Baseball Salary Cap?

To ensure competitive balance and to keep cost down, most leagues institute a salary cap, which is a limit on which a team can spend on player's salaries.  The NHL has a cap ranging from 40.7m-56.8m, the NFL 112m-127m and the NBA with a soft cap of 59million.  The MLB is currently one of the only large market sports without a salary cap. Teams like the Yankees and Braves have never missed the postseason under the new salary cap rule, while small market teams like the Pirates and Royals don't have the necessary funding means to compete.  The Tampa Bay Rays recently have put to rest this notion that small market teams can't compete with the "big boys" with 3 straight post season appearances including one American League Pennant. One fact to consider is that when the majority of their star players became free agents, they were almost forced to trade them or let them walk to different teams in order to save money.  With so much money in professional sports, there is indeed a way to strike up a prospective collective bargaining agreement in which teams can build around a set salary limit, so that every team has a fair chance to compete and sign/retain any player of their choice.

Cam Newton Draft Drama

                          As the NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, teams and fans are constantly starving for new information pertaining potential prospects from their physical attributes down to their mental makeup and IQ score.  Just recently Pro Football Weekly released its annual draft preview, and analyst Nolan Nawrocki laid some harsh unfair criticisms on Auburn quarterback Cam Newton.  He was quoted saying: "Very disingenuous -- has a fake smile, comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup," Nawrocki wrote. "Always knows where the cameras are and plays to them. Has an enormous ego with a sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble and makes him believe he is above the law -- does not command respect from teammates and will always struggle to win a locker room. ... Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness -- is not punctual, seeks shortcuts and sets a bad example."  This ties in with exactly what we were discussing regarding racism and discrimination.  It is reasonable to critique a players skill level, but Nawrocki went above and beyond attacking the personal character in integrity of Cam Newton that will undoubtedly damage his reputation at some level.  Former Quarterback Warren Moon who was one of the first black quarterbacks in the NFL spoke out against this, claiming that he is held to a double standard against prospective white quarterback prospects.  Cam Newton, like many other 21 year olds, have dealt with drama throughout their college career.  If draft analyst were to nitpick through every prospects personal lives they would find numerous areas of concern or question, but the fact of the matter is they are 21 year olds. No college student should be subjected to that type of unfair criticism.  The nature of Nawrocki's article made it obvious that he had some sort of hatred or stereo-type against Newton due to his flashy celebrant style of play and the way he conducts himself with media questioning.  It's sad that in this day of age we still find ourselves coming across blatant racism, even in journalism.

9. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys were supposed to make it to the 2011 Superbowl and play in their own stadium according to owner Jerry Jones. They fell just short of this goal...Actually they fell extremely short of this goal managing just 6 wins the whole season. Part of this can be attributed to the injury to quarterback Tony Romo, but their play was flat out pathetic all year long. The Cowboys certainly have the talent to succeed, but they lacked any hustle and effort in their play thus justifying Jerry firing Coach Wade Phillips halfway through the season.  A popular pick here is to select Offensive Tackle Tyrone Smith out of USC, who is drawing comparisons to Jets pro bowl lineman D'Brickashaw Fergason.  But Jerry Jones has never selected an offensive lineman in the first round and in most cases histoy tends to repeat itself. I think the smart safe pick here is cornerback Prince Amukamara from Nebraska. He can play the run, and is a shutdown corner against the pass and will beable to start from day 1 in dallas. Cornerback Mike Jenkins was the subject of numerous critisicms on sportscenter, constantly replaying plays where he gave little to no effort in pursuing tackles..its imperative that he is replaced.

                                   Prince Amukamara CB. Nebraska

8. Tennesse Titans

Tennesse has to play 4 games a year out of their 16 game schedule against the high powered offenses of the ndianapolis Colts and the Houston Texas.  Make no mistake this selection will be geared towards the defensive side of the ball. If Quinn is gone by pick number 8, Nick Fairley will be Tennesse's number one target.  Once thought of as the sure fire number one pick in the draft, Fairley experianced a bit of a drop off in his stock, as his measurables at the combine werent ideal for a defensive tackle.  But anyone who watched him in the National Championship game single handedly dismantal the Oregon Ducks high octane offense knows this guy has a mean streak and will make a solid living in the NFL.  It should also be noted that Tennesse's new defensive line coach, Tracy Rocker, coaches Fairley at Auburn.

Nick Fairley DT. Auburn

7. San Franciso 49ers

Perhaps the most dissapointing team in the NFL, the 49ers greatley underachieved in a year where most thought they would run away with the NFC West crown.  Due to an 0-5 start the 49ers were never able to recover and limped their way to the finish line with a 6-10 record.  With Jim Harbough brought in from Standford to be the new head coach, expect a lot of changes to be made.  This team has some serious talent, Tight End Vernon Davis and Middle Linebacker Patrick Willis are arguably the best players at their respective positions, while Frank Gore is a consistant pro bowl running back.  They addressed their offensive line last draft by selecting Mike Iutupi and Anthony Davis in the first round, and both look to be potential studs.  In the NFL the most important position is the signal caller and that is what San Franciso has been lacking since the days of Jeff Garcia and Steve Young scrambling and making plays from the pocket.  This pick should and will be Blaine Gabbert..if he is available. Gabbert possess a cannon of an arm, and has earned gushing reviews from scouts and analysts all around the country, most notibly Trent Dilfer and Matt Millin.  He can potentially provide for a Joe Flacco/Matt Ryan type impact, and would step into a great situation in San Francisco.

Blaine Gabbert QB. Missouri

6. Cleveland Browns

The Browns finished the 2011 season strong on a high note, beating the Patriots, and giving numerous other teams close finishing games.  They have a lot of promise on the offensive side of the ball with emerging star running back Peyton Hillis, and 2nd year quarterback Colt McCoy.  One specific area of need is wide reciever. The Browns have virtualy no weapons to go vertical down the field and make plays, and lack a serious possession option as well. In a perfect world, the Browns will have their choice of picking either Wide out AJ Green or Patrick Peterson, but they will more than likley be off the board by the time their selection comes up.  So this selection will probably come down to two players, either Robert Quinn of UNC or Julio Jones of Alabama. Colt McCoy needs more weapons, and Jones had an amazing combine, running a 4.45 40 on an injured foot, and possess a serious combination of size and speed. He has some issues with concentration and their are concerns about his hands, but he is a solid receiving prosepct.  Quinn, like Jones is a combine warrior, who possess the size and speed to be a serious pass rushing threat in the league and offers as much upside as any player in the draft. Ultimatley I believe the pick will be Quinn, as the team is transitioning to a 4-3 defense and will need to adress their week linebacking situation.

                          Robert Quinn LB/DE. North Carolina

5. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals can go one of two directions here.  They can go the defensive route and select Patrick Peterson of L.S.U or Robert Quinn from UNC or take a shot at Missouri quarterback Blane Gabbert. Peterson would be the safest pick. An imposing 6'1 210, with kick returner speed, he is the most impressive defensive back prospect to come out since Charles Woodson or Champ Bailey, and would certainly improve their horendus pass defense.  Quinn would be a boom or bust pick, but can potentially become a annual double diget sack master.  Larry Fitzgerald requested a trade for a proven quarterback, so it would be foolish for Arizona to ignore his demands and select a rookie that will take 3-4 years to develope.  My best bet is that they will target either Donovan McNabb or Marc Bulger to takeover for Derek Anderson.  The choice will and should be Patrick Peterson.  He is perhaps the best overall player in this class, but cornerbacks are hardley taken in the top 4 (Deion Sanders explained this himself saying that teams can avoid throwing to their side). There is a possibilty that Arizona trades this pick to Philadelphia for Kevin Kolb, who Fitzgerald requested targeting.

Patrick Peterson CB. LSU

4. Cincinnati Bengals

  The Bengals are in some serious turmoil. Carson Palmer is demanding a trade declairing that he played his last game at Paul Brown Stadium, so you can make the argument for picking Mizzou QB Blane Gabbert here.  Ultimatley this choice will most likley be on the offensive side of the ball.  With Terrell Owens gone, a possible departure of runing back Cedrick Benson, and with Chad Johnson likley to be traded, the Bengals need a serious makeover.. I think this pick is a no brainer and must be AJ Green. He is the best recieving prospect since Calvin Johnson, and has Randy Moss-Type potential.  He had an underwhelming combine perfomance, but theres no doubt in any GM's mind that this kid can play. With hands of glue, he catches nearly anything thrown his way...and I mean anything...just search some youtube highlights and prepair for your jaw to drop.  He started his junior season on a bad note being suspended for auctioning off his bowl game rings and jersey, but theres no getting past that he is an elite prospect and can develope into the gamebreaker Cincinnati despiratley needs...

AJ Green WR. Georgia

3. Buffalo Bills

The Bills finished with another lackluster season, finishing near the bottom of the league in both offense and defense.  You can make the argument for Blane Gabbert with this pick, but Ryan Fitzpatrick actually put together a few nice games for them, and can potentially develope into consistant quarterback in this league.  They have some nice weapons on offense with the emergence of 6th round draft pick-turned pro bowler Wide Reciever Steve Johnson, and C.J Spiller as a potential game breaking running back.  With former first round pick Aaron Maybin turning out to be a bust, look for the Bills to upgrade their defense with this selection, pairing Paul Poslunszny with a pro bowl- caliber partner. Von Miller fits perfectly with this team.  A hybrid DE/OLB, he can flat out get to the quarterback racking up 26 sacks in the past 2 seasons with Texas A&M.  Miller clocked a 4.46 40 yard dash and had a 37 inch vertical at the combine...flat out scary numbers for a linebacker.  Teams view him as a potential Clay Mathews type player, and he will not drop past the top 5. 

Von Miller OLB. Texas A&M

2. Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos finished dead last in the NFL in sacks with just 23.  Granted All-Pro defensive end Elvis Dumerville was out for the season with an injury, but regardless Denver still needs another pass rushing threat to generate pressure for their front 4.  Enter Marcell Darius, the 6 foot 3,  319 lbs Defensive Tackle from Alabama.  New coach Jim Fox recently indicated that he wants to address and upgrade the defensive tackle position, as it was always a priority in his previous job at Carolina with Kris Jenkins clogging up the middle.  Darious is one of the best overall athletes pound for pound in this class, and has the production to back it up. He fills their biggest need, so it is doubtfull Marcell falls past Denver..

Marcell Darious DT. Alabama



NFL Mock Draft Carolina Panthers

   The Panthers finished the 2011 campaign with a dreadfull 2-14 season. They lacked production on the offensive side of the ball with no real playmaker to rely on, as well as finishing with a lackluster run defense.  Jimmy Clausen, who the team selected last year in the second round, is clearly not the answer.  He is not a leader, and lacks the sufficient arm streghth to make consistant big plays down field.  The Panthers have a lot of holes, especially on the offensive line, but this pick will ultimatley be a quarterback.  Cam Newton is by no means a finished product and will need a few years to adjust to the pro style system, but possess as much upside as any player in this draft, and produced one of the best seasons for a college player in recent memory. Keep in mind recently hired Ron Rivera is a renowned defensive coordinator and may push for a selection on the other side of the ball.  Ultimatley, this struggling franchise needs a sense of direction, and a quarterback is the first step to the rebuilding process.

                                          Cam Newton  QB. Auburn

NBA Draft

With the NBA Draft approaching many underclassmen are deciding to stay in school for another year, most notibly Jared Sullinger of Ohio State, Harrison Barnes and John Henson of North Carolina.  This is most likley the result of a possible lockout looming next season.  In the past 4 seasons we have whitnessed numerous "one and dones" college players playing one year then leaving early.  This undoubtibly has watered down the college game, and overall talent level of the league.  Perhaps a new trend will be adapted and more players will stay in school not only this year, but in future years as well..

Carmelo Anthony Trade

This years NBA trade deadline brought about one of the biggest blockbuster trades in the past 2 years, as the Denver Nuggets sent Carmelo Anthony, Chauncy Billups, Anthony Carter, Renaldo Balkman and Sheldon Williams to the Knicks in exchange for Danillo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton and 2 future first round draft picks.  This trade, has been anticipated for the past year, as Carmelo Anthony has publically stated his desire to leave Denver for the bright lights of Times Square. For most of the NBA's existence, the league has been dominated over the years by decisions made by owners and GM's.  As of just recently, the leagues competitive balance has been dictated by the players itself. Starting when LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade all decided to team up and join forces in South Beach, star marquee players have realized their own potential and leverage to dictate their futures. While some may deem Carmelo selfish for forcing his way to the team of choice, one must take into account that he is only looking out for what’s best for him and his future. Owners and GM's trade players constantly year in and year out without hesitation, so are players wrong for attempting to use their own power to do the same?

                          

Immaturity in the NBA

This past month DeMarcus Cousins was suspended indefinently by the Sacramento Kings after yet another argument/confronatation with a teamate.  Cousins who was the 5th pick in the 2010 draft, had character concerns coming out of Kentucky, but the Kings decided to take a gamble on him. This has paid off with mixed results, as he is averaging an impressive 13 points per game to go along with 8 rebounds, yet he has continuiously argued with the coaching staff and conflicted with teamates.  This brings about the idea that there should indeed be an age limit implimented when David Stern sets up the new Collective Barganing Agreement.  You can argue that Cousins, is just like any other 20 year old kid. If thats the case, then he shouldn't be thrown in a situation where he is the "face" of an organization recieving a 7million dollar contract.  If the NBA formulates a system where players will have to stay in college for at least 3 years (or be 3 years removed from H.S Graduation) much like the NFL, there will be alot less problems concerning conduct of younger players around the league.  While Cousins is an obvious special talent, he will have to mature mentally as well as physically if he wants to last in this professional league, as he is already the topic of numerous trade rumors just 4 months into his career.