Arguably Joe’s favorite Bucs rookie was wide receiver Arrelious Benn. Coming from one of those gimmick, dimestore high schoolish spread option offenses, it took Benn a while to learn an NFL offense, just like Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik cautioned it would.

So after a few weeks Benn began to blow up and turned into a lethal weapon of a receiver before he was felled by a knee injury late in the season.

Joe was sick seeing Benn writhing in front of the Bucs bench with a bum knee.

As he promised he would, Benn has periodically updated fans on the status of his recovery via Twitter. Last night Benn gave his latest update and it is quite refreshing.

The knee is doing great couldn’t be any better right now. Walking like it never happened. God blessed me to be a fast healer!

The only thing that scares Joe about this is if there is a lockout, Benn will have to find doctors and a rehabilitation facility away from One Buc Palace. This is not good.

Joe recently did some snooping around and e-mailing people in the know and was told it is very likely that the Bucs have a list of approved doctors, rehab centers and workout facilities that the Bucs have distributed to players to utilize in the case of a work stoppage.

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. No, it’s another take from the studios of JoeBucsFan TV.

Sure, you’re probably a football genius. But just in case you’re not, former Bucs QB Jeff Carlson continues his quest to make Bucs fans the most intelligent in the NFL. He gets into the fundamentals of Cover 2 in this video.  

Draft guru Justin Pawlowski says the Bucs must find the LeGarrette Blount of the defense.

WDAE-AM 620 draft guru and lifelong Bucs fan Justin Pawlowski, aka The Commish, checks in with a look at five of the Bucs’ needs as they approach the 2011 draft. All of Pawlowski’s exclusive draft stuff for JoeBucsFan.com is archived here. And don’t forget his draft rumors/buzz page at 620wdae.com.

By JUSTIN PAWLOWSKI

Attack the Opposing Quarterback: There is no secret here. It isn’t about a defensive end or a linebacker. The Bucs’ biggest need is anyone that can come close to an opposing quarterback. The Bucs ended 2010 with just 26 sacks, which tied them next to last in the entire NFL with Jacksonville. This isn’t about just having a guy to get numbers, either. The Bucs need a closer on defense. With the lead in the fourth quarter, the Bucs need a defensive lineman or a linebacker to get the sack that ends the game. In my opinion, each one of the Bucs linebackers can be upgraded and the same can be said for each defensive end. This is why so many people point to those two positions as the biggest positions of need for the Bucs. It’s much deeper than just a position. The Bucs don’t need a defensive end that holds his own and plays the run well. The Bucs need a guy who will get to and attack the opposing quarterback. This was my main reason for giving the Bucs a player like Aldon Smith in my first mock draft. As we near the draft, I will comprise a list of players that fit this need.

Speed on Offense: In 2010, the Bucs found who they can rely on at a regular basis. They’ve got a franchise quarterback, a feature running back, and a go-to receiver. The Bucs might be at the point where they have the luxury of taking a receiver or running back with speed just because they can. I think the one ingredient missing in the Bucs offense is a player who is a threat to score at any yard on the field. At WR, the Bucs have Mike Williams, an injured Arrelious Benn, and Dezmon Briscoe; All are similar receivers with size and good receiving ability. A speed threat would open up things underneath for these guys. At RB, the Bucs had Cadillac Williams (free agent) and Kareem Huggins (injured with slow rehab). The Bucs might want to look into a younger, healthier version of Cadillac Williams in the middle rounds.

Intimidation at Linebacker: Other than defensive end, I don’t think there’s a position on the Bucs where each player could be upgraded as easy as the Bucs linebacker corps could be. Since I pointed out Barrett Ruud’s flaws three years ago, many people have jumped on an anti-Ruud bandwagon and his play has deteriorated the past couple seasons. The two outside linebackers, Geno Hayes and Quincy Black, are about as average as you can get at that position. Linebacker is probably the most intimidating position on any football team, and the Bucs weren’t intimidating, and haven’t been intimidating for a while. Raheem Morris said last offseason that he wanted his team have a physical presence. Well, I can’t imagine that he envisioned his linebackers looking the way the Bucs linebackers have looked the past two seasons. As much as LeGarrette Blount brought attitude to the Bucs offense last year, the Bucs need that attitude on the defensive side of the ball. Who will be the Bucs’ “Blount” on defense?

Depth at Tight End: Jerramy Stevens was released during last season and John Gilmore is a free agent in a couple of weeks. This will leave the Bucs with Kellen Winslow and Ryan Purvis at tight end. As much as I like Purvis, Winslow’s health will always be a concern and a reason the Bucs should add depth to this position. I’m not sure the Bucs need to invest a 1st or 2nd round pick in a tight end, especially with the money already invested in the position, but a mid-round pick wouldn’t be a bad idea.

A Lead Blocker for Blount: Throughout last season, I expressed my desire for the Bucs to go out this off-season and get LeGarrette Blount a lead blocker. I can’t imagine how good Blount could be with a fullback that could pave the way for him. I know that Eric Lorig is a possibility, and if the Bucs decide to go all-in with Lorig, I’d understand. However, if not, there are a couple of fullbacks in this draft that might look very good in pewter and red. A couple names to keep an eye on are Pitt’s Henry Hynoski and Stanford’s Owen Marecic in the 4th or 5th round.

If Joe is anything he’s a sports media geek. Proud of it no less.

Listening to local sports radio, monitoring Sirius NFL Radio, reading countless football blogs and websites and inhaling anything broadcast by the men’s channel known as the NFL Network are all daily rituals of Joe’s.

So when listening to sports voices coming from two different prisms, the difference in mindset and thought is striking to Joe.

Take the difference between local sports radio and Sirius NFL Radio. On local airwaves, Barrett Ruud is the worst pariah of an NFL player since Sabby the Goat missed tackle after tackle on the turf of The CITS. Ruud is not physical, the local talking heads bellow, he is scared of contact, a damning accusation of any man paid to play football.

The Bucs need a Dick Butkus, a Ray Lewis, a Jack Lambert, a punishing middle linebacker who will put the fear of God into any running back brave enough to cross the line of scrimmage, despite the fact in a Tampa-2 defense a middle linebacker is basically a glorified third safety.

Sirius NFL Radio voices, largely former players, coaches and front office executives, watch Bucs games too and come up with a far different reading of Ruud.

To hear the Sirius NFL Radio crowd, Ruud is a savant of a linebacker, a heady, intelligent man without which the Bucs’ defense would mentally crumble.

Count Ross Tucker in the latter group. The Princeton graduate who logged time in the NFL as a journeyman offensive lineman and dabbles with a column for BSPN.com co-hosted “The Opening Drive” Monday morning with former Bucs great Derrick Brooks. And the subject of Ruud came up.

Ross Tucker: There are a lot of things I just don’t get. One of them is what are the Bucs thinking not yet signing Barrett Ruud. The guy is smart, he’s always in position, he calls out the defensive plays and he’s dependable. I just don’t get why the Bucs have not signed him yet?

Derrick Brooks: I really don’t know why Barrett is not locked up. I know [the Bucs] think highly of him by the way they tendered him last year. It was one of the highest tenders. But with the economics of the game right now, he probably won’t be re-signed until there is a CBA is place. I guess it comes down to how much confidence do they have in Barrett? I played with Barrett and I have watched him closely since. I can say he’s highly deserving of [a new contract]. Whether that is in Tampa, who knows? But he is going about his business the right way. He has not gotten into any public talks about his contract. “Hey, I will just go out and play and see what happens.”

Joe finds it interesting if not amusing that learned men on a national NFL radio station laud Ruud, whereas locally, many behind a mic who have the pulse of the community are ready to fund a moving van to run Ruud out of town at the earliest possible moment.

The real man channel — withheld mercilessly from Outhouse Networks customers by brazen heathens — dialed up Donald Penn for a studio appearance with Brian Baldinger and Moose Johnston, and the Bucs’ big fella answered the bell with some fancy threads.

Not too shabby.

Penn talks about the team’s respect for Raheem Morris and gives some perspective on last season and the eventual 2011 campaign.

Here’s the link to the NFL Network video.

The man with the loose-lipped barber, Bucs icon Doug Williams, has returned to Grambling State to be head coach there again and has spouted off juicy nuggets of his time in the Bucs’ front office.

Clearly he wasn’t a happy camper.

Speaking to beat scribe Rick Stroud, Williams paints a picture of decision-makers other than Raheem Morris craving Mark Sanchez over Josh Freeman.

“I laugh, when I hear them talk about (quarterback) Josh Freeman. I know they wanted (Jets quarterback) Mark Sanchez. I sat right there while they were talking about trading up and getting Sanchez and all these different scenarios. (Bucs coach) Raheem Morris was the strongest guy in there. I remember the owners asking me which quarterback I liked. I said, “If you want someone to play right now, take Sanchez. But I think ove the long haul, Josh is going to be better,’ and I think he’s proven that. Raheem had the strongest conviction because he had been around the kid (at Kansas State).”  

Of course, this is a lot sour grapes. So what if Mark Dominik or others considered Sanchez, the Bucs took Freeman, and it’s not like Sanchez hasn’t won a pile of games. But it is interesting nonetheless.

Williams went on to say, in what seemed like a backhanded slap at Dominik, that there’s not much room for guys like him in the front office fraternity and he’s not a big fan of personnel types who didn’t play or coach.

Joe hopes none of this chatter affects Williams’ consideration for the Ring of Honor.

Good guy Stephen Holder discusses just how Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik deals with the glorified track practice otherwise known as the NFL Combine in this St. Petersburg Times video.

Just how difficult is it to play quarterback in the NFL? Consider Josh Freeman.

The Bucs quarterback, if there is a season, will be entering his third year in the NFL, just finishing a season in which he tossed 25 touchdowns against a mere six interceptions.

Just based on the numbers alone, it would seem Freeman has Greg Olson’s offense down pat.

But hold up. Freeman recently confessed to Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune that he has yet to fully master Olson’s offense.

Urged by offensive coordinator Greg Olson, who continues to expand Freeman’s responsibilities within the system, Freeman wants to reach a point where he can confidently take the Bucs out of a pass play when the defense dictates a run play is the better option.

“When we’ve had run checks built into a run play, I’ve done fine with those,” Freeman said. “But when you get a bad look and you get to an audible or change the play completely, I’ve (usually gone) to a pass play, because my mentality is pass-first.

“But there are so many looks where you’re (best option) may be to check to a run play, and that’s what I’m working on. I was able to do that a couple of times last year, but it’s something Coach wants me to do more, because the more you can do, the better equipped you are to catch a defiant defense off balance.”

Wow, this really came as a surprise to Joe and sort of reinforced Joe’s notion that grasping an NFL offense is akin to learning trigonometry. NFL offenses aren’t just something one can absorb overnight if a soon-to-be third year pro who put up Pro Bowl-like numbers still hasn’t mastered it.

A blocking icon who can catch the ball, Cadilllac Williams is a guy the Bucs should want to hold on to if they’re thinking playoffs and Super Bowl in 2011.

But if rock star general manager Mark Dominik is thinking long term, then he’ll probably have no problem letting Cadillac walk in free agency. Earnest Graham can surely fill his role, Erik Lorig  can play fullback and the Bucs can bring in more competition at that position.

Longtime NFL writer Brad Biggs, now of NationalFootballPost.com, says Cadillac could command a good piece of change, which could put the Bucs’ desire for Cadillac to a quality test.

The question becomes: At what price? Tampa stuck with Williams through knee injuries that wiped out the 2007 and 2008 seasons for him. Williams became a change-of-pace back with Blount during the second half of the season, and he also was dependable on third down. He had a career-high 46 receptions and was the team’s best blocker in the backfield. Those are skills that teams pay a premium for, just look at what the Chicago Bears did with Chester Taylor last March, signing the former Minnesota Viking to a $12.5 million, four-year contract.

What money and offers await Williams remains to be seen. Certainly the Bucs could have real competition for his services. He’s been a model professional for them.

Joe doesn’t know the details of Taylor’s deal, but Cadillac is younger than Taylor was last year, and Cadillac’s numbers are better.

Do the Bucs pay Cadillac $4.5 million next year? Joe thinks it’s a no-brainer, especially since that’s about what a sniveling center earns.

Need a classy, reliable ride to or from the Hard Rock or Derby Lane or the airport? Then Joe’s demanding that you call Paradise Worldwide Transportation at (800) 729-4713.

And don’t forget that Paradise Worldwide Transportation can get you where you need to go around the country. So if you’re flying to Chicago, Vegas or New York this week, you can get all your transfers covered with just one call — and one rate.

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Last week noted team captain Jeff Faine whined to Rick Stroud of the St. Petersburg Times that no matter how well-intentioned Josh Freeman may be, the Bucs’ unquestioned team leader and starting quarterback won’t be able to rally enough players to have a practice “at the University of Tampa soccer field,” so Faine claimed.

Former Bucs stud Mike Alstott thinks Faine is full of it, in so many words.

While Faine’s name never came up when Alstott appeared live with Joe’s good friend “The Big Dog,” Steve Duemig on WDAE-AM 620 last week, Faine’s premise did come up and Duemig asked Alstott point-blank if Freeman would have difficulty rallying teammates to work out together.

Alstott scoffed at the notion that Freeman couldn’t.

“I think so, with the guys who are serious [about playing for the Bucs], yeah,” Alstott said. “We had 95 percent of the team work out at One Buc on our own during the offseason when I was here.

“Josh is their leader. He is the backbone of the team. With him coming out [to organize workouts], that is great. I think he will have a lot of guys jumping on the bandwagon. He has something special going on.

“He’s a leader. It’s his team. That’s great that he is really confident about workouts.”

Joe was fortunate enough to get to chat with many of the Bucs rookies over the past season and to a man, they all pointed to Freeman as their leader, and often would say things such as, “This is Josh’s team. If Josh wants you to do something, you do it,” when talking about how Freeman gathered rookies together to work out prior to the start of training camp.

Just about every Bucs fan has heard Bucs coach Raheem Morris and rock star general manager Mark Dominik say the Bucs are “all about No. 5.”

Curiously, Joe has yet to hear any Bucs executive say it’s “all about No. 52.”

Look, Joe has no personal agenda with Faine. Joe just thinks at best it was wreckless for Faine to come out and mock Freeman for trying to get the team together during the pending lockout. Joe appreciates candor — craves it in fact. But Joe also knows about being guarded in one’s statements and Faine sure wasn’t thinking for being such a smart guy.

"Mr. Glazer, it's strange, every time I hear the name 'Albert Haynesworth,' for some reason I have a flare up of psorasis."

Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik, to the horror if not bewilderment of many Bucs fans, is intent on continuing the Bucs’ winning ways for years if not decades.

One way to do that is ignoring free agency, which makes many Bucs fans crumble their empty beer cans in their fists. A significant group of Bucs fans want if not demand the Bucs to go shopping like a hyper teenager afflicted with ADD armed with an American Express, even though this process has been documented time and again to fail. (Good afternoon Mr. Snyder… Mr. Jones).

Dominik points to the Green Bay Packers, the Pittsburgh Steelers and, to a lesser degree, the Philadelphia Eagles, for the most part, which consider acquiring big ticket free agents akin to an outbreak of the shingles.

So far, even though a number of Bucs fans don’t want to hear it, and try to bury their heads in a pillow, Dominik’s plan is working.

But eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune is of the mind Dominik may just veer from this mindset. The Bucs’ pass rush is so impotent (no, Joe won’t use his Connie Chung analogy today) that Kaufman believes there’s no way it can be fixed just through the draft.

Despite their 10-6 record, the Bucs applied little heat off the edges in 2010 and defensive end ranks as a top priority for a team with the 20th pick in the April draft. This college crop is deep at the posiiton, but the Bucs would be wise to consider adding a proven veteran who can force quarterbacks into mistakes and hasten the development of young defensive tackles like Gerald McCoy and Roy Miller.

Tennessee’s Jason Babin would be an intriguing addition if the Titans don’t franchise the 30-year-old defensive end with a relentless motor.

Babin, a converted outside linebacker, registered 12.5 sacks last season coming off the left side. That’s almost half of Tampa Bay’s total of 26 sacks for the entire year and Babin earned his first Pro Bowl berth, adding 58 tackles and two forced fumbles.

Given the fact there can be no player movement whatsoever until there is a new CBA, which may not come until September, Joe would be stunned if Dominik stepped aside from his philosophy and plunged into a free agency bidding war.

Thus far the Bucs — specifically, Dominik — are doing quite well turning up their noses at overpriced if not over-aged free agents. Joe doesn’t see Dominik walking down this path.

"Might the Bucs do what it takes to grab defensive end Aldon Smith?"

NationalFootballPost.com draft guru Wes Bunting gets down and dirty about all things draft in this great interview with Justin Pawlowski, The Commish of WDAE-AM 620.

Bunting gets very detailed into some Bucs’ options at defensive end and breaks down all kinds of things, from specific players to teams’ approach.

Great fun on a football-starved Sunday. All part of the daily draft coverage at JoeBucsFan.com. Just click the arrow below.

[audio: wesbunting.mp3]

During a live chat with BSPN.com minions Friday, NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas was asked to grade the entertainment value of coaches in the division.

And the man who loves to call himself an entertainer, Raheem Morris, quickly was annoited fun-guy-in-chief by Yasinskas, who also claimed that Raheem has a heckuva lot to say compared to his counterparts.

Eric

… Is Raheem most entertaining coach in Nfc South? Tell us something funny about him!

Pat Yasinskas 

By far. When I get the daily transcripts of coaches quotes from around the division, Raheem’s are usually three or four pages. Payton’s are usually two. Smith’s might be one page. Fox’s were usually just a couple paragraphs.

Interesting.

Mike Smith only has one-page transcript of his news conferences? For a winning team?

This tells Joe the Atlanta media is lame and that the NFL was even more asinine for endlessly running that stupid Falcons-on-the-bus commercial all season long. Why shove a boring dude down everyone’s throat when you could be marketing Raheem?

Also, since the Bucs don’t circulate daily transcripts from Raheem’s news conferences — the video is online — Joe finds it interesting that Yasinskas has BSPN staff feeding him every word from the NFC South coaches. What a luxury! Joe suspects Yasinskas would be more entertained by Raheem if he actually watched the head coach every day.

Joe wonders how Raheem’s entertainment value ranks among the rest of his coaching brethren.

All kinds of things are popping at the FruitDome today as a huge crowd of Rays fans are soaking in the popular, free event.

JoeRaysFan.com has everything Rays covered 24/7. Stick it in your favorites.

Joe loves Geno Hayes. Dude is athletic and when he gets a chance can really splash players despite not being the largest of linebackers. And as Joe loves to quote Whitey Herzog, “Speed kills.”

Geno has speed.

Sad thing about Geno is, despite being a lightning-quick outside linebacker, it seems as though hecannot get a quarterback sack unless the calendar has turned to December.

This fact was recently documented by eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune as he took to Twitter, posting on the TBO Bucs Twitter feed.

In 2009, Bucs LB Geno Hayes had 0 sacks through 12 gms and 3 in his final 3. Last year, he had 0 sacks through 12 and 4 in his final 4.

To this Joe can only say, “What the hell?”

Look, once is an accident, twice is a pattern. Maybe Geno needs to see a shrink to have him convinced each month of the season is December? Or could it be that Geno gets so giddy to see Santa Claus each year he wants to share his spirit of giving with opposing quarterbacks?

Yes, it’s true! Joe’s good friend Justin Pawlowski, host of the critically-acclaimed “Blitz” heard all too infrequently, sometimes on Saturday afternoons, is actually on the air today. Really, no basketball. It’s Justin!

Justin will be broadcasting live from Rays Fan Fest at the Fruitdome from 3-5 p.m. on WDAE-AM 620.

Even though the show will largely be about the Rays, and rightly so, Joe has a hunch Justin will sneak in NFL draft chatter as well.

A new Buccaneer?

Here’s a draft-lovers orgasm courtesy of The Commish, draft guru Justin Pawlowski of WDAE-AM 620.

It’s the first of his mock drafts exclusive to JoeBucsFan.com. And what a manbeast it is, just in time to cozy up to with a cold one for the weekend.

Feel free to e-mail Pawlowski with your questions and comments, commish@620wdae.com, and he’ll answer the intelligent ones in his Draft Inbox here on Wednesday.

Enjoy! More draft coverage all weekend from JoeBucsFan.com.

1^st Round

1. Carolina Panthers – Nick Fairley – DT – Auburn

                Needs: DE, DT, WR

Commish’s Take: I think it will come down to a defensive lineman for the Panthers, but which one?  With Greg Hardy being a nice surprise and Charles Johnson coming on strong, I think the bigger need is inside for the Panthers.  Fairley has his strengths and his weaknesses, but his upside is large and he has proven he can take over a game.  Andrew Luck would’ve been the pick for the Panthers if he had come out. 

2. Denver Broncos – Da’Quan Bowers – DE – Clemson

                Needs: DE, DT, CB

Commish’s Take: I’ve been debating on this pick a little bit.  The latest news has the Broncos trying like hell to resign Champ Bailey and John Elway saying that Bailey would retire a Bronco.  If that’s the case, CB isn’t as pressing a need as everyone thinks.  John Fox’s defenses have been notorious for defensive ends whether it was in New York with Michael Strahan or in Carolina with Julius Peppers.  I know the Broncos already have Elvis Dumerville and Robert Ayers, but Bowers talent at DE might be too much for John Fox to pass up.

3)  Buffalo Bills – Cam Newton – QB – Auburn

                Needs: OT, WR, QB, DE

Commish’s Take: The Bills are usually one of the wildcards in the draft, but this year might be different.  To win consistently in the NFL, you have to have a franchise QB and I think the Bills know that.  Unfortunately for them, this draft doesn’t really possess a safe QB destined to be a franchise guy.  Newton is an unbelievable talent who is big, strong, athletic, a winner, and has dealt with adversity.  Newton does have his question marks, but the Bills tend to over look issues like that.

 4. Cincinnati Bengals – AJ Green – WR – Georgia

                Needs: WR, DT, RB

Commish’s Take: Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens are out the door.  Jerome Simpson came on nice at the end of last year, but if the Bengals intend to keep Palmer and keep him happy, they’ll need more.  Green is a dynamic receiver who has incredible body control, hands, and big-play ability.  Defensive line is also a possibility.

 5. Arizona Cardinals – Von Miller – OLB – Texas A&M

                Needs: OLB, CB, OT, QB

Commish’s Take: After hiring Ray Horton from the Steelers, the Cardinals finally have a true direction on defense.  What makes the Steelers so dominant has been their linebackers, especially off the edge.  Von Miller has proven to be the top 3-4 OLB in this draft with his ability to get to the QB and also play back in coverage.  The Cardinals will hope that Miller is their James Harrison.

 6.  Cleveland Browns – Julio Jones – WR – Alabama

                Needs: WR, DE, OLB, TE

Commish’s Take: I find it pretty stunning that Colt McCoy had the success he did at the end of last year with the limited weapons he had to work with.  Jones would instantly be the go-to receiver for the Browns and a huge target for the Browns west coast 3-step offense.  New coach, Pat Shurmur, had much success with Sam Bradford by having him getting rid of the ball on 3-step drops last year in St. Louis.  Jones had some injury problems at Alabama, but when healthy, Jones is a big time presence on the field.

 7.  San Francisco 49ers – Patrick Peterson – CB – LSU

                Needs: CB, S, DE, OLB, QB

Commish’s Take: Sometimes, this is just how it plays out.  You could argue that Peterson is the best player in this draft and I don’t think I could give you a big argument.  However, if the dominoes fall this way, it wouldn’t shock me to see Peterson fall to the 49ers.  It would surprise me if the 49ers passed on him though.  Peterson has a great combination of size and speed.  He’ll also add in the return game if need be.   There are questions as to whether Peterson will play corner or safety in the NFL, but with the 49ers having needs at both positions, it kind of works out.

 8.  Tennessee Titans – Blaine Gabbert – QB – Missouri

                Needs: QB, DT, CB, C

Commish’s Take: With the release of Vince Young, the Titans put themselves in desperate need of a QB.  Gabbert might be the most polished QB in this draft.  He has excellent size and arm strength.  Gabbert would be a nice option to run the Titans offense that has so many weapons to work with.

 9. Dallas Cowboys – Marcell Dareus – DE – Alabama

                Needs: DE, S, OT

Commish’s Take: The Cowboys need help on both sides of the line, but it might be a little too early for an OT.  Dareus has gotten some good pub early on in the draft process and is a very solid lineman who played against great competition and had great coaching.  Dareus is extremely strong and should be able to hold his own as a 5-technique in the NFL.

 10. Washington Redskins – Cameron Jordan – DE – Cal.

                Needs: DE, WR, RB, QB

Commish’s Take: I kept trying to give the Redskins an offensive player with this pick, but came to the realization that the best pick for them would be to finally start building their defensive line through the draft.  Jordan lit up the senior bowl, being dubbed unblockable the entire week.  Jordan will be a great fit in the Redskins 3-4 scheme.

 11. Houston Texans – Prince Amukamara – CB – Nebraska

                Needs: CB, S, OLB

Commish’s Take: As much as I think Amukamara might slide a bit, in this first mock draft it’s hard to have the Texans pass on a top CB after having one of the worst pass defenses in NFL history last year.  Amukamara might not have elite speed, but he could play corner or safety for the Texans, and they need both!

 12. Minnesota Vikings – Robert Quinn – DE – North Carolina

                Needs: DE, QB, OLB, C

Commish’s Take: Ray Edwards is a free agent and looking for a huge pay day.  I think the Vikings want to go back to having that dominant defensive line that fell off a bit last year.  I think Quinn has a chance to have his stock go way up through the draft process, but if he lasts this far, the Vikings should snatch him up.  Quinn recorded 11 sacks and 19 TFL in 2009 before being ruled ineligible for 2010 after the scandal at North Carolina last season.

 13. Detroit Lions – Tyron Smith – OT – USC

                Needs: OT, OLB, CB

Commish’s Take: Jeff Backus got another year older, is in the last year of his contract, and the Lions right tackle, Gosder Cherillus tore up his knee near the end of last season, so a need for an OT is definitely there for the Lions.  Smith has the biggest upside for any tackle in this draft.  He played at around 285 lbs at USC, but there have been reports that he’ll weigh in over 300 lbs at the combine.

 14. St. Louis Rams – Jonathon Baldwin – WR – Pitt.

                Needs: WR, TE, DT, OLB

Commish’s Take: Sam Bradford had a lot of success as a rookie and that was without any top-notch receivers.  Baldwin is a huge (6’5’’ 230 lbs) target and could become Bradford’s go-to guy immediately.  There have been rumblings that Baldwin could run in the 4.3 range at the combine.

 15. Miami Dolphins – Mark Ingram – RB – Alabama

                Needs: RB, QB, NT, C

Commish’s Take: With Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams both free agents, the need for a RB for the Dolphins, a team that loves to run the football, is definitely there.  Ingram has already gotten a ton of comparisons to Emmitt Smith, but Ingram might have much better speed.  Ingram does have great vision, and some scouts have said that he expects to run 4.29 at the combine.

 16. Jacksonville Jaguars – Akeem Ayers – OLB – UCLA

                Needs: WR, OLB, DE, CB, S

Commish’s Take: The Jaguars surprised last year with the selection of Tyson Alualu, but that seemed to work out for them.  This year could be simpler.  The Jaguars have a need at linebacker and Ayers has been very productive during his time at UCLA.  Ayers is a bigger linebacker who would bring some thump to the Jaguars poor run defense.

 17. New England Patriots (via OAK) – Justin Houston – OLB – Georgia

                Needs: OLB, DE, RB, OL

Commish’s Take: The Patriots have loaded themselves up with a lot of picks again this year.  Because of this, the Patriots can go for the best player available with all their picks.  Justin Houston is another one of those hybrid defensive end/linebackers.  He is quick around the edge and getting to the quarterback.  Houston might be a little questionable in coverage, but could be a game-changer as a rusher.

 18. San Diego Chargers – JJ Watt – DE – Wisconsin

                Needs: ILB, DE, WR

Commish’s Take: The Chargers don’t have a lot of needs, but Watt would be a great addition at end in their 3-4 defense.  Watt is a huge body that can take on multiple blockers and still get penetration.

 19. New York Giants – Gabe Carimi – OT – Wisconsin

                Needs: OT, ILB, OG

Commish’s Take: When picking for the Giants, you always have to get into their mindset.  Since they don’t need another long-armed, long-bodied defensive end, I think you look to getting more physical along the offensive line.  Carimi best fits what I think Tom Coughlin would look for in an offensive lineman.  He’s tough, physical, and plays with a mean streak.

 20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Aldon Smith – DE – Missouri

                Needs: DE, LB, TE, S

Commish’s Take: I’ll preface this by saying I’d be shocked if Smith lasted this long throughout the draft process, but at this point, there are still many questions around him.  Smith was a late bloomer and is a very raw talent much like Jason Pierre-Paul was last year, but he has a lot of potential as an edge rusher.  He had good production the past two years at Missouri and would be an ideal fit for Raheem Morris’ version of the Tampa 2.  Smith can play end or also play OLB when Raheem wants to play 3-4.  Smith might be a target for the Bucs to trade up for if it’s possible.

 21. Kansas City Chiefs – Nate Solder – OT – Colorado

                Needs: OLB, NT, OT, OG

Commish’s Take: With all potential 3-4 outside linebackers taken already with this value, I think the Chiefs should look to improving their offensive line.  Solder is huge (6’9’’ 310 lbs) with the ability to gain extra weight.  He’s a former tight end, so he’s still learning how to be an offensive tackle.  With Branden Albert already at left tackle, I think Solder would fit in nice on the right side.  With his height, I am concerned about him losing leverage at times.

 22. Indianapolis Colts – Anthony Castonzo – OT – Boston College

                Needs: OT, DT, OLB, S

Commish’s Take: It’s been reported that the Colts regret taking Jerry Hughes last year over an offensive tackle.  I don’t think they make that mistake this year.  Castonzo might have the most potential at left tackle as anyone in this draft.  He is a balanced offensive tackle with very good technique.  He did not perform well at the senior bowl and showed a lack of strength.  If he gets in the weight room and works the way I know he will, he’ll be a quality starter in the NFL.  I got a chance to meet and hang out with Castonzo at the IMG Performance facility in Bradenton a few weeks back and was impressed with his mentality.  He’s a genuinely good person.

 23. Philadelphia Eagles – Brandon Harris – CB – Miami

                Needs: CB, S, OG, OLB

Commish’s Take: The Eagles were dreadful in pass defense when Asante Samuel was injured last year.  The Eagles play a lot of man coverage which is a good fit for Brandon Harris.  Harris’ name has been fluctuating as a 1^st round pick to a 3^rd round pick.  For now, Harris goes in the 1^st round, but will need to continue to impress to stay here.

 24. New Orleans Saints – Adrian Clayborn – DE – Iowa

                Needs: DE, DT, LB, RB

Commish’s Take: There’s no doubt Clayborn has had some red flags and concerns around him, but he was completely dominant as a junior, and that is tough to ignore.  I think Clayborn would be ideal for the Saints at left defensive end, much in the mold of Charles Grant. Clayborn isn’t an elite pass rusher by any means, but does play the run well.  The Saints have said that their goal this off-season is improving their front 7 on defense.

 25. Seattle Seahawks – Jake Locker – QB – Washington

                Needs: QB, DT, CB, OT

Commish’s Take: There’s no doubt that Locker is loaded with talent, but consistency in accuracy has been a major concern.  The first connection is keeping Locker in the same city he played his college ball in.  The 2^nd connection is that his college coach, Steve Sarkisian, was on Pete Carroll’s staff at USC.  Locker might be the most intriguing prospect in this draft and could go in the top 10 picks or in the 2^nd round.  Nothing would surprise me with Locker, but he will change the entire draft no matter where he goes.

 26. Baltimore Ravens – Titus Young – WR – Boise St.

                Needs: CB, WR, S, C

Commish’s Take: Donte Stallworth didn’t work out as the speed threat for the Ravens.  They have plenty of possession receivers, but a big play threat is needed.  Young has received comparisons to Desean Jackson both on and off the field.  I think there is a shot Young sneaks into the 1^st round.  Young’s speed would open up the underneath for Anquan Boldin, who became very quiet at the end of last year.

27. Atlanta Falcons – Ryan Kerrigan – DE – Purdue

                Needs: DE, WR, TE, OT

Commish’s Take: Kerrigan is as solid as probably anyone in this draft, but he lacks something spectacular.  He isn’t a big body that plays the run extremely well and he is not an elite pass rusher.  What Kerrigan is best at is leadership, hard work, and production.  As much as Clayborn was a good “fit” for the Saints, Kerrigan is a good “fit” for the Falcons.  The Falcons biggest weakness on defense has been leadership, and Kerrigan could bring that.

 28. New England Patriots – Mikel Leshoure – RB – Illinois

                Needs: see above

Commish’s Take: I thought Benjarvis Green-Ellis played very well last year, but the Patriots are in position to take the best player available with all of their picks.  Leshoure is a big back with a lot of power and great vision.  I think Leshoure could legitimately give the Patriots another dimension and option to their offense that they haven’t had in a while.

 29. Chicago Bears – Mike Pouncey – OG – Florida

                Needs: OT, OG, C, WR, CB

Commish’s Take: There’s probably no team in this draft that needs an offensive lineman as badly as any team in the NFL.  Sure, tackle is a possibility, but the “Pouncey” name might be too much to pass up.  Maurkice Pouncey was incredible for the Steelers, and although Mike Pouncey isn’t Maurkice, I think he’ll be very solid at guard in the NFL.  I think he’s equally good in pass protection and run blocking.  Pouncey is also good at getting to the perimeter on screens and laying a block.  Look out for the Steelers wanting to pair up the Pouncey twins in Pittsburgh.

 30. New York Jets – Phil Taylor – NT – Baylor

                Needs: NT, CB, WR

Commish’s Take: It’s a weak nose tackle draft this year, but Taylor does bring a sense of nastiness that fits what the Jets like on defense.  Kris Jenkins hasn’t been reliable for a while, so Taylor has the potential to fit into the rotation as a rookie.

 31. Pittsburgh Steelers – Marcus Cannon – OT – TCU

                Needs: OT, OG, CB, NT

Commish’s Take: Flozell Adams played well at right tackle for the Steelers, but I still think they continue building their offensive line after starting with Maurkice Pouncey last year.  Cannon is a candidate to blow scouts away at the combine.  He stands at 6’6’’ and weighs in at 360 lbs, but could run around 5.2, which is moving for a man his size.  Cannon could shift to guard, but he seems to fit the mold of a Steeler right tackle.  I know he’s mostly considered a 2^nd round pick now, but it wouldn’t shock me to see the Steelers be willing to take a flyer on him.

 32. Green Bay Packers – Danny Watkins – OG – Baylor

                Needs: DE, OT, OG, WR

Commish’s Take: Watkins has a really neat story.  He’s probably the oldest player in the draft at 26 years old.  Watkins was a firefighter a few years back before deciding to play football.  He took over for Jason Smith at left tackle when Smith was drafted 2^nd overall a few years back.  Watkins has continued to impress and had a very nice showing at the senior bowl.  With just 4 years of football played in his life, there isn’t much wear and tear on his knees.  He’s also got potential to get much better with more experience.

 Round 2:

1 (33). New England Patriots (via CAR) – Benjamin Ijalana – OT/OG – Villanova

Commish’s Take: The Patriots need to start revamping their offensive line. Ijalana can play tackle or guard and play both well.

 2 (34). Buffalo Bills – Derek Sherrod – OT – Miss. St.

Commish’s Take: The Bills finally get their left tackle. Sherrod should step in right away and protect Newton’s blindside.

 3 (35). Cincinnati Bengals – Corey Liugett – DT – Illinois

Commish’s Take: The Bengals need more push from the tackle position on defense.  Liugett gets good penetration and should contend for a starting position from day 1.

 4 (36). Denver Broncos – Jimmy Smith – CB – Colorado

Commish’s Take: Smith is a candidate to go in the 1^st round, but if he falls this far, the Broncos would love to keep the local product home, especially after passing on Peterson with their 1^st pick.

 5 (37). Cleveland Browns – Cameron Heyward – DE – Ohio St.

Commish’s Take: The Browns need some talent along their defensive line.  Heyward has great potential at end in the Browns 3-4 if he can stay healthy.

 6 (38). Arizona Cardinals – Aaron Williams – CB – Texas

Commish’s Take: The Cardinals defense was awful last year.  They got their pass rusher with their first pick. Williams with Rogers-Cromartie gives the Cardinals 2 good corners on the outside.

 7 (39). Tennessee Titans – Stefan Wisniewski – OC/OG – Penn St.

Commish’s Take: You know Mike Munchak would love to get an offensive lineman. Wisniewski is an old school interior lineman with a mean streak.

 8 (40). Dallas Cowboys – Rahim Moore – S – UCLA

Commish’s Take: The Cowboys need a centerfielder on defense.  The safety class is weak this year, but Moore has good instincts and could be a nice playmaker in the Cowboys’ secondary.

 9 (41). Washington Redskins – Colin Kaepernick – QB – Nevada

Commish’s Take: Mike Shanahan gets his QB.  Kaepernick is 6’6’’ and 225 lbs, and he might run a 4.5 at the combine.  He played very well at the combine, delivering good throws all over the field.  I like Kaepernick for Shanahan’s playaction boot attack.

 10 (42). Houston Texans – Martez Wilson – LB – Illinois

Commish’s Take: Wilson played inside linebacker at Illinois, but could shift outside in the Texans new 3-4 defense.  One of Wilson’s best strengths is gettingto the quarterback.

 11 (43). Minnesota Vikings – Ryan Mallett – QB – Arkansas

Commish’s Take: Character issues could force Mallett to slide a bit on draft day.  With Bill Musgrove takingover the offense in Minnesota, I think the Vikings would like a quarterback that can push the ball down the field.

 12 (44). Detroit Lions – Mason Foster – LB – Washington

Commish’s Take: The Lions need more playmakers at the linebacker position. JulianPeterson is gone.  Foster is a solid linebacker and a very good tackler.  I think he starts from day 1.

 13 (45). San Francisco 49ers – Christian Ponder – QB – FSU

Commish’s Take: One of the first things Jim Harbaugh said when named 49ers head coach was that he was going to run the west coast offense.  Ponder is a great fit for the west coast offense and should do very well in his interviews at the combine.  I really like Ponder’s accuracy.

 14 (46). Denver Broncos (via MIA) – Kyle Rudolph – TE – Notre Dame

Commish’s Take: Injuries might slide Rudolph a bit.  John Fox does like to incorporate his tight end in his offense.  Rudolph has nice soft hands and is a polished route runner.

 15 (47). St. Louis Rams – Muhammad Wilkerson – DT – Temple

Commish’s Take: Steve Spagnuolo likes defensive linemen who are long in the torso and have log arms.  Wilkerson gets good penetration and holds his own in the run game.

 16 (48). Oakland Raiders – Rodney Hudson – OC/OG – FSU

Commish’s Take: The Raiders are always tough.  Right now, I like Hudson to improve their interior offensive line, but also keep an eye on corners who run really fast 40’s at the combine for this pick. Nnamdi Asamugha is gone.

 17 (49). Jacksonville Jaguars – Torrey Smith – WR – Maryland

Commish’s Take: I like Mike Thomas at WR, but he’s like 5’8’’.  He’s much better in the slot.  Torrey Smith posseses a lot of speed and is a better polished receiver than Darrius Heyward-Bey was when he came out.  There are some inconsistencies that might drop him.

 18 (50). San Diego Chargers – Leonard Hankerson – WR – Miami

Commish’s Take: Hankerson opened eyes at the senior bowl with solid hands and polished route running.  The Chargers franchised Vincent Jackson, but he is upset.  If they draft Hankerson and he works out, the Chargers could feel comfortable enough to trade Jackson away.

 19 (51). Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Dontay Moch – LB – Nevada

Commish’s Take: Moch played end at Nevada, but will move to outside linebacker in the NFL.  He’s 6’1’’ and could weigh anywhere from 228 lbs to 241 lbs.  There have been rumors that he ran a 4.25 while at Nevada, but even if he runs a 4.4, that’s blazing fast.  Great speed is good for the Bucs defense.  Moch is also great at blitzing and getting to the quarterback.

 20 (52). New York Giants – Bruce Carter – LB – North Carolina

Commish’s Take: Carter has been dealing with injuries, but still has a lot of talent.  Carter could play inside or outside linebacker for the Giants.

 21 (53). Indianapolis Colts – Drake Nevis – DT – LSU

Commish’s Take: Nevis needs to put on some weight, but will still be an upgrade at under tackle for the Colts in their Tampa 2 defense.

 22 (54). Philadelphia Eagles – Jason Pinkston – OT/OG – Pitt.

Commish’s Take: How can we have a mock draft and not have the Eagles taking an offensive lineman.  Pinkston has great versatility to play tackle or guard and play well.

 23 (55). Kansas City Chiefs – Kendric Ellis – NT – Hampton

Commish’s Take:  Scott Pioli needs his Vince Wilfork in Kansas City.  The nose tackle is pretty weak this year, but Ellis could be a sleeper at the position.

 24 (56). New Orleans Saints – Stephen Paea – DT – Oregon St.

Commish’s Take: The Saints continue to improve their front 7 on defense.  Paea would be nice next to Sedrick Ellis.

 25 (57). Seattle Seahawks – Jurrell Casey – DT – USC

Commish’s Take: Carroll stays with his connections this year.  Casey played for Carroll at USC and would be a nice addition to the middle of the Seahawks defensive line.

 26 (58). Baltimore Ravens – Brandon Burton – CB – Utah

Commish’s Take: The Ravens had a need at corner last year and decided to pass on Chris Cook.  This year I think they get their corner in Burton. 

 27 (59). Atlanta Falcons – Randall Cobb – WR – Kentucky

Commish’s Take: The Falcons need someone to take the pressure off Roddy White.  Cobb is a playmaker who will move from running back to receiver in the pros.  He’ll be good in the slot with White and Michael Jenkins on the outside.

 28 (60). New England Patriots – Allen Bailey – DE – Miami

Commish’s Take: Bailey’s stock has been falling.  He hasn’t shown much of a pass rush, but is strong and can hold his own against the run.  The Patriots will like that at end in their 3-4 defense.

 29 (61). San Diego Chargers (via NYJ) – Mark Herzlich – LB – Boston College

Commish’s Take: The Chargers have big needs at middle linebacker for their 3-4 defense.  Herzlich’s story is awesome, but with what he has beat, he has lost speed because of it.  Herzlich has great leadership and work ethic, and is probably best fit for middle linebacker in a 3-4 defense.

 30 (62). Chicago Bears – Niles Paul – WR – Nebraska

Commish’s Take: A little surprise here with Paul sneaking into the 2^nd round.  I think Mike Martz wants to find a reliable receiver for Jay Cutler.  Paul has very good size and comes from an offense that just didn’t pass the ball all that much.  I think he could be a nice fit in the Bears offense.

 31 (63). Pittsburgh Steelers – Davon House – CB – New Mexico St.

Commish’s Take: The Steelers pass defense was a weakness last year.  House was a stand out for New Mexico St. and Mike Tomlin knows his defensive backs.

 32 (64). Green Bay Packers – Christian Ballard – DE – Iowa

Commish’s Take: The Packers can sit back and just take the best player available with each pick, since they don’t have many needs.  Ballard was great during Senior Bowl week and will be a nice fit at end for the Packers’ 3-4 defense.