Nick Barnett, pictured here before a Packers game in 2008, tweeted today that he would be cut by the Buffalo Bills today.

Buffalo Bills and former Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Barnett tweeted today that he will be released by the Bills today, Monday, Feb. 11, after two years playing for the team.

The Bills didn’t waste much time as they announced a short time later that indeed Barnett had been released.

Barnett was drafted by the Packers 29th overall in the 2007 draft. He played eight years with the Packers and started 107 games with nearly 800 tackles. His “tomahawk” celebration became famous (or for some, infamous) among Packers fans. It was after he was injured early in the 2010 season that he lost his job. When he was one of the injured Packers who complained about not being included in the Packers Super Bowl team picture he fell out of favor among fans.

The Packers cut ties with him after the 2010 season and he signed with the Bills.

Here is Barnett’s tweet:

I was told I’ll be released today by the Buffalo Bills. Thanks to all the great Fans and friends I have met in Western New York.. It was

— NickBarnett (@NickBarnett) February 11, 2013

The Packers President has been careful, however, to emphasize that any game played outside of Lambeau must be a road game, and not a home game. Surely the Packers masses would go berserk if they were denied a home game.
According the Packers Stock Sale, the most Packer fans outside of the U.S. are in Canada. Canadians purchased 2,000 shares. Perhaps Murphy would consider moving the next Packers at Bills games to Toronto, but the Pack and Bills don’t meet again for at least a couple more years. Stock sales were not allowed for residents of Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.

London has been the preferred choice for NFL teams who play in Europe.
However using the Packer Bar finder on the Packers Everywhere website (http://www.packerseverywhere.com) the only Packer bar in the three major European Capitols of London, Berlin and Paris is in Paris.
I really expected to find one in Dublin or in Berlin. Guess I’ll have to persuade a bar owner in Berlin to register as one on my next trip there.

Where in Europe do you think the Packers should play?

Brandon Marshall is now a Chicago Bear. Was his trade to the Windy City the biggest move of day 1 of Free Agency.Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

No doubt it was a busy day around the National Football League with the start of Free Agency.

Have you kept abreast of every move that was made throughout the day?

Me either.

While there were several moves that raised an eyebrow or two, there were also several moves that didn’t grab much attention.

This is for sure – free agency continues to be the vehicle by which the “bad” teams in the league try to improve their lot by overpaying veterans who may have a name, but won’t necessarily push that team over the top toward a Super Bowl.

Consider the teams that grabbed the most headlines on the first day: Washington, Buffalo, Tampa Bay, St. Louis, Chicago – yes, I lump the Bears into that group … if for no other reason than the fact that they are simply Da Bears.

Anyway, the first day offered some trades (Brandon Marshall to the Bears) signings (Vincent Jackson to the Bucs) and out-of-the-ordinary announcements (Randy Moss to the 49ers – even though he signed on the eve of free agency).

So, we want to know how you feel about some of the moves made Tuesday. Take the poll as we look forward to future action, such as watching Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn, as well as whether Super Mario Williams will really sign with the Bills.

After taking the poll, head on over to Facebook to Like Lombardiave.com and follow us on Twitter.

New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams talks with linebacker Jonathan Vilma (51). Williams will also be talking with Commissioner Roger Goodell about bounties. Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

Bounties; Gregg Williams; New Orleans Saints.

The terms are synonymous these days and with the news that newly-hired St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator/New Orleans, Buffalo, Washington, et al, coordinator/coach being summoned by the league big wigs for a pow-wow about what’s transpired this past weekend, one has to wonder if the fire pit has already been built.

Williams, who has been connected with bounty schemes and play for pay incentives at just about every stop along his career, has been told that he has to report to league headquarters to talk about it. Yes, Williams has gone on record and apologized – publicly admitting that he was aware of his behavior, saying that it was wrong, thus setting up an awkward meeting that will have Williams sitting across from administrators who know deep down that what Williams has done isn’t anything new.

Locker rooms with players’ cigar boxes filled with cash to be handed out to those who fulfill specific incentives is nothing new in professional football and the practice goes back to the early days of the game when it was not only a lot rougher, but not as lucrative. Not only did it add spice to the day’s game, it provided a few extra bucks for the players who not only played the games on the weekends, but held down regular jobs during the week.

To be a fly on Roger Goodell’s wall during this meeting … to hear the noble gestures about ethics and the integrity of the game would be priceless.

No doubt some type of penalties will be incurred – not only by Williams, but by the New Orleans Saints. Press conferences and news releases will include demands by the league for teams to frown upon any future shenanigans and those involved in this most recent activity will again apologize.

Then hopefully everyone will get back to the business of football. There will be hard hits on quarterbacks, players will get injured and carried off the field … that’s the grisly nature of the game.

Will players again get back to slipping one another C-notes? Probably. Will it hurt the integrity of the game? Only if they get caught.

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Joe Philbin is now the former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator, having accepted the head coaching job with the Miami Dolphins. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

With the announcement last night that Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin will be taking the helm as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, huge decisions now face Packers coach Mike McCarthy about how to fill the vacancy and what other coaches and players may follow.

The announcement isn’t a shocker for the Packers given the fact that Philbin interviewed twice with the Dolphins and has certainly earned the right to become a head coach – helping to build and develop the Packers’ vaunted offense behind the play of star quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Philbin is ready to make the move. He’s been with the Packers for nearly 10 years and has earned his stripes. And without question, his move comes at the right time. Surely he enjoyed his time in Green Bay, but the loss of his son to drowning two weeks ago probably gives him good reason for a new venue for himself and his family. There’s something to say about getting a fresh start in a new situation.

See more after the jump and Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Will Charles Woodson and the Green Bay Packers defense show up Sunday? Raymond T. Rivard photograph

What’s been talked about most this week and will be discussed right up until game time of the Packers and Giants showdown this weekend will be just how the Packers are going to deal with that vaunted defense blowing into Lambeau Field.

Well, we know it’s not the Packers’ defense everyone is talking about, don’t we? No, we’re talking about the Giants defense – that same outfit that held the Atlanta Falcons scoreless in the first round of the playoffs.

The Packers defense, on the other hand, has been an enigma, a unit that fills its roster with All-Pros, but throughout the season looked like … well frankly, I’m not sure how to describe them.

They’ve been gashed week -in and week-out on big play after big play as even marginal quarterbacks such as Kyle Orton (twice), Christian Ponder, Josh Freeman, and Josh McCown moved their teams up and down the field, throwing pretty much at will.

More after the jump and don’t forget to Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Kevin "It is Time" Greene has been named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Here he encourages linebackers Clay Matthews and Frank Zombo. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Mike Spofford of Packers.com posted the story below about Kevin Greene and the fact that for the first time he has made the cut as a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Green Bay Packers’ linebackers coach who has brought enthusiasm and a player’s attitude to the coaching ranks for the Packers, has been in Green Bay for the past three years and is probably most well known among the general public for his comments in last year’s Super Bowl that were caught on tape when he told linebacker Clay Matthews that “It is time…” Matthews consequently went out and forced the game-changing fumble by the Steelers’ Rashard Mendenhall.

Spofford’s story spells out the full field of finalists and gives us a look at the personal bio of Greene’s.

Greene named Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist

Posted by Mike Spofford on January 7, 2012 – 3:27 pm 

A semifinalist three times previously, Packers Outside Linebackers Coach Kevin Greene for the first time has advanced to the finalist stage for potential induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

See more after the jump, like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Ted Thompson has made some tough decisions in the past, including the call to release Nick Barnett.

The third of a three-part series

With inside linebacker suddenly an area of concern for the Green Bay Packers, let’s look back at one of the main reasons: Their releasing of Nick Barnett prior to the 2011 season.

As a first round draft pick in 2003, it did not take long for Nick Barnett to crack the starting lineup. He played in 15 games in 2003 and quickly established himself as the leader of Green Bay’s linebacking corps.

But his departure is a classic illustration of Ted Thompson’s draft and develop method. Barnett had an excellent 2010 campaign and came into 2011 with high expectations. He lasted just 4 games before a season-ending injury put him on the shelf and gave backup linebacker Desmond Bishop an opportunity.

And that’s all it takes with the Packers.

Bishop, a sixth round pick in 2007, had been waiting for a chance and he and the Packers never looked back. A solid performance in 2010 led to a long-term contract with the Packers.

Barnett, after his seventh season, was released and ultimately signed by the Buffalo Bills. He has, by all accounts, become the Bills’ defacto leader on defense. Let’s take a look at a side by side stat comparison between Bishop and Barnett:

As we have discussed before, Ted Thompson and Packers have shown that they are willing to sacrifice one or two years of great performance from a player in exchange for not being on the hook for unproductive later years (see Cullen Jenkins). Barnett is still productive, but Bishop has been a beast for the Pack and another example as to why the Packers’ strategy works.

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Could Jared Allen and the Minnesota Vikings be eyeing a move west?

On the same week that the Green Bay Packers announced the details of a stock sale to raise funds for a major stadium improvement, the Minnesota Vikings suffered a setback in their attempt to build a replacement for the Metrodome.

The Vikings were unable to persuade the state government to vote on funding/plans for a new stadium during a special session of the Legislature.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles, thought to be where the Chargers will end up, is back in the picture for the Vikings.

As a Packers fan, I don’t care much about the Vikings. But I do care about how a Vikings move would affect the Packers.

Let’s examine the ways:

1. Would a Vikings move to LA force the NFL to realign the NFC Divisions?

Yes, I believe that the Vikings would no longer be part of the NFC North. The Packers would lose a passion-filled rivalry that has only intensified in recent years (see B. Favre). It doesn’t make sense for the Vikings to fly six-plus hours to play a divisional game. The most logical move would be to swap the St. Louis Rams from the NFC West and Vikings. I wouldn’t call St. Louis “North” but that’s the simplest change.

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As many are looking at Sunday’s games, we can’t be certain about what was happening in one of those instances Buffalo.

One of these questions comes at the end of the Oakland and Buffalo game … After the game was over and the players had left the field, the replay official decided to take a look at whether the final play actually resulted in an interception. As it turns out, the call on the field stood.

Here’s what actually happened … With tongue firmly planted in cheek … 

“Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz …” “hey George, George, wake up, George … George!”

“huh, what? The game’s over?”

“yeah, George, you better take a look at that last play to see if it was actually intercepted …”

“yeah, Ok. Ummmmm… Yeah sure that’s an interception. Game over  … Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz …”

“George, next time let’s get it together. People are going to start talking … George? George?”

Nick Barnett is headed to Buffalo to be a Bill. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Cripes, things are moving so fast in the NFL these days that the minute you write something about someone, it changes.

It’s almost like buying a PC and going back to the store 15 minutes later to find a newer “better” version of what you just bought.

Well, such is the case with Nick Barnett. I wrote 30 minutes ago the Buffalo Bills MAY be interested in his services. Not just a few minutes after posting that blog … it seems it was confirmed. (more…)

Week 2 Game Scout: Bills at Packers–Kickoff: Noon. TV: CBS. Injury report: Questionable–LB Bishop (hamstring), G Colledge (illness), FB Hall (hip), DE Neal (rib/side), CB Underwood (shoulder). Probable–LT Clifton (knee), DE Jenkins (hand), S Martin(ankle), LB Matthews (hamstring), CB Woodson (toe).   Keys to the game–the Bills simply do not match up talent wise with the Packers, one of the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Last season, Green Bay was one of the best at scoring points and stopping the run; Buffalo was one of the worst in those departments. Green Bay’s roster is virtually the same while Buffalo’s is weaker with the losses of WR Terrell Owens and DE Aaron Schobel. The only hope for a Buffalo upset is if it can somehow run the ball and limit the touches Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers has with the ball. If the Bills have to blitz an overabundant amount to get heat on Rodgers, he can name his score with the weapons at his disposal.

Preview: Packers vs. Bills–Stout Bills front, but not much Bills pass rush.  Overload–good Bills returners.

Packers vs Bills Top Matchups:

1. Donte Whitner vs. Jermichael Finley–After an impressive second NFL season last year, the Packers tight end is poised for a big year in Green Bay’s highly-productive passing attack. Finley is more of a tight receiver than a tight end with great speed for a player his size (6’5” 247). Whitner is likely to serve as the main coverage defender, but the Bills might be wise to mix things up against him knowing how dominant he can be.

2. Cornell Green vs. Clay Matthews–Matthews was a monster in Week 1 at Philadelphia posting a career high nine tackles, a forced fumble, four QB hits and was eventually credited with three sacks. He’s been dealing with a hamstring injury and is on the injury report again this week. Buffalo’s veteran right tackle will likely get some assistance from the tight ends and the backs to deal with this handful who witus is a bit up in the air for Sunday. He’s technically the team’s left cornerback, but figures to be drawing Evans as his primary assignment. Woodson has kicked down into the slot at times, but with Evans being Buffalo’s biggest passing threat, the Packers are expected to put the man who tied Jairus Byrd for a league-leading nine interceptions last season on Buffalo’s top wll switch sides as his outside linebacker spot throughout the game.

3. Lee Evans vs. Charles Woodson–Woodson is dealing with a toe injury so his status is a bit up in the air for Sunday. He’s technically the team’s left cornerback, but figures to be drawing Evans as his primary assignment. Woodson has kicked down into the slot at times, but with Evans being Buffalo’s biggest passing threat, the Packers are expected to put the man who tied Jairus Byrd for a league-leading nine interceptions last season on Buffalo’s top wideout.

Packers Game Plan:

GAME PLAN: Offensively, how much more pass-happy can the Packers offense get now that featured back Ryan Grant is out the rest of the season because of a broken ankle? Conventional wisdom is head coach/play caller McCarthy has the convenient excuse to get greedy and have Rodgers throw at will, especially against an ordinary, short-handed Bills defense.  McCarthy won’t stoop to being so one-dimensional and predictable. He has a lot of confidence in Grant’s replacement, Jackson, as an every-down back and will want to get Jackson in the flow of carrying the football. Defensively, the Packers’ priority will be to stop the run as the Bills roll through a triple threat of Spiller, Jackson and Lynch. By putting Buffalo in difficult down-and-distance situations, defensive coordinator Capers can have his pass-rushing charges pin their ears back and force an easily flustered Edwards into mistakes. After Masthay did a terrific job with his directional punts of pinning the Eagles’ Jackson along the sideline in the opener, look for Crosby to angle his kickoffs to one side or the other to keep the dangerous Spiller from being a spoiler.

]]> http://lombardiave.com/2010/09/19/packers-vs-bills-game-day-headlines/feed/ 0 http://lombardiave.com/2009/08/28/packers-look-to-ground-cardinals/ http://lombardiave.com/2009/08/28/packers-look-to-ground-cardinals/#comments Fri, 28 Aug 2009 23:34:14 +0000 djlombardi http://lombardiave.com/?p=732 After victorious efforts against the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns in the 2009 preseason, the Packers turn their attention to the defending NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals tonight in Phoenix.  While the Cardinals will be without two of their biggest playmakers in Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston as both are out with injuries.  Still, the potent [...]

Packers Look To Ground Cardinals - Lombardi Ave - Lombardi Ave - A Green Bay Packers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

After the Packers preseason victory over the Cleveland Browns in which the new defense held the Browns to just 191 total yards, all systems look like a go.  While defensive stalwarts Charles Woodson, Al Harris, and Nick Barnett did not play along with rookies Clay Matthews and B.J. Raji, plus Jeremy Thompson, the defense still looked good, limiting the Browns running game to just 59 yards on the ground.

The Packers offense was also hitting on all cylinders, as the first-team put up 14 points in the first quarter on a 53-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers to Donald Driver on a third down, and a two-yard run by Ryan Grant late in the first quarter.  The running game put up an astounding 230 yards behind a thought to be suspect offensive line.  Rookie running back Tyrell Sutton paced the team with 91 yards on 18 second half rushes.  Kregg Lumpkin, who snuck onto the team in 2008 before suffering a season-ending injury, also have a productive night with 8 rushes for 48 yards.

Granted, this is the preseason, and this is the Cleveland Browns we’re talking about, but last night was a success.  The players are becoming more comfortable in the 3-4 scheme and it showed results (although it was against the Cleveland Browns in the preseason).  The most impressive part is the rushing defense.  Fifty-nine yards is impressive no matter the circumstances.  At various junctures of 2008, the Packers were just gashed by opposing running backs, so to see Jamal Lewis held to 17 yards on 7 carries.

The pass defense also held as well.  Brett Ratliff, an Eric Mangini favorite from the New York Jets, was harrassed all day, as he was sacked three times and only completed 7 of 13 passes for 84 yards and two picks.  Brady Quinn was 7-11 for 68 yards and a pick, while his main competition Derek Anderson was 0-2 with one interception.  The 3-4 held against an offense it should have held against.  Tramon Williams, Charlie Peprah, Anthony Smith, and Desmond Bishop had the interceptions for the Packers.

The most disconcerting aspect of the game was the fact that after two scores by the first team in the first quarter, the Packers didn’t score again the fourth quarter.  Brian Brohm did not play well at all, as he was 3-10 for 18 yards and two picks and a fat passer rating of 0.0.  He is looking more and more like trade bait for a veteran if he doesn’t keep improving.  Matt Flynn was solid, however, completing 5 of 6 throws 50 yards, although he couldn’t find the end zone.

Sure, it’s preseason and you’re playing with second teamers, but you’re playing second teamers (the Cleveland Browns’ second teamers at that).  There should be some offense generated by the offense that does have depth in the running game and the wide receivers.  Where’s the production from Flynn and Brohm?  Both are thought to be capable quarterbacks, but Brohm, who was projected as a high first-round pick had he left school after his junior year) has yet to live up to his potential and Flynn is playing like a third or fourth-round pick, as opposed to the seventh-round pick he is, which is a bit of a plus for the Packers.  Could veteran leadership help solve this issue?  Maybe.  But then again, we’re talking about scoring points in the preseason against the Browns, so it could be a moot point.

Anyhow, the Packers have Terrell Owens and the Buffalo Bills this Saturday, and we’ll have to see how the defense reacts to a team thought to have a potentially explosive offense and see how the offense reacts to a defense that isn’t Cleveland’s.

TO’s new reality show on VH1, “The TO Show,” confirms everything we already knew about the Buffalo Bills wide receiver.  He’s selfish, likes to be the center of attention, and doesn’t really listen to anyone else.  The pilot episode last night centered around TO’s two publicists (who I refer to as his “handlers”), Kita and Monique trying to change TO’s image from TO to Terrell.  I don’t think giving the entire world a look into the life of one the biggest divas in NFL history was the best move.

Apparently, the show is supposed to show a different side of TO.  What it does is show the viewers that TO is exactly the same at home as he is out in public.  He pays up $137,000 for diamond earrings.  He invites an entire club back to his house for a party.  He hooks up with his real estate agent in his hot tub.  On the field, he always wants the ball.  Off the field, he always the attention.

The show also seems painfully calculated.  He is forced by his handlers to contact his ex-fiance to see how she is doing.  When TO meets with her, he dodges her questions about his love life, a la Drew Rosenhaus.  He had to have learned it somewhere.  TO didn’t want to go meet with her.  He is forced into it by his handlers and he makes it clear he doesn’t want to do what they tell him.  It’s hard to imagine that Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb, and Tony Romo know how Kita and Mo feel.

The show did have one interesting part which, surprisingly, pertained to football.  In one scene, TO sits down with his best friend Pablo, a large dude that cuts rank farts on the LA freeways, and divulges how his meeting with Jerry Jones went when Jones told TO that he was no longer a member of the Dallas Cowboys.  The reasoning that TO says Jones used makes perfect sense: I support you 100%, so I’m going to cut you.  Jones’ method of drawing a diagram on a tablecloth is original to say the least.  The show becomes even more amusing when TO describes waiting around so he could take the tablecloth with him after the meeting.

The advent of “The T.O. Show” has to be a low point in the history of reality TV shows.  If TO’s handlers want to “change the man,” as is their mantra throughout the show, then they should take my advice: get him out of the spotlight.  The less there is of TO, the more people like him.  The last thing that will change people’s opinions about him is seeing him in his cushy personal life still being TO.  As a closet Philadelphia Eagles fan, the disdain factor for TO just reaches the ridiculous.  If TO wasn’t already a joke to people before, he has definitely surpassed that now.  If he was already a joke to people, he has pushed himself totally out of the radar.

Dick Jauron and Trent Edwards, study up.  Using this show as film on how to deal with TO could come in more handy than any other games tapes you have on him.

You can watch the episode here.

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16 San Diego Chargers
(8-8) Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
17 New York Jets
(9-7) Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
18 Denver Broncos
(9-7, Pick via Bears) Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(9-7) Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
20 Detroit Lions
(9-7, Pick via Cowboys) Eben Britton, OT, Arizona
21 Philadelphia Eagles
(9-6-1) Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
22 Minnesota Vikings
(10-6) William Beatty, OT, Connecticut
23 New England Patriots
(11-6) Clay Matthews, OLB, USC
24 Atlanta Falcons
(11-5) Brian Cushing, OLB, USC
25 Miami Dolphins
(11-5) Clint Sintim, OLB, Virginia
26 Baltimore Ravens
(11-5) Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
27 Indianapolis Colts
12-4) Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi
28 Buffalo Bills
(Pick via CAR, PHI) Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
29 New York Giants
(12-4) Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
30 Tennessee Titans
(13-3) Larry English, OLB, Northern Illinois
31 Arizona Cardinals
(9-7) LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh 32 Pittsburgh Steelers
(12-4) Alex Mack, C, Cal

NFL News and Rumors is the newest NFL blog to join FanSided.com. Chris Kolb runs the site and gets us all the low down on the newest news and rumors in the NFL.

Tim Redinger, lead blogger over at BuffaLowdown, has taken over the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres blog, Sabre Noise.

Lead blogger of The Pewter Plank, Dustin Staggers, now also writes for Bolts by the Bay, a Tampa Bay Lightning blog.

Rounding out the NHL blogs is Capitals Outsider, headed by some guys from Gunaxin.com.

Heading over to the hardwood, we now have Hardwood Houdini, a Boston Celtics blog, Pippen Ain’t Easy, a Chicago Bulls blog, King James Gospel, a Cleveland Cavaliers blog, Lake Show Life, an L.A. Lakers blog, Buckets Over Broadway, a New York Knicks blog, Howard The Dunk, an Orlando Magic blog, Rip City Project, a Portland Trail Blazers blog, and Air Alamo, a San Antonio Spurs blog.

Shifting gears over to the National League of Major League Baseball, Venom Strikes covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tomahawk Take tackles the Atlanta Braves, Cubbies Crib covers the Chicago Cubs, Rum Bunter is the Pittsburgh Pirates blog, Redbird Rants is where it’s at for the St. Louis Cardinals, and Frisco Fastball is for the San Francisco Giants.

In the American League, the Evil Empire itself, the New York Yankees are covered by Yanks Go Yard, the Baltimore Orioles get Birds Watcher, New England’s own Boston Red Sox are covered by BoSox Injection, the Cleveland Indians are at Deep Left Field, the Kansas City Royals have the most cleverly titled site Royales With Cheese, the Twins of the Twin Cities have Twinkie Talk, the Tampa Bay Rays have RayHawk Review, and the Toronto Blue Jays can be found at Jays Journal.

Check out all these sites and slip them into your bookmarks!

1. Lions: waynefontes.com — MATTHEW STAFFORD, QB, GEORGIA
2. Rams: turfshowtimes.com — EUGENE MONROE, OT, VIRGINIA
3. Chiefs: kcchiefsnews.com — AARON CURRY, LB, WAKE FOREST
4. Seahawks: davekriegsstrikebeard.com — MICHAEL CRABTREE, WR, TEXAS TECH
5. Browns: nologoneeded.com — REY MAUALUGA, LB, USC
6. Bengals: bengalstripes.com — JASON SMITH, OT, BAYLOR
7. Raiders: silverandblackpride.com — JEREMY MACLIN, WR, MISSOURI
8. Jaguars: jaguarsgab.com — B.J. RAJI, DT, BOSTON COLLEGE
9. Packers: lombardiave.com — BRIAN ORAKPO, DE/OLB, TEXAS
10. 49ers: ninersnation.com — EVERETTE BROWN, OLB, FLORIDA STATE
11. Bills: buffalorumblings.com — CLAY MATTHEWS, OLB, USC
12. Broncos: milehighreport.com — MALCOLM JENKINS, CB, OHIO STATE
13. Redskins: curlyr.blogspot.com  — ANDRE SMITH, OT, ALABAMA
14. Saints: canalstreetchronicles.com —  BRIAN CUSHING, OLB, USC
15. Texans: houstondiehards.com — MICHAEL OHER, OT, OLE MISS
16. Chargers: bolthype.com — EBEN BRITTON, OT, ARIZONA
17. Jets: thejetsblog.com — TYSON JACKSON, DE, LSU
18. Bears: blogdownchicagobears.com — DARRIUS HEYWARD-BEY, WR, MARYLAND
19. Buccaneers: bucem.com — PERCY HARVIN, WR, FLORIDA
20. Lions (from Dallas): waynefontes.com — AARON MAYBIN, DE, PENN STATE
21. Eagles: igglesblog.com — VONTAE DAVIS, CB, ILLINOIS
22. Vikings: vikingsragnarok.blogspot.com — MARK SANCHEZ, QB, USC
23. Patriots: patriotsdaily.com — KNOWSHON MORENO, RB, GEORGIA
24. Falcons: falcoholic.com —CLINT SINTIM, LB, VIRGINIA
25. Dolphins: thephinsider.com — LARRY ENGLISH, LB, NORTHERN ILLINOIS
26. Ravens: ebonybird.com —KENNY BRITT, WR, RUTGERS
27. Colts: 18to88.com — PERIA JERRY, DT, MISSISSIPPI STATE
28. Eagles (from Carolina): igglesblog.com — ALEX MACK, OL, CALIFORNIA
29. Giants: bigblue101.com — HAKEEM NICKS, WR, NORTH CAROLINA
30. Titans: musiccitymiracles.com — D.J. MOORE, CB, VANDERBILT
31. Cardinals: raisingzona.com — CHRIS WELLS, RB, OSU
32. Steelers: steelerstoday.com — FILI MOALA, DT, USC

Round 2 is starting now!

With the tenth pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select Everette Brown, OLB, Florida State.

The 49ers have various needs this offseason, but unlike what some people are predicting, a first round QB is not one of those needs.  The 49ers have a pair of outside linebackers, one of whom turned in a very solid season in 2008.  Parys Haralson seems to have a legitimate future going forward as a pass rushing outside linebacker.  Manny Lawson is an athletic freak, but he seems less inclined to rush the passer or more likely to be a guy in coverage and in a read position.

Although Everette Brown didn’t have a ton of experience (only one season as a fulltime starter), he still racked up 23 sacks for his 3-year career.  This pick is a really tough one for the 49ers because it seems like they’re too high for guys like [Michael] Oher, but they’re too low for a BJ Raji.  Andre Smith is plummeting and seems like too much of a headcase.  If the first 9 picks go in the above order, I think the 49ers will battle themselves in trying to decide between Michael Oher and Everette Brown.  What wouldn’t surprise me is if the 49ers tried to move up from the second round into the late first round to grab the right tackle they need.  They’ve shown no qualms about making those kinds of moves, so we’ll see if they do so again.

With the eleventh overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select…
Clay Matthews, OLB, USC
Buffalo is in full-fledged “win now” mode.  Let’s face it – you’re not risking Terrell Owens being on your roster if you’re not desperate for a few wins.  Unlike the ’08 draft, when the Bills took small-school product Leodis McKelvin and unpolished receiver James Hardy with their first two picks, the Bills are going to look past potential for guys that can contribute immediately, particularly in the first three rounds.

Unfortunately, the team is forced to choose between prospects at this stage in the game that either aren’t worthy of a selection this high (Brandon Pettigrew) or fill needs but are inexperienced (Matthews, Aaron Maybin).  In the end, Matthews – yes, even ahead of USC teammate Brian Cushing – is the best fit.  He gives the Bills an outstanding blitz presence right out of the gate, and he adds playmaking ability to the Bills’ league-renowned special teams unit as well.

Matthews isn’t a perfect fit in Buffalo’s zone-based scheme; his coverage skills are severely underdeveloped, and it’s unclear whether he’d be a better fit as a linebacker or an end in a 4-3 defense.  In Buffalo, he’d have the opportunity to play a little of both.  Buffalo desperately needs a physical, hard-hitting presence at linebacker for run downs, and the 6’3″, 240-pound Matthews can lay the lumber.  But he also opened some eyes at the Combine when he easily recorded the fastest 10-yard split of any pass-rushing prospect; his 1.49-second time was beaten by only nine cornerbacks.  He’s very explosive in the short area, and given that fact, he also has potential as a pass-rush specialist – either standing or down on the line – for the blitz-happy Bills.  His work ethic, intangibles and unbelievable NFL bloodlines make him a safe investment, even if he’s a bit of a reach.

The Denver Broncos are on the clock.

Eleven picks down…