Who Will Sign Chad Ochocinco?

The New England Patriots released Chad Ochocinco today. He struggled with the offense last season and lacked chemistry with Tom Brady. The Patriots signed Jabar Gaffney and Donté Stallworth in the off-season, two wide receivers who have already played with Brady. Their signings made Ochocinco expendable.

Ochocinco is in great condition and is known to be all business behind the scenes. He keeps his nose clean off the field and didn't do any of his usual outlandish antics with New England.

The league is full of teams in need of a veteran receiver, which one will pull the trigger on Ochocinco?

ESPN Insider had a post earlier today about possible teams that could make a run at signing Ochocinco. They listed St. Louis Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, and Miami Dolphins as teams in the market for a veteran receiver. These teams are full of young receivers, but they also have young quarterbacks who need a reliable receiver as a safety net.

Out of the teams that ESPN lists, Miami would be the best fit. Not only would Ochocinco make their season of HBO's 'Hard Knocks' watchable, but he would be the best receiver on the team. The Dolphins have a short-term question at quarterback, so they have bigger issues at hand.

Ochocinco has ties to the Miami area. He went to high school in Miami Beach and he currently spends a lot of time there. He is engaged to 'Basketball Wives' Evelyn Lozada, the former partner of former NBA player Antoine Walker.

I would put money on his agent getting in contact with Miami, whether they want him is another issue. I believe Ochocinco has a year or two left on his legs. I am crossing my fingers that the Indianapolis Colts take a gamble on the veteran.

2012 NFL Draft - 1st Round Mock Draft

The 2012 NFL Draft is one the deepest drafts in recent memory. Most of the guys who will be drafted are proven commodities. You won't have a lot of guys who rose into the first-round based just on their NFL Combine performance. It is quite reassuring for a team to draft a player based on their actual on-field production than to cross their fingers and take a risk on a guy who can bench more and/or looks better shirtless.

I do my impersonation of Mel Kiper and Todd McShay with my own Mock Draft.

Warning: Alabama and LSU will be represented well in this year's 1st round of the NFL Draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts - QB Andrew Luck (Stanford)
This is a pretty easy pick, you might as well write him in.


2. Washington Redskins - QB Robert Griffin III (Baylor)
Washington didn't trade up to draft anyone other than Griffin III.


3. Minnesota Vikings - OT Matt Kalil (USC)
Minnesota recently said that this pick was on the market. Don't take any of Jim Irsay's tweets seriously...ever. If they trade this pick or not, Kalil will go at #3.


4. Cleveland Browns - WR Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State)
Unless the Browns can trade down to pick a QB, Blackmon is too good to pass up.


5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB Morris Claiborne (LSU)
Who cares about Wonderlic scores! I love Claiborne and he'll be a good one.


6. St. Louis Rams - WR Michael Floyd (Notre Dame)
The Rams still need to bolster their receving corps and Floyd would help. He's a bit of a reach at #6, but he fills a team need.


7. Jacksonville Jaguars - DE Melvin Ingram (South Carolina)
This will give the Jaguars another pass rusher and will help Jeremy Mincey on the other end.


8. Miami Dolphins - QB Ryan Tannehill (Texas A&M)
If no one trades up to get Tannehill earlier, he'll be picked by the Dolphins. They need a QB of the future and he's worth the risk.


9. Carolina Panthers - DT Dontari Poe (Memphis)
Poe is the 'Mr. Upside' of the 2012 NFL Draft. Scouts see something special in him and he has all the tools to be a good defensive tackle.


10. Buffalo Bills - G David DeCastro (Stanford)
He's the best guard in the draft and will help get some holes for Fred Jackson to run through.


11. Kansas City Chiefs - LB Luke Kuechly (Boston College)
He's been compared to Keith Brooking...Kansas City needs a Keith Brooking-type linebacker.


12. Seattle Seahawks - DE Quinton Coples (North Carolina)
Seattle's defensive front was really bad in 2011, Coples will fill their need.


13. Arizona Cardinals - OT Riley Reiff (Iowa)
Reiff may not be available at #13, since teams like to trade up to get left tackles. If he's there at #13, Arizona would gladly pick him.


14. Dallas Cowboys - S Mark Barron (Alabama)
Dallas has needed a strong safety since Darren Woodson retired. He would be an upgrade over Abram Elam.


15. Philadelphia Eagles - DT Fletcher Cox (Mississippi State)
Andy Reid loves him some defensive tackles. They also need help at cornerback, but this will add depth.


16. New York Jets - RB Trent Richarson (Alabama)
I think I'm the only person who think that Richardson will fall in this draft. The NFL is a different league than it was a decade ago. If someone doesn't trade up to draft Richardson, the Jets will get a steal. He would be a nice complement to Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow.


17. Cincinnati Bengals - DT Michael Brockers (LSU)
Cincinnati has bolstered its defense with physical guys. Brockers would be a nice fit in that defense and it would be the best pick for the Bengals.


18. San Diego Chargers - CB Dre Kirkpatrick (Alabama)
The Chargers have yet to replace Antonio Cromartie and Kirkpatrick is their guy.


19. Chicago Bears - OT Jonathan Martin (Stanford)
Jay Cutler has found that it is hard to throw the ball while on your back. The Bears have whiffed on a few other offensive tackles recently, but Martin will help him stay on his feet.


20. Tennessee Titans - CB Stephon Gilmore (South Carolina)
A ballhawk cornerback with 4.40 speed? The Titans will jump on him if he's there at #20.


21. Cincinnati Bengals - G Cordy Glenn (Georgia)
He was a beast at the NFL Combine and replaces Bobbie Williams, who left via free agency.


22. Cleveland Browns - OT Mike Adams (Ohio State)
Mike Holmgren likes a talented offensive line. Adams might be a reach at #22, but there isn't a quarterback worth the reach. They could pick Brandon Weeden, Kirk Cousins, or Brock Osweiler later in the draft.


23. Detroit Lions - CB Janoris Jenkins (North Alabama)
The Lions have spent the last two drafts building their defensive line. It is time for them to spend some picks on their secondary.


24. Pittsburgh Steelers - ILB Dont'a Hightower (Alabama)
He's the perfect pick for the Steelers. His name sounds like he should have played for the team in the 1970s.


25. Denver Broncos - DT Jerel Worthy (Michigan State)
Denver needs help against the run and Worthy would be the best defensive tackle on the board.


26. Houston Texans - WR Kendall Wright (Baylor)
If the Texans pick Wright at #26, it would free up Jacoby Jones to focus on just being a receiver. Wright will help in the receiving corps, but he's a threat as a kickoff & punt returner.


27. New England Patriots - OLB Courtney Upshaw (Alabama)
This draft is becoming very Crimson Tide heavy. He's undersized and doesn't have a true position at either defensive end or outside linebackers. Even though many mock drafts have him going much higher, he's a project.


28. Green Bay Packers - DE Chandler Jones (Syracuse)
The younger brother of UFC champion, Jon "Bones" Jones, would look good in a Green Bay jersey.


29. Baltimore Ravens - C Peter Konz (Wisonsin)
Konz would be the "Center in waiting" and would take over when Matt Birk retires.


30. San Francisco 49ers - WR Stephen Hill (Georgia Tech)
Alex Smith needs more targets and I wouldn't be surprised if Coby Fleener is picked here instead of Hill. Jim Harbuagh coached him at Stanford and having another big target would benefit Smith. I think they go with Hill because I don't know how Vernon Davis would react to having another tight-end as competition.


31. New England Patriots - S Harrison Smith (Notre Dame)
Even though New England needs to improve their front seven, their secondary was the worst group to have every made it to the Super Bowl. 


32. New York Giants - TE Coby Fleener (Stanford)
Kevin Boss is a good tight-end, but Fleener could be the next Rob Gronkowski. He's a big target for Eli Manning and he'll get open in their offense.


Feel free to "Like" my blog on Facebook or click the Facebook box located within the sidebar.

White Boy Of The Week: Peyton Hillis

Peyton Hillis did something that I've been waiting 24 years for, he wiped Craig James off the record books. In 1986, James, "The Great White Hope," ran for 1,227 yards and was the last white running back to surpass 1,000 yards in a season. This weekend, in a loss, Hillis crossed that plateau and currently has 1,070 on the season. He has been a beast this season and exciting to watch. I'm glad to name Peyton Hillis as my "White Boy of The Week."

I have watched nearly every Cleveland Browns game this year, mostly because they show most of them here in Columbus, Ohio. I was doing some research on Hillis for this post and ran across an amazing nickname for him. "The Albino Rhino" has been thrown out there and I hope it sticks. His running style is violent and he tries to leap or run over his opponent. He is prone to fumbling, which he did last week, but he will get that fixed this off-season.


Hillis has 11 touchdowns this season and to go along with his rushing yards, he has 57 receptions, 446 receiving yards, and two additional receiving touchdowns. He is a dual threat and someone that a cornerback or safety wouldn't want to try to tackle in the open-field.

He was acquired by the Browns from the Denver Broncos for Brady Quinn. He was lost in the depth chart in Denver, but did shine when he was given an opportunity. He played his college ball at Arkansas, where he played fullback in front of first-round picks, Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. There has been a few weeks this season that Hillis had more total yards in a week than both McFadden and Jones combined.

Congratulations goes out to Peyton Hillis, he is having a fantastic season and should get a hefty contract this summer for his achievements on the field. He is currently making near the minimum, the Browns have him at a discount. The Browns are an improved team with Hillis and next season with a healthy Colt McCoy and possibly an addition of a wide-receiving playmaker, the Browns will keep getting better.

An Attempt To Embrace My New Hometown

I moved to Columbus, Ohio from Fort Wayne, Indiana nearly four years, so I guess this isn't a "new" place for me anymore. I'm considering changes to the site, small ones actually, you may not even notice. I just wanted to explain why this change may happen and what you may see on the site in the near future. For my friends back in Indiana, don't worry, I still love Larry Bird and can't watch the end of "Hoosiers" or "Rudy" without crying.

I started this site over 2 1/2 years ago as a platform to keep my writing skills fresh and dive into a new genre. I have always been a huge sports fan and combine that with my snarky and cynical attitude, I guess starting a sports blog was right up my alley. My past writing experience was just in college in Journalism and English classes and I spent nearly seven years as a music journalist. "America's White Boy" didn't turn into a site that focused strictly on sports content, I add a lot of music posts on here. I know both worlds of sports and music, so why not give them both to my readers. 2 1/2 years ago, I didn't know where I would be from year to year, I was still trying to settle down in a city where I felt comfortable. I believe that I have found that place here in Columbus...at least for the foreseeable future.

The change to the site will be that I am going to be adding much more local Ohio content and national music acts to the site. The change won't be extreme and it isn't a transition that will eventually make this into a site like Waiting For Next Year or Cleveland Frowns. I am a fan of the Columbus Blue Jackets and I follow Ohio State sports, so expect a lot of that to be added. Don't worry about me, I still love the Chicago Cubs, Indiana Pacers, and Indianapolis Colts, you can't take those loves away from me. Since I know a lot about the teams I am a fan of, and clearly have passionate things to say about them, that content will still be here.

I have researched my traffic numbers and my site does have better numbers in the Midwest and East Coast than any other part of the country. I should take this time and say something mean about the West Coast, like the Lakers are soft or that USC cheats, but I'll let your imagination do that.

Well, today is the start of the NFL season, so expect a possible Cleveland Browns or Cincinnati Bengals post at some point today. If I post anything positive about Jake Delhomme, please call my mother, because there is no way I would ever do that unless these Ohio savages kidnap and torture me.

I heart my new hometown.

Eric Mangini Still Not Fired?

The Cleveland Browns fired GM George Kokinis yesterday, but head coach Eric Mangini is still the coach. I don't know how this can happen, considering that Mangini actually picked Kokinis to be the GM. I don't know a situation that has ever worked out when a person picks his own boss. How long does Mangini last in Cleveland?

I have seen my fair share of Cleveland Browns games since I moved to Columbus, Ohio three years ago. I thought the team last year was a joke, but they can't even score points this year. They completely quit on Brady Quinn and decided to put Jake Delhomme Jr. (Derek Anderson) in as a permanent starter. If a QB goes 2 for 17 in one of the first games as a starter, I don't know how many keep that role. It happened against the Bills, who to the Browns defense, made Mark Sanchez look like a, er, rookie. Nevermind, Anderson should be benched and just like the Titans did with Vince Young, the Browns need to see what they have with Quinn.

One of the reasons why many speculate that Quinn is not the starter is because he has a bonus in his contract that if he takes more than 50% of the snaps this season he gets $11 million dollars. I know that is a large number and it could be wise for a team not to spend money, but are the Browns a football team or an accounting firm? If your job is in jeopardy, wouldn't it be wise to play your best players?

The Browns are in bad shape. I have really been back and forth about which team is the worst team in the NFL. I think the Browns are definitely in the conversation with the Rams, Redskins, Lions, Raiders, and Jaguars. The Redskins and Browns are so bad that when I watch them, they make me feel bad for them. I'm not supposed to feel sad during an NFL game. These players are making more a year than I will this decade and they are grown men, yet I think they probably need a hug after most games.

I hope the Browns get better, if that's with Mangini, so be it, but I hope that it is soon. I get most Browns and Bengals games here and I am tired of watching horrible, sloppy football on Sundays. Is firing George Kokinis enough for Cleveland fans not to do a protest and leave their seats vacant at kickoff on Monday Night Football? I sure hope so, because it's not about the personnel anymore, it's about an entire franchise that seems to have lost the connection with the hard-working, blue-collar fans that pay for tickets.

The Titans Should Trade For Brady Quinn

The trading deadline is tomorrow and the Tennessee Titans are currently sitting at 0-6 and seem hesitant about using Vince Young at quarterback. They are sticking with the Kerry Collins, even during their 59-0 beatdown from New England, Young made a brief cameo in the 4th quarter. They need help at quarterback, why not trade for Brady Quinn? It makes sense right?

They had a quick leash with Quinn after letting him start the first three games of the season. Derek Anderson appears to be their starting quarterback. The Cleveland Browns reportedly turned down a 1st round pick for Brady Quinn this offseason. They had a new coaching staff and they weren't sure what they had in the young quarterback from Notre Dame. They would be lucky to get a 3rd-round pick for him right now.

I am proposing a deal that would be beneficial to both teams. The Browns would trade Brady Quinn to the Titans for Javon Ringer and a 6th round pick. The Titans already have Chris Johnson and Lendale White and Cleveland is in need of a young, game-changing running back. Quinn is a younger version of Kerry Collins, plus about 30 extra pounds of muscle. I think it would be good for both sides, why would they make this trade?

Tennessee clearly doesn't think of Vince Young as their future franchise quarterback or he would have already taken over the team. In college, Quinn proved that all he needs is a good tight-end (John Carlson was his target at Notre Dame), a good running game, and a tall receiver (Jeff Samardzija at Notre Dame, but could be Kenny Britt for the Titans). He is a pretty accurate quarterback, but he has never received any significant playing time in the NFL and it would be worth the risk. If they keep losing games, they would get a top 5 pick and possible get a guy like Jake Locker or Colt McCoy. A top 5 pick that is a quarterback gets around 40 million dollars in guaranteed money. You can get Quinn at a bargain and his upside would be just as high as Locker, who didn't even win a game at Washington last season.

On the other side of the coin, Javon Ringer was a touchdown machine at Michigan State last year. I watched plenty of his games and he reminded me of a Maurice Jones-Drew, without the definitive pass-catching ability. The Browns currently have the elderly Jamal Lewis, the injured James Davis, and a career back-up in Jerome Harrison. Ringer would help boost the offense and get the ball moving.

This deal makes sense from both sides. This deal is completely fictional and has no basis of fact or rumor. I was just thinking about what a waste of talent Brady Quinn is sitting on the sidelines and how the Titans doesn't seem to want Vince Young playing, but Kerry Collins isn't doing the job either. Either way, I would love for this trade to go down, but as we know about the NFL trading deadline, these types of deals rarely ever happen.

Cleveland Had A "Steamer" Of A Day

All three major sports teams from Cleveland, OH made the news today. The Indians made changes in their management, the Browns made changes of leadership, and a certain player on the Cavaliers may need a change of scenery. It's been a long day in Cleveland, but I have some good news for the people in the area.

Let's start with the news about the Cleveland Indians. They finally fired, Fort Wayne native, Eric Wedge, after the last two disappointing seasons. It was only two seasons ago that the Indians were one win away from the World Series, but C.C. Sabathia, Fausto Carmona, or Jake Westbrook couldn't seal the deal and the Red Sox won the ALCS in seven games. Even during that season, the Indians got off to a horrible start, but was unable to sneak into the playoffs because of an incredible second-half. They have been known as a second-half team under Wedge, but the last two seasons they have looked bad. It didn't help that they traded away Sabathia, Casey Blake, Mark DeRosa, Cliff Lee, and Victor Martinez over the last 15 months. GM Mark Shapiro could be next if the next manager can't win in a hurry. The Indians just don't have the personnel to win right now, especially after some of those trades that they made trading away their stars. Usually teams load up on prospects, but the teams are trying to stash away their prospects in order to protect their future, so they got 40 cents on the dollar in return. I could be a rough couple seasons in Cleveland.

The Browns are already having a rough season and they have only played three games. The entire offense has looked horrible under new head coach Eric Mangini. He spent the entire off-season and pre-season trying to decide who was going to be his starting quarterback. Brady Quinn won the job, even if it was because no one really stepped up to take the job. He has not look very good so far this season, he has only one passing touchdown. He was pulled in the middle of the game last weekend for Derek Anderson. Anderson didn't take his time and his pass was picked off. He ended up throwing another interception later in the game and he looked worse than Quinn. Mangini named Anderson as his starting quarterback this weekend and the immediate future. I don't think this was the move that needed to be made, but what can a guy do that looks like he could be fired after only three games. This is a move of desperation and I doubt it will pay off. The Browns are bad and this move made them even worse.

Finally, this is the most bizarre story of them all. Earlier this month, Cleveland Cavaliers guard, Delonte West, was pulled over riding a three-wheeled motorcycle. After he was pulled over, he told the police officer that had had a gun on him, after a search, he had more than one gun. He had a gun in his waistband, one in his leg, and some guns in a guitar case. Yes, just like Antonio Banderas, "El Mariachi" style, that is insane! He already has had a history of mental illness and he said that he feared for his safety. Well, to make matters worse, he didn't show up to training camp. Little is known about the reasoning behind why he has been absent, but Lebron James came out today that he is still welcome on the team. I don't know man, sounds like this guy could be a mix between J.R. Rider and Ron Artest. The Cavs have a nice team lined up, but West is a nice post-up player, without him, they could be hurting.

Okay, the reason why Cleveland can rejoice is because there is a blogger convention called, Sports Media 360 during the weekend of October 23-25th being held at Progressive Field. I'll be there and so will many of the best in the Midwest and beyond. Tickets are reasonable and if you're a blogger, get your ticket and experience an amazing conference and meet your fellow bloggers.

The Season Is Not Lost In Pittsburgh

The Steelers are sitting at 1-2 after three weeks of football and the Steeler Nation is on edge. Troy Polamalu has been out and may not play for another couple weeks, but all is not lost in Pittsburgh. They have some tough games ahead, but if they tighten things up and get the running game established, Pittsburgh will be okay. What does Pittsburgh need to do to resurrect the season? I'll explain.

The Steelers may have a little Super Bowl hangover right now and they were a coin flip away from possibly being 0-3. They miss Polamalu, but this team reminds me of the Colts Super Bowl season when Bob Sanders went down early that year. They were below .500 after five games, but once Sanders came back, they got their swagger back. Here are some things that the Steelers need to do.

The Steelers need to stay with the running game and work the swing passes to Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall. The first two games of the year, their running back corps was shutdown and the Steelers didn't stick with them. The Titans and Bears both have great run defense, but they didn't rely on the swing pass to make their outside linebackers cheat to the outside and establish the run in-between the tackles. They did use Parker well against the Bengals, but they still couldn't win the game. I think Cincinnati has a better defense, thanks to the last two draft classes and focusing their picks on linebacker.

They must protect Roethlisberger better. The Steelers offensive line is in a state of flux, trying to get young players to mix their veterans. You will not change Big Ben's tendency to hold the ball too long and I'm not sure that you will want. He has made some big plays when he has held the ball too long, but he needs time to get the ball to his receivers. Hines Ward isn't what he used to be and Santonio Holmes isn't as good as Ward in his prime. Nate Washington was nice to have when he was on the team, but the team still haven't found a consistent #3 receiver.

San Diego comes to town this week and Norv Turner is easy to out-coach. I believe Coach Tomlin is a better coach, but Steelers have playmakers on both sides of the ball. It is still unknown if Polamalu will be ready to play, I'm guess that he will not, so that will hurt. LaDanian Tomlinson is banged up and Darren Sproles is not LT, but Phillip Rivers could be able to throw against the Steelers secondary. It will be a tough game, but Steelers fans needs to relax. If they lose against San Diego, the season is still not over. They have games against Detroit and Cleveland, they will end up 3-3 when they face Minnesota before their bye week. I say that Pittsburgh will be in great position to win a wild-card spot or you never know, Baltimore could implode.

This post means a lot because I really don't like the Steelers, but I like when they are good. The Colts have lost some big playoffs games against Pittsburgh in the past and I do hold grudges. I live in Columbus, OH now and it's bad enough that I get every Browns and Bengals games on television on Sundays. If the Steelers were bad, I couldn't stomach one more bad AFC North game. I still have to watch two Browns/Bengals games a year, I need to move out of this state.

God, Help Me!

After a rough day of college football and non-competitive college basketball games, I am stuck with the Browns/Bengals game on my television. These teams are two of the worst teams to watch since 50% of each of their teams are on injured reserve. Brady Quinn, Derek Anderson, Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson (Ocho Cinco), Kellen Winslow, and about thirty other players are not going to play in this game. This leaves me with watching a Ken Dorsey vs. Ryan Fitzpatrick match-up.

I want to have fun while watching this game, so these are the things that are going to keep me interested.

- Drink every time Braylon Edwards drops a ball.

- Over/Under 2 minutes into the game that they start talking about next season for both of these teams.

- Over/Under 4 times, that the announcers talk about Ken Dorsey's college career.

- Count the amount of people with bags over their heads vs. the idiots without any shirts on

- The Bengals should have less points than people in the team with felony charges

- Realize that Romeo Crennel outweighs most of his offensive linemen

- Laugh repeatedly when the announcers describe the history of this rivalry and try to make it sound watchable.

I'm not sure if I will be able to make it through this game, this might be my last post. If I don't make it, I hereby bequeath this blog to my roommate.