Ravens tops Winners' list in Round Two

By Rayl Colon

Round Two is in the books and it’s time to analysis which team helped themselves the more and which, for a lack of a better term, undermined their competitive effort with questionable selections.

Winners
1. Baltimore Ravens: GM Ozzie Newsome certainly knows his stuff and in this round he got it right again. Baltimore selected two players with superstar potential. First they grabbed arguable the best OLB in the draft, Sergio Kindle of Texas, with their first pick (#48) of the round. A tremendous athlete, Kindle could one day be Ray Lewis’ replacement.

With their second pick, #57, Newsome took Alabama’s enigmatic defensive tackle Terrence Cody. He lacks explosiveness, probably because of overweight, but his athleticism, at 370lbs, cannot be teach. He has the ability to alter results (see the Tennessee game). If properly motivated, Cody could become a steal.

2. Tampa Bay Bucs: Two picks, two potential starters. What else can you ask for in Round 2? UCLA’s DT Brian Price (35th pick) is an active playmaker who is well advance in his pass rushing technique. A true one gap penetrator with great upside. To make things sweeter for QB Josh Freeman, the Buccaneers selected one of the most dynamic wide receivers in this draft. Illinois’ Arrelious Benn was once projected as a first rounder, but his poor Combine numbers and lack of big time production scarred many teams. Still, getting a first round talent at 39 is reason for celebration.

3. Carolina Panthers: Jimmy Clausen (48th) finally heard his name called and he could not have landed in a better spot (except Minnesota). With uninspired Matt Moore expected to start the year under center, mainly because there’s any other worth mentioned candidate on the roster, Clausen will have a real chance to beat the less athletic Moore in training camp. This could be the steal of the draft.

4. Kansas City Chiefs: They got perhaps the most dynamic RB this side of C.J. Spiller with the 36 pick. Ole Miss Dexter McCluster lacks the size to be full time workhorse back, but his speed (4.36) and lateral agility will give opposing teams fits in the second level.


Losers:

1. Cleveland Browns: With so many good covering corners still on the board, the Browns picked up one with a very low ceiling. Oregon’s TJ Ward is an undersized, underpowered corner/safety who lacks the agility to cover the outside and the power to play the Deep 2 position. A big time reach at 38.

2. Minnesota Vikings: Tell me why with a loaded backfield do the Vikings select a mediocre back with little to non existence explosiveness. Toby Gerhard is one of the most liked players in this draft. But that doesn’t mean he will be a good pro. In fact, there are real questions regarding his future at RB. He could move to H-back, but Minnesota seldom used the position in passing packages. His lack of speed and unorthodox running style are not compatible with this team high octane offense.

3. Houston Texans: They needed a RB, but reached huge to take what is consider to be a lat fifth, early sixth round back. Ben Tate lacks speed to turn the corner and the power to run inside. His hands are suspects and his blocking is lackluster at best. A very bad pick for a team with a glaring need at the position.