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NFC West:
Arizona Cardinals: Best Pick – Michael Floyd Grade – D-
The Cardinals improved their wide receiving group by drafting the second best receiver in the draft. Unfortunately the Cardinals forgot they need vast improvement in a number of other areas; as the only other selection they made that may be good enough to start is Offensive Lineman Bobby Massie.

San Francisco 49ers: Best Pick – LaMichael James Grade – Incomplete
We give the 49ers a grade of incomplete here mainly due to their first two picks. They drafted an individual who will be their fourth receiver in the first round & an individual who will be their fifth running back in the second round. While it’s a given LaMichael James will eventually replace Frank Gore in a few years these picks make it seem like the 49ers know they will be releasing Randy Moss & Brandon Jacobs at some point in the season. They added depth on the offensive line & added a safety who may contribute. They also added a defensive end who may contribute. Essentially they added a bunch of players that have no role & likely won’t play in 2012; hence the incomplete.

Seattle Seahawks: Best Pick – Russell Wilson Grade – F
The Seahawks spent their first round pick on a special teams player (at best) & their second round pick on another special teams player. They then selected a quarterback who is better than anyone on their team at that position, but will most likely make him sit. The rest of their picks will be lucky to make the practice squad.

St. Louis Rams: Best Pick – Janoris Jenkins Grade – F
The Rams continue the trend of brain-dead picking from the teams of the NFC West. The Rams drafted a terrible defensive tackle from LSU who will be a third stringer at best in the NFL; then drafted a mediocre wide receiver. Luckily the Rams rebounded to select an individual who if he doesn’t kill someone off the field can be productive on it; as well as a nice complimentary running back. Then it seems the Rams just got bored & selected random players.

NFC East:
Dallas Cowboys: Best Pick – Morris Claiborne Grade – D
The Cowboys greatly improved their cornerback group with the selection of Claiborne, but other than that the Cowboys did absolutely nothing in this draft. They seemingly purposely selected backups at positions where they needed backups rather than select potential starters in need areas.

New York Giants: Best Pick – Rueben Randle Grade – D-
The Giants had many need areas & addressed none of them. They reached on an average running back knowing they have a starter. They properly replaced a wide receiver, but otherwise selected players who will struggle to make the practice squad; essentially wasting most of their picks.

Philadelphia Eagles: Best Pick – Marvin McNutt Grade – F
When your only competent pick is in the sixth round you’re lucky you don’t receive an F-. The Eagles desperately needed a third receiver who can be productive when their two star receivers are injured or sulking. Not one other pick the Eagles made makes any sense. They wasted a first round & second pick on an area where they are strong & used their other second round pick on a linebacker who won’t contribute anything. Then to make matter worse the Eagles selected a quarterback who passing wise is better than every quarterback they have. The Eagles were clearly drunk at the wheel during the draft.

Washington Redskins: Best Pick – RG3 Grade – D+
The Redskins failed to utilize their draft picks correctly; which shouldn’t come as a surprise as they are normally traded away for mediocre veterans. If anything the Redskins selected a franchise quarterback & an above average backup quarterback. They failed to address their needs at receiver & defensive line.

NFC North:
Chicago Bears: Best Pick – Alshon Jeffery Grade – D
The Bears needed to improve on the defensive side of the ball & while most of their selections were defensive based they didn’t draft to improve at positions where they needed to upgrade; instead focusing on adding depth at positions they needed new starters. Alshon Jeffery is the only player they selected that will have an impact in the NFL; as a fairly productive number two receiver next to Brandon Marshall.

Detroit Lions: Best Pick – Riley Reiff Grade – B
The Lions first three picks in the draft are immediate starters & fairly productive ones at that. If any of the three linebackers the Lions drafted contribute in the 2012 season the Packers may not even win the division. Broyles will be an extremely complementary number two receiver & Riley Reiff has already improved the Lions running game.

Green Bay Packers: Best Pick – Jerel Worthy Grade – D+
The Packers needed help at defensive end & focused on defensive tackle. Adding Jerel Worthy to a team that has BJ Raji seems almost unfair; these two could potential be the Williams Wall of yesteryear. The Packers also managed to steal a second round caliber talent in Andrew Datko in the seventh round. Datko; if healthy can be a cog in a newly improved offensive line.

Minnesota Vikings: Best Pick – Matt Kalil Grade – B-
The Vikings had a very productive draft. They screwed over the Browns for more picks & selected the guy everyone knew they were going to select any way. The Vikings managed to improve a terrible offensive line, at safety, cornerback & added their future kicker in the later rounds. The Vikings also added some speculative wide receivers in an attempt to help Christian Ponder.

NFC South:
Atlanta Falcons: Best Pick – Peter Konz Grade – D
We give the Falcons a D here because they ruined this year’s draft last year; so no one expected anything out of their draft, but they did manage to select their new starting center in the second round. They addressed no areas of concern until the seventh round which raises red flags.

Carolina Panthers: Best Pick – Luke Kuechly Grade – A
The Panthers first two draft picks are individuals that if they play to ability are potential hall of famers. The Panthers addressed all areas of weakness & even managed to select a punter as well. Joe Adams will be a great compliment to Steve Smith & their double tight end attack. The Panthers can be even better in 2012 on offense after their draft.

New Orleans Saints: Best Pick – Nick Toon Grade – F-
The Saints had only five picks due to their constant unethical behavior & finally being caught. So it should surprise no one that they had the worst draft of all 32 NFL teams. They drafted four individuals who if they play a down in the NFL need to thank God & Nick Toon who will serve as a very capable slot receiver. The Saints would’ve been better off trading their picks since they obviously had no intention of using them properly.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Best Pick – Mark Barron Grade – A
Impact safety? Check. Second best running back in the draft? Check. Adding depth at linebacker & corner were also needed & the Buccaneers wasted no time doing that too. They also stole a potential top ten tight end in the seventh round. While the Saints continue to fall every other team in the division tries to get better.

AFC West:
Denver Broncos: Best Pick – None Grade – F-
The Broncos could’ve gone one of two ways in this draft: select more weapons for Peyton Manning or improve an average defense. They decided it was more important to draft players who will never see the field due to being behind stars at QB, DE, & LB. Luckily the team has Peyton Manning who can make a 1-15 team look great.

Kansas City Chiefs: Best Pick – Donald Stephenson Grade – C-
The Chiefs had needs all across the board & addressed a few. They added Stephenson who can immediately start on the offensive line & added Junior Hemingway late in the draft to serve as the number two receiver to Dwayne Bowe. Other than that the Chiefs drafted for depth rather than potential starters.

Oakland Raiders: Best Pick – None Grade – F-
The Raiders had a typical Raiders draft. They traded away most of their picks for aging players & then selected players who will never contribute in the NFL leaving everyone to scratch their heads. And people thought it was Al Davis?

San Diego Chargers: Best Pick – Melvin Ingram Grade – B-
The Chargers added a play maker in their first round selection who can play linebacker or defensive end dependent on what the Chargers want him to do. Then the team struggled mightily in the middle rounds reaching on a lot of average players who likely won’t contribute. They rebounded by having an outstanding seventh round, by drafting a starting center & a potential starting running back.

AFC East:
Buffalo Bills: Best Pick – Cordy Glenn Grade: D
When the Bills drafted in the first round there were far superior players available to Stephon Gilmore yet the Bills reached to improve in a need area. Cordy Glenn & Tank Carder are the only other selections the Bills made that will see any playing time. The Bills clearly went for quantity over quality.

Miami Dolphins: Best Pick – Jonathan Martin Grade – C+
The team needed a quarterback; so no surprise they drafted the third best quarterback, as he was simply there. Adding Jonathan Martin improves a pretty strong offensive line. Most of the other picks the Dolphins made were head scratchers. They drafted terribly flawed individuals & had an odd fascination with drafting mediocre Miami players. If BJ Cunnigham can learn how to be more physical than his selection could be a good one down the road.

New England Patriots: Best Pick – Chandler Jones Grade – B+
How does a superbowl team ger better? By drafting competently. The team added an impact defensive end & a solid linebacker with their first two picks. Then followed it up with a potential steal at safety. The team also closed the draft well by adding a solid wide receiver to improve an average group.

New York Jets: Best Pick – Antonio Allen Grade – F-
The Jets suck on defense every where except cornerback; so it was nearly impossible to screw up this draft, but they did. Quinton Coples was a mediocre defensive end on his best day at UNC yet the Jets selected him in the first round. They then selected a wide receiver who barely caught passes in college to join a team that needed to improve there; not fall even farther behind. Every pick the Jets made was just atrocious except for Antonio Allen; simply because they need help at safety.

AFC North:
Baltimore Ravens: Best Pick – Courtney Upshaw Grade – D+
The Ravens had a mediocre draft. They selected someone who will need to sit next to Ray Lewis every day & learn how to become a solid linebacker in the NFL. The only other worthwhile note from their draft was stealing Bernard Pierce in the third round.

Cincinnati Bengals: Best Pick – Dre Kirkpatrick Grade – A+
The Bengals easily had the best draft of any time in a long time. They added a star cornerback & a solid guard with their first two picks & then only managed to continue to add great players as the draft went on. Every player they added through this draft will be on the 53 man roster come September unless they’re injured & could all potentially be starters at some point in 2012.

Cleveland Browns: Best Pick – Trent Richardson Grade – A
The Browns; as always, had many areas of weakness but managed to address most of them. They add a franchise running back, franchise quarterback, added depth on the offensive line & gave Weeden some wide receivers to throw to. The team also stockpiled defensive tackles & linebackers which can only improve an average defense.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Best Pick – David DeCastro Grade – C+
The Steelers essentially fixed the holes in their offensive line in the first two rounds & selected their running back of the future in the fifth round. Unfortunately in non Steelers fashion the team reached on a lot of mediocre defensive players who will likely not contribute.

AFC South:
Houston Texans: Best Pick – DeVier Posey Grade – C-
One thing is clear from the Texans draft; they wanted to improve the wide receiver group alongside Andre Johnson & did so in a big way by adding DeVier Posey & Keyshawn Martin. The trouble is the team lost a hall of fame caliber pass rusher & seemingly replaced him with a mediocre one in the first round. Luckily the team selected Jared Crick later in the draft who actually has the possibility of starting.

Indianapolis Colts: Best Pick – Andrew Luck Grade – A
The Colts had one of the best drafts in 2012. They drafted a franchise caliber quarterback; then drafted a premiere tight end & followed it up by adding another premiere tight end. The fun didn’t stop there as the team added a future legend at wide receiver & a fairly sturdy defensive tackle. They used their other five picks to add depth to a team in transition.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Best Pick – Justin Blackmon Grade – D
The Jaguars have tons of needs, but traded away the farm to get a good receiver who with their mediocre quarterbacks won’t produce much until his rookie contract ends & he goes somewhere else. The team also incompetently drafted a punter when they have one of the most respectable punters in the league.

Tennessee Titans: Best Pick – Cody Sensabaugh Grade – D
The Titans need help every where but offensive line & did next to nothing to improve their team. They did manage to find a new starting cornerback in the fourth round & a potential decent wide receiver, but reached on him. Mike Martin could be a steal; if the team can get better defensive ends to make him appear more productive.

Denver Broncos: Under the assumption that Peyton Manning can make anyone better they don’t need wide receivers. They do however need better offensive lineman to protect what might be a fragile Peyton. They also need to desperately improve their running backs due to lack of production & injuries. They also need a run stuffing defensive tackle & now must replace a hall of fame caliber safety.

Kansas City Chiefs: Their draft became about what the other teams in the division do best. The Raiders run right past them; so they need defensive tackles to at least slow down the Raiders running assault. And now there are two great quarterbacks in the division; so they will need explosive defensive ends to prohibit Peyton & Phillip from being accurate.

Oakland Raiders: The Raiders need a cover corner to solidify a fairly good defensive unit. It will also help to add a little more depth at linebacker. They also need depth at tight end & need to find an adequate replacement at running back due to Michael Bush’s departure.

San Diego Chargers: The Chargers need to improve their offensive line. Once they caused a good player to retire due to incompetence the offensive line fell apart. They will need new starters quickly to continue contending. They also need secondary help at both corner & safety. Playing against Peyton Manning twice a year now made this a necessity.

Houston Texans: The Texans need a wide receiver to complement Andre Johnson. Like all teams they need depth at offensive line. They could also select a fullback in the later rounds to help their running backs be even more productive if they can’t find the offensive lineman they want.

Indianapolis Colts: We all know they’re getting Luck-y at the start of the draft, but they need help in a lot of areas. They need help at corner, tight end, defensive tackle, offensive line. Heck it might just be easier to name the only area in which they are set; which is defensive end (as of now).

Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars have a good running back; that’s about it. Another case of their former coach being a good defensive coach & getting great things out of scrubs. The team needs to overhaul their entire front seven & then add some wide receivers for Gabbert.

Tennessee Titans: The Titans are surprisingly in the best shape of the division teams. They need a center & their coach can pick that a mile away. They also need a hard hitting cornerback & a quick pass rushing defensive end to complement a strong group.

Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens always draft the most talented player on the board regardless of position; so we assume they’ll do the same here. But they need to replace Lee Evans & will do so by drafting someone will as much talent (a 7th rounder perhaps). They should first focus on adding defensive end help; as Ngata can’t do it alone. It is also very possible they use their first round pick to select Ray Lewis’ eventual replacement.

Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals are a team that overachieved last year so people might think they’re good when they aren’t. They need help at cornerback, safety, defensive end, wide receiver & running back. Everyone notices they can’t fill all their issues in the draft. They need to address the secondary early & often in the draft if they want to compete in their division. They also need to add a disruptive defensive end like Justin Smith used to be for them. They also need depth at wide receiver & running back due to the criminal behavior of their starters.

Cleveland Browns: The Browns; as always are a complete mess. We’re working with the assumption they’re sticking with Colt McCoy. They have a lot of areas they need improvement on; primarily the defensive side of the ball. They will be able to select people in the forth & fifth rounds that can easily start for them on defense. But if they don’t take Trent Richardson & Jonathan Martin with their two first round picks we’ll all know what Browns’ fans are already aware of – that they’re not interested in winning.

Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers need a major overhaul in their defensive front seven. We’re assuming the Steelers luck of being able to sign linebackers off the street & turn them into stars will continue. As a result the Steelers still need a defensive tackle, defensive end & depth at center & guard. The Steelers should trade back into the first round to select whoever they deem a starting guard in the future, but may surprise us all by drafting a linebacker.

Buffalo Bills: Offensive line & cornerback are the Bills biggest needs. Some experts pretend like the Bills need an impact wide receiver, but they don’t; primarily since they seem to be able to get fairly decent productivity out of anyone at that spot. They should address the offensive line first, but need a cornerback to combat the only decent wide receiver in their division in Wes Welker.

Miami Dolphins: We’re assuming they will stick with the mediocre quarterbacks they have. As a result they need to upgrade at wide receiver & linebacker. They now have no wide receiver anyone can say has any talent & should spend their first three picks on wide receivers, but probably won’t. They have some dynamic pass rushers, but need an outside linebacker that can play at least the first two downs.

New England Patriots: The Patriots secondary continues to be an issue & they must spend their first round pick on a safety that’s actually starter caliber; which they don’t have. They also need to add depth at wide receiver since if Wes Welker leaves they just have a bunch of overpaid past their prime individuals.

New York Jets: The Jets at this point are a team everyone knows will draft a position they have no need for, but they desperately need a right tackle & safety. I’m better than Wayne Hunter & the Jets should address this issue with their first pick, but will most likely draft a wide receiver they don’t need or something as dumb. They have a decent safety who can’t stay healthy & a terrible safety who can’t cover anyone. This has spelled disaster for them the past few years & they need to address it.

The 2012 PBA season was very exciting if you were a fan of Sean Rash, Mike Fagan, or Europeans. Unfortunately, for most Americans, this is not the case. This PBA season, after all was said and done, could have been the most boring to watch in the history of the sport.

2012 brought us the second installment of the World Series of Bowling, an event that has amounted to nothing more than allowing the PBA to save money on travel costs. Instead of live televised finals across the country, eight tournaments were held in Las Vegas in just a few weeks. The results were taped and broadcast at later dates, once again being put in time slots rivaling NFL and March Madness games. The result was a convoluted season of taped finals interspersed with live tournaments, doubles competitions, and Chris Paul’s newest-collection-of-C-list-rappers-and-black-friends tournament.

How to Bowl Strikes

Worse than the organization of the televised finals, the complete and utter lack of parity of bowlers on the broadcast each week was monotonous and boring. Jason Belmonte, Mike Fagan, and Sean Rash seemingly made every TV finals. There is no doubt that these bowlers are highly skilled, however the WSOB was created to have larger fields of bowlers and different winners. It almost seems as if the PBA has catered to these younger, more exciting bowlers in some way or form to get them more exposure. Jason Belmonte was given every advantage possible a few years ago to get him on the TV shows because of his innovative two-handed delivery but now it seems the tournaments are consistently dominated by high revolution players. Either these players have become skilled enough the make the PBA’s oil patterns useless, or the Association is trying to usher in a younger viewing audience. It is a disturbing trend.

Another trend of the WSOB was domination by foreigners. All eight events were won by someone from outside the United States. This is an astounding statistic considering that Americans highly outnumbered foreigners in the field. It goes to show that the days of the PBA being dominated by Americans is over and it’s now an international sport. I wouldn’t be surprised if the tour slowly starts phasing out its tournaments in the US in favor of a more global tour and audience. Sadly, this might be the only chance the PBA survives in the near future, as its older audience has become disinterested in the ways bowling has changed over the years.

How to Bowl Strikes

Highlights: Pete Weber winning another US Open and badgering a fan in the audience throughout the live finals- His five US Open titles is possibly the greatest accomplishment of any bowler.

Sean Rash finally winning a tournament- Rash made countless shows over the last three years and finally overcame his demons in the TOC.

Josh Blanchard falling into gutter- Sadly, the PBA will take any publicity it can get, even it involves someone making a fool of themselves.

In Memoriam: With the shift in power from old style bowlers to crankers and two-handers, here are some classic bowlers who we have probably seen the last of on television:

• Steve Jaros
• Michael Haugen
• Mike Machuga
• Parker Bohn III, and sadly
• Walter Ray Williams Jr.

With the expanded fields and lanes catered to power players, these players have and will continue to be shut out from being competitive.

How to Bowl Strikes

2012 was a pivotal year for the PBA. Will its new flock of stars help it find a new audience in the USA and overseas? Or will the PBA’s abandonment of it loyal older fan base backfire and bring about its demise?

This sports reporter gives the 2012 PBA season 3 out of 10 pins.

Chicago Bears: The Bears finally added a decent wide receiver; so that isn’t a need for the first time in a decade. The Bears need a bunch of new offensive line options. And they need two starting cornerbacks. Surprisingly the Bears would be in great shape if they spent every pick on offensive lineman & cornerbacks.

Detroit Lions: Assuming the Lions running backs can stay healthy they are set at a boatload of positions for a long time. The Lions should spend almost every draft pick on potential starters in the secondary (cornerback & safety), but if they see a potential replacement for Mr. Backus at tackle they should snatch him up.

Green Bay Packers: The Packers are flawed in two major areas in defensive end & running back. They need defensive ends that can reek havoc like most of their other defensive players. They also need depth at running back since none of their running backs ever stay healthy.

Minnesota Vikings: It’s probably easier to just point out the few things the Vikings have: a starting defensive end, fairly good receivers, a nice running back group, a good defensive tackle battling father time & Phil Loadholt. Every other player on the team should count their blessings they’re in the NFL because they’re terrible. Hopefully the Vikings can find a way to address their abysmal team in the draft, but they may have to consider trading Jared Allen to acquire enough draft picks to fill all their holes.

Dallas Cowboys: They need all the help they can get on the offensive line. A new starting center should be their top priority. Adding depth at linebacker & defensive end to spell talented players is also needed; as a sixteen game season plays a toll on individuals who have to play every down.

New York Giants: Offensive tackle is a need, but the Giants seem to be a team that can throw anyone on the offensive line & make it work. Linebacker; as everyone has been saying for years. While the Giants have two great human beings in Mark Herzlich & Greg Jones they haven’t yet displayed what they’re fully capable of doing; as a result the Giants still need a solid cog. The Giants also need to replace Brandon Jacobs which could be done by signing someone off the street, but they’ll look for more production by selecting someone in the third round.

Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles are in the same boat as they were last year; when I correctly predicted them to go 8-8. They desperately need two starting safeties & two staring outside linebackers. Smuggling Demeco Ryans from the Texans makes it where the team no longer needs a middle linebacker, but they still have no one on the team who can play the position otherwise. If the team doesn’t trade up a few spots to select Mark Barron from Alabama in the first round it’ll show you that the Eagles just don’t care about winning.

Washington Redskins: Obviously they need a quarterback, but that problem was solved months ago when they traded up for the #2 pick. The team needs to restock the cub-bard at offensive line & defensive line; as generally the only decent play they get is from the linebackers. Adding some defensive tackles in the later rounds is a must.

Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons are a tricky team to figure out; they need far superior play out of their mediocre defense yet recently have drafted high caliber offensive players. They need to improve the offensive line by drafting a Guard. They need to find Tony Gonzalez replacement & they need to find a number of starting linebackers in the draft.

Carolina Panthers: The “experts” are starting to notice what competent people realized long ago in that the Panthers defense was terrible but had a great coach in John Fox. The Panthers need to find starters at defensive tackle, defensive end & cornerback. Chances are they will choose between selecting a defensive end or cornerback with their first pick. Then the team needs to find competent receivers to go along with Steve Smith.

New Orleans Saints: The Saints desperately need to upgrade on the offensive line; particularly at tackle. The Saints should spend their first two picks on potential starters. Later in the draft the Saints need to add more depth to their wide receiver corp (yes, I’m serious) & defensive ends with upside to be starters in a year or two.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Huge concerns at cornerback. One of the starters is a criminal & the other has been contemplating retirement for years. If the Bucs don’t spend their first round pick on a new starting cornerback they’re insane. They also need to find starting caliber linebackers & maybe a backup running back to spell Blount every once in a while.

Every year teams invite a few of their future stars to the big leagues for spring training to see if they’re ready for Opening Day. More often than not even if the players are ready for the big leagues there is a log jam at the position they play & they need the team to be intelligent before they break on the scene. The biggest issue is the “top prospects” are always expected to be starters right off the bat; even if there is room for them as a backup.

Bryce Harper: He will be in the major leagues by mid June; as no one of note is standing in front of him on the Nationals team. Currently Michael Morse is injured so the fact that Adam Laroche is dominating at first base doesn’t impact Harper as much. Roger Bernadina & Rick Ankiel are average players on their best day so sooner rather than later Harper will have taken the Left Field or Center Field starting job away from them.

Mike Trout: An exception talent dealing with a log jam in front of him. Bobby Abreu, Torii Hunter & Vernon Wells have all reached their primes & are in the down slopes of their careers. The problem is they don’t believe so. No one with a brain will trade for Vernon Wells because he had one good season in his career & makes Hall of Famer type money. No one wants Torii Hunter or Bobby Abreu because their best years were ten years ago; most would like to see Torii Hunter retire rather than continue to tarnish his legacy. But as a result Trout is stuck at Triple A while those in front of him continue to embarrass the organization.

Anthony Rendon: One of the best kept secrets in baseball is that the Nationals have a third baseman that’s as good as their star third baseman. The problem is Rendon won’t be playing third base any time soon in the majors. If Danny Espinosa continues to struggle at second base we could see Rendon in the majors sooner or later as the second baseman.

Jurickson Profar: A dynamic shortstop who could play on most other teams in the majors. The problem is Profar is the same exact player as Elvis Andrus with a little more power. Profar may still be a few years away & could conceivably be the replacement for Adrian Beltre at third base once he contract ends.

Zack Wheeler & Matt Harvey: These are two potential number three starters right now. The Mets seem to incompetently think they’re contending for something & keep sending veterans out there. I expect by June the Mets will be out of the race & will trade Johan Santana. Then the Mets will finally realize Mike Pelfrey sucks & release him. A rotation of RA Dickey, Dillon Gee, Zack Wheeler, Matt Harvey & Jonathan Niese will show Mets fans that they are finally interested in improving the team.