NFL Draft Challenge

Instead of the usual Friday Trivia, today we will test your NFL draft prognostication abilities.

The rules for the NFL Draft Challenge are simple: list the first 10 players taken in the NFL draft tomorrow, in the order they are taken. Just post your picks before the start of the draft tomorrow (Saturday) at noon. You only have to show the draft order, the player's name, and their position (although I am showing a little more information below).

Now for my picks:

1. Oakland (2-14)- JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
All the experts and talking heads say the Raiders will take JaMarcus Russell, and I cannot call that a bad pick. However, how many quarterbacks have the Raiders drafted that have gone on to have a great career with the Raiders? Just Kenny Stabler (and he was a 2nd round pick). As a Raider fan, I would rather see them take Calvin Johnson, who is a sure thing.

2. Detroit (3-13)- Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
Expect the Lions to trade this pick away, probably to Atlanta. If Matt Millen drafted another wide receiver, the Detroit fans would shoot him (in Detroit, literally).

With all of the issues "dogging" Michael Vick lately, the Falcons drafting the best wide receiver in Atlanta's history (not to mention Johnson has a tremendous work ethic on top of his freakish abilities) would be a major "catch" for them.

3. Cleveland (4-12)- Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
How many quarterbacks state before the draft that they WANT to play in Cleveland? Bernie Kosar is the last one I remember, and he turned out ok. The Brownies desperately need a quarterback (Charlie Frye is NOT the answer), and Quinn could be the guy.

4. Tampa Bay (4-12)- Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
The Bucs need offensive line help, and Thomas is the best in this draft.

5. Arizona (5-11)- Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
It is safe to say the Cards will pick a defensive player, but which one? Adams is arguably the most highly rated defensive prospect.

6. Washington (5-11)- Laron Landry, DB, LSU
Washington has already said they are taking either Landry or DT Amobi Okoye. Since Landry is probably the better of the two, and since Adam Archuleta has been released by the Skins, expect Landry to be the pick.

7. Minnesota (6-10)- Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
Expect the Vikings to draft some secondary help later in the draft. For now, this team needs some offense. Chester Taylor was solid last year, but not exceptional. Also, don't be surprised if another team trades up to this spot to get Peterson.

8. Atlanta (7-9)- Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
With the Lions trading down to this spot, expect to see a defensive player picked here. Anderson could give the Lions a much needed pass rusher.

9. Miami (6-10)- Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
The Dolphins could also go with DT Alan Branch, but Okoye has more upside.

10. Houston (6-10)- Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
With Houston's awful pass blocking, and less than stellar run blocking, offensive line help is desperately needed here.

Friday Trivia! "April showers" edition

First, the answers from last week's trivia (no one got all of them):

1. On a Friday the 13th in 1307, what group had all their members in France arrested under orders from King Philip IV of France? The Knights Templar
2. After today, when is the next occurrence of a Friday falling on the 13th day of the month? July
3. Who is the only actor from the original Friday the 13th movie who has his name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? Kevin Bacon
4. In the year 13 A.D., who was the emperor of Rome? Augustus
5. Which rock band released the album 13 in November of 1970? The Doors

This week's trivia:

1. What was the first song released from Peter Gabriel's 1986 album So AFTER the single Big Time?

2. Which battle was Field Marshall Arthur Wellesley best known for?

3. Who was the first running back in NFL history to gain over 1,000 yards rushing for three different teams?

4. What song, first featured in the movie The Hollywood Revue of 1929, later became the title and theme song of a 1952 musical?

5. The Rolling Stones got their name from what musician's 1950 song, Rollin' Stone?

Friday Trivia! "Friday the 13th" edition

1. On a Friday the 13th in 1307, what group had all their members in France arrested under orders from King Philip IV of France?

2. After today, when is the next occurrence of a Friday falling on the 13th day of the month?

3. Who is the only actor from the original Friday the 13th movie who has his name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

4. In the year 13 A.D., who was the emperor of Rome?

5. Which rock band released the album 13 in November of 1970?

Gone fishing

I am going to take some time off from blogging. It is a pretty slow news cycle right now until we get closer to the NFL Draft.

However, I will continue to post the Friday Trivia segments.

Friday Trivia! Easter edition

1. Who had his first number one hit with the song Sailing back in 1980?

2. What is the name of Bugs Bunny's girlfriend in the movie Space Jam?

3. Which former Negro League and Major League Baseball player hit a 477 foot home run in Cleveland's Municipal Stadium, a feat matched only by Mickey Mantle?

4. What dish is usually made with two halves of an English muffin, and topped with smoked bacon or ham, poached eggs, and hollandaise sauce?

5. Which 1968 song by the band Cream was later covered by both Lynyrd Skynyrd and Rush?

Quotes of the Day: Global Warming

"Some wealthy elitists in our country who cannot tell fact from fiction, can afford an Olympian detachment from the impacts of draconian climate change policy. For them, the jobs and dreams destroyed as a result will be nothing more than statistics and the cares of other people. These consequences are abstractions to them, but they are not to me, as I can name many of the thousands of the American citizens whose lives will be destroyed by these elitists' ill-conceived ‘global goofiness' campaigns." - Bob Murray

Read the whole article over at the New York Sun website.

Also, there was a good editorial by William F. Buckley yesterday, which compares Global Warming fervor to the Spanish Inquisition. From the editorial:

"Critics are correct in insisting that human enterprises have an effect on climate. What they cannot at this point do is specify exactly how great the damage is, nor how much relief would be effected by specific acts of natural propitiation.

The whole business is eerily religious in feel. Back in the 15th century, the question was: Do you believe in Christ? It was required in Spain by the Inquisition that the answer should be affirmative, leaving to one side subsidiary specifications."

The "Idol" on "American Idol"

It is rare that you will hear me recommend a tv show, and even rarer to hear me recommend something as popular as "American Idol". Why would I bother to recommend a show which continually tops the ratings?

Two words: Melinda Doolittle.

I can appreciate there are people out there who do not watch the show because the talent is generally unworthy of anyone's attention. Occasionally, a mediocre talent will put on a great performance, otherwise known as a "blind pig finding an acorn". Only twice can I recall examples of an American Idol contestant/winner worthy of a cd purchase or MP3 download (Kelly Clarkson and Bo Bice).

But this year, they have hit a gold mine. Melinda Doolittle is head and shoulders above, not only this year's contestants, but ALL the contestants the show has EVER had.

Earlier this season, after one of her performances, I turned to my wife and said, "She reminded me of Gladys Knight." Then Simon Cowell proceeded to compare her to a "young Gladys Knight". My wife gave me a look which said, "How did you do that?"

Seriously, Melinda's vocals are comparable to Gladys Knight or Aretha Franklin. She is pitch perfect. On top of that, she "feels" the songs. By that I mean she performs the songs with the feelings inherent within the lyrics. Last night, she did the old standard I Got Rhythm, which I always thought was kind of a silly song. She corrected me of that misinterpretation, by showing that it is a song of happiness about life. THAT is the art of singing.

If you are looking for a sexy singer, look somewhere else. Melinda is NOT sexy, but she is a rare talent.

Frankly, it has been too long since there has been ANY singer come onto the musical scene with the whole package like Ms. Doolittle. There have been singers with great voices, and singers who could perform great, but none that I recall who could match Ms. Doolittle.

I suggest you watch the show just once to hear Melinda Doolittle. It may be a few decades before another talent like her comes along.