The Beard and Stache NBA 2011 Mock Draft: Part 1

The 2011 NBA Draft will take place June 23, which is this coming Thursday night. We here at Beard and Stache will have our matchmaking skills put to the test over the next three days leading up to the draft. We will attempt to predict the perfect marriages between prospect and team for all thirty first round picks.

Today we will cover picks one through ten, tomorrow will be picks eleven through 20, and then we'll finally finish our mock draft with picks twenty-one through thirty on Wednesday.
This is what you've all been waiting for. The Beard and Stache NBA 2011 Mock Draft is now underway with the first ten picks.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Clippers) - Kyrie Irving, Point Guard - Duke (6'2" 180 lbs) With some help from owner Dan Gilbert's son, Nick, the Cavaliers turned their trade of Mo Williams for Baron Davis into Davis AND the No. 1 pick.

The Cavs' reportedly have yet to decide on who they'll select with first pick. They could go the conventional route and take Irving, who is clearly the top point guard in a guard-heavy draft. Or they could go with versatile Arizona forward Derrick Williams or even Turkish big man Enes Kanter and then solidify the point guard spot by nabbing either Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker with the fourth pick.

Despite all the specualation that the Cavs' are still undecided, the Beard and Stache would like to believe that the top spot is Irving's to lose at this point.

Though he may not have the superior explosiveness and athelticism of a Derrick Rose or John Wall; Irving has shown, when healthy, that he's a capable shooter who can get where he wants on the floor and can also impact the game without scoring. That skill set should set Irving up for great success at the NBA level and we fully expect to see him suiting up for Cleveland next season as the incumbent point guard in what has become a point guard-driven league.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves - Derrick Williams, Forward - Arizona (6'9" 240 lbs) Williams could go over Irving at No. 1, but as of now, we're guessing he ends up in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Unfortunately, that would create another logjam scenario since they already have All-Star double-double machine Kevin Love locked in at power forward and versatile forwards Michael Beasley, Anthony Randolph, and Wesley Johnson.

But Williams would have time to develop off the bench in Minnesota, and appears to be the only option they have at No. 2. Then again, David Kahn is running the show, which means anything is possible here.

Who knows? They might even draft another point guard to add to the cluster they've already accumulated at the position since 2009 first round pick Ricky Rubio has finally signed on.

All jokes aside though, we have the Timberwolves taking the athletic, 'tweener forward from Arizona - Derrick Williams. If they're taking the best player available approach, Williams is really the only option at No.2, though they could decide to deal the pick too.

3. Utah Jazz (via Nets) - Brandon Knight, Point Guard - Kentucky (6'3" 185 lbs) I know Jazz fans, you all expected to see your boy Jimmer with this pick. Even though the Beard and Stache think that would be a great story, we also feel that selecting Fredette third overall would be a bit of a reach.

Current starting point guard Devin Harris is often banged up and doesn't look like the long-term answer at the position. GM Kevin O'Connor has been coveting Brandon Knight since the season was still taking place; and he would be the perfect fit to backup Harris while learning to become the point guard of the future.

Because let's be honest, Earl Watson and Ronnie Price aren't great NBA point guards; and though the Jazz did the right thing by cutting Deron Williams loose and getting this pick in return before he could make his own LeBron-esque 'decision', the Jazz now need to shore up their point guard position. Knight fits the bill here.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers - Jonas Valanciunas, Center - Lithuania (6'11" 240 lbs) After getting their point guard at the top of the draft, the Cavs' go big at No. 4. Valanciunas might be the top international prospect in this draft. In the mold of most foreign big men, Valanciunas is able to get out and run the floor and is very skilled with the ball in his hands.

Taking Valanciunas here is a gamble, he just turned 20 last month and has a long way to go in terms of developing into a reliable NBA post player. Cleveland can only hope he pans out as well as the last Lithuanian big man they drafted – Zydrunas "Big Z" Ilgauskas in 1996. The combination of Irving and Valanciunas sets the Cavaliers up with two nice building blocks for the future.

5. Toronto Raptors - Enes Kanter, Center, Power Forward - Kentucky (6'11" 260 lbs) Kanter gives Toronto a legitimate post presence to compliment Andrea Bargnani's finesse shooting. He's missed two years of development, but has kept himself in great shape and got a chance to practice every day with a Final Four team. Kanter is billed as an extremely polished and athletic post player, a rare combination of size and skill.

Though it's possible that former UConn star Kemba Walker could be the pick here, we think it's unlikely considering that the Raptors may already have the point guard of the future on the roster in '08 lottery pick Jerryd Bayless. He hasn't really lived up to his potential yet, but he showed increased productivity when given additional minutes at the end of last season.

6. Washington Wizards - Jan Vesely, Small Forward/Power Forward - Czech Repbulic (6'11" 240 lbs) The Wizards have long been high on Vesely, and his exceptional transition game would translate well when running the floor with John Wall in D.C. He shoots free throws like Shaq, but his outside shot isn't bad, and could be improved further with coaching. Consistency is the question mark with Vesely, who can be a bit of a ‘tweener in terms of the small and power forward positions.

7. Sacramento Kings - Kemba Walker, Point Guard - Connecticut (6'1" 180 lbs) The Kings finally realized that Tyreke Evans is a lot of things, but a point guard isn't one of them. Sacramento could also use a high-character leader in its locker room. Enter Walker, who single-handedly willed UConn to the national championship last season.
He is a shoot-first point guard, so the challenge will be finding enough shots for him and Evans. His lack of size is an issue, but smaller men have had great success in the NBA before, most notably Allen Iverson. Walker is an NBA-ready talent with box office draw, which is big for a Kings team on the brink of leaving Sacramento.

8. Detroit Pistons - Bismack Biyombo, Power Forward/Center -Congo (6'9" 243 lbs) Biyombo is an unknown quantity, with the only certainties being his defense and rebounding. He has an NBA-ready body and is an elite level shot blocker and rebounder because of his explosive athleticism and freakish 7'7" wingspan.

His offensive game needs big-time work, but the Pistons will take his defense and wait for his offense. Detroit gave up more than 100 points per game last season, and they are hoping to see the second coming of Ben Wallace walk through the doors of the Palace at Auburn Hills in Biyombo.

9. Charlotte Bobcats - Tristan Thompson, Power Forward - Texas (6'9" 225 lbs) Thompson has drawn comparisons to current Bobcats forward Tyrus Thomas, the Bobcats' frontline still needs help. Thompson would give the team another athletic forward to compete for playing time.

He's another one of those 'garbage men' with a forte for defense and energy that would earn him a place on any NBA team. Thompson's frame has all the makings of a terrific rebounder and shot blocker which makes him a perfect fit for the defensive-minded 'Cats.

He averaged 13 points and eight rebounds as a freshman at Texas. He also made great strides offensively during his time in Austin, as a lefty who is a handful to defend on the low block.

10. Milwaukee Bucks - Alec Burks, Shooting Guard/Point Guard - Colorado (6'6" 193 lbs) Burks is likely to fall somewhere in the nine-to-15 range, with teams such as Milwaukee, Utah and Phoenix potentially targeting him. He's struggled some in workouts and will need to hit the weight room and bulk up his slender 193 pound frame to prevent players from muscling him. The Bucks could use a another athletic wing to play alongside Brandon Jennings.

Burks has NBA shooting guard size at 6'6 with an excellent 6'10 wingspan, and shows signs that he could fill in at point guard on ocassion, illustrated by the 2.9 assists per game. He's long and athletic enough to be an effective defender at the next level and also grabbed 6.5 rebounds in just 31 minutes per game.

He's an advanced ball-handler who is tremendous in the open floor and can finish in traffic with either hand. A consistent outside shot remains the missing piece to his game, but that's something that could be developed over time with the proper coaching.

Overall, Burks has excellent upside and the potential to become a fixture in someone's rotation. If he can start knocking down his jumpers on a more consistent basis, he can become a real offensive threat considering his ability to create his own shot and get to the line.

Picks 11-20 coming up tomorrow!

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Tiki Barber, Time To Give The Dude Some Credit

Yeah- I can count up the number of NFL analysts and ESPN reporters who have called Tiki Barber's comeback into the NFL nothing short of pathetic, but no thanks. I know fans, (especially in my city of Philly), that laugh out loud at Barber's attempt to get back into the league. I know Giants fans that are shaking their heads in disappointment, as they can hardly believe that a Giants great would try to make another run at his career. None of that from this writer. I'm here to say something -- It is time to give Tiki some credit.

The moment the ball was handed to Barber in the backfield, everyone knew he was getting some yards. The dude was a flat out monster and was and will still go down as one of the single best running backs in the history of the NFL. There was nothing better than being a fan of the game, and watching Barber do work in games. Regardless of who your favorite team is, Barber was one of the most fun players to watch.

Stacking it all up, his attitude was awesome, and the best part about him. Barber seemed like the kind of guy that would be hanging out with your buddies, drinking a beer, and cracking jokes all the way. Even on the field, it was obvious that his teammates, and even the opposing team, loved being around him. Barber would jog onto the field and flash a smile that was more blinding than the sun, and it was contagious!

My God! I am an Eagles fan, and I see Tiki flash that smile and I'm grinning myself!

So Barber retires after a simply amazing career with the Giants, and he get's himself a job with NBC to become an analyst! When I saw the news that Barber was still going to be involved on Football Night in America, I felt a little like a teenage girl. I seriously screamed with joy! Now I get to see that smile, attitude, and overall aura even though he is no longer on the field! This was a very cool addition to the team at NBC, and I was very excited to start the new season with Barber part of the crew.

Well, Tiki, that did not last long.

It turns out that maybe the 'show-biz' and Barber didn't really work out to well, and his relationship with NBC went sour quickly after signing on. Eventually he was demoted from Football Night in America, and then just fired after doing some small-time stuff. That sucked. But it is fine, do you know why?

Because it is Tiki Freakin' Barber, and he can handle this.

I thought that he would be back on with an analyst job soon, and this slump that he hit was just a temporary thing. I was wrong. Barber hit rock bottom. According to sources, Barber went into a deep depression after losing his job at NBC, and would go weeks without doing anything but sitting at home. Then things got even worse when Barber's college sweetheart filed for divorce after news surfaced of a relationship with a 23 year old intern at NBC was discovered.

Things could not get any worse for Barber. His post-retirement career had totally flopped, and now his long-time wife left him.

What would you do?

Barber is going back to the thing that he was great at. Barber is going back to thing that was no emotion. Barber is going to the thing that he loves. Barber is going to the thing that never failed him.
Now people are saying Barber is crazy? Yeah- He hasn't played in five years, and he is now 36 years old, but is anyone doubting what he can do?

We are talking about the same running back that shattered New York Giants record's as he absolutely wrecked defenses like it was his job. Even in 2006, when his playing time was reduced mainly down to a third down back, he still out-rushed other Giants' backs. Then five years later, he announces he wants to get back in the NFL, get back on the right track, openly admitting that he has been battling depression, and people are calling him stupid?

You doubters- You. Don't. Get. It.
If anything, we should be supporting a player that is battling something as serious as depression, and not criticizing him for trying to turn his life around. Come on! What if your brother, sister, or even yourself were in this situation? Would you call them idiots, and say that they have no chance of succeeding?

Nope.

Barber sent this text message to his agent when he made the choice to come back to the NFL: "I'm on a fucking mission of redemption."

Tiki -- go get em' champ.

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Chris Paul for Russell Westbrook: Desperation or a Smart Move?

If I was the owner of the New Orleans Hornets, I would be close to a nervous breakdown. My franchise point guard, who nearly knocked off the Los Angles Lakers in the playoffs, is talking about leaving for other teams. Free agency has me in a vice, as I can do nothing to keep Chris Paul in New Orleans. He is the only member of the team that has been a consistent force, and without him we will be in shambles. But there is another option! My best bet-- Trade him before he has the chance to leave on his own.

The rumor right now for Paul, is what I would consider a last ditch effort by the Hornets, is a straight up trade for Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now it is clear that Paul is the more valuable point guard, as he is a pass-first and 'look for teammates' type of player, as to where Westbrook is an offensive weapon. The only reason I am saying that Paul is better, is mainly because he is the best fit in Oklahoma City's system. Paul is a wizard when passing the ball and always finishes with a good number of assists, combine that with a good shooting touch, and Paul is the complete package.

Flip over to Westbook and he is a straight up offensive gun. He can get assists, but mainly because he has Kevin Durant flanking him and the dude never misses. Westbrook has had a great career in OKC along with Durant, and they are two fan favorites. But when it gets down to the truth, the stats show that Westbrook is a very poor shooter and is really only good at slashing to the basket and fast-break dunks. I would compare him to Rajon Rondo, but he doesn't play the same level of defense, and has a much better offensive game. Just keep him somewhere between Rondo and Deron Williams.

Westbrook to the Hornets is one thing: Another point guard doomed by a bad franchise. The entire New Orleans team needs a face-lift, and without Paul who knows where the team would go. In reality, Paul is the better choice all around, but with him most likely leaving, the Hornets should cash out when they can. Westbrook is an electrifying and young guard that has all the potential in the world, but he won't be able to fill Paul's role on the team.

The Hornets making a move for Westbrook is still their best bet. New Orleans would be crazy not to get at least some return on Paul, as he has shown little interest in resigning there, and Westbrook may be their best bet. It's not the same type of player by any means, but with the right coaching and proper teammates, Westbrook could become one of the NBA's best. The Hornets may be taking a hit with losing Paul, but at least they are getting something in return.

As for the Thunder, once the addition of Paul is complete, mark it up as an NBA Championship win. The combination of Durant and Paul on the same court is simply mind boggling, and I'm not sure if any team in the Western Conference, the Lakers included, would be able to contain both of them. Then again, everyone said the same thing about the Miami Heat, and look where they are at now.

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The Utah Jazz Passed on Jimmer Fredette: This Has To Be a Mistake or a Bad Dream

Disclaimer: I am totally blinded by Jimmer Mania

I will admit that when I was watching the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft, I was screaming profanities at the owners, coaches, and David Stern as the first names were announced to the world. Even though I was yelling and freaking out, making everyone in my apartment building think I was trying to kill someone, the outcome of the NBA Draft was something I could not change. The first two picks, I was able to hold my composure up, until the Utah Jazz sent their selection in, and then I went ape ****.

Enes Kanter, Utah? Are you freaking kidding me? You took a European center, to play second fiddle to Al Jefferson, but instead just blew off the fact that they have a hole the size of LeBron James' desire to win a Championship at the guard position. They have the late-rounder Devin Harris starting and Raja Bell, (wait is Raja even still alive?), as their starters, and apparently Tyrone Corbin is thinking those two can lead them to the promise land.

Keep this in mind, the Jazz could have even taken Brandon Knight from Kentucky. Wouldn't that be at least some what more satisfying than Kanter? No.

The simple fact of the matter is that even Knight, who is a superb talent, is not Jimmer Fredette.

Every Jazz fan reading this is shaking their head and crying into their hands. I feel you. Other denominations of fans are simply laughing, and that's fine. Because the simple truth is that every Jazz fan wanted nothing more than to have Fredette doning a Utah jersey. I know that I had visions of the 'Deron Williams Era' quickly being forgotten as Fredette started to drop 30 a night, and blazed a trail straight to an NBA Championship.

Jimmer Mania? Hell. Yes. (No pun intended for those BYU buddies out there).

Realistically, I know that is not how things would have worked out for Utah and Fredette. The fact that the Jazz passed up on such an amazing talent, that is the biggest home-town hero in Salt Lake City since Joseph Smith, is nothing short of mind-blowing. As I have pointed out many times in the past, one of the biggest benefits to drafting Fredette is that he would sell seats, which ties in directly with him being a home-town hero.

Monetary value aside, Fredette's talent alone should have been enough. He led all of college basketball in scoring and has a smooth shooting stroke that has drawn comparisons to Steve Nash. Combine that with his leadership value, something that Utah has been running in circles with since Williams was traded, it doesn't make any since that the Jazz passed on him.

I am aware that a third overall pick for Fredette would be considered 'reaching' for a player that has had some questions raised about his defense and success at the next level, but Utah knew what he was capable of. Fredette encompasses every single thing that the Jazz organization was lacking, and brought it to the table faster than any player, especially Kanter, in this draft class. This was a pick that Utah should have never questioned.

However, the Kings walk out of the draft with possibly one of the biggest steals of the last decade. Along with that, Sacramento is a team that is on the rise, and Fredette should fit in beautifully next to Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins. I know that the talk has been that the Kings are possibly stuck in parallel in 2011, as they may be moving locations soon, but Fredette's leadership should be able to go through that blockade like a freight train.

As a Jazz fan, I am let down.

If you are a Kings fan, let Jimmer Mania commence. Have fun.

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"Down Goes Pujols! Down Goes Pujols! Down Goes Pujols!"

Now, before we start, I'd just like to ask fans of the St. Louis Cardinals to just take a deep breath. This recent injury to the Cardinals' first baseman is tragic; but it doesn't mean that the Cardinals are down for the count like Joe Frazier in his famous 1973 bout against George Foreman. It just seems like it.

Of course, getting all of St. Louis to stay calm and keep their composure after seeing the face of its franchise crumpled in a painful heap and writhing in pain near the first base coaches' box is easier said than done.

After all, how can we expect the Cardinals' fanbase to not hit the panic button when their skipper and supposed leader, Tony La Russa can't even hold it together? After a news briefing about Albert Pujols' injury that soured the mood at La Russa's charity golf event, the St. Louis Cardinals manager let down his guard.

"I'm going to go find a place to cry," La Russa said.

Now, that may be a little over-dramatic, but I must admit, I feel for the Cardinals organization and its fans. Albert Pujols has been the best baseball player on the planet over the last decade.

Albert Pujols’ roller-coaster season continued on Sunday when the all-world slugger injured his left wrist and shoulder in a collision at first base with the Royals’ Wilson Betemit, casting a shadow over the Cardinals’ 5-4 win.

The Cardinals confirmed Monday that Pujols would miss 4-6 weeks after tests confirmed a fracture in Pujols' wrist. The tests, however, showed no damage to his shoulder. The team had been optimistic after Sunday’s game that the injury was not serious.

“All I can tell you right now is I’m sore,” Pujols told reporters after the game. “Am I worried at all? Of course.”

"He hit me on my wrist and my shoulder," Pujols said afterward. "He kind of jammed me back. It's the toughest play to make as a first baseman. It's a bang-bang play. I saw the replay a couple of times, but I didn't really want to look at it."

Betemit said there was no way to avoid the collision.

"I was running hard and the ball arrived at the same time I got to the base," Betemit said. "That's part of the game. I couldn't do anything about it."

This is the second time this season that a 'bang-bang play' caused an injury to one of Major League Baseball's biggest stars. Buster Posey's collision with Scott Cousins at home plate on May 25 knocked the Giant's young all-star caliber catcher out for the remainder of the season with a fractured bone and torn ligaments in his left leg.

These plays are occurring more and more often, so it begs the question - does it warrant a rule change to better protect the players?

In many lower-level baseball and softball leagues, “double bags” are used to avoid such collisions, one for the first baseman and one for the runner. While that solution may not be acceptable for Major League Baseball, perhaps the answer could be something in another form derived from the two-bag concept. Perhaps a less obtrusive flap that was attached to the base and was situated in foul territory would be acceptable?

However, as in the case of the Posey/Cousins collision, this injury to Albert Pujols will prove to be little more than a temporary black eye on the baseball world that will fade away over time, which means that a rule change probably isn't on the horizon.

Also, what long-term impact might this injury have on Pujols' career? Past players who have had this type of injury were never the same. If Albert Pujols follows that track, his free-agent price tag will drop -- by a lot.

Pujols is heading into free agency after this season, after negotiations before spring training fell through when he reportedly declined an eight-year deal from St. Louis worth more than $200 million. Looking back on it now, that could prove to be a poor decison. Teams may be reluctant to dole out A-Rod style money to a 31-year-old slugger coming off such a serious injury.

For the season, Pujols is hitting .279 with 17 home runs and 45 R.B.I. Along with his batting average, both his on-base and slugging percentages, .355 and .500 respectively, are significantly lower than his career averages of .423 and .619.

If he's going to ask for top-dollar, Pujols is going to have to finish the season much stronger than he started it in order to get the money that he deserves on the open market.
But what does this mean for the Cardinals' season?

Though they're losing one of their team leaders and a future first-ballot Hall of Famer for an extended period of time, they are far from dead on arrival.

While Pujols - the only player in major league history to bat .300 with at least 30 home runs and 100 R.B.I. his first 10 seasons is out of commission - the Cardinals will look to Lance Berkman to fill in for most of the starts at first base until No. 5 comes back.

The 'Big Puma' has gotten his groove back to the tune of a torrid .303 BA/17 HR/51 R.B.I. season, putting up the kinds of numbers he used to back in his glory days with the Astros.
That's not to say Pujols is going to be easy to replace. Teams aren't nearly as afraid to pitch to Berkman as they are to Big Albert. Because of that, the rest of the heart of the order is going to have to step up in order to fill the offensive hole.

This injury is the latest obstacle the Cardinals have had to work around this season.
Pujols was hurt three days after cleanup hitter Matt Holliday returned from a quadriceps injury that landed him on the 15-day disabled list, and Holliday also missed time following an appendectomy.

Third baseman David Freese, second baseman Skip Schumaker and pitcher Kyle McClellan have also missed significant time for a franchise that early in spring training lost 20-game winner Adam Wainwright for the season.

"It's tough," pitcher Kyle Lohse said. "It's kind of been the story to the season, it just seems like every month something's happening."

But despite the countless injuries they've dealt with this season, St. Louis is in a pretty good spot right now.

After losing seven straight, the Cardinals have won two in a row and sit a 1/2 game behind the Brewers for first in the National League Central, a division nobody seemingly ever wants to win.

In conclusion, the Beard and Stache have a message for the Cardinals and their fans: Don't drown yourself in despair. You may be without your star first baseman for a while, but injuries are a part of sports. It's time to pick yourself up off the floor, stop the tears, and forge ahead. After all, one player does not a team make - not even one as talented and skilled as Pujols.

The Cardinals are a deep and talented group and the baseball season is LONG. You still have time to make that playoff push.

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The Carson Palmer Dilemma: Let Him Retire, Call it a Favor

Following the Bengals 09' playoff run, I honestly never believed that the team held the talent to stay consistently on par with other teams in a rugged AFC Division. Although, almost all Cincinnati fans were certain their team was legit.

As most experts predicted, the Bengals fell apart in their 2010 campaign, and disaster struck during the offseason when Carson Palmer started making waves.
The thing- These were not the weak waves you will catch on the Jersey Shore, we are talking some tsunami stuff hitting Cincy. As almost everyone knows, Palmer has made it clear that if he is not traded from the Bengals when he lockout is lifted, he will simply retire. Bold move, Carson. Very bold.

I can hardly blame him. The Bengals organization, as Palmer has already said, has been inconsistent has been hopeless since he has been the starter there. I understand that when a quarterback like Palmer get's a taste of the playoff blood, it's hard to go back to being a bottom feeder in the NFL. Considering that Cincy has had almost no success since Palmer has been starting there, and they have brought little offensive talent in to flank him, I get the frustration.

But come on, Carson! You have a terrible attitude, an even worse season, and you are demanding a trade?

If I was Mike Brown, I'd be laughing at your request too! Sure, there are teams that would be more than happy to have Palmer step in as the starter, despite his bad attitude and lack of success as a starter. But keep in mind, Brown can play hard ball as well. Because Brown is rejecting the idea of trading Palmer, there is no option for the unsettled quarterback but to.. Well, retire.

Brown has out-smarted Palmer in every way. The best part is Brown didn't have to do anything but play the waiting game, because Palmer clearly didn't think this move through and it was based off of instinct and frustration.

If Palmer would have only waited until after the NFL Draft to announce this little trade dilemma, the Bengals and Brown would have no option but to trade him to find a replacement. However, because Palmer made his choice a few months before the draft, that gave Cincy plenty of time to scout a quarterback, and then snag their eventual replacement for the long-term. That Brown did, by taking TCU's Andy Dalton in the second round.

At that point, in the second round, as Dalton was still available, Palmer just punched himself in the face. He realized at that exact moment, he had screwed himself.

Carson. Carson. Carson. Look at the traffic jam you are stuck in now. Because honestly, I was unaware that traffic was that bad in downtown Cincinnati?

The Bengals, and Brown, have come to terms with the fact that the 'Palmer-Era' is done. With the addition of Georgia-Beast wide receiver AJ Green, and Dalton as the new franchise quarterback, the youth revolution has already begun.

Then with the sudden leadership spark from Cedric Benson, the Bengals' offensive squad is coming together. The best part- Palmer is still crying in the corner, trying to sell his house, and all this is going on during the lockout.

I have no doubt in my mind that Cincy is better off without Palmer, and they need to prove a point. Brown has said time and time again that he is not going to be trading Palmer anytime soon, which means he will retire and the Bengals are actually better off. Without even realizing it, Brown and Palmer both have managed to better the Bengals organization, in ways that no one could have predicted at the end of last season.

Some people will point to the fact that Cincy could probably get a second round pick, maybe even more, for Palmer if they were to trade him to a quarterback needy team. But Brown seems like the type of dude who sticks to his guns, and he will let Palmer retire. Even though a trade would be easily found, and he could get some return for his disgruntled hero, Brown isn't going to do it.

Because of the drama and the trouble that Palmer caused, Brown is going to let him ruin his career.
So Cincinnati, be sure to send Palmer a thank you letter at his new house in Florida. Because after all, that's where retired players with no work end up.

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Hanley Ramirez is Getting a Reality Check: The Florida Marlins Hired Jack McKeon

I'd like to open with this: I have no idea, absolutely no clue, how a team with as much talent as the Florida Marlins manages to be only one game down in the very competitive NL East and then flat out flop the entire month of June. Honestly, as an objective journalist, I don't know what to say. I think that the firing of Fredi Gonzalez was probably a step in the right direction for the club, but then to hire 80 year old Jack McKeon, it raised my eyebrows.

The Marlins have one of the youngest teams in MLB, and they bring in the oldest possible candidate to coach the team. I know that as an owner, all you want is for your team to succeed. But after one bad month, albeit a terrible one, I don't know if it is time to break out what Beard and Stache like to call, 'The Extreme.' Bringing in the single oldest coach to take on a team that is so young they could pass as college kids is just radical.

Not only did the Marlins get the attention of other MLB teams, but maybe they were trying to draw some attention from their hometown. After all, the Marlins boast the worst attendance of any team, and are getting desperate to sell some seats. In the big picture, this was not a move to sell seats, but could have worked out well as an alternative agenda, or an added bonus. As an owner, when your hometown is selling around 16,000 seats a game, you take anything you can get.

On the actual field, this is a much different situation. The Marlins brought in an 80 year old coach that is going to stay true to his 'old-school' fundamentals, and go head on against a cocky and young team. Keep in mind this team is led by a man named Hanley Ramirez, who as talented as he is, has a totally nasty attitude. He is the type of player who knows he is good, and has that swagger that allows him to act like a rebel.

You know what McKeon did about that?

He benched Ramirez.

It wasn't because Ramirez mouthed off, or had a bad attitude this time around, it was because he was not running hard enough to first base. There are people in and around MLB organizations that have a lot of respect for McKeon as a person, and as a coach. However, some of the words tossed around when discussing his style: 'Doesn't give a crap,' 'Bull-Headed,' 'Bring it on.'

Those are things that won't mix well with Ramirez, who is the teams best player and clear leader.
If I was Ramirez, I would have felt like I was run over by a train. There had been rumors following Gonzalez being fired that Ramirez had been a key cog in the eventual firing, although all reports of course were denied by the Marlins. Now that Ramirez and McKeon have already had one altercation, it seems that the tables have turned. As just one week ago, Ramirez held all the power on that team, and now it has been stripped by some old dude?

This should not come as a surprise to anyone really. This happens whenever a diva, or an athlete with an inflated ego get's a reality check. Ramirez will stomp around, be unhappy, claim he didn't do anything wrong, and then things will simmer down. It may not be the most fun for a star shortstop, but it is -- what it is.

Also, Hanley -- Trust me, McKeon will keep you on the bench all season if he has too.

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The Beard and Stache NBA 2011 Mock Draft: Part 3

The NBA Draft is now only a day away, and the Beard and Stache have completed our mock draft with picks 21-30. Enjoy.

21. Portland Trail Blazers: JaJuan Johnson, Power Forward - Purdue (6'10" 220 lbs) With all the Blazers' centers on the verge of their next knee surgery, LaMarcus Aldridge has been playing a lot more center than they planned on. Gerald Wallace is getting to old to play much more power forward, making Johnson the perfect fit in Portland.

A long, tall forward with good scoring instincts, Johnson is a legit 6'10" in shoes with a long 7'2" wingspan. He has very impressive leaping ability with unusual explosiveness for a big man, which makes him a great target to catch lob passes from Andre Miller and Marcus Camby.

Over his four years at Purdue, he has really developed a solid offensive game with a smooth and refined turnaround jumper, which is very difficult to defend due to his length. He can hit a jumper out to 18 feet from the basket to complement his improving post game.

However, his frame doesn't look like it could support much more weight and he is a bit of a 'tweener, so it's unsure what position he'll translate best to on the NBA level.

22. Denver Nuggets: Marcus Morris, Small Forward, Power Forward - Kansas (6'9" 230 lbs) It might finally be time to start grooming Kenyon Martin's replacement. Like his brother Markeiff, Marcus shows great toughness and energy whenever he on the floor; qualities that would make him a welcome fit in George Karl's scheme. Marcus has a good back-to-the-basket game, is a good rebounder and works hard.

He has a jump shot you need to respect (needs to improve it, but still solid) and he can put the ball on the floor and get around you. There are questions if he is athletic enough to hang with the guys he’ll match up with at the next level — he keeps saying he’s an NBA small forward, scouts say he’s an undersized power forward.

But regardless of what position he ultimately plays for George Karl, you know this former Jayhawk has the talent and drive to be a success in the NBA.

23. Houston Rockets (via Suns, via Magic): Tyler Honeycutt, Small Forward - UCLA (6'8" 190 lbs) This is another case where more depth at one position isn't necessarily a bad thing. Honeycutt is a nicely sized for a SF at a legit 6-8 which he uses extremely well on the defensive end, as evidenced by him being the leading shot blocker in the Pac-10.

He moves his feet well laterally, which combined with his length, overall good effort level on that end of the court and strong second jump creates an intriguing defensive prospect on the perimeter. Playing in Ben Howland's system, Honeycutt has experience playing largely man to man defense, and played significant minutes both in the post and on the perimeter, something that should help when evaluating his ability to defend at the next level.

His offensive abilities are a bit murky at this point, but he has decent athleticism and the Rockets have a need at his position with Chase Budinger and Terrence Williams floundering in and out of the lineup. He could end up being a solid pick despite going this late in the draft.

24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Reggie Jackson, Point Guard/Shooting Guard - Boston College (6'3" 200 lbs) Jackson sat out the NBA pre-draft combine and workouts, so speculation has started to pop up about that Jackson already has a promise in place. Sources are saying that the team in question could be the Thunder.

It's no mystery that the team has been shopping backup point guard Eric Maynor, and it may be to clear a roster spot for Jackson. Though he lacks great point guard skills, Jackson has an incredible seven foot wingspan and is a quality isolation player. The Thunder are hoping he can step in and become something in the mold of Russell Westbrook.

25. Boston Celtics: Trey Thompkins, Power Forward - Georgia (6'10" 239 lbs) Danny Ainge will likely look to bolster the team's aging and depleted frontcourt. After receiving heavy criticism for his high fifteen percent body fat and perceived laziness, Thompkins could end up falling into the second round.

He's easily the most polished offensive bigman available. Thompkins had a nice season at UGA, averaging 16.4 points, 7.6 boards and 1.7 blocks per game. The big question is whether he will stay motivated.

A player who entered the season as a projected lottery pick has not gotten great reviews and finds himself fighting to stay in the first round. Thompkins is a highly skilled offensive player with range out to college three.

He doesn't wow you with athleticism, but his skill level is that of an NBA vet. If Jeremy Tyler doesn't set off major red flags in psychological testing, he's also a possibility here.

26. Dallas Mavericks: Justin Harper, Small Forward/Power Forward - Richmond (6'10" 228 lbs) The champs would love to add an NBA ready player that can contribute something right away. Harper is a good fit in Dallas.

While he's truly a power forward, he's a late bloomer and one of the best shooters in this draft, if not the best; and his jumper, combined with his size and strength, are going to be NBA assets. He also appears to have upside left to develop despite being a senior. He probably is capable of eventually playing either forward position.

27. New Jersey Nets (via Lakers): Davis Bertans, Small Forward/Power Forward - Latvia (6'10" 211 lbs) This is the pick the Lakers dumped with Sasha Vujacic to avoid having to pay a guaranteed first-round contract to a prospect. The old saying is that you can never have enough shooters on your team, and the soon to be Brooklyn Nets could use someone like Bertans.

He is said to have a promise in the 20s somewhere. There's also a chance that a team will trade into this range to acquire a pick to select him.

Bertans is possibly the top shooter in the entire draft and although he's a few years away, he could be a very intriguing option to stash overseas with the uncertainty regarding next year's season. Bertans impressed scouts with his feel for the game and desire on top of his tremendous shooting ability at the 2011 Hoop Summit.

28. Chicago Bulls (via Heat): Shelvin Mack, Point Guard/Shooting Guard - Butler (6'2" 205 lbs) The NCAA tourney hero is tough and tested, and he can provide some combo-guard punch off the bench behind MVP Derrick Rose. The Bulls would like to fill out their bench with a little more offense, and Mack could provide that scoring off the pine to prevent the Bulls' offense from becoming stagnant when Rose isn't on the floor.

29. San Antonio Spurs: Nikola Mirotic, Power Forward - Spain (6'10" 225 lbs) Somebody liked Mirotic enough to convince him not to withdraw his name from draft consideration. Knowing San Antonio's previous successes in drafting foreign talent (Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili come to mind), it wouldn't surprise me at all if they selected the Spanish big man here.

This 6-10 big man can score, rebound, block shots and steal the ball - all the qualities of a San Antonio frontcourt player that "Coach Pop" would love to add. However, the Spurs already have Tim Duncan and DeJuan Blair, not to mention Tiago Splitter. If they do select Mirotic, look for him to ride the pine as a rookie and earn his minutes, just as Blair and Splitter did.

30. Chicago Bulls: Kyle Singler, Small Forward - Duke (6'9" 228 lbs) With a contending team, Chicago could use Singler's all around feel for the game and NBA readiness to bolster their relatively weak bench.

While Singler's combine athleticism numbers (30-inch vertical) didn't help his cause, his basketball IQ, skill level and toughness should make him a mainstay in the NBA for years to come. Playing the small forward position, his lack of athleticism won't be as big a factor as it might at other positions, and his shooting numbers will end up being better than what he showed this season.

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The Beard and Stache NBA 2011 Mock Draft: Part 2

Today we are one day closer to the 2011 NBA Draft; and with that in mind, the Beard and Stache are here to offer our takes on first round picks 11-20.

11. Golden State Warriors: Klay Thompson, Shooting Guard/Small Forward - Washington State (6'7" 206 lbs) Recently there has been a lot of trade talk surrounding Monta Ellis since new head coach Mark Jackson took the reigns in Oakland. Jackson has said he plans to put more of a focus on the defensive side of the ball, and having a backcourt consisting of two 6'3" guards just doesn't translate into Golden State improving defensively.

We foresee Monta Ellis being moved, possibly as early as draft night. Despite his lack of size at the shooting guard position, Ellis is a phenomenal scorer and the Warriors should have plenty of potential partners lining up for a chance to strike a deal.

Klay is the son of former first overall NBA draft pick Mychal Thompson, so the NBA pedigree is there. Thompson is probably the second best shooter behind only 'the Jimmer' in this class. That shooting touch combined with his length should make the new regime in Golden State very happy campers.

12. Utah Jazz: Chris Singleton, Small Forward - Florida State (6'9" 225 lbs) Sources say the Jazz won't be adding two guards to their roster, meaning Fredette is likely out here if they opt for Knight at No. 3. Singleton has the potential to be another Josh Smith or Gerald Wallace.

His stock has been rising via individual workouts, where he has proved he’s more than just a lockdown defender. The Jazz would love to add another gritty, tough wing to replace soon to be free agent, Andrei Kirilenko.

13. Phoenix Suns: Jimmer Fredette, Point Guard/Shooting Guard - Brigham Young (6'2" 195 lbs) A Morris twin, Tristan Thompson and Chris Singleton are all high on the Suns’ list, but they’ll take Fredette. One of the NCAA's most exciting players, Jimmer has what I like to call 'in the gym' range. Considering the Suns plan to buyout Vince Carter, and are possibly going to lose Pietrus and Grant Hill, they are going to need some scoring punch.

Jimmer is their man.

There's also a large contingent of folks from Utah in Phoenix, so Jimmer would be an extremely popular pick. He would also have the perfect mentor to learn the ropes of playing point guard in the NBA with a two-year apprenticeship under future Hall of Famer Steve Nash. Phoenix would love to have Fredette "show them how to Jimmer."

14. Houston Rockets: Jordan Hamilton, Shooting Guard/Small Forward - Texas (6'8" 230 lbs) Hamilton is a smooth scorer and plays best when he's the main cog in a team's offense. The Rockets could use Hamilton's scoring ability and readiness to contribute. He's one of the best pure shooters in the draft, and his compact, quick release will be a key to his success in the pros for catch and shoot scenarios.

Hamilton measured very well at a legit 6-8, but didn't really impress scouts with his athleticism. He has an improving post game to complement his exceptional perimeter stroke. The Rockets aren't exactly deep at small forward and Hamilton makes sense – especially since he's already in Texas. However, Houston could also end up trading this pick.

15. Indiana Pacers: Marshon Brooks, Shooting Guard - Providence (6'5" 195 lbs) Brooks' stock is skyrocketing after individual workouts. He's 22 years old after averaging 24.6 points, seven rebounds and 2.5 assists during his senior season, while finishing second in the entire nation in scoring. One source says he was "ridiculous" in his Indiana workout on June 7 -- in a good way, of course -- scoring in a variety of ways that the Pacers could have used in their first-round playoff loss to Chicago.

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Nikola Vucevic, Power Forward/Center - USC (7'0" 260 lbs) Elton Brand has been underwhelming and is clearly headed towards the end of his career. Thus, the Sixers are looking to add a rugged big man, and there's strong reason to believe they hold Vucevic in high regard after his recent rise. And, no, the Philadelphia Inquirer report indicating that the Sixers will be issuing a qualifying offer to fifth-year center Spencer Hawes doesn't change that.

Vucevic is taking advantage of the fact that centers are in short supply in this draft. He measured 6-foot-11¾ in shoes and weighed 260 pounds at the Chicago combine last month. Donatas Motiejunas is being considered as well.

17. New York Knicks: Markeiff Morris, Power Forward - Kansas (6'9" 241 lbs) The Knicks would love to add a young point guard here as the eventual replacement for "Mr. Big Shot" Chauncey Billups or they could trade the pick altogether. But if they keep it, look for them to take the best available talent - which at this point, would be Markeiff Morris.

The Morris twins have built a reputation for bringing intenstiy and toughness every time they're out on the floor. Some enivision Markeiff becoming the better pro (over Marcus) due to his size and better ability to fit a position. In addition to being a capable scorer, Markeiff is also a strong rebounder with the athleticism that would pay dividends on both ends of the court.

18. Washington Wizards (via Hawks): Tobias Harris, Small Forward/Power Forward - Tennessee (6'8" 225 lbs) Harris proved he's a lot more athletic than he looks with his superb athleticism numbers at the combine. The Wizards are looking to build for the long-term with John Wall as the centerpice and Harris would fit that plan perfectly, considering he's one of the youngest players in the draft at age 18.

There aren't many freshman, much less players in the nation with the polish and feel for the game that Harris possesses. Tobias is a bit of a 'tweener and a jack of all trades with above-average court vision, passing, and ball handling abilities. He also elevates extremely well at the rim.

However, his body needs better definition and his lateral quickness isn't ideal. But he is a bright kid with a professional demeanor - a welcome addition in D.C. considering the Wiz are only two years removed from the Gilbert Arenas gun circus.

19. Charlotte Bobcats (via Hornets): Kenneth Faried, Power Forward - Morehead State (6'8" 225 lbs) After Sports Illustrated put him on their cover and called him the best rebounder in the nation, Faried has managed to live up to the hype. He was very good in the NCAA tournament and will go after loose balls with reckless abandon. This bodes well for Charlotte - a team that was among the NBA's worst in rebounding last season, and no one in this draft class is more of a glass eater than Faried.

He blocks shots too, and his performance at the combine seems to have marginally improved his stock. Charlotte's frontcourt may now be getting a little crowded with the hypothetical selection of Tristan Thompson at No.9 to go along with Tyrus Thomas. But unless a miracle happens, I'm fairly sure Kwame Brown is still as overrated and underwhelming as when the Wizards took him first overall in 2001; which makes Faried a definite possibility here.

Faried is a perfect replacement for the hard-working Gerald Wallace (who was traded mid-season). Even though Charlotte needs offense at this juncture in the draft, finding a player who can grab ten rebounds a game is rare and his tenacity and effort on the boards will quickly make Faried a fan-favorite in Charlotte.

20. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Grizzlies): Donatas Motiejunas, Power Forward/Center - Lithuania (7'0" 224) Thankfully, Kahn and co. have decided against drafting another point guard in this spot, instead selecting the young Lithuanian big man. Motiejunas did not look good in the European workout, but he is a hard working, legit 7-foot center with great potential. His size and scoring ability would give Minnesota an extremely formidable frontcourt of the future along with Michael Beasley and Kevin Love.

Motiejunas is a finesse big and despite lacking great toughness and rebounding could develop into a poor man's Dirk Nowitzki. However, his buyout could prove to be difficult. Add that in with the uncertainty of the NBA labor situation, and it might make more sense if the Timberwolves allow Motiejunas to stay overseas for a couple more seasons while he continues to develop.

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Chad Pennington Joining Fox Sports as Analyst

Scratch Chad Pennington as an option for the Miami Dolphins' -- or anybody else's -- quarterback depth chart next season.

The oft-injured quarterback told the Charleston Daily Mail he plans to skip the 2011 season while he recovers from shoulder and knee injuries and will work for Fox Sports as an analyst. The two-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year, who will turn 35 next weekend, said he might consider returning to the field in 2012.

"I'm actually going to take this year off, get healthy and do some work for Fox Sports," Pennington told the West Virginia newspaper. "I'm going to evaluate things and see where I am physically."
"He came to Los Angeles for an audition a few weeks ago and we think he has a chance to be a pretty successful analyst," Fox Sports spokesman Dan Bell told the newspaper.
Pennington signed a one-year contract with Fox Sports and will be paired with Sam Rosen, the Miami Herald reported.

Pennington suffered another major injury to his throwing shoulder a few snaps into his lone start for the Dolphins last season. He tore a knee ligament while playing a pickup basketball game in March.
He said shooting hoops was "a dumb decision. I haven't played football. I wasn't training real hard at the time because I was doing some shoulder rehab, and my legs weren't ready to play basketball. So it was just dumb."

Now, I may be exaggerating, but doesn't it seem like Pennington is never healthy? Since being drafted by the New York Jets with the 18th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, he has suffered countless injuries to both shoulders and arms, and now the newest injury - tearing his ACL while playing pick-up basketball with some friends. The poor guy can't seem to catch a break.

I feel like Pennington has been as lucky with injuries as the Cavaliers were last offseason when trying to retain the services of LeBron James. Just like James packed up the hopes and dreams of an entire Cavs' franchise into a tiny suitcase before taking off for South Beach, Pennington's recurring injury troubles have haunted and plagued him throughout his entire career and could end up forcing him into early retirement.

Despite that, the Beard and Stache would like to commend Pennington for taking a broadcasting position and sitting out the year to get himself back on track physically. With the end of the lockout seemingly no where in sight, we think it's very wise for Pennington to take this opportunity to test the waters in another profession while rehabbing yet another injury.

This could be perfect fit for Pennington, considering he graduated from Marshall University in 1999 with a degree in journalism, a 3.83 grade point average and was a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship. He wrote frequently for Marshall's newspaper The Parthenon and was a broadcaster for the school's radio station.

This could be good for both Pennington and the broadcasting world. Let's be honest - at some point, we all get tired of listening to the same dry and repetitive drawl every Sunday. The addition of Pennington to the Fox Sports broadcasting team could improve that.

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Kansas City Chiefs Rookie Wide Receiver Jonathan Baldwin: On the Road to Success in 2011

Meet the Chiefs' High-Flying Rookie wide receiver, Jonathan Baldwin

With the NFL Lockout continuing for hopefully only a few more weeks (fingers crossed), I think it's time I made a prediction for one of my favorite incoming rookies - Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver, Jonathan Baldwin.

The former Pitt Panther standout has all the tools at his disposal to be a productive second weapon for quarterback Matt Cassel in a budding Chiefs' offense that already boasts two Pro-Bowlers in running back Jamaal Charles and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe. At 6'4", 228 lbs, Baldwin will be a big target for Cassel to throw the ball to, a luxury that the Chiefs haven't had at the wide receiver position in some time.

Baldwin is a great fit for Kansas City and should be able to take some double teams away from Dwayne Bowe. He has great hands, an incredible 43" vertical leap, 4.5 speed, and tracks the ball as well as anyone. With those measurables, it's no doubt that the Chiefs will look to go vertical with their passing attack and throw jump balls to Baldwin in the red zone this season.

But like any other rookie entering the league, there will be a learning curve for Baldwin while he makes the transition to the NFL game. As football fans, we have seen this happen time after time. A highly touted prospect makes his way into the league, only to go through some growing pains to begin his rookie campaign.

I think that this will be the same case for Baldwin, not because he will always struggle, but because he is still considered to be raw in some areas. This is nothing to worry about, as even some of the best receivers in NFL history struggled in the first few games of their respective careers.

However, that makes a swift end to this lockout even more crucial.
But in the meantime, Baldwin is still finding ways, albeit peculiar to get his work in.

Because of all the uncertainty and confusion the lockout has brought about, an interesting dynamic has already developed between Baldwin and his new quarterback. Shortly after the draft, the Cassel family opened their doors and welcomed the beast of a wide receiver into their home with open arms.

Welcome to the Cassel home, Jon. Don't worry about wiping your feet at the door. Just come right in, raid the fridge, put your feet up, and make yourself comfortable.

“It was great getting to know Matt,” Baldwin said this week. “I stayed at his house. I ate dinner with him and his family. We’re really building a relationship together. We’ve talked a lot of Xs and Os. It’s important. I think (the lockout) is going to crack soon and we have to be ready. We all have to stay in great shape and hit the job at 100 mph when they tell us. When the lockout is over, we have to be in Kansas City the next day, so this work together is important.”

Cassel, who has been commended by teammates for his leadership during the lockout, contacted Baldwin shortly after the Chiefs took the big Pittsburgh receiver with the No. 26 overall pick and arranged for him to join him in Kansas City for team workouts. Baldwin said the Chiefs are planning to get together soon for more sessions.

“It’s great to meet everyone, and it’s a really good team,” Baldwin said. “I feel blessed to be part of it.”

In addition to bonding with Cassel at the quarterback’s home, Baldwin and his new quarterback also shared a special experience. Along with offensive linemen Casey Wiegmann and Ryan Lilja, Cassel and Baldwin drove to Joplin, Mo., to assist in the aftermath of the horrendous tornadoes that tore through the town.

Seeing the aftermath of the destruction not only connected Baldwin to his new teammates but it also gave him a connection to Chiefs' fans and his new home state.
“It was devastating to go into a town that was completely wiped out,” Baldwin said. “We just wanted to help the people as much as we could.”

There were reports that Baldwin initiated his involvement in the Joplin trip. However, the soft-spoken Baldwin said he didn’t “want to take any credit” for it. He is just appreciative of the opportunity he has in Kansas City and is doing his best to work hard and fit in as a rookie.

There are plenty of diva receivers in the NFL, names like Randy Moss, Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens come to mind. But unlike most receivers, Baldwin is looking to break that diva mold and come in the NFL with a clean slate.

It seems that Baldwin is planning to do his best to take advantage of a good situation. Soon after being drafted, Baldwin received a text from mentor and fellow former Pitt receiving great Larry Fitzgerald. The veteran told Baldwin he was fortunate to be able to play for Kansas City coach Todd Haley. Haley was the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive coordinator and has a good relationship with Fitzgerald.

“Larry told me I will love playing for coach Haley,” Baldwin said. “I look forward to it.”
Haley has a knack for working with talented receivers during his coaching tenure in the NFL. He has already worked with Pro Bowl receivers such as Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Dwayne Bowe, doing wonders for all of them.

Under Haley's tutelage, Baldwin's natural talents should flourish. Combine that with opposing defenses being under fire from Dwayne Bowe and the NFL's top-ranked rushing game via the duo of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones, Baldwin should be good for about 800 yards and five touchdowns. For all you fantasy owners out there, the Beard and Stache believe you can take those numbers to the bank.

Despite being locked out, Jonathan Baldwin is well on the road to success in 2011.

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Why The Denver Broncos Will Start Tim Tebow in 2011

Tim Tebow Will Be Taking the Snaps in 2011

Tim Tebow, the best quarterback in college football history, and one of the most electrifying hybrid passers to come into the NFL in the last decade. Tebow had enough hype surrounding the NFL Draft that he over-shadowed every single other prospect, even first overall pick Sam Bradford. The craziest part of the whole thing-- Tebow wasn't even projected to be taken in the first round, but Josh McDaniels (fired as the Broncos head coach), pulled the trigger anyway.

This move by McDaniels had everyone puzzled, as the Broncos already had an established and successful starter in Kyle Orton on the team. Even though Denver drafted Tebow, Orton still had a monster 2010 season, and was arguably one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. However, despite that, Orton was benched in favor of Tebow in the last stretch of the season. The Broncos missed the playoffs again in 2010, the talks of big changes began, and one of those changes may be the trading of Orton.

I would like to jump in and say, Orton did nothing to deserve a trade from Denver. Since being traded to Denver from Chicago, he has found immense success with the Broncos. Keep in mind that he was posting Pro-Bowl numbers, (even though he got snubbed from it ANOTHER year), the Broncos are leaving their options open.

There was a hot rumor about a month ago was that Orton was to be shipped off to the  Washington Redskins for Albert Hanynesworth. Those rumors have almost died entirely, and the hottest new rumor is Orton to the Arizona Cardinals, fueled by a picture that had Larry Fitzgerald catching some pigskin from Orton in Arizona.

It looks like Orton will be traded. I'm ignoring what John Elway said on the NFL Network, which was essentially that Orton was not immediately going to be traded and every quarterback, (including Brady Quinn?), will be competing for a role on the team. I'm calling B.S. on Elway. There is no way that the Broncos are going to let

Orton's offseason value slide by without taking advantage of the countless quarterback needy teams. Even if Orton doesn't get out of Denver this season via a trade, Tebow will still be their man.

John Fox, Denver's new head coach, has never had the chance to work with a quarterback that is as versatile and talented as Tebow. This will be Fox's first chance to pull out some of the exotic and crazy plays that he has had in his back pocket for the past 10 years. Not to mention, it is common that when a new coach comes onto a team, he wants to start fresh with a new quarterback and dump the old one off. You see it all the time when a new coach takes over, they want to have their own franchise player, and Tebow is his man.

But let's not deny the talent Tebow has. The dude can run like a back, and has the arm strength of a cannon, not to mention he has to be one of the most talented on and off the field leaders that I have ever seen. It's as simple as everyone in his huddle looks up to him. He is a role model, even for players that have more experience than him, as he sends off the -- 'Come under my leadership and I'll take you where we need to go.'

Not to mention, the intangibles.

Per Dictionary.com:


in·tan·gi·ble, [in-tan-juh-buhl]
–adjective
- 1. Not tangible; incapable of being perceived by the sense of touch, as incorporeal or immaterial things; impalpable.| 2. Not definite or clear to the mind.

Tebow is the type of player that has the thing that every team, player, and coach wants. What that 'thing' is, can't be described in words. It is one of those 'things' in this world that science can not break down and no religious affiliation can explain. Tebow has that 'thing.'

He has the talent level of someone the NFL has never seen before, and despite how hard McDaniels was hit for taking Tebow, I think it was an excellent selection. In fact, I think Tebow will make McDaniels look like a genius in the coming years, but he won't be there to reap the rewards. Tebow is one of the few hybrid quarterbacks that has the potential to revolutionize the game and make defenses change their style of play to fit his game.

Tebow has already had the hype, and for that matter still does. He has the talent in Denver to back him up, and a brand new coach that is willing to put it all on the line to make it work. It is just a matter of time before Tebow explodes in the NFL, and somewhere Urban Meyer and McDaniels will be smiling. I'm going to rip a page out of the rapper book and say, 'haters keep hating,' because it is only a matter of time for Tebow to start blowing minds.


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Will Ricky Rubio Bring The Minnesota Timberwolves Howling Back to the Playoffs?

Meet the newest addition to the Minnesota Timberwolves - Ricky Rubio - Finally!

After pulling out of a move to join the NBA two years ago, highly-touted Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio has decided to leave Regal Barcelona and the Euroleague behind to make his long-awaited move to the NBA where he will join the Minnesota Timberwolves next season. The 20-year-old Spanish sensation was selected fifth overall by the Timberwolves in the 2009 NBA Draft but at the last minute decided to stay at home for two more seasons to better prepare himself for the rigors of playing in a faster, stronger NBA game.

In a packed news conference at Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium, the Spanish guard ended two years of speculation
Friday, saying, "I have finally decided to start the journey to the NBA. It is my dream and I want to fulfill it," he said. "After thinking about it a lot, the time has arrived." The news of Rubio's signing is going over big in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Rubio's journey to Minnesota has been a long one. The team has worked for nearly two years to convince him to leave FC Barcelona to join the Timberwolves. Rubio's age and a hefty $6 million buyout clause at Barcelona -- of which an NBA team could pay only $500,000 under league rules -- made him stay in Spain until it came down to a more manageable $1.4 million. Minnesota's status as a perennial NBA bottomfeeder probably didn't help matters much either. Timberwolves president David Kahn has taken enormous flak for his decision to draft Rubio given the player's initial reluctance to come to the NBA.

But after suffering through two absolutely horrendous seasons with back-to-back records of 15-67 and 17-65, is it possible that Kahn’s vision for the 'Wolves might finally be coming to fruition?

"It will mean a change of mentality" Rubio said. "Perhaps we won't be fighting for the title, but we will have other goals. I am willing to do whatever the team needs to win as many games as possible."

"I felt very confident since we drafted him that he would start his career here,'' Timberwolves president David Kahn said in a statement. "There was never a moment where that really wavered. This is a day our organization and our fans have been eagerly awaiting from the moment we drafted him, and I couldn't be more pleased to welcome Ricky to Minnesota."

Let's take a look at the pieces that Minnesota now has in place for the near future.

First there is the arrival of Rubio, the Spanish phenom with the appearance, playing style, and flair comparable to former NBA player and five-time All-Star -- the late and great "Pistol Pete" Maravich -- who died in 1988 at age 40.

At this point, a position battle for Minnesota's starting point guard is a mere formality. Minnesota has two other point guards on the roster for next season: veteran Luke Ridnour and third year player Jonny Flynn.

Drafted one spot behind Rubio in 2009, Flynn has struggled with injury and grasping coach Kurt Rambis' triangle offense and has failed to materialize as a franchise point guard. Ridnour is a very capable veteran, but is better suited for a role as the back-up. That being said, you can pencil in Rubio as the 'Wolves starting floor general for next season.

They also have the double-double machine All-Star Kevin Love locked in at power forward. The two wings and center position, however, are still up in the air. That's where next Thursday's draft comes in.

The Timberwolves have the No. 2 and 20 picks in next week's draft, and they should be able to add two skilled players to help make Rubio's transition easier.

The Beard and Stache don't like to beat around the bush, so we'll just come right out and say it; former Duke point guard Kyrie Irving has locked up that No. 1 overall pick spot to the Cavaliers. That leaves Minnesota with many options at the No. 2 slot.

The team worked out 6-foot-11 Turkish center Enes Kanter on Thursday and assistant GM Tony Ronzone says he’s an option.

However, most observers believe that when push comes to shove, Minnesota will select the second best player in the draft - former Arizona forward Derrick Williams - with the second pick. Though Williams is a superb talent, taking him would create another logjam scenario on a roster that already includes versatile fowards Michael Beasley, Anthony Randolph, and Wesley Johnson.

Luckily for the Timberwolves, there may be another suitor for that second overall pick. Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune says such a scenario could have Kahn wheeling and dealing once more on Draft night.

According to ESPN's Chad Ford, there are a number of teams that have already expressed interest in the pick, and one of them seems to be a good, logical fit, at least for Minnesota. For weeks, the most realistic partner appeared to be the Wizards if they were willing to part with JaVale McGee.

However, sources in Washington claim they don't want to trade McGee. The center is a talent, albeit one with an immature game. Finding young 7-footers is a difficult task, and the Wizards wouldn't have a natural replacement for McGee if they made the move.

Reports also came out last week that the Cleveland Cavaliers, who hold the No. 1 and 4 pick in the draft, were interested in swapping the fourth pick in order to get the second pick and take the top two players available in Irving and Williams.

Despite all of these captivating scenarios, the Timberwolves also seem prepared to stand pat and take Williams if he is indeed there. "You just can't pass up on guys and get creative and try to get another guy," Ronzone said. "He's a talent. He can play. You look at what he did this year at Arizona and his upside. He just started to play a few years ago, and every year he just keeps getting better and better. That's what I like about him."

If Minnesota chooses to keep the No. 2 pick and select Williams, it also opens the door down the line to move Beasley to shore them up at other positions.

But regardless of what Minnesota decides to do, we know one thing. Ricky Rubio is ready to take the NBA by storm and lead Minnesota's pack of 'Wolves to bigger and better things in the future.


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How Valuable is Terrelle Pryor, and Where Will He End Up Landing?

What is The Best Fit for The Ohio State Standout?

Terrelle Pryor rocked Ohio State when he announced that he was not returning for his senior season, following the resignation of long-time head coach Jim Tressel, and a scandal that will go down in the books as one of the worst in NCAA history. The move really only made sense, as Pryor was suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season at Ohio State regardless, and it more than likely would have been even more pending further investigation. Now that it seems Pryor's grand college career has been closed, where will he end up playing his next level of ball?

One of the most popular choices for Pryor, the Canadian Football League. I know that for most NFL fans this league is nothing more than a bunch of below-average college graduates who couldn't let football go, but the CFL has taken a steps to becoming more respectable. There have been a number of CFL players that have experienced success in a transition to the NFL game, players such as Jeff Garcia (currently in the UFL), Mike Sellers, Ricky Williams, Philip Hunt, Warren Moon, and Joe Theisman.

Even though the CFL is starting to establish themselves more and more as a legitimate outlet for football fans, it is still widely known as a transition league for players who are not quite NFL ready. That is the truth of Pryor, as most scouts claim that he is far from being an NFL starter, and needs time to develop his game. Most are claiming that Pryor entering the CFL draft and playing for at least one season out of college would benefit him greatly in his long-term success if he were to end up in the NFL.

Another potential option for Pryor would be joining the United Football League. The UFL, among NFL fans, is generally more respected than the CFL, and can be related most closely to the actual NFL style of play. There have been more then a handful of immensely successful college studs that have gone undrafted, tried their hand in the UFL, and end up making the tranistion to the NFL after they hone their game.

Many have even gone onto call the UFL, 'The NFL's Little Bro,' as it so closely resembles the same style and attitude required to succeed at the next level. Then with the NFL Lockout looming, there have even been talks of NFL players going to the UFL for a season so that they don't lose their stride in the game. For someone like Pryor, this could be a golden opportunity, as the lockout could bring some NFL talent into the UFL, he could get a taste of what it is like to play at the next level.

Pryor could go into the UFL and make an immediate impact for a team, and still be able to stay within reaching distance of the NFL. As far as a player of Pryor's skill level goes, if given the chance, he would be able to shine and prove that he is an NFL caliber player without running the risk of hanging with NFL talent.

Pryor's last and final option is the one everyone has been waiting for, entering the NFL Supplemental Draft. This is what Beard and Stache believe will be Pryor's best chance at finding an NFL team and getting a second chance in his career. The NFL has a number of teams that have gone from, 'We need to look into a quarterback,' to something like, 'panic alarm has gone off-- We no longer have a quarterback.'

Teams like the Cardinals and Seahawks still don't even have a starter on their roster, and the NFL Lockout continues to complicate things. Fortunately for NFL teams, the supplemental draft is still covered under the last CBA Agreement, and will proceed to happen. The issue being, the draft is generally held one week before training camp begins, but with no clear end to the lockout in sight, there is no guarantee when it will be scheduled.

However, due to the unique nature of the NFL Lockout, Pryor has a good chance of making it onto an NFL team. If this were any other year and in any other situation, I would be advising Pryor to entre the CFL or UFL and try to get his feet under him. Because of the lockout, Pryor can skip a step, play on the next level, and not have to worry about a team questioning why they drafted him as a such a raw prospect.

Last week, Pryor announced that he will join the NFL Supplemental Draft, ignoring what coaches, analysts, and other players are saying. Even though he announced his plans, nothing is set in stone until the draft is scheduled and the teams have a chance to check out what Pryor can do. With the NFL Lockout, Pryor may make a snap decision and make the choice to jump into the CFL or UFL, as everything is still uncertain.

For the time being, NFL teams can examine the film and check out what Pryor has to offer, and hope that he doesn't make the choice to back out.


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