Jacquian Williams is a Big X-Factor in Sunday's Game Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

Everyone everywhere has an opinion on the game this week so I don’t want to go into details about those well publicized issues (like the Giants DL vs the Patriots OL for instance). What I want to do instead is look at three players on each team that people are not really discussing that could play a huge role in this game.

Most people have X-factors as “Mario Manningham”, Victor Cruz, Vince Wilfork. We’re going much deeper here.

Let’s start with New England

RB Danny Woodhead

Although the Giants haven’t had a really difficult time this year covering running backs that has been a problem that has plauged them for a long time. Their DE are so fast and so agressive that they get up the field very fast, Woodhead is the kind of guy who could get into the secondary quick and take off 40 yards down the field or take a screen pass a long ways. The other thing is the Giants have struggled covering kickoffs at times over the past few seasons (with the new rules this year it hasn’t been as much of a problem). I expect there to be a high percentage of touchbacks in this game because kicking conditions are absolutely ideal. Still I think Woodhead could be a player that no one is talking about that makes one or two big plays in this game that could ruin the Giants game.

… [visit site to read more]

New York Giants vs New England Patriots Superbowl 46 X-Factors - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

visit site to read more]

Jacksonville Jaguars will switch to Black Uniforms for 2013 - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

]]> http://nflmocks.com/2012/02/03/jacksonville-jaguars-will-switch-to-black-uniforms-for-2013/feed/ 0 http://nflmocks.com/2012/02/03/2012-nfl-mock-draft-updated-2-round-mock-draft/ http://nflmocks.com/2012/02/03/2012-nfl-mock-draft-updated-2-round-mock-draft/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:00:50 +0000 Jesse Bartolis http://nflmocks.com/?p=21261 Morris Claiborne Ends up in a Surprise Place in my Latest Mock Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-US PRESSWIRE I’ve done a myriad of 2012 NFL Mock draft this year, but it’s time to expand my effort before the combine gets here. I’m going to try and get this mock draft out to seven rounds before the combine happens and I’ll even throw in a few projected compensation picks. Today We’ll go two rounds deep. I’m going to use the same mock draft I used earlier this week with the New York Giants picking 31st and the Patriots picking 32nd. Remember that [...]

2012 NFL Mock Draft Updated 2 Round Mock Draft - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

]]>

Morris Claiborne Ends up in a Surprise Place in my Latest Mock Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-US PRESSWIRE

I’ve done a myriad of 2012 NFL Mock draft this year, but it’s time to expand my effort before the combine gets here. I’m going to try and get this mock draft out to seven rounds before the combine happens and I’ll even throw in a few projected compensation picks. Today We’ll go two rounds deep. I’m going to use the same mock draft I used earlier this week with the New York Giants picking 31st and the Patriots picking 32nd. Remember that if records are the same the order switches each round.

As daily readers know for me personally the Mock draft is a place to explore the myriad opportunites the draft presents us. I will make some picks I think are unlikely, but I hope you’ll still consider them.

Scouting reports for all of these players (and many more) can be found on our scouting report page

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

. “Quarterback of the future for the Colts. Luck bridges the gap perfectly between Peyton Manning and the future of this organization. He will have growing pains, but I think he has star potential, like many others.”

I’m just going to quote my co-editor Sayre there and leave it at that.

2. St. Louis Rams: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

This is an extremely unlikely pick I’m making here for the Rams, but it’s fun to consider the possibility, you could also consider this a pick they make if they trade down with Washington and Claiborne is available. I think this pick has only four real options. The first is trade the pick (and probably the option the Rams are most hoping occurs). Two they take Justin Blackmon. That’s a good pick if you think Blackmon is Terrell Owens, if he’s Michael Crabtree though, then you’re in trouble. Three is take LT Matt Kalil. The pick I think is most likely to happen. Four Take CB Morris Claiborne. Claiborne is better in coverage than Patrick Peterson who was considered by many the best player in the draft, so his talent is high, but Cornerbacks never go this high and I think Claiborne is likely to be available at pick 5 like Peterson was last year.

3. Minnesota Vikings:  Matt Kalil, T, USC

I’m not the biggest fan of Justin Blackmon. Not that I don’t think he’s talented, and I think the odds are that the Vikings will take him here though they are hoping for Kalil.  In this scenario Kalil is available for the Vikings to take. The Vikings will want Kalil. He would instantly give Ponder the protection they desire and currently lack for him.

… [visit site to read more]

2012 NFL Mock Draft Updated 2 Round Mock Draft - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Nov 5, 2011; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners receiver Ryan Broyles (85) runs after a catch while being pursued by Texas A

The Oklahoma Sooners were early season favorites to capture the National Championship now held by the Alabama Crimson Tide.  The Sooners faced a season that offered a lot of struggles; one of the biggest problems that they had to try and overcome was the loss of star receiver Ryan Boyles.  … [visit site to read more]

Draft Report: Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Hakeem Nicks Missed Week 9, and that's just one difference between then and now. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

Today is Groundhog day, the most inane holiday of the year! Where I’m living we have not even had winter yet so it does not matter to me whether or not we have 6 more weeks of “winter” (thank you Global Warming). Much has been made this week about the Giants playing the New England Patriots again in the Superbowl. You’ve heard the story before. The Giants ended the Patriots run at an immortal season when they defeated the Patriots in 2008 (the Superbowl in the 2007 season). The talk has also been about how the Patriots and Giants play in pre-season a lot, and then again how the Giants beat the Patriots in New England earlier this year.

But the differences between those games are so drastic  that you almost can not look at the past games to get a picture of how this game will shake out.

Here are some of the major differences in this Superbowl Contest from even when the Giants and Patriots played in week 9 (the last time the Patriots lost).

Giants Linebacker corps

One of the biggest, and completely overlooked reasons the Giants are playing better defense now than they did at the beginning of the season is because the linebacker corps. In week 9 the Giants linebacker corps was largely a group of rookies rotating in and out with the starter being Greg Jones in the middle and Kiwianuka and Michael Boley receiving much of the action.

… [visit site to read more]

Groundhog Day: Giants Play the Patriots Again in Superbowl, Both Much Different Teams - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Peyton Manning Cleared to Resume N.F.L. Career - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Riley Reiff Could Stabilize the LT Spot for the Buffalo Bills. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-US PRESSWIRE

This 2012 NFL mock draft will focus on the Buffalo Bills, a team that that I believe now holds the longest playoff drought in the National Football League with the Lions apperance in the playoffs this past season. The Bills struggles are directly linked to the lack of a franchise quarterback they have been able to acquire. They seem content moving forward with Ryan Fitzpatrick, but they have some needs. I”m also making a new 2012 NFL Mock draft for the Buffalo Bills because the team is switching to 43 defense reportedly despite spending the last two years and drafts adding talent for a 34 defense which makes the last two years moot. The bright side is the Bills have some natural fits up front in the 43 defense.

Buffalo Rumblings broke down the move here, there are a few players who benefit from this move. First is Chris Kelsay who was completely out of place in the 34 defense where he had to play in too much space, even though the Bills love him, he’s an average every-down player to begin with and will get back to being average in the 43.

Kyle Williams, Marcel Dareus, and Torrel Troup are in a good position to make a lot more plays as 43 Defensive tackles.

… [visit site to read more]

2012 NFL Mock Draft Buffalo Bills Moving to a 43 Defense - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football