughts during the game and in general, see ya next year. Forgot my score prediction, New England 36 Atlanta 35, Patriots score as time expires and they go for 2 and get it.

Super Bowl 50 PREVIEW

This is weird, I haven't blogged in over a year, but I'm home sick today and figured hey why not throw up one of the old stand by's from when I blogged a lot.  So without further ado, here is my tale of the tape for the Super Bowl 50.

QB Advantage: Carolina  This isn't an all time discussion, this is who is better right now.  Cam is playing at a high level.  Peyton had 9 TD's and 17 INT's that's pretty bad.  If Cam wins this game and does some Cam shit I think he'll be put in the discussion for Top 5 QB's in the league, in fact he's already there I think.  Look at it this way, who would trade their QB straight up for Cam?  I think everyone but Green Bay, Indy, and Seattle.  I think even New England would since Cam is over 10 years younger than Brady.  Either way Cam is the better QB in this game, and probably the best RB.

RB Advantage: Caroline I think Jonathan Stewart is better than Hillman and Anderson, let alone what Cam can do.  Tolbert is also a weapon at FB, I heard Arians say last week when Tolbert gets the ball Carolina isn't trying to break a big run, their trying to punish you for 5 yards.  I think Carolina is gonna have to keep the pass rushers from Denver honest and if they can run, and keep Ware and Miller guessing they'll dominate.  Denver didn't run well last week, they'll have to though or Manning will die back there.

WR Advantage: Denver D. Thomas and Sanders are better than the cast of characters Carolina marches out there.  Carolina made the Super Bowl without their best WR from a year ago, Kelvin Benjamin has been out all year and they've used a committee to make up for his projection.  If Corey Brown breaks a big one like last week well Denver has no chance.  For Denver they have a reputation of dropping a lot of passes, in their defense they get some of the ugliest balls thrown their way.  These guys are gonna have to show up, even last week Owen Daniels was the main weapon.

TE Advantage: Carolina Greg Olsen is the man, probably the 2nd or 3rd best TE in the game right now.  Owen Daniels is good enough, but he isn't Olsen.

O-Line Advantage: Push The Blind Side starts at LT for Carolina, he isn't a LT, but Denver isn't much better up front.  The Tackles for Carolina are gonna have to great against those pass rushers, where the interior lineman for Denver are gonna have their hands full with that inside push Carolina gets.  Biggest thing for Carolina is to keep discipline and not get called for holding when Cam is back there improvising.

D-Line Advantage: Carolina Kawann Short is the difference maker for me, he gets a push up the middle much like Warren Sapp in his prime.  I haven't watched a ton of Carolina but when I watch them he stands out.  For Denver their guys are space eaters for the pass rushers who play LB.  Also interested to see if Jarred Allen shows up with that broken foot.

LB Advantage: Denver This was tough b/c Carolina has Keuchly, but with Thomas Davis having that broken forearm I think Denver's group is better.  Ware and Miller have already been mentioned, and Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan need to shut down Olsen and tackle Cam before he gets in the secondary.

Secondary Advantage: Denver Aqib Talib and Chris Harris are both shutdown corners, TJ Ward is a missile and will be looking to knock someone out.  Josh Norman will take away Thomas, but the safeties for Carolina are old and Cortland Finnegan is old.  The back end of the defenses are gonna have to work.

Special Teams Advantage: Carolina Ted Ginn is still dangerous.  Gano is solid and who is a punter?

Final Score Carolina 5 Denver 3 and for the first time ever I'm sticking with my tale of the tape.  I think Carolina wins this in a walk, Cam is gonna dominate just like the first 2 playoff games for them.  I don't think Denver has a shot at all, but I also thought before the Champ games that the NFC winner was going to win the Super Bowl.  We are in for a snoozer unless you like Cam and dancing then you will enjoy this game a lot.

Draft Revisited: 2006

   This is the best draft I've looked at so far.  Just completely loaded.  I think there are a few Hall of Famers here.  If you look back at the this class, you had Vince Young, Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush as the big names, however the rest of the guys are the ones who make this draft memorable.  So here we go again, we'll go over the top 10 then the rest of the notable guys taken.

#1 Houston-Mario Williams-NC State.  With all those huge names Houston goes off and takes this guy #1.  Boy were they right Mario has had a better career than Reggie Bush and Vince Young (who was the hometown Houston boy).  Wow this sounds awfully familiar, Houston has the #1 pick and they have the choice between a big time DE or the hometown dynamic athletic QB.  Wow can't believe I just put that together.  Anyway back to Williams, he turned out pretty good and even though he left as a free agent I still think Houston made the proper choice.

#2 New Orleans-Reggie Bush=USC. Supposed to be on of the best RB's ever coming out of college.  Can do it all, can run, can catch out of the backfield, can return kicks.  Reggie had it all, and even though he was never a breakthrough feature back, he has been in the league and is still a valuable player.  Maybe not #2 worthy but he's still a good pro.

#3 Tennessee-Vince Young-Texas.  Well VY bursted onto the scene he senior year.  Lead Texas to a national title.  He then was talked about go #1 to Houston but he fell to 3 and Tennessee.  He had a great start to his career but soon he fizzled out.  He tried to latch on at other places but never really made it.  He is currently without a team but I don't think he's technically retired.  Is he considered a bust?  Not sure how to answer that exactly but I don't think he's an all out bust just a sort of bust.

#4 New York Jets-D'Brickashaw Ferguson-Virginia.  Was probably my favorite player in this draft, mostly for his name.  Brick has made a few pro bowls and is one of the better paid lineman in the league.  He's a solid player and honestly one of the best players in this draft.

#5 Green Bay-AJ Hawk-Ohio St.  Not often a MLB goes top 5, but Green Bay felt he filled a need.  He has been a good pro, has a ring, and is till in GB.  The guy is pretty good.

#6 San Francisco-Vernon Davis-Maryland.  Once again not a typical position to see in the top 10.  Davis has been stud in SF.  The guy could be in the HOF when it's all said and done.  He's had some weak points, being called out by former coach Mike Singeltary, bur for the most part a pretty solid career so far.

#7 Oakland-Micheal Huff-Texas.  What is it about Oakland that when they draft the safe positions it still doesn't work.  I mean they took Gallery he fizzled, and Huff wasn't much better.  The guy was maybe thought as the surest thing in this draft.  He's bounced around but still hasn't been much.  He's bust worthy and even though he wasn't a head scratcher during the draft he seems to be now.

#8 Buffalo-Donte Whitner-Ohio St.  This guy has been one of the better DB's in the league.  He isn't the best probably not considered a top 5 CB, but he has been reliable.

#9 Detroit-Ernie Sims-Florida St.  Finally Detroit doesn't take a receiver in the top 10, but Sims didn't pan out much better than the rest of their picks.  Bust

#10 Arizona-Matt Leinart-USC.  If he would've came out a year earlier some say he would've gone #1.  Instead he stayed in school, fell to 10 and honestly should've fell farther.  Pretty big bust.

Now onto some other notable picks,

You don't have to go far to find the next best player Denver took Jay Cutler at 11, easily the best QB in this draft.

Baltimore got Haloti Ngata at 12, could be a HOF type guy, even though he killed RG's knee.

Hawkeye Chad Greenway went to Minny at 17, he's been a pretty good player for them.

Picks 20-29 gave us 6 eventual Pro Bowlers, Tamba Ali, Davin Joseph, Johnathan Joseph, Deangelo Williams, Marcedes Lewis, and Nick Mangold.  Also Pittsburgh got Santonio Holmes in the 20's, so that's 7 difference makers taken in that neighborhood.

Bears took Devin Hester in the 2nd, a pretty good steal for the best return man ever.

Jacksonville got MoJo Drew in the 2nd as well, his #'s compared to Reggie Bush are actually better so that seems like a pretty good steal.

The 4th round yielded some studs, Owen Daniels, Jahri Evans, Leon Washington, and Stephen Gostowski.

Denver had a pretty awesome 4th round, they got Brandon Marshall and Elvis Dumervil.

Thorn in my side Cortland Finnegan went in the 7th to Tennessee, nice pick by Jeff Fischer there.

The best players to slip through the cracks, were Miles Austin and Tramon Williams.

Really feel that Ernie Sims, Mike Huff, and Matt Leinart were pretty big busts and all 3 teams could've done better.

I think Denver had the best draft, they got 3 Pro Bowlers and Marshall could be an a HOF'er.

That's it for this one, if I have time I'll try to keep this up, follow me on twitter @DerekBredeson

Draft Revisited: 2005

  2005 in my eyes is a horrible draft, you got a few diamonds (see Rodgers, Aaron) but for the most part it was pretty weak.  3 of the top 5 picks were RB's, and 2 of the top 5 aren't in the league anymore.  Let's go through the top 10 then look at some other notable guys taken.

#1 San Francisco-Alex Smith-Utah, a lot of people will say bust and I will agree slightly.  Honestly though he never got a fair shake in SF, Alex had a good year in Kansas City last year, he's not elite but he's a starting QB in the league, just not #1, don't say Aaron Rodgers to 49er fans.

#2 Miami-Ronnie Brown-Auburn.  As you'll see Auburn had 2 stud RB's in this draft, I honestly though Cadillac was better than Brown, but Ronnie has stood the test of time.  He had a few good years in Miami and has since bounced around a little.  As time has shown though taking a RB in the top 5 these days is never a good decision.

#3 Cleveland-Braylon Edwards-Michigan.  I of course loved this pick, I was a huge Michigan fan and I thought Braylon was a great receiver.  Even though he did have 1 great year where him and Derek Anderson were on the same page, he never could find that magic again and has been out of the league for a couple of years now.

#4 Chicago-Cedric Benons-Texas.  Well he's still in the league, has a had a few run-ins with the law which lead to his exit from Chicago.  He was a decent player but still the cautionary tale of taking a RB in the top 5.

#5 Tampa Bay Carnell Williams-Auburn.  The Cadillac was pretty awesome in college.  But he only had one 1000 yard rushing season (his rookie year) in the league.  Never had more than 6 TD's in a season.  He had some knee problems and is no longer in the league.  Hard to call him a bust since he won rookie of the year and you can't predict a guy tearing both patella tendons.

#6 Tennessee-Adam Jones-West Virginia.  The Pac-Man is still in the league as well, but has a long arrest history and a few suspensions.  The fact he's still around is actually pretty impressive.

#7 Minnesota-Troy Williamson-South Carolina. Umm bust? Dude had 87 catches for 1100 or so yards and 4 TD's in his 5 year career, too think Aaron Rodgers went 24th and Minnesota got this guy at 7.

#8 Arizona-Antrell Rolle-Miami (FL).  I remember hoping he would fall to the Redskins at 9, hoping him and Sean Taylor could recreate some of the U in DC.  Rolle has been a good pro, he has a ring from the Giants, can't say horrible things about the guy he's a good pro.

#9 Washington-Carlos Rogers-Auburn. We're 9 picks in and we have our third Auburn player.  I've always though Carlos was a good DB, and he could cover about anyone.  His one knock is he can't catch a cold.  He eventually left DC for San Francisco and he had a great year 2 years ago, can't fault the Skins for taking him.

#10 Detroit-Mike Williams-USC.  In the words of Mike Ditka, he's a slow tight end in a receivers body.  Let's just say Matt Millen had no clue how to draft.  BUST

Now some other notable players taken.

Gotta start with the best player in this draft Aaron Rodgers went 24 to Green Bay, he's got an MVP and a ring, yeah the first 23 teams all screwed the pooch.

Picks 11-15 yielded 4 Pro Bowlers, DeMarcus Ware, Shawne Merriman, Jammal Brown, and Derrick Johnson.  Merriman isn't in the league anymore but he had a few good years.

At 17 one of my favorite guys David Pollack got taken by Cinncy.  He could've been awesome but had neck problems and had to retire early.  Love the guy on ESPN now.

Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and New England all made nice moves late in the first getting Heath Miller, Roddy White, and Logan Mankins respectively.

This draft does have a pretty famous guy in it, in the 3rd St. Louis took Richie Incognito out of Nebraska.

Matt Cassell went in the 7th to New England.

I would say Green Bay had the best draft, they got some guys who were the foundation for the Super Bowl run a few years later.  Of course they got Rodgers, they got Nick Collins in the 2nd, Brady Poppinga in the 4th.

The biggest omission to me would be Josh Cribbs who signed as a free agent with Cleveland.

That's it for the 2005 draft, I think I'll break down 2006 next.  In the meantime follow me on twitter @DerekBredeson.

Draft Revisited: 2004

  With the NFL draft in a just a few days I had a thought, why not try a series of posts looking back at drafts.  Everyone projects the next draft, gives grades right after, but hardly ever do people go back 2, 5, or even 10 years to see the effect a draft had on a team.  I'm going to try to do this everyday but don't hold your breath.  So here is my first installment of Draft Revisited.

2004 had a lot of intrigue, Eli Manning didn't want to play for the San Diego Chargers, and he was the consensus #1 overall pick, I think we all remember how that worked out.  Eli got traded from San Diego to New York after he had to awkwardly hold the Chargers jersey.  In return San Diego got Phillip Rivers the 4th overall pick, they also got a pick they used on Nate Kaeding in the 3rd round.  I would say that draft worked out almost even, San Diego got 2 pro bowlers and Rivers has been the face of the franchise for the last decade.  Manning has 2 rings but also an assload of interceptions since then.  Ok fine New York won.  Let's look back at the whole Top 10 and then the notable players selected.

#1 San Diego-Eli Manning-Mississippi, traded to New York Giants, 2 rings later, both of which came at Tom Brady's expense, the guy is ok.  Not my favorite but I don't think they win with Rivers.

#2  Oakland-Robert Gallery-Iowa, Never panned out at tackle like he was supposed too.  Eventually got moved to guard and was serviceable, just not 2nd pick great, especially when guys like Larry Fitzgerald, Sean Taylor, Jonathan Vilma, and Ben Roethlisberger were available.  Another miss in Oakland I say.

#3 Arizona-Larry Fitzgerald-Pittsburgh, in my eyes probably the best player in this draft.  The guy is a good QB away from being the best WR in the game.  Has been to one Super Bowl and honestly should have better numbers.

#4 New York Giants-Phillip Rivers-NC State, traded to San Diego.  He's good, could be better, not sure Big Ben would be better in SD, probably the right call for them, Eli was never going to play there.  Only thing getting Rivers did was push Drew Brees out the door, which may be a mistake.

#5 Washington-Sean Taylor-Miami (FL), could've been the best safety in the game, guy had an attitude but was starting to fix it until his untimely death.  The Redskins were really set back by his death considering it's not like they get a do over and can get another game changing safety in the top 5.  My 2nd favorite Redskins player ever.

#6 Cleveland-Kellen Winslow II-Miami (FL), the guy is out of the league, was a decent player for a few years.  I would say another whiff in Cleveland, you don't draft in the top 10 all the time when you make the right picks.

#7 Detroit-Roy Williams-Texas.  Well this is the theme Detroit had for a few years, taking a WR in the first round.  They whiffed with Charles Rogers, sort of hit with Williams until eventually hitting a home run with Calvin Johnson.   I will admit that I loved Roy Williams coming out of Texas, I wanted him for the Skins.  However I was wrong, and he is now out of the league. 

#8 Atlanta-DeAngelo Hall-Virginia Tech. Dude is a decent player, not as good as he thinks he is, but he's been in the league for 10 years now.  He eventually left Atlanta, went to Oakland and is now in Washington.  He's found a home with the Skins, he's been very servicable.

#9 Jacksonville-Reggie Williams-Washington. Who? That's right, he's been out of the league for 4 years now, amassed a total of 18 TD's, yeah Jacksonville whiffed bad, imagine Ben in Florida.

#10 Houston Texans-Dunta Robinson-South Carolina. He's still in the league, one of my favorite players in Madden since he always seems to get better.  He plays in Atlanta now, he's alright, always been a starter or a nickel back since coming in the league.  Once again you can't help but wonder what Ben could do in Houston with Andre Johnson.

That's the top 10  let's look at some other notable picks in the 1st round.

I've mentioned him about 5 times but Big Ben went 11 to Pittsburgh, the rest is 2 rings history.

Jonathan Vilma went 12 to the Jets, he of course was in the middle of the bounty gate in New Orleans, along with #18 pick Will Smith.

Vince Wilfork went to the Patriots and Steven Jackson went to the Rams.  Those are about the best picks of the first round.

Some of worst picks are Gallery and of course Reggie Williams.  Some other questionable guys Micheal Clayton to Tampa, and JP Lossman to Buffalo. But for sure Williams was the biggest bust.  I would say though this first round shook down pretty well, and this class actually stood up for itself, hell they have 4 rings at QB in 9 seasons, that's pretty good.

Let's look at the later rounds, I won't dwell too long here.  Colts got Bob Sanders got in the 2nd, he's out of the league now but he did win one defensive player of the year.

The Bears were very focused on the on the front 4, taking Tommie Harris in the 1st and Tank Johnson in the 2nd.  They also got Nathan Vasher who a lot of Bears fans loved for a few year.

San Diego had a great draft getting Rivers, Kaeding, Nick Hardwick, Shaun Phillips, and Micheal Turner, probably some of the best players.  All of whom have played in Pro Bowls.

Kansas City got Jarred Allen in the late 4th.  Probably one of the biggest steals, too bad he didn't pan out for them, but he dominated in Minnesota.

The Redskins took another of my favorite all time players in Chris Cooley in the 3rd.

Matt Schaub was also in the class going in the 3rd to Atlanta.

Gotta give love to Green Bay getting Scott Wells with about 5 picks left in the draft, he worked out alright for them.

Now who do you think is the biggest snub of this draft?  Wes Welker went undrafted and signed with guess who, San Diego, further separating themselves as my best draft.  Too bad they didn't turn that into a Super Bowl.

Hopefully I'll do a few more before Thursday.  Follow me on twitter @derekbredeson