Five Good Questions with . . . Mark Curnutte of the Cincinnati Enquirer about the Bengals

Today's segment of "Five Good Questions" is with Mark Curnutte from The Cincinnati Enquirer....Mark is the NFL beat writer for The Enquirer and provided some feedback about the Cincinnati Bengals....

Q1. How serious do you think the Bengals organization is when they stated they were not going to draft players who have a history of off-the-field problems?
The Bengals are serious. They can not afford to mislead their fans again, which many believe they did a year ago. They should have no trouble finding talented players who fit what they need and what they do who will not get in trouble off the field.

Q2. Chris Henry (photo) has a load of talent but he is the league poster child of bad off-the-field behavior. Do you think Henry will be able to change his image and become an All-Pro athlete on and off the field?
From all accounts, Henry will be suspended some time later this week for at least part of the upcoming season, if not all of it. I would suggest that Adam "Pacman" Jones is the poster boy, though Henry's series of off-field legal brushes is troubling to the NFL.

Q3. Linebacker Ahmad Brooks had a bad reputation while at Virginia therefore many NFL teams did not take a chance on him in the supplemental draft. However, the team has not had any problems with Brooks as he is progressing on the field. Why has Brooks been able to stay out of trouble while many of his teammates have not?
Brooks is a relatively bright man who appears to have learned from his mistakes at Virginia. There seems to be a seriousness to him that Henry, for one, lacks.

Q4. Coming into the draft, what positions must the Bengals address?
Defense, defense, defense. I would say they need a playmaking linebacker, a safety and another cornerback, if not another defensive tackle. They do not have a third-round pick because of taking Brooks in the supplemental draft last year. They pick at Nos. 18 and 49 overall on Day 1 and should take defensive players with both. And they will need to take players, who, like first-round pick Johnathan Joseph in 2006, can contribute as rookies.

Q5. Rudi Johnson has been a workhorse the last few years, however, so many NFL teams are now using a two-back rotation. Do you think the Bengals will address the running back position early in the draft to try and get Johnson some help?
They did that in 2004 with Chris Perry, but Perry has essentially missed his first and third seasons with injuries. The team re-signed Kenny Watson as a free agent in March, and though he is not flashy, Watson is a solid runner and decent receiver out of the backfield. Plus he blocks like a beast, so much so Carson Palmer lobbied for his return. But you're right: A healthy Chris Perry to spell Rudi Johnson would help the run game. But I do not see the Bengals using a draft pick on a running back. They have Quincy Wilson around (former WVa player), who knows the system and could do more than a second-day pick.

I want to thank Mark Curnutte for taking the time to respond.....it is much appreciated!!!....

Supporting my fellow bloggers against Colin Cowturd

I am supporting my fellow bloggers after ESPN radio’s Colin Cowherd deliberately asked his listeners to flood The Big Lead blog in order to overload the server and force it to shutdown because they wrote something about him that he did not like....

Cowherd needs to grow up instead of acting like a child....he is supposed to be a professional....I could never see someone like Tony Kornheiser, Dan Patrick, Mike and Mike, etc do something as childish as this....

Cowherd needs to understand that when you are in the national spotlight, like he is, he has to accept criticism whether it is fair or unfair....no doubt there are people who do not like other media personalities....look at all the flak that Katie Couric has taken over the last year....but you do not see Couric acting childish and asking her listeners to overload a server....

Cowherd needs to get counseling....

Five Good Questions with . . . Sam Farmer of The Los Angeles Times about Dwayne Jarrett and USC

Today's segment of "Five Good Questions" is with Sam Farmer of The Los Angeles Times....Sam is the NFL beat for The Times and provided some feedback about Southern Cal wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett and other USC players who are preparing for this year's NFL Draft....

Q1. Many draft publications have Dwayne Jarrett being drafted in the mid-to-late teens. Do you think he is sorry he did not stay for his senior year to try and be a top 10 pick?
No, I think he's happy to be coming out this season, even though this is an especially strong draft class for receivers. There's certainly no guarantee that another year will bump up his stock. As always, players also have to weigh the risk of injury, a deep class, and/or an unspectacular senior season.

Q2. Character and off-the-field activities are a hot topic in the NFL these days. Do you think Jarrett may have raised some team's concerns after showboating a bit in the Rose Bowl?
No. I think some NFL teams might roll their eyes at showboating, but I don't think it would dissuade a team from taking a guy. Real off-the-field issues are a different story, of course. I talked to several NFL scouts about Jarrett immediately after the Rose Bowl, and they said he did nothing but bolster his value. He had 11 catches for a career-best 205 yards and two touchdowns and was chosen offensive player of the game.

Afterwards, I caught Leon Hall, the outstanding Michigan corner on the way to the bus. He told me: "He's pretty much Dwayne Jarrett, as advertised. I knew he was good before this game, but after today? Definitely."

If Jarrett made a big error this offseason, it was his decision not to work out at the combine. That was a mistake -- and one that could cost him.

Q3. Outside linebacker Dallas Sartz is projected to be a 5th or 6th round pick. Do you think Sartz could be a "sleeper" pick and make an impact in the NFL?
By all accounts, Dallas is a good kid with his head on straight. That could help him make a roster. I don't think he'll be more than a special-teams player.

Q4. Some publications have wide receiver Steve Smith to be selected late in the first round while others have him going in the third round. Where do you see him going and why?
I think he's a second-round pick in the Keary Colbert mold. He runs crisp, precise routes and he's sneaky fast. I can see him being a No. 2 receiver within three years.

Q5. Besides USC players, are there any other PAC-10 players who are "sleepers" in this year's draft who may have an impact in the NFL?
I like Cal RB Marshawn Lynch, ASU tight end Zach Miller, UCLA kicker Justin Medlock, Stanford ILB Michael Okwo, Arizona S Michael Johnson, and one more USC player - C Ryan Kalil

I want to thank Sam Farmer for taking the time to respond.....it is much appreciated!!!....tomorrow we will hear from Mark Curnutte from The Cincinnati Enquirer about the Cincinnati Bengals....

Five Good Questions with . . . Paul Strelow of The State (Columbia, SC) about Gaines Adams

Today's segment of "Five Good Questions" is with Paul Strelow of The State newspaper in Columbia, S.C.....Paul covers Clemson football and provided some feedback about Gaines Adams, one of the top ranked defensive linemen, and other Clemson players who are preparing for this year's NFL Draft....

Q1. Many draft publications have Gaines Adams (photo) as the top rated defensive end. Tell us what makes Adams this highly rated.
Adams possesses what few at his position do -- the quickness and burst to mount a speed rush from the DE spot, while also retaining the size and strength to be an every-down player against the run. Adams still has his weaknesses -- he has yet to develop the counter interior move to offset the outside bull rush, and he must improve his hand techniques. But the raw tools are there.

Q2. Adams had 12.5 sacks and 16.5 TFL last season. Who currently in the NFL does he remind you of?
Simeon Rice, without the chip on his shoulder -- for better and for worse.

Q3. Cornerback C.J. Gaddis is rated low for his position. This is the same guy who held Calvin Johnson without a catch this season. Why is Gaddis rated so low?

Some feel he's a tweener between safety and corner. He's stout and a superb athlete, but he does not display a good feel for the game, nor does he make a ton of plays. It's true that Johnson was held without a catch, but that was as much Clemson's ability to rattle Tech QB Reggie Ball.

Q4. Draft publications have good and bad things to say about wide receiver Chansi Stuckey. What does Stuckey have to improve upon in order to be successful at the next level?
Someone as slight as Stuckey has to develop a niche to get his foot in the door. He is quick rather than fast, so if he can be a more consistent pass-catcher and make the adjustment to being a slot receiver who can take the beating going over the middle, he'll make a career for himself.

Q5. What future NFL draft "studs" are currently on the Clemson team who we should keep an eye on in the future?

Rising sophomore RB C.J. Spiller has future 1st-rounder written all over him. He's shifty with sprinter's speed and good vision, and in many circles has been compared to Reggie Bush. Senior LT Barry Richardson (6-7, 330) will be a first-day pick and possibly a 1st-rounder if he improves finishing his blocks. Junior RB James Davis, sophomore RG Thomas Austin and sophomore DE Ricky Sapp are guys to keep an eye on down the road as well.

I want to thank Paul Strelow for taking the time to respond.....it is much appreciated!!!....tomorrow we will hear from Sam Farmer of The Los Angeles Times about Dwayne Jarrett and the USC players who are preparing for the draft.....

Five Good Questions with . . . John Davis of the Oxford (Miss) Eagle - NFL Draft

Today's segment of "Five Good Questions" is with John Davis of the Oxford (Miss) Eagle....John covers Ole Miss football and provided some feedback about Patrick Willis, the top rated inside linebacker in this year's NFL Draft....

Q1. Patrick Willis (photo) is considered the top inside linebacker in the country even though many people did not see Ole Miss play this year. What is your observation of Willis?
Willis is the best linebacker in the country simply because he is either making every play or in the vicinty when a tackle is made. He seems to be everywhere on the field. He also played through several injuries his junior year and nothing ever stopped his production. For a guy who grew up watching Miami Hurricane football in person, Willis is as good as Ray Lewis or Mike Barrow. He will be in the pros for many years.

Q2. Character and off-the-field activities are a hot topic in the NFL these days. What type of player is Willis off-the-field?
He is an outstanding character guy. He is a good student, always showed up for media interviews and donated his time to local charities and school children. There aren't too many better than Patrick.

Q3. Can Willis handle the speed in the NFL?
He ran the second fastest 40 time at the combine at 4.49. He's plenty fast and he has great anticiapation, which makes him even faster.

Q4. Besides Willis, what other Ole Miss player(s) should we keep an eye for this draft or even in future NFL drafts?
Yes, Rory Johnson should be a late round pick at linebacker. He had a good season, only played one year after transferring from JC, but is quick and has good size.

Q5. Which other SEC players can be considered "sleepers" in this year's draft who may have an impact in the NFL?
Quinton Culberson from Miss. State could be considered a sleeper. A lot of the SEC teams will have a bunch of players in the draft, but most are so well known, I don't know if they're sleepers or not.

I want to thank John Davis for taking the time to respond.....it is much appreciated!!!....tomorrow we will hear from Paul Strelow of The State newspaper in Columbia, S.C about the Clemson players, including stud defensive tackle Gaines Adams, who are preparing for the draft.....

A few Final Four thoughts

Here are my thoughts on the Final Four....

- I want Joakim Noah on my team....let’s be honest, the kid seems a little wacky but how many other All-American candidates go out and set picks or screens for his teammates?.....he is just as happy grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out 5 assists instead of scoring 20 points....he plays with a controlled reckless abandon.... I could see him being the next Dennis Rodman at the next level....a player who will do all the dirty work for his team....

- It seemed as if Florida coasted through the first four games of the tournament....but when it came to the Final Four, they kicked it up a notch against UCLA and Ohio State....

- My favorite quote of the tournament - many people, including me, thought a hungry UCLA team would beat Florida after losing to them in last year’s title game.....before the game Noah commented, "be careful what you wish for"......he was right.....

- I assume Noah, Horford, Brewer, and Green will be leaving for the NBA even though they are only juniors....

- If Florida does lose those players, the Georgetown Hoyas will be the team to beat next year if Jeff Green or Roy Hibbert do not leave for the NBA.....

- Greg Oden - gone....

- Billy Donovan now has a tough decision to make - stay at Florida or go to Kentucky.....how many of his current Florida players return next season will be a factor.....say if all four Gators decide to forgo the NBA once again and try for a three-peat, then I believe Donovan stays.....but if the nucleus of his team leaves, look for Donovan to be in Kentucky blue next season....

Florida will repeat

Florida - 4.5 vs. Ohio State
Tonight Florida could make history by being the first team in 15 years to win back-to-back basketball titles....and I think Florida will do it, but there are some keys to the game....

1. The Gators must take control of the game early and not let Ohio State hang around....if the Buckeyes are, at worst, within 6-7 points with 10 minutes to go, the Gators are in trouble....

2. Florida must control Mike Conley.....let Greg Oden do what he wants, Conley is the key.....

3. The Gators must not let up.....even if Florida is up by 20 points, they cannot relax until the game is officially over.....Ohio State is on a lucky streak right now and things are rolling for them.....just ask Tennessee or Xavier.....if Florida gives Ohio State even a small opening, the Buckeyes will take it....

4. All the motivation favors Ohio State....the Gators whooped them earlier this year....plus OSU wants to avenge the BCS title game slaughter....

5. God will be making another trip to the Georgia Dome tonight.....the Gators cannot let him bother them....

In the end, Florida wins by 10.....