Barden also runs good pass patterns and will help stretch the defenses. 2nd round selection Clint Sintim is an LB from Virginia who will help with depth on the defense. The other #2 selection OT William Beatty, will help the depth on an aging offensive line. 4th round choice TE Travis Beckum of Wisconsin will make the team simply because he will cost less then at least one of Kevin Boss’s back ups. 5th round choice Rhett Bomar was a stand out QB at Oklaholma, but was dismissed for rules violations and finished his last two years at Sam Houston State. RB Andre Brown, and CB’s DeAndre Wright, and Stoney Woodson will at least get into camp. Grade: B

The rest of the NFC:

Eagles: 7 Picks. Although Philly adds three quality starters in Maclin (Rd1), RB LeSean McCoy (Rd2), and TE Cornelius Ingram (Rd3), but little else after that. These three will contribute, and Maclin will be a star in the NFL like his new teammate DeSean Jackson. Ingram needs to improve run blocking. Grade B-

Cowboys: 12 picks. A half grade off for trading out of round 2 when they already gave up round one choice. LB Jason Williams, OT Robert Brewster, and QB Stephen McGee address needed depth. Large group of picks give camp roster extra bodies, but how much else? Grade D+

Redskins: 5 Picks. After DE Brian Orapko (Rd1) Washington didn’t do all that well with only 2 picks in the first 3+ rounds. FB Eddie williams is already a” Bubble” player. CB Kevin Barnes, and LB’s Cody Glenn and Robert Henson are reserves at best. Grade: C

Bears: 9 Picks. This group could have even been better if there was a choice in the first two rounds. 6 of the 9 picks should contribute though, and the WR trio of Juaquin Iglesias, Johnny Knox, and Derek Kinder give the receivers depth for new QB Jay Cutler. DT Jarron Gilbert has upside potential as a pass rusher. Grade: B-

Lions: 10 Picks. Give Detroit credit for getting the Stafford deal done, even if they paid a bit over what he’s really worth. TE Brandon Pettigrew was the best of a weak class at his position, but could play a crossover role as an end/ receiver. Louis Delmas is a quality safety, but he was the only DB they selected. Grade: B+

Packers: 8 Picks. Six of this group will make the Packers roster this year. BJ Raji (Rd1) should be a force for years to come on the inside of defensive line. LB Clay Matthews is also a quality prospect, and FB Quinn Johnson will contribute. The offensive line will be helped by T.J Lang and Jamon Meredith. The only down side is the lack of a higher rated DB prospect. Grade: A-

Vikings: 5 Picks. The whole ball of wax here is Percy Harvin. “If” is the biggest two letter word in the universe and it applies to Harvin here. OT Phil Loadholt will be a contributor and could quietly be a draft steal, but there isn’t much else to get excited about here.

Grade: C+ if Harvin gets strait, otherwise, a C

Falcons: 8 Picks. First round pick DT Peria Jerry can play, but can he stay healthy? Atlanta needed defensive help just about everywhere, and they addressed that in this draft, taking only one offensive player in OT Garrett  Reynolds. DE Lawrence Sidbury of FCS national champion Richmond university is a gift in round 4.

Grade: B+

Panthers: 7 Picks: Everette Brown could have been a low first or high second round selection in a different year. He will eventually develop into Julius Peppers’ replacement. CB’s Sherrod Martin and Captain Munnerlyn should provide added reinforcements to the defensive backfield. RB Mike Goodson and FB Tony Fiammetta will take some pressure of the passing game. No selections in the top 50 picks did hurt though. Grade: C+

Saints: 4 Picks (but made deals prior to this for Shockey and Vilma).

CB Malcom Jenkins will have almost an instant impact on the defensive secondary.

Punter Tom Morestead will most likely make the team. The other two picks, S Chip Vaughn and LB Stanley Arnoux will be solid reserves. The lack of early selections hurts here. Grade: B-

Buccaneers: 6 Picks: Coach Morris will have his very own QB of the future in Josh Freeman. DL’s Roy Miller and Kyle Moore are good selections. WR Sammie Stroughter will pay off down the road, but nothing will come of this class for 2009.

Grade: C-

Cardinals: 8 Picks. Just have to love what the Cards did in this draft. Chris Wells’ anguish is Arizona’s gain here. OL’s Herman Johnson and Trevor Canfield will add depth, although Johnson was touted as the best Guard in the class. his size might force his move outside to tackle. S Rashard Johnson and CD Greg Toler will also help the Cards pass defense. Grade: B

Rams: 7 Picks. OT Jason Smith & LB James Laurinaitis fill glaring needs right off the bat. QB Keith Null(6th Rd) could become the 3rd QB. sadly, the Rams didn’t go for a receiver until the 5th round, but got Hakeem NIcks’ teammate Brooks Foster of North Carolina, a steady possession receiver, who might be able to develop some moves. Grade: B

49ers: 7 Picks. We can’t say enough about Michael Crabtree, even if he can’t do the Deion Sanders dance too well. He may wind up to be the lone starter in 2009 from this draft class, But they needed to get help for whomever the starting QB is. Grade B-

Seahawks: 7 Picks. When no one wanted to trade up to the 4th spot, the ‘Hawks devided to reinforce their pass rush with Aaron Curry(Rd1). OC Max Unger in round 2 is also an instant starter. the rest of the picks are all contributors in some way this season. WR Deion Butler and TE Cam Morrah are great value picks. Grade: B+

General manager Jerry Reese has not yet made a major attempt at signing a receiver in free agency, but will certainly address that in the draft. The Giants had college prospect Percy Harvin in for a workout last week. But there have to be other names on the radar. One such name should be Cal-Poly’s Ramses Barden before the Super Bowl no one even knew who he was except for a handful of scouts. Barden is the only receiver in this draft at 6′5″ or above (6′5-1/2″-229lbs) and while he is still a bit raw, he has the potential to go a long way in the pros. We wouldn’t be surprised if Mr. Barden heard his name called mid to late on day two of this year’s draft. The other is Rutgers’ WR Kenny Britt. I’m not so totally sold on Mr. Britt.  Although he is 6′4″, he only weighs about 212 pounds, hardly someone who can out muscle larger defensive backs over the middle. He can jump, but would need to learn the mechanics of the “Jump Ball” game in the end zone. Another option is Browns WR Braylon Edwards.

The NY Jets never seem to be happy with what they already have. If they feel that Kellen Clemens will never run the Jets Offense on a regular basis, try trading him for the extra draft pick. Then people will take you seriously when you say you need a QB. Until then, people only see the Jets as further behind the Giants in PSL sales.

I’m not so sure they were ever seriously considered a factor in the “Jay Cutler” Saga. The three way deal between the Broncos, Titans, and the Jets was talked about for all of five minutes and then dismissed at least on NY sports talk radio.

Up In Buffalo, Terrell Owens has already missed a “voluntary” off season work out with his new team of choice. So I ask you, is this the way to start off on the right foot with your new team and coaching staff? I would thing you’d want to do everything you can to show the people of upstate NY that you’re happy to be there. Sure the workouts are “voluntary”, but it is also “strongly suggested” that players attend.

Down I-95, the Eagles’ QB Donovan McNabb isn’t too happy that so many veteran players are leaving. One media vet tells us that it’s been building up to this for years due to poor management on the part of the Eagles front office. You have to feel bad for Donovan because he puts his heart and soul into trying to make the Eagles a winner. It’s shameful that the front office won’t give them the tools to do so.

Some of the area college programs have already released their schedules for 2009. The Liberty Cup match-up between Fordham University (Patriot) and Columbia University (Ivy) is sure to be hotly contested as always. Columbia’s Head Coach Norries Wilson is one of the hardest working coaches to grace New York City’s college football scene in some time. He also gives a great post game press conference no matter what the outcome of the game, and always has a high quality of Insight into all phases of the game. As a college player, Coach Wilson played in two bowl games at the University of Minnesota as an offensive lineman. Fordham’s head man Tom Massella has been around winning football for years, and while the Rams had a tough 2008, they were the 2007 patriot league champs. Both teams also work hard on the recruitment front each year. Circle your calendars for September 19th at 6pm at Fordham’s Jack Coffey field.

The NFLPA elected a new executive director 3 weeks ago named DeMaurice Smith. Mr. Smith is a talented litigator, but has no other football related experience other than being a rabid Redskins fan. So maybe there is some truth to the story that the election may have been “jerrymanded” by player association lawyers Kessler and Berthlesen. At least one retired player who is part of the suit against the NFLPA to recognize the lack of health care benefits to retired players believes it is true, and has gone on record to anyone who will listen. There is even another story that the 28.1 million dollar settlement will be reduced by 50% to the players.

As comedy man Yakov Smirnoff says, “What a country this America is.”

Visit Dr. Bill on his site or listen to his radio show.