The seismic shift in power to the NFC West rocked the National Football League today as two powerful rivals exchanged blows by completing two rock-solid trades that tend to signal a new way in the league – and makes one question the relevancy of the Green Bay Packers and Ted Thompson’s way.

Ted Thompson
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Draft and develop has continually  revamped and restocked Thompson’s team and his method seems to have worked much like the tortoise and the hare. While the Packers have methodically added fresh blood and talent to their 53-man roster, they have plodded along, much to the dismay of impatient fans, while other teams have utilized the harried and uncertain ways of trades and free agency.

There have been the poor managers of free agency, such as Daniel Snyder of the Washington Redskins, whose swings and misses are well chronicled. But then again there are the wise ways of others, such as Robert Kraft, who have added quality players who tend to fit the Patriots‘ system. Even Thompson has had some hits and misses on free agency, but his infrequent hand in the game is such that it is immeasurable in comparison to other teams.

Just take a look at the NFL.com’s website which lays out a list of the top free agents and the teams that are rumored to have an interest – do you see the Packers anywhere on the list? No. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or bad.

Is Steven Jackson one free agent Ted Thompson should pursue?
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

You have to admire Thompson for his patience and his willingness to sign “his own.” But you also have to wonder if there aren’t some players out there who could help the Packers immensely – for instance, Steven Jackson. According to the nfl.com site, only the Atlanta Falcons have an interest, despite the fact that Jackson himself said that going to the Packers “makes sense.”

Today’s trades between the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks (for Percy Harvin) and the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens (for Anquan Boldin) seem to underscore a new trend – the trade, in addition to free agency – that makes teams stronger in one fell swoop.

Minnesota gets a first round draft choice right off the bat, in addition to two other picks for a player who was fast becoming a distraction and migraine headache. The Seahawks get a player who is immediately familiar with their team’s offensive coordinator’s system and gives them the leg up in their division.

Literally minutes later, the Ravens unload a veteran who they expected to have to cut and get a draft pick, albeit a low pick, to boot. They also get a few more million to toss toward Joe Flacco’s mega deal. In turn, the 49ers add a physical wide receiver to their ranks who will go toe-to-toe with the likes of Richard Sherman.

All four of those teams, like the hare, jump ahead in the race for the Super Bowl, while Thompson and the Packers plod along waiting for draft day.

Is free agency and trading fast becoming the sexy new lady in town, enticing GMs from across the league into their bedroom? Or is the Packers’ way, staying true to your loved one and developing friendships and trust before jumping into bed the best way to proceed?

As we move down this road of matrimonial adjustments, we can only guess.

Oct 21, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin (12) looks on during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at the Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Vikings GM Rick Spielman told us in February that the team had “no intention to trade” Percy Harvin. Apparently that didn’t mean they weren’t going to shop the star receiver. Word of a potential Percy Harvin trade leaked early Monday morning. Less than an hour later, Harvin was a Seattle Seahawk. Such is the reality of the NFL.

Sep 23, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin (12) catches a pass over San Francisco 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers (22) in the first quarter at the Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

In exchange for Harvin, the Seahawks surrendered this year’s first round selection (number 25 overall), a seventh round pick, and a mid-round pick in next year’s draft. [Update: the Vikings have announced that the 2014 pick is a third rounder.]

That’s a reasonable package for Harvin considering he’s available for more than the nine games he played last year. Harvin’s injury risk is the only downside of the deal for Seattle, and it’s a doozy. Besides being a somewhat undersized pass catcher, Harvin has off and on trouble with migraines that can keep him off the field on Sundays.

That issue didn’t arise last year, but as anyone with migraines knows, even after a prolonged absence migraines can still come back with a vengeance. However, if Harvin stays off the injury report, Seattle can make a strong argument for having the best roster on paper.

As for Minnesota, the trade gives them near consecutive picks at the end of the first round and the capability of big time wheeling and dealing on draft day.

The Vikings are also now in position to make a play for free agent wide receiver Mike Wallace or former Packer Greg Jennings. The trade also says a lot about Rick Spielman’s approach. While Minnesota was a playoff team in 2012, the Vikings were still several steps away from true championship contention. By trading Harvin, Spielman is letting his team take a temporary step back so that they can take a much bigger jump the following season. This was a shrewd move that will put Minnesota in the best position to wrest the division crown away from the Packers in the near future.

This is the first major action in what contends to be a very chaotic offseason.

Keep your eyes on Lombardi Ave for more developments.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.

Percy Harvin came out in support of the Vikings of the idea that the Vikings entertain the thought of pursuing a contract with Plaxico Burress. Raymond T. Rivard

This is just way too tempting to resist.

As if the Minnesota Vikings veterans haven’t learned their lesson from the Brett Favre saga … now they move on to another retread veteran to boost them to a Super Bowl … Plaxico Burress.

With Vikings veterans chiming in this week … a topic today of our colleague Dan Zinski’s over at The Viking Age … it seems the players in Minnesota are chiming in with a chorus of “yeah mans” to their wants and needs to get former inmate Plaxico Burris into their camp. (more…)

It’s like when you’re high school.  There’s that girl out there.  You hear she likes you.  But nothing legitimate is coming from her mouth.  All your mutual friends are abuzz with the possibility of a relationship, but between the two of you, neither of you are saying anything.  You’re saying that you want real concrete proof she’s into you; she’s sending out mixed messages.  You hear she just wants to hook up with you and you aren’t the type she’d actually date.  Or maybe she just wants a “summer fling” with you.  Basically, you have no idea what’s going on, despite what everyone else is saying.

That’s how it is now.  Thompson isn’t giving a straight answer on what the Packers want to do.  Are the Packers even interested in Vick in the first place?  Do the Packers just want Vick as gimmick player?  Do the Packers want Vick just for this year as a backup for Aaron Rodgers that could be more reliable than Matt Flynn or Brian Brohm?  Or do the Packers see Vick as a long-term player in their scheme?  It feels like high school all over again.

Scenario 1: There is no interest.

The rumors are just the product of those curses called mutual friends.  You come to find that your friends were just throwing names out there as possibilities and liked the sound of this.  In their minds, it’s a perfect fit.  You two seem picture perfect to each other, but in reality, it would never work.  It’s your friends making something out of nothing.

The Packers aren’t interested in this scenario.  Thompson is sticking to his reputation of not commenting on personnel issues until there is something concrete.  Thompson just doesn’t want to say no to Vick because he wants to leave the door open just in case there’s that one in a million chance the Packers need Vick.  The Packers GM is just making a statement and is letting the media run with it and assume what they want.  Some of the more anti-Ted Thompson camps should have some pretty interesting things to say about these comments, but they appear to be innocuous.  Not saying anything about personnel has been his game, and he’s sticking to it.

Scenario 2: The hook up.

The girl just wants you for your body.  She’s attracted to you, but she doesn’t care about anything else that has to do with you.  It’s one night or bust.  It’s just up to you to decide whether or not you want to be pulled into this.  After all, she is a pretty enticing option and there is a bit of chemistry.  There is the slight chance it’ll go beyond that one night, but it’s anybody’s guess how far it can go.

In this option, Vick is the gimmick player.  The Packers feel they need to make a splash.  The Detroit Lions got Matthew Stafford in the draft.  The Chicago Bears acquired Jay Cutler from the Broncos.  The Minnesota Vikings drafted Percy Harvin out of Florida for some use in the Wildcat.  Yes, the Packers drafted B.J. Raji at No. 9 and traded back up into the first round (an OMG IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?!?!?! moment with Thompson) for Clay Matthews.  Both of these guys are great for the defense and really signal the turn around that is happening under Dom Capers, but offense sells tickets and makes the highlights.  What did the Packers do on offense?  Nothing.  I mean, the drafting of Jamon Meredith and T.J. Lang did do something to add competition to the offensive line, but as much as I love the offensive line, it won’t be a conversation topic on SportsCenter.  Vick adds this to the offense.  How are they going to use it?  What crazy formation does Mike McCarthy have thought up for Vick?  He is the innovator behind the Big 5 that utilizes all of Green Bay’s wide receiver talent.  What could he do with the Wildcat?  The possibilities are limitless.  But lying under all of this is the possibility of this being a one-time deal.  Vick could only be in Green Bay for 12 games as an experiment.  After the season he could be cut loose while the Packer pursue a more permanent Wildcat or gimmick player.  It could be strictly to keep pace with Detroit, Chicago, Minnesota, and the changing National Football League.

Scenario 3: The summer fling.

You and your lady friend get to talking, and you feel that you two have some chemistry and it could go places, but once you get around to school and life in general, you two don’t really have time for each other.  Summer is great because you can see each other multiple times a week and just spend a lot of “romantic” time together talking about how you wish summer could never end, but before you know it, it’s back to reality and you both part ways, never to really see each other again.  Of course, you meet randomly, check in every once in a while to see how things are going, but you aren’t too involved in each others lives.  You appreciate what happened, but it was best to be contained by that time.

Scenario 3 is similar to Scenario 2, but at the same time it is different.  The Packers bring Vick in, not as a gimmick player, but as a backup quarterback to Rodgers.  Flynn and Brohm haven’t been too too impressive, so it seems logical to bring Vick in.  Vick’s played quarterback before, so backing up Rodgers would be a good role for him.  He wouldn’t be expected to be a star contributor from Day 1, while he still could make token appearances as a Wildcat or change of pace quarterback.  Also, being a backup quarterback to Rodgers could be a springboard for Vick.  Other teams could see how he is progressing with integrating back into a team and how he is at learning an offense.  The time spent playing in games could be used as an audition period and a team could trade for him at the deadline or after the season, or if the Packers sign him to just a one-year deal he could be free to sign with a team that needs his services.  This could benefit both sides, as it gives Vick an opportunity and it gives Brohm and/or Flynn more time to become adequate NFL backups.

Scenario 4: The relationship.

You and your girl decide it’s go time.  You have chemistry, everything is great, you commit to each other.  You’ve gone over certain things that are important to you, like your allegiances to certain teams becoming more important than the relationship and what kind of music you can tolerate.  Everything is compatible, so you have a girlfriend.  For the long haul.

Vick and the Packers decide that everything looks great.  The situation is great for him.  Green Bay is the smallest media market in the NFL, and although everyone knows how much of a circus it can be (see: Favre, Brett; Summer 2008), he won’t be under a microscope as much as he would be in a larger market (although the way ESPN covers things, it’s hard to tell).  This relationship wouldn’t end with Vick in a starting job obviously, but it would end up with him being a contributing member of the Packers organization as a Wildcat/running back/wide receiver/backup quarterback.  Vick would show up in the stat sheet frequently and mesh well with Rodgers and the whole bunch.  Of course he would cost either Brohm or Flynn a spot on the team, but it would be for the greater good of the team.  Vick could use the relationship as a jumping off point, if the feeling is mutual, for something better, but he was a success in Green Bay.

Scenario 5: A break up.

So things just didn’t work out.  Turns out she didn’t really like that music she said she did and she won’t give you your alone time with your team.  Things just aren’t meant to be, right?  There’s other fish in the sea.

So Vick comes in, spends a year filling a utility role, and things just aren’t right.  He couldn’t totally mesh, missing training camp and the first few weeks of the season.  He can’t get rolling out of the Wildcat, and the team can’t pick it up in the short time period they had to learn it so everyone feels clueless.  He can’t get it going when he has to come in relieve Rodgers either and the whole just kind of fails and disappears from view.

Scenario 6: Marriage.

Scenario 4 evolves and you and your girlfriend get hitched in a little shindig.  You all live happily ever after.  There’s kids and stuff.  Fun stuff you see in movies.

Vick is a career Packer.  All is forgiven for him defeating the Packers at Lambeau back in 2003 and the public finally accepts for his mistakes.  It’s great stuff.  He gets a ring (or two) with the Packers and keeps his nose clean.  He proves Roger Goodell right for reinstating him.  The dream scenario.

Scenario 7: Divorce.  A messy one at that.

So turns out you and your girlfriend got hitched in Vegas and it’s just bad.  Fighting.  Crying.  Broken hearts.  It is definitely not meant to be.  Once you two get that annulment or those divorce papers filed, you’ll never see each other again.

The Vick experiment fails in Green Bay, epically and publicly.  Vick does something off the field that is just embarrassing and gets himself suspended again and banned from the NFL, or McCarthy and Vick don’t click at all and get in some public disputes.  The players chime (or Tweet) in their problems with the experiment and the team morale collapses.  Pretty soon it’s Top 10 Draft Pick all over again.  People lose their jobs.  Just garbage.  The last thing anyone wants to happen.

I’m hoping for Scenario 4 or 6.  They would be the best for the Packers and Vick, who I’ll have my two cents on up soon.

Any other scenarios you can think of that could happen to Vick and the Packers?  Let me know in the comments.

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Chicago Bears
The Bears brought in a franchise quarterback during the offseason in Jay Cutler from the Denver Broncos in a massive trade.  The Bears now have a face to the franchise on offense to go with Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs on defense.  Although I said that Bears receivers are bad a few posts ago (a statement I still stand behind), Cutler makes them a bit better, while the presence of Cutler takes the pressure of Matt Forte and the running game.  So would you throw Vick in this mix?

The Bears already have one gimmick player on offense in Devin Hester.  Hester is the main decoy on many plays and the Bears love to use his vertical speed to stretch the defense and give the coordinators headaches.  Adding Vick would give the Bears two potentially explosive players on offense at the same time.  Putting Vick into the offense without a full offseason and training camp to get everything to work between him and Hester would be a burden for Cutler, who’s learning a new system, and the offense in general.

Also, owner Jerry Angelo and head coach Lovie Smith are classy guys.  While I think Vick should be allowed back in the league as soon as commissioner Roger Goodell can approve of him and I don’t think he’s a threat to society, Angelo and Smith would want to avoid any backlash.  Vick could really work in Chicago, but I feel that Angelo and Smith wouldn’t run the risk of the backlash and something going wrong.

Detroit Lions
It doesn’t seem like things can get any worse for the Detroit Lions.  With last year’s debacle, there is really nowhere for the Lions to go but up.  With Matthew Stafford and revamped linebacking corps, there is hope in Detroit for a few wins here or there.  But would Vick be a fit in Detroit?

The first thing you have to look at his playmakers.  Who are the Lions playmakers?  Stafford isn’t even the starter yet, as he’s behind Daunte Culpepper.  Kevin Smith guaranteed the playoffs this year for Detroit and he does give them a steady option at running back, but he’s nothing too special yet.  Calvin Johnson is the closest thing the Lions have to a star player.  After Johnson, there’s a mess with Keary Colbert, Ronald Curry, Bryant Johnson, Dennis Northcutt, and rookie Derrick Williams.  Those guys are all going for the spots behind Calvin Johnson.  Is there room for Vick in here?  I’d say yes.

The Lions could definitely use Vick’s playmaking ability.  However, Stafford is the quarterback of the future and coach Jim Schwartz wants to use Culpepper as the stop gap.  Vick would be relegated to a Wildcat role and basically be a gimmick player.

Image-wise, the Lions can’t really get that much lower after the 0-16 season.  Getting Vick would show that they are serious about making an attempt to get better.  But then again, they might look as a risk for getting their reputation dumbed down even more.  They could use his talent, but will stay hands off, as there is enough work to do on that team already.

Green Bay Packers
First off, I don’t see Vick in a Green Bay Packer uniform.  Sure, if he was more of a traditional quarterback, I could definitely see Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy run the risk and sign him to back up Aaron Rodgers if Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn can’t improve.  But the fact that Vick is all over the place with his play, I don’t see it happening.  Vick could also serve the purpose of a Wildcat in the Packers offense, but the team has been prolific enough the last few years that they should (and will) stay with what works.

Also, I can’t see Vick meshing too well in Green Bay.  He’s done his time and deserves to be back in, but Green Bay doesn’t seem to be the town to take him.  This is a big year for the Packers, so anything to upset the balance could gain the ire of the stockholders, which the team does not want.

Minnesota Vikings
Finally, the Minnesota Vikings.  There are three reasons why I think the Vikings are the least likely to land Vick in the division: 1) Brett Favre; 2) Percy Harvin; 3) Tarvaris Jackson.

Favre.  Right now, the Vikings are waiting for Favre to notify Brad Childress and the team whether or not he will be returning to football and joining the Vikings on July 30 (or sooner).  If the Vikings get Favre, it can give them a quarterback that can hand off to Adrian Peterson and get the ball down the field and make plays if necessary.  No need for Vick there.

Harvin.  Harvin fills the role of Minnesota’s Wildcat.  He can run with the ball, he can catch the ball, and the Vikings have had him throwing in practice.  If he can do all that, why do they need Vick?  Plus, they’re waiting on Favre; why wait on Vick too?

Jackson.  The Vikings have been dealing with the mobile quarterback with shoddy decision making over the past few years with T-Jack.  Vick is an exponentially better version of Tarvaris, but do the Vikings and their fans really want to go through this ordeal all over again?  I don’t think so.  Small chance of Vick in Viking purple.

Lions, Bears, Packers, Vikings.  That’s the order (from most likely to least likely) of teams in the NFC North going after one Michael Vick.

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You can say whatever you want, but it’s all saying the same thing: Brett Favre wants to play.  For the Minnesota Vikings.

We all knew this would come.  After Favre’s retirement, messy divorce from Green Bay, and subsequent trade to the New York Jets, the only reason he was playing was obvious: to stick it to Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers organization.  This worked pretty well for Favre for the first half of the season, until the wheels came off the Jets wagon and the team stumbled down the stretch, costing Eric Mangini his job and triggering countless personnel moves (Rex Ryan, Bart Scott, Jim Leonhard from the Baltimore Ravens to New York; Mark Sanchez to New York).

But Favre retired again.  This one wasn’t tearful or as dramatic, but it was a retirement.  We all thought that the issue was finally put to rest, but deep down we knew he’d get that itch again.  And here it comes.

From where I’m sitting, Minnesota wants Favre, and Favre wants Minnesota.  Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson, or “Sagvaris Jackenfels” as they are affectionately known as in some circles, won’t cut it for Minnesota.  Many feel the Vikings are a quarterback away from the Super Bowl.  There is a quarterback conveniently available who, if given the right weapons, can carry his team to a whole new level.

For Favre, he desperately wants to stick it to Thompson and the Packers.  As many have already pointed out, the Chicago Bears have Jay Cutler and the Detroit Lions have Matthew Stafford and Daunte Culpepper.  No room for him there.  Most of the other quarterback situations in the NFC are relatively stable, with the exception of the San Francisco 49ers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but San Fran is years away from competing while Tampa Bay has eight quarterbacks competing for their starting job.  But Minnesota plays Green Bay twice a season, giving Favre two opportunities to stick it to Green Bay.  Minnesota is his best option.

It seems like a match made in heaven (or hell, for Packers fans).  However, Vikings fans should be forewarned.  We saw the carnage left in Favre’s wake in New York.  Mangini lost his job.  GM Mike Tannebaum is on the hotseat, in my opinion.  That organization was turned upside down by the Favre trade and the subsequent effects.

Favre could do the same thing to Minnesota.  If indeed Favre is signed, Brad Childress‘ hotseat gets exponentially warmer.  The personnel people are on the edge of their seats trying to escape the heat.  If Favre fails, wholesale changes go down.  Not to mention the effects Favre’s presence had on chemistry in New York.  Many players resented the fact that Favre could pretty much do what he wanted.  He was reclusive.  He didn’t take the blame for when he cost the team.  Some players, such as Kerry Rhodes, even suggested that Favre take himself out, putting the team before himself.  That never happened in Green Bay.  What makes you think it would have happened in New York.  What makes think it would have happen in Minnesota.

Do you want your players being exposed to this type of cancer now?  While Favre makes the players around him better, he can also bring them down.  Packers fans all remember the start of the 2007 season.  Favre was throwing to this rookie wide receiver from San Jose St. no one had ever heard of named James Jones.  The kid was on a tear.  But then he acquired acute fumble-itis in a Sunday night game in Chicago the Packers ultimately lost.  Favre rarely went back to him for the rest of the season and Jones has returned to that level he was at at the beginning of the 2007 season on only one or two occasions.  Favre lost faith in Jones as a pass catcher and in turn shocked Jones’ confidence.  Imagine the first few times Percy Harvin drops a pass or makes a rookie mistake.  Will Favre chew out the young dope smoker?  Bring his confidence down?  What kind of signal will that send to the rest of the team?

Sure, some of the Vikings say they would be open to Favre coming in to Minnesota.  But how long will they be able to tolerate his “I do what I want” attitude?  It didn’t last long in New York, a team that was overhauled in free agency to “Win Now” in 2008.  Minnesota is in a similar position for 2009.  Whether or not they go all in with Favre remains up in the air.

Also, Favre sent ESPN’s Trent Dilfer a text message reading the following after Dilfer asked him if he would consider playing in 2009:

NO.

In those capital letters.

ESPN’s Kevin Seifert says it best:

All I can tell you is that Favre isn’t returning … today.

Follow The Viking Age for all the latest news from the Vikings front regarding this story.

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

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!

The Buccaneers blog, Buc ‘Em, has selected:

***Percy Harvin, WR, Flordia***

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers find themselves with a number of question marks entering the season. Will the new coaching staff succeed? Why couldn’t more be done with all that cap space? Are there too many holes in the roster? When it comes to the draft, the Bucs could go in a number of directions, but with this pick, they’re going with the best available athlete.

Even during the Super Bowl Championship year, the Bucs offense wasn’t explosive. Tampa Bay has had it’s moments, but never had an offense that struck fear into the hearts of opponents. By selecting Percy Harvin, they hope that can change. Harvin is a hybrid sort of player, but will most likely fit in as more of a traditional receiver. Sure he’ll get the occasional handoff or reverse, but don’t think his touches will be split as much as they were at the University of Florida.

At receiver, the Bucs already have their #1 guy – Antonio Bryant – and the player they hope can be their #2 – Michael Clayton. Harvin fits the role of game changer. He might not be an every down guy, but will create matchup problems for the defense and could be used as the motion receiver a lot.

Despite injury problems in college, Harvin was never truly seriously hurt. He didn’t miss significant amounts of time and given the fact that he will be used in more of a complimentary role in the NFL, he could be a great pickup at this point in the first round. Based on talent alone, Harvin is one of the top players in this year’s draft.

The Bucs offense needs someone that can take it the distance. And that is something Harvin can provide. With a power running game, a clear cut #1 receiver, and a young, but improving offensive line, Harvin will be a welcome change of pace that could keep opponents guessing.

Who knows if this is the route the Bucs will go on Draft Day, we had the opportunity to select QB Mark Sanchez, QB Josh Freeman, or DT Peria Jerry, but we stayed true to our word and went with the Buc ‘Em Community collective choice.

With the 20th pick of the 2009 Draft, the Detroit Lions (via the Dallas Cowboys) select:

Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State University

Though offensive tackle could be addressed at the 20 spot, at this point of the draft, the Lions absolutely have to draft for the defensive side of the ball (Plus there has been a run on OT’s in this mock). To be blunt, they could draft a player at 20 who plays ANY defensive position, and it would fill a Detroit need. The Lions’ defense was truly that bad in 2008. Legendarily, shockingly, regime killing bad.

Middle linebacker is a HUGE need, so tOSU’s James Laurientus was heavily considered with this pick. But he could very likely be available with the first pick of the 2nd round, as Laurientus has been dropping on draft boards and mock drafts all across the NFL. I was hoping USC LB Rey Maualuga would be available at 20, but he surprisingly went in the top 5 of this mock.

The Lions also have big time needs on the defensive line, and I was even more surprised to see Aaron Maybin, the DE out of Penn State, still on the board.  The Lions desperately need a pass rush, and Maybin is a pure speed rusher, though a bit raw. But he scouts out as a breakout type talent, the best player off the snap in this draft and the best pass rusher available, period. 

The Lions have lacked a big time pass rushing end for over 2 decades (Finding an end “Who could block out the sun” was Wayne Fontes‘ obsession, his white whale, so to speak). The last Lions defensive end to honestly put fear in the the eyes of opposition quarterbacks was Al “Bubba” Baker back in the early-mid 80′s. Yes, it’s been that long…

Maybin is the sort of talent the Lions can build around.  He could be head coach Jim Schwartz‘s Detroit version of “The Freak”, Javon Kearse, whom terrorized offenses from defensive end during Schwartz’s first 3 seasons as defensive coordinator (2001-03) in Tennessee. Maybin would also bookend nicely with one of the Lions’ few legitimate NFL defenders, end Dewayne White. Add Cliff Averil to the mix, who showed signs of being a solid contributor in his rookie season with 5 sacks, and the Lions would actually have a defensive position which could be considered a strength.

Maybin may have the biggest upside (I know, it’s a cliche, but true in his case) of any defensive player in this draft. My only concern is size, as Maybin is on the smallish side, and Schwartz is on record saying he wants a bigger and stronger defense under his watch.  But Maybin’s a born pass rusher, and is the sort of player who could be a true impact defender in a few years. Impact players have been far and few between in Detroit for quite some time. 

The Lions would be THRILLED if a player with Maybin’s natural talent is available with the 20th pick.

The Philadelphia Eagles are on the clock.

With the 21st pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select:

Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

Say what now?  A cornerback?  And one with character issues to boot?

Yes.  Yes, indeed.

Davis is the perfect Andy Reid draft choice:

He plays a high-value position in which first-round athleticism makes a huge difference.

No one sees the pick coming.

On its face, the pick is completely inexplicable.

But what about offensive line (you ask).  Or tight end?  Or running back?  Or all the other places the Eagles have actual needs?  Not cornerback, where we have a Pro Bowler, a solid starter, a very wealthy nickel man and a “first-round talent” prospect coming off a knee injury.

Let me explain.  First of all, as a cornerback, Davis is very, very good.  He’s also — for a cornerback — very, very big.  The brother of Vernon Davis is a physical freak.  You don’t find many 6-0, 200-pound guys who can turn and run with most wide receivers.  Can I get a “Plaxico Burress” anyone?

Secondly, everyone remembers the story of how the Eagles drafted Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown even though they already had Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor locked in as starters.  What most people don’t realize is that Sheldon Brown is now older than Taylor was when his replacement was drafted (and only one year younger that Vincent was at the same time.) 

Cornerbacks don’t age well.  You can never have enough guys around to keep pushing them.

Now, with that said, the other intriguing thing about Davis is that he may actually project to FS at the next level.  He’s a born hitter, loves contact, and his “tremendous athleticism” at the cornerback position would translate to “Hall of Fame caliber athleticism” at the safety position. 

New SS Sean Jones is a one-year stopgap, we still don’t know for sure what we have in Quintin Demps, and Quintin Mikell turns 29 later this year.  Another safety prospect would not be a bad thing to have around.

The final interesting note is that Davis’ Pro Day is today at Illinois.  Depending on the numbers he puts up then, the idea that he’ll be around at #20 is quite possibly a pipe dream.  But I’ll take him for now.

The Minnesota Vikings are on the clock.

With the 22nd Pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select:

Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

Going into this mock draft, I expected to have to justify why I chose not to draft Josh Freeman, who is generally considered the third best quarterback available.  By my count, there were about 9 teams that could reasonably take Mark Sanchez due to the age of their “franchise” QB or due to their lack of a franchise QB (Detroit, St. Louis, Seattle, Jacksonville, San Francisco, Denver, New York Jets, Chicago, Tampa Bay) before the Vikings picked.  Instead, it looks like I’m going to have decide whether Mark Sanchez is the answer to the Vikings’ long standing quarterback issue (or is juicy enough to tempt the Broncos to trade Jay Cutler for him) or whether the Vikings should address their needs at cornerback or offensive line.  And after thinking back to the last two years, the answer is clear—if Mark Sanchez is available, the Vikings should draft him.

First off, it’s quite clear that the Vikings need a real franchise quarterback.  Tarvaris Jackson is never going to be that good and Sage Rosenfels is already 31 years old.  Secondly, I believe that Mark Sanchez is the best quarterback available in the draft because he’s got enough arm strength for the pros, he’s more accurate than Matt Stafford and he’s shown the ability to read coverages that Freeman never had to in Kansas State’s spread offense.

Sanchez has the arm strength and the accuracy to succeed in the NFL and he has the background in a Pro-Style offense that will allow him to quickly adapt to the pros.  He completed 64.27% of his passes in his 16 games at USC, more than any other first round quarterback.  He can throw the ball deep accurately (forcing defenses to only put eight in the box to stop Adrian Peterson) and he has the touch needed for the short throws as well, a necessity in Brad Childress’ West Coast Offense.  Also, Sanchez has all the intangibles you’d want in your quarterback, which he showed by getting elected captain last year and when he stuck it out at USC despite getting beat out by John David Booty for the starting position in 2006.

I know there are some doubts about Sanchez due to his lack of starting experience, the talent surrounding him, his height and the fact he was somewhat turnover prone, throwing ten interceptions and fumbling seven times.  The doubts are enough for me to hope that he’s taken before the Vikings’ pick, but they aren’t enough to let me pass on him for another player (especially with 5 offensive tackles already off the board).  So the Vikings’ finally have their franchise quarterback.  Hopefully.

The New England Patriots are on the clock.

There we go folks.  Getting into the nitty-gritty with this draft now.