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2010 NFL Mock Draft

25. Baltimore Ravens (9-7)

TE Jermaine Gresham (Oklahoma)

Even though the Ravens recently went out and traded for Anquan Boldin, young quarterbacks like Joe Flacco can never have enough weapons on offense.  With TE Todd Heap getting older, and UFA L.J. Smith likely gone, the Ravens select the best TE in the draft, Jermaine Gresham.  Gresham is an ideal fit for the Ravens, because he adds another threat for Flacco to really stretch the field and helps add depth to a very thin TE position.  The Ravens could also add help on the defensive side of the ball, as it might be hard to pull the trigger on a player that missed the entire season last year.  But, with Gresham, you gain an experienced blocker and very capable pass catcher.

Why he's good for the Ravens: 

The Ravens get the best TE in the draft, and if he comes back healthy, Gresham will be a huge threat in the middle of the field.  The signing of Boldin and the adding of Gresham takes pressure off Flacco, as well as RB Ray Rice.   

Inside the NFL Combine

Here is just a brief description of what goes on at the NFL Combine every February for those of you that don't know.  Basically, each player that accepts invitation to the combine, will go through different workouts and drills in front of coaches, executives, and NFL scouts from all 32 teams.  Players will also go through physical exams, as well as interviews with mostly coaches and executives.  This is a very 

Dolphins Interested in Boldin

According to the Miami Herald, the Miami Dolphins are in the market for a WR.  Sources there are saying that it would be unlikely that they would pursue a trade with the Denver Broncos for restricted free agent, Brandon Marshall,  but that they would be interested in trading later draft picks for Arizona Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin.  Since Marshall is a restricted free agent, and would most likely be receive a large qualifying offer, it would cost the Dolphins at least a 1st round draft pick and a 3rd rounder.  This would be too much for the Dolphins to give out, and it is believed that the Dolphins may offer a 3rd rounder for Boldin.  Although, he didn't request a trade as he did last off-season, the chances of him getting traded are more likely greater now that younger WRs have stepped up and shown that they can play in that offense.     

Boldin is a great wide receiver, but I don't really see him on this team much longer.  I think that the Cardinals have more glaring needs than WR, and would love to have more draft picks in order to rebuild their defense.  Offense has never been an issue in Arizona, but in order to win games, they are going to need help on the defensive side of the ball.  Steve Breaston and Early Doucet showed that they have ability to make plays, especially in the postseason this year.  It's time for Boldin to move on and make the money he thinks he deserves.  I also think that Boldin would definitely excel in the Dolphins offense and just presents an even greater threat in the Wildcat offense.  His ability to run and pass creates another option out of that offense and if he is traded there, he has the ability to get this team into the playoffs.

Bowlen Would Like for Marshall To Remain with Broncos

In an interview with the Denver Post,  Denver Broncos' team owner, Pat Bowlen, talked about his two-time Pro Bowl WR Brandon Marshall, and whether or not he remains in the team's plans.  Marshall, who is a restricted free agent, has often been a cause for concern during his time in Denver.  Marshall's latest problem led to rookie Head Coach Josh McDaniels' benching of their star player during the season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs.  There have been rumors that the Broncos would look to trade Marshall during this offseason, but Bowlen admits that he does wish to have him back, although he would not be opposed to a trade if it benefited the team.  He also revealed that the team would look to the draft to get deeper at the quarterback position, and that QB Kyle Orton would still go into next season as their starting QB regardless of this.     

 Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America

Marshall is a great player, but has consistently been a cancer with the Broncos.  The best option for both parties would be to trade him, but only if Denver can get close to what he is worth.  As we saw last offseason, it isn't easy to trade away troubled receivers as Anquan Boldin remained with the Arizona Cardinals after he expressed his bitterness about his contract.  The Cleveland Browns made an attempt to trade their troubled WR Braylon Edwards during the offseason as well, but was unable to trade him until midseason.  Since Marshall would most likely receive a top level qualifying offer, the compensation would be a 1st and 3rd rounder which may be tough for a team to swallow.  With that said, I really see Marshall staying with the team for at least another year.  

NFL: Cardinals at Saints

4:30PM

The Saints will look to bounce back after ending the season on a less than positive note. The Saints managed to lose their perfect record and also their momentum with losses to the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, respectively. The Cardinals, on the other hand, amidst talks of Kurt Warner retiring and the loss of superstar Anquan Boldin to injuries, have continued to put points on the board. They will look to WR Larry Fitzgerald and a balanced rushing attack again as the key to success today. Neither team will put up a spectacular defensive show as the Saints boast the number 1 offense, led by QB Drew Brees, and both teams defenses rank in the bottom third of the NFL. The key to New Orleans' success will be Drew Brees, but also look for RB Reggie Bush to create mismatches against a injury depleted secondary and linebacker core. Cardinals' success is contingent upon getting pressure on Brees, not giving him time to take advantage of the weak secondary, and on offense, controlling the clock and keeping the Saints' offense off the field. Boldin is listed as questionable, but look to Fitzgerald and WR Early Doucet to keep pressure on the defense.

NFL: Sunday Wild Card Preview

1:00PM Baltimore Raven(9-7) at New England Patriots(10-6)

The New England Patriots are coming into this game as the AFC East Champions, but they will be with out their Pro Bowl WR Wes Welker, who is an instrumental part of this Patriot offense.  In Week 17, Welker went down with torn ligaments in his left knee, which means QB Tom Brady will look for other options, mainly WR Randy Moss, who caught 13 TDs on 83 receptions this year.  The Patriots won the last meeting between the two teams in Week 4, where there was some controversy regarding two roughing the passer calls that helped seal the Ravens' fate in that 27-21 loss.  This time around they will look to be just as physical, which is the key to their defense, in which they racked up an NFL-high 1,094 penalty yards on 115 penalties.  The key to the Ravens offense will be a healthy dose of RB Ray Rice, who has come on strong in his second season, with over 2,000 all-purpose yards and 8 TDs.  The former Rutgers standout combined with QB Joe Flacco for 78 receptions out of the backfield and they will look to continue to try to create mismatches on the field.  

Look for the Ravens to continue to be physical with Brady.  That is the key to the game... They are a much more physical team then the Patriots and in order to win this game they have to go after the QB and keep him on his back.  The only way to beat Brady is consistent pressure and the Ravens are one of the best at applying pressure.  The Patriots key to this game is of course, Tom Brady and the offensive line.  If Brady can have time, he will pick apart the Ravens secondary.  Look for Brady to throw a lot to Welker's replacement, Julian Edelman.  Don't look for Edelman to be a game changer, but look for him on those 3rd down receptions Brady loves to throw to Welker.

Update:  First play of the game: Ray Rice 83 yard TD run!  Look for them to continue to run the ball down NE's throat.

4:40PM Green Bay Packers(11-5) at Arizona Cardinals(10-6)  

Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers makes his post-season debut today against the post-season veteran QB Kurt Warner in a Week 17 rematch in which the Packers won 33-7 and secured their spot in the playoffs.  The Cardinals look to their leader, Warner, who has appeared in 3 Super Bowls and has thrown for over 3,300 yards in the playoffs.  This could be Warner's last stand in the NFL as sources close to him have stated that he may retire after the playoffs are over.  They will look to him and Pro Bowl WR, Larry Fitzgerald, as WR Anquan Boldin is most likely sitting this game due to left ankle and knee trouble.  Aaron Rodgers will need to continue doing what he has done the past weeks, which is not turn the ball over.  Rodgers threw for over 1,000 yards and no interceptions down stretch in the last 4 games and he will need to continue that against this Cardinal defense.  

The key to the Packers is keeping Rodgers off the ground.  To start the season, Rodgers was on pace to shatter former Texans QB David Carr's record for most times sacked in a season.  But they have tweaked the offense and went into more 4 WR sets, which has caused Rodgers to have a bit more time in the pocket and has allowed him to make quicker and better decisions in the pocket.  This will also create some mismatches on a Cardinal secondary that has been battling injuries to CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who has knee and toe injuries, and S Antrel Rolle, who has a thigh injury.  The Cardinals will continue to place all their trust in Warner and Fitzgerald, who creates a mismatch on the Packers secondary.  Look for Pro Bowl CB Charles Woodson, who will be shadowing Fitzgerald all day now that Boldin is out of the lineup.