NFL Draft

It's NFL Draft time again, and time for my annual predictions.  I'm really late getting them out this year, with the draft scheduled to start in 2 hours, but with the lockout in progress, I've lost some interest and haven't followed the proceedings with the usual fervor.  So here goes:

The Carolina Panthers have the top pick, and I really don't think QB is their top priority right now, having drafted one high in the 2nd round last year.  Granted, that QB was Jimmy Clausen - a QB the Seahawks were reportedly interested in but that I think is pretty worthless and hence breathed a huge sigh of relief when somebody saved the Seahawks from making that mistake.  But the prevailing opinion seems to be that they'll take Cam Newton.  That, to me, is a huge gamble.  He could be the next Steve McNair, or he could be the next Jamarcus Russell.  Since the Panthers frequently are near the top of the draft, it's because they don't do a good job of it, so I'll jump on the bandwagon and say they roll the dice on Newton.

As for the Seahawks, it's so hard to guess who will still be available that late in the draft, and I really hope it's Jake Locker, but the consensus seems to be that he won't last that long.  Neither will the #2 guy on my wish list - Mike Pouncey.  Some people are suggesting Jimmy Smith - the troubled CB from Colorado who is physically gifted enough to be a top 10 pick.  After reading the following report though, I have to think there's no way he ends up in Seattle.

Jimmy Smith failed three drug tests (KFFL) NFL teams are well aware that Colorado CB Jimmy Smith has failed three drug tests while at college, and he told at least one team that one of the three was for misusing codeine. Smith also told teams of his two alcohol-related violations, the pair of abortions that were paid for by parents of women he impregnated and an arrest for third-degree assault in a restaurant. "Two abortions, aggravated assault, two minors in possession, three failed drug tests ... that's a little excessive," said a league personnel man.

What does that leave?  I think Colin Kapernick or Ryan Mallett are possibilities, but both reaches in the first round.  I think they will be trying to trade down, but who knows if that will be successful.  So, assuming they don't trade the pick, I'm going to look into my crystal ball and say that a shocking thing occurs and Da'Quan Bowers falls into the Seahawks lap and they snatch him up.
 
Officially on my wish list are Marcus Cannon, OG from TCU, and Leonard Hankerson, WR from Miami whom I have already nicknamed Hanky.  It would be a shame to let that nickname go to waste.  I'm also pretty fond of Stephen Paea, DT from Oregon State and Sione Fua, DT from Stanford and hope that we can get one of them for a bargain.  I also like Owen Marecic, FB/OLB from Stanford.  Maybe we can pick him up as an undrafted free agent. 
 

Anyhow, since I'm a little low on draft predictions this year, I'll throw in this, to which the only thing I can say is what the hell?

At first I thought perhaps this was the new crushed nuts flavored Doritos, but some further explanation here says different.  I don't want to spoil it for you, but apparently the Kanji on the bag translates to, "revived by an electric nut grind."  Oh those crazy Japanese.