It Wasn't Pretty, But The Celtics Are Headed Back to New York.

All it took was 4 games, a time machine for Paul Pierce, an OT, and some luck, but the Celtics finally won a playoff game.  Up 19 at half, you knew the Celtics were doomed to flush that lead down the toilet.  And they did.  In typical Celtics fashion.  Now, I don't want to sound like a home town honk, but IF the Celtics could somehow escape Game 5 with a victory, this series will go 7.  And Game 7 will be an all time classic for the ages.  It's unlikely, but the Celtics are just pesky enough to do it.  Strap on your seatbelts, it's gonna be a bumpy ride.

P.S. Only team getting swept in Boston this weekend is the Houston Astros.  That team SUCKS.

P.P.S. Jason Terry has been pretty bad all year, but he put the game away tonight. Round of applause.

First Round NFL Mock Draft. Skinny Sports Edition.

The NFL draft's first round is tonight, and I'll be seeing every pick while popping champagne VIP bad-boy style with Robert Kraft at the Patriots Draft Party.  So since I'll be busy at Gillette tonight, I'll leave you with the Skinny Sports expert first round mock.

1. KC Chiefs: Luke Joekel (OT- Texas A&M)
Popular pick at number 1.  KC needs as QB but I don't see them gambling on one in this draft class.  Might as well take a real good tackle and draft a QB in next year's deeper draft.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Geno Smith (QB- WVU)
Jacksonville, like KC, needs help in a lot of areas.  But rather than draft a real good O-lineman, I have them reaching for Geno.  Blaine Gabbert was drafted by previous ownership, and this new guy Shad Khan could very well make a pick like this.  In conclusion, Jacksonville will still suck.
3. Oakland Raiders: Ezekial Ansah (DE- BYU)
Nobody has been shooting up draft boards like Ansah.  He's a big, fast guy from the African Sahara who didn't even know what football was when he started at BYU.  I could see this guy being the best player drafted. So much potential, and obviously the Raiders could use some help. Everywhere.
4. Philadelphia Eagles: Eric Fisher (OT- Central Michigan)
If Chip Kelly is as smart as people say he is then this is who he'll pick.  Michael Vick was under pressure or on his ass nearly every play last season, and if Kelly has any plans to implement Dennis Dixon into the offense then he's gonna need protection.  Fisher is a beast and could easily go #1.
5. Detrot Lions: Lane Johnson (OT- Oklahoma)
The Lions could definitely take a pass rusher here, but Johnson is the last potentially elite tackle in the draft, and is a safe pick.  It's also an area of need.  Stafford is coming off of a down year, and is still injury prone.
6. Cleveland Browns: Dee Milliner (CB- Alabama)
Milliner is the best CB in the draft and the Browns could really use a good compliment on the other side of the field to Joe Haden.  Geno Smith will be intriguing if he's still available, but I have the Jaguars making that mistake.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Johnathan Cooper (OG- UNC)
Cooper is projected as the best guard in the draft, and Arizona has shown interest in him.  O-line is a big need for Arizona so I feel this is a safe bet.  Yeah, they need a QB but they never pull the trigger on draftinf one, and this year will be no different.
8. Buffalo Bills: Ryan Nassib (QB- Syracuse)
And with the dumbest pick in the draft, the Buffalo Bills select...Ryan Nassib! Look, the Bills need a QB and Nassib is an upstate New York guy.  Put two and two together and you got yourself a dumb pick.  They say he's got an incredible arm though.
9. New York Jets: Dion Jordan (OLB- Oregon)
Rex Ryan needs a super athletic edge rusher on defense and that's exactly what Jordan is.  This would be a fantastic pick for the Jets at #9 as a lot of mock drafts have Jordan going in the top 7.
10. Tennessee Titans: Sharriff Floyd (DT- Florida)
The Titans would be thrilled if Floyd fell tot hem at #10.  My reasoning for him falling to 10 is simple....it's just how it played out when I decided to write this mock.  But DT is most likely the route Tennessee will take. If Floyd is gone, I see them taking Sheldon Richardson.
11. San Diego Chargers: Star Lotulelei (DT- Utah)
Honestly, I think the Chargers will trade out of this pick to get one of the top tackles, but if they stay at #11 I see them taking the best available.  Lotulelei would fit their 3-4 scheme as a nosetackle and has potential to be a Wilfork esq. player.
12. Miami Dolphins: Chance Warmack (OG- Alabama)
Miami signed Mike Wallace, but lose Jake Long this offseason.  If they want to make the msot of Wallace, they're gonna need to take pressure off of Ryan Tannehill.  Warmack will solidify the interior line.
13. New York Jets: Tavon Austin (WR- WVU)
This pick will have Jets fans going wild with excitement.  Especially after drafting Dion Jordan.  The Jets have needed a weapon on offense that defenses would fear.  Austin could potentially be a middle of the field nightmare for any defense.  That is, of course, if Sanchez can get him the ball.
14. Carolina Panthers: Sheldon Richardson (DT- Missouri)
This pick is just one of those take the best player available at your top position of need picks.  Simple. And smart.
15. New Orleans Saints: Barkevious Mingo (OLB- LSU)
Mingo is a freak athlete and an incredible edge rush talent.  He also has a close tie with southern Louisiana as he went to LSU.  I think this is a good fit for both the player and the team.
16. St. Louis Rams: Kenny Vaccaro (S- Texas)
This isn't a surprising or sexy pick.  Vaccaro is the projected top safety in this class, and the Rams are in desperate need of a safety.  Tavon Austin has been linked to this pick but they way I have it play out, Vaccaro is the pick.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jarvis Jones (OLB- Georgia)
Pittsburgh could also take a tight end here, but I think Jones would be a better pick.  The Steelers defense has been aging, and now that James Harrison is gone, Jones could come in and really bring some fresh energy and versatility to a transitioning defense.  He's got character issues, but the talent is tough to pass up.
18. Dallas Cowboys: Sylvester Williams (DT- UNC)
The Cowboys 2 top DT's are Jay Ratliff and Jason Hatcher.  Ratliff is 31 years old and Hatcher is 30.  Drafting a DT would be a good move for Dallas where Williams can add depth to a very thin interior defensive front.
19. New York Giants: Tyler Eifert (TE- Notre Dame)
The Giants are a good team with not many huge holes to fill.  However, with the loss of Martellus Bennett, Eifert can come in and become a new distraction for defenses to mull over.  He's bigger than almost all defenders he'll play against, and he has the versatility to line up anywhere.  This is a great pick for the Giants, and it makes me sick to think about it.
20. Chicago Bears: Manti Te'o (LB- Notre Dame)
Chicago is the perfect fit for Te'o.  He'll be playing with veterans such as Julius Peppers and Lance Briggs to help guide him, and he'll be put into a comfortable system that knows how to use a middle linebacker.  The whole scandal that comes with drafting Te'o will disappear once he makes an impact play for the Bears.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: DJ Fluker (OT- Alabama)
I see the Bengals using this pick to draft a tackle to improve the O-line after losing Andre Smith.  They're going to be looking to create some holes to help a poor running attack.  With two second round picks, I think they'll address their running back need.
22. St. Louis Rams: Cordarrelle Patterson (WR- Tennessee)
Patterson is big, tall, and has incredible hands and quickness.  His major question mark is his NFL route running ability, but the potential far outweighs his cons.  Sam Bradford really needs a guy like Patterson.  His career as a Ram may depend on it.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Xavier Rhodes (CB- FSU)
With the loss of Antoine Winfield, Rhodes would be a nice replacement.  Minnesota likes big cornerbacks, and Rhodes is the biggest on the board.  Playing in an already solid defense with an above average pass rush could help him have a very good rookie year.
24. Indianapolis Colts: DJ Hayden (CB- Houston)
Indy made some moves in the front of their defense, but having another cornerback in the back end could help.  Hayden is physical and can play both press and off coverage.  Throw him in the mix with Vontae Davis and Greg Toler, and the Colts could have a legitimate defensive backfield.
25. Minnesota Vikings: DeAndre Hopkins (WR- Clemson)
Hopkins is a great downfield threat that will copliment Greg Jennings' underneath game nicely.  Minnesota could use as many weapons as they can get for Christian Ponder.  Hopkins won't replace Percy Harvin, but he'll definitely add a different element.
26. Green Bay Packers: Jonathan Cyprien (S- Florida International)
Green Bay is one of those teams that's real hard to predict what they'll do int he draft.  But their secondary was very bad last season, and Cyprien has tremendous range and hits like a bulldozer.  I'd imagine the Packers would be happy to draft him here.
27. Houston Texans: Robert Woods (WR- USC)
Woods is smart and played in an NFL style offense at USC.  He's also quick and has good route running ability.  Playing opposite of Andre Johnson should really benefit the young wideout, and the Texans will hope he can become Johnson's future replacement.
28. Denver Broncos: Tank Carradine (DE- FSU)
Tank is rehabbing from an ACL injury he suffered early in the college season, but he is said to be way ahead of schedule.  Once thought of as a top 15 pick, he would compliment Von Miller on the opposite side of the defense, and make the Broncos better than they already appear to be.  He has the potential to be a pass rushing nightmare for teams.
29. New England Patriots: Blidi-Wreh Wilson (CB- UConn)
This pick is a typical Patriots pick.  Someone who the casual fan has never heard of.  Isn't a big name or sexy pick at all.  People will call the sports radio stations ranting and raving about another stupid pick by Belichick.  But Wilson is a good corner.  He played locally, so the Pats should have in-depth scouting on him, and they have shown interest in him during UConn's pro day.  I'd personally like to see a receiver taken, but the Pats may be able to hold off until a later round.  There's pretty good depth at WR in this draft.  Keep an eye on Justin Hunter and Aaron Dobson if they do choose to get a WR this year.
30. Atlanta Falcons: Margus Hunt (DE- SMU)
Hunt is sort of a risky pick because of his age (25) and his newness to the game.  He's a raw athlete with size, versatility and strength that'll give any NFL scout a wet dream, but his lack of experiance could shy teams away.  If I'm picking for the Falcons, though, I'd take a chance on him because his ceiling is too high.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Matt Elam (S- Florida)
The Niners really have no big area of need, and they have 13 picks in the draft.  I could see them taking Elam in the first since Dashon Goldson signed with Tampa.  I'm a huge fan of Elam and I wish the Pats would take him, but I just don't think it'll happen.  One can hope though.
32. Baltimore Ravens: Eric Reid (S- LSU)
Im predicting this solely on the fact that I think it would be great to replace Reed with Reid at safety.  Same last name.  Same initials. Same position.

So there you have it.  The Skinny Sports 2013 First Round Mock Draft!  Here's to hoping it's not as big a failure as the Skinny Sports March Madness Bracket.

Now excuse me as I get ready for the Patriots offical draft party.  High profile sports bloggers only, you guys.

Weighing In On The Marathon Bombings.

It's been too long since the last blog has been posted, and for that I apologize.  But I'll be damned if a tragic event such as this gets ignored by Skinny Sports.  First off, how awesome is the city of Boston?  Watching footage of policemen, EMT's, fireman, volunteers, bystanders, and runners all running toward the chaos to help save lives was truly inspirational.  Boston is a big city with a small town feel to it, and the reaction by our citizens in the wake of a catastrophe shows just how strong and courageous we are.  Steven Colbert hit the nail on the head when he said "these Boston people are so tough that they run 26 miles on their day off until their nipples become raw...and they do it for fun."  Well said, Steven! Don't mess with Boston.

On a more sports related note, these next coming weeks are going to be truly remarkable.  There will be more emotion pouring through the Garden for tonights Bruins game than I think ever has.  Or how about this coming weekend's Red Sox games?  Fenway is less than 1.5 miles from Boylston St. so you know it's going to be on hell of a series.  And let's not forget the impending Celtics-Knicks playoff series.  Boston vs. New York.  The Knicks are arguably the hottest team in the NBA right now, and the Celtics are arguably the most prideful team in all of sports.  I could be completely wrong, but I think this series is going to be a classic where America rallies around the Celtics.  Only in Boston could 3 sports teams restore hope and happiness throughout an entire community.  

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm proud to call Boston my home.  Best damn city on the face of the Earth and I'll never leave.  America! #BostonStrong

Would The Honey Badger Be A Good Fit For The Patriots?

Tyrann Mathieu a.k.a The Honey Badger is definitely going to be an interesting story-line to follow in the upcoming NFL draft.  The LSU cornerback was a human highlight reel just 2 years ago before being kicked off the team for a "marijuana addiction". Seriously, who gets addicted to pot?  Is that even possible?  The whole story seemed a bit odd and/or strange, but it is what it is.  Anyway, he has supposedly gone to rehab to get over his long and excruciating battle with cannabis, and has had an impressive NFL combine.  Since defensive back is always an area of need for the Pats, the Honey Badger has been linked to possibly being drafted by them.  As of today, Mel Kiper is projecting the Patriots to draft Mathieu with their 2nd round pick.  If you're wondering who he projects them drafting in round 1, it's Justin Hunter, who Skinny Sports profiled as a Patriots draft choice over a month ago.  Skinny Sports, always a step ahead of the game.  But I digress.

Maybe I'm a bit of a pessimist, but the 2nd round just seems too high (no pun intended) to be drafting Tyrann Mathieu.  He's 5'8 185lbs, which puts him at exactly the average weight and below the average height for NFL cornerbacks.  So would he make for a legit outside corner?  Who knows.  With that size I think it would be more realistic to project him as a slot corner/nickel.  The guy definitely has tons of talent and his potential is through the roof, but I'd like to see the Pats see if they can wait it out til round 3 to draft him.  There's other cornerbacks like Blidi-Wreh Wilson, Johnathan Banks, and Robert Alford could all still be available for the second round, and I think these guys would be better than Mathieu, especially Wilson and Alford.

Here's the highlight reel.  Watch it after a few bong rips for the full effect.

Reaction to Red Sox Opening Day 2013

1-0 bitches! Sox win and yanks lose.  Hopefully that's a trend we see more of this season.  How awesome was it to see Jackie Bradley Jr. make an impact in his first ever big league game?  This kid is the real deal.  He plays his ass off for every pitch of the game, which looks to be the big difference between this years team and last years.  Players like Johnny Gomes, Shane Victorino, Pedroia, Bradley, Middlebrooks, and even the entire bullpen staff all play every pitch as if their career depends on it.  Take Gomes for example.  He scored the 7th or 8th run of the game today in the 9th inning and he was celebrating like he just won the World Series.  Even the dugout was cheering and pumping their fists.  I know it only game 1 of a 162 game season, but I just get the feeling that the Red Sox are going to be a gritty, hard hustling team that will be very easy to root for.

As a side note, how bad are the Yankees going to be?  That lineup today was outrageous.  They had not 1 but 2 Francisco's in the lineup. Not good.  And to think they are relying on a 57 year old Derek Jeter and a deteriorating Mark Teixiera to come back and save the team? Yikes! I bet they come in last in the AL East. HA-HA what a bunch of losers!