Hey Draftniks. Check out PlanetDraft.com. Maybe Parcells Can Play Linebacker? More NFL Mock Draft News- The Miami Dolphins have a Long season ahead.

Most of the reputable NFL mock draft websites have the Dolphins taking either Jake or Chris Long in the 2008 NFL Draft. The two share the same last name, but are entirely different players, each with a skill set that the Dolphins need.

With the first overall pick in the draft, the Dolphins are under the proverbial gun, for the decision they make on April 26 will have long-lasting effects on the franchise—for better or for worse.

But which Long will sport the teal and orange next season?

I won’t play this out any longer; the Dolphins would be making a mistake if they take anyone other than Jake, the left tackle.

Powerful and athletic defensive ends aren’t exactly a dime a dozen these days, but nonetheless, a franchise left tackle is a rarity. Matched up against the league’s best pass rushers, the protector of the blind side is undoubtedly the best player on the offensive line and, as a result, the highest paid. Therefore, pouring all of your money into one place is justified if it’s a left tackle receiving the paycheck.

In addition, defensive linemen are often times products of the system that they play in and the players surrounding them. A dominant player who plays on an otherwise abysmal defensive line will not have much success, as the lack of talent around him makes it easy for the opposition to double- or even triple-team that player. Conversely, a mediocre player plugged into a successful system could appear much better than he actually is because the talent around him is drawing away defenders.

The offensive line does not work this way. A poor left tackle on a terrific offensive line will be batted around and humiliated play after play for the entire world to see. Linemen often times describe their position as being on an island, because regardless of the supporting cast, each player is on his own.

Therefore, the Dolphins could get away with mediocre defensive linemen because they have excellent blitzing linebackers and Jason Taylor to open gaps for them. But with one of the worst offensive lines in the league, they desperately need to start filling some holes and building for the future to help out their quarterback, whoever that may be in 2008.

And besides, look at the kid. Jake Long is a 6′7″, 315-pound intimidating mass of human being. But he has a great deal of athleticism to go along with his size; he played varsity baseball in high school (first base) and holds the school record for most career home runs and RBIs. He also has the experience to go along with it, as he was a three-year letterman at Michigan and is decorated with awards, including two consensus First-Team All-American berths.
After last year’s draft in which the Dolphins selected a punt returner with the ninth overall pick, the front office needs a solid pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Take Jake Long! And watch him mash a Gator in action. Florida Gator that is.

he’s a can’t lose pick.

Jake Long is the MAN. No Bill Parcells needed.

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Maybe Espn Sportcenter and YouTube are celebrating be kind to an “alleged” rapist month. The Bald Sports Guy thinks so.

It seems like new NBA Sports highlight reels featuring Kobe Bryant find their way to Sportscenter and YouTube every day. This is nothing new, but something has changed in Los Angeles this season:

Kobe learned to share.

Most sports videos on YouTube.com and Espn Sportcenter show Kobe breaking somebody’s ankles or throwing down a tomahawk in the lane, but one particular video that recently hit Sportscenter shows another side of Kobe. He made a strong move towards the middle as usual, but threaded a flashy and downright incredible behind-the-back, no-look pass through three defenders.

The recipient of the pass couldn’t capitalize on the play, which doesn’t reinforce Kobe’s passing habit much, but he did get fouled and made his free throws, so no harm done.

This type of play has become almost commonplace—well, maybe not, but Kobe has finally realized that he cannot take the Lakers to the finals by himself. He is playing the best basketball of his career, but it isn’t just the points column that he is filling up; his assists per game are nearing a career high, and more importantly, there has been no ill-fated news from the organization.

More assists, more wins.

That is the simple formula that has guided the team to the top seed in the West this year. Now the Lakers are on Sportscenter, not Kobe, Ok I still hate the Lakers and Kobe.

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Kevin Durant and Brandon Roy are taking the NBA by storm. And I don’t mean Hannah Storm. (Although the Bald Sports Guy does have a crush on her).

In years past, the NBA guys making ESPN Sportscenter were the All-Stars, the team captains, the guys whose name everyone knows. But now, there has been a surge of young talent dominating the field. Rookies have always made an impact on teams, but more now than ever, 22-year old kids are becoming team captains and the faces of the franchises.

The Kevin Durants and Brandon Roys of the world are taking the league by storm. What caused this change? The leading theory seems to be Commissioner David Stern.

With the installation of the age restriction policy, prospective pros have been forced to enter the college ranks for at least one season prior to joining the big-leagues. That extra year may not seem like much, but the college atmosphere helps develop players as human beings, promoting responsibility and self-management. Not to mention that one year under the watchful eyes of college coaches vastly improves a player’s basketball abilities.

Take Brandon Roy for example. The poise that he displays is uncanny for a second-year player. His college experiences undoubtedly developed his awareness, technique, and leadership.

It may just be his personality, but four years at a university also contributed to Brandon Roy’s maturity. Try to remember back when you were 18 years old. If you were one of the top prospects in the nation while still in high school, wouldn’t you get a big head? At that age, dealing with the fame of the NBA would be extremely difficult. You start receiving those paychecks and suddenly your priorities change. It is difficult for a player that young to maintain his professionalism with the temptations of the league knocking at his door.

In college, any deviation from the expectations results in a seat on the bench—or worse. This stringent attitude is absolutely critical for the development of a young player.

So the next time you see Kevin Durant or Brandon Roy or any of the other young studs on Sportscenter, thank David Stern for forcing them to go to college.

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