Remember about Friday's mailbag. From the "Talks Too Much Studios" here we go.
Alabama running back Trent Richardson (3) scores a touchdown against Tennessee in Tuscaloosa Ala. on October 22, 2011.NFL draft
OK, let's go ahead and get this out of the way: We love the draft; you know this.
OK, now that we're done with the formalities, let's get to BID-ness. Last year we let the draft sneak up on us without proper previews.
Not this time. We're going position-by-position heading into next Thursday's first round. Monday we did quarterbacks. Today, it's running backs.
To say we are a believe in Trent Richardson would be akin to saying we believe in freedom, justice and the right to assemble every Monday through Friday around 10 a.m. at a computer terminal of your choice and enjoy a rambling family-oriented, interweb-based sports column.
Dude is a monster and is the best running back to enter the league since Adrian Peterson. Barring injury, Richardson will be a 10-time Pro Bowler who at worst is Peterson without a fifth gear but at best could be described as Emmitt Smith with a fourth gear. Yes, we went there.
In fact, Richardson is such the rare back that he deserves a top-five grade overall, which is shocking considering the shelf-life of running backs and the interchangeable way most current offenses use running backs. If the Browns pass on him at No. 4, the Bucs almost assuredly will go after him at No. 5. But he could be the missing piece for several teams that are on the cusp of making championship runs for the next few years.
What if you are the Packers? A super-talented team that has a wide-open window to win a few Super Bowls, Green Bay could send a slew of picks to the Browns or the Bucs and go get Richardson. That move makes the Packers the most balanced offense since Dallas won three Super Bowls in four seasons in the early 1990s. And how could would the Lions' offense look with Matt Stafford behind center, Calvin Johnson out wide and Richardson in the backfield.
Richardson is that good that teams, and as friend of the show Ferris Bueller said, "If you have the means, we highly suggest picking one up. It is so choice."
As for the rest, Richardson may be the only running back taken in the first round, but that's more a statement of position value than the talent in this class. There are some solid running backs in this group, and there figure to be a lot of teams looking to add a running back that could move up in round two.
1) Trent Richardson, Alabama.
2) Lamar Miller, Miami.
3) Doug Martin, Boise State.
4) David Wilson, Virginia Tech.
5) Chris Polk, Washington.
6) Bernard Pierce, Temple.
7) LaMichael James, Oregon
From there it's a hodgepodge of names that range from the familiar (Chris Rainey, Florida) to the mid-majors (the kid from Cincinnati) to even FCS schools (William & Mary has a bullying back).
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New Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning holds up his Broncos jersey as team owner Pat Bowlen, left, and John Elway, vice president of football operations, look on during an NFL football news conference at the Broncos headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Tuesday.Start of a Mile High ascent
The more and more we hear, the better and better Peyton Manning is getting.
The reports out of Denver on Monday after Manning and the Broncos worked out at the team's practice facility were streling.
Here's what receiver Eric Decker told reporters: "I'm not his doctor, I don't know how to speak on his health, but catching balls from him, it looks like there's nothing wrong to me. He's throwing great balls, he's getting the work in just like we're getting the work in, knocking the rust off. I see no issues at this point."
Translation: Dude is winging it around and arm strength does not seem to be a concern.
Here's Manning: "Everybody's been looking forward to this day for some time now. I thought it was a productive first day, but we've got a lot of work to do."
Translation: No current athlete speaks more fluent "Old-school football coach poor mouthing" better than Manning. His downplay approach is so consistent it's predictable, and that's OK. But here's the above quote converted into a 140-charcter tweet of the modern-era athlete. "Luv working with new Bronc 'mates. Felt great being back. Look out league. Suck it Irsay. I'mmmmmmm BACK."
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Tony Stewart poses with the trophy after the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race, Sunday, March 25, 2012, in Fontana, Calif. Stewart won the rain-shortened race. (AP Photo/Autostock, Nigel Kinrade)Vroom
Friend of the show Quake, most commonly known as one of the three rings on the circus that is SportTalk, has a NASCAR show on the local Fox affiliate on Monday nights at 10:30. It's pretty enjoyable if you get the chance to catch it.
Last night Quake and the gang (which is accurately the Hixson version of "Kool and the Gang," only different) was discussing some of the weekend NASCAR machinations, including Greg Biffle's win and Jimmie Johnson's growing frustrations. Then it dawned on us - NASCAR has a potential problem on its hands.
As much fun as NASCAR was last year, and as great as the new-fangled points system worked with Tony Stewart needing the final laps of the final race to secure his 2011 championship, there is potential for this year's race to become a runaway. And if Greg Biffle is doing the running, well, the only folks tuning in will be the die-hard gear heads and those angry folks who only watch to say NASCAR stinks compared to when Dale Sr. was around.
Granted, it's still early, and NASCAR has a chance to turn this thing quickly with Dale Jr. tied for second in points, but don't think these conversations aren't happening at the France dinner table.
In fact, here's saying that Junior is going to have one of those weekends in the near future where it looks like he's riding a rocket ship, and everyone is so excited and talking about how, "The Amp team has been working so hard, and it finally came together." Well, that and NASCAR let them put nitrous oxide in the car.
Call us crazy, but there's about to be some NASCAR craziness in the coming days. It may be this week in Kansas or it may be at Richmond the following week. But it will for sure be no later than Talladega on May 6.
Side note: President Obama will welcome Tony Stewart to the White House today to congratulate last year's champion. What exactly do you think those two guys will chat about during lunch?
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This and that
- While Manning and the Broncos were going to work in Denver, former Broncos quarterback and perpetually lightning rod Tim Tebow was working with the New York Jets on Monday. Tebow and current starter Mark Sanchez were both running through the drills and there are reports that Tebow will be used in a variety of ways that include but are not limited to tight end, H-back, running back and personal protecter on punt teams. Sure, he'll get some snaps at QB, and one Jets player even said, "It's like we're going to be two separate teams." Take that quote however you like.
- The Waterford crystal football commemorating Alabama's BCS national title was broken over the weekend during the festivities around Alabama's spring game. When Alabama replaces said trophy, does that mean they get to claim another national championship? How many is that now P-Davi?
- Drew Brees is gunning for a new nickname. Apparently, Brees has done his best ostrich impression and put his head in the sand throughout the Saints' Bounty-gate controversy that cost head coach Sean Payton a year's suspension. "We didn't get any meaningful evidence, or any meaningful truth or facts," Brees told Albert Breer of NFL Network about the bounty charges. Uh, Drew? Seriously? Wonder how Drew responded when asked about the tapes of former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams making impassioned speeches to hurt opponents? Maybe he put a finger in each ear and started running in circles screaming, "I can't hear you, I can't hear you." Meaningful evidence. Poppycock.
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Today's question
We've become comfortable naming a Mount Rushmore of things. Be it the Braves or the SEC or what have, it's fairly obvious that the Mount Rushmore of _ is the four most recognizable people of that category.
But we need an antithesis. What's the opposite of the Mount Rushmore?
For example, if the Mount Rushmore of current baseball managers is Charlie Manuel, Mike Scoiscia, Joe Maddon and Bruce Bochy, where do we put Fredi Gonzalez and Booby Valentine? Are they on the Mount Rushmore of bad managers? Or is there another list, like say the Mount Outhouse of managers that we know is for less than stellar work?
We need some guidance.