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Today I had the opportunity to join Evan and Troy on the Red Light Sports Ramble. The trio of us discussed different topics about the Brewers heading into spring training tomorrow morning. How will Ryan Braun play in 2014 after the steroid mess is in the rear view? Who is the most exciting addition to the Brewers this year? Who's on first? Who's on second? Can Aramis Ramirez stay healthy this year? Is there too much weight on the shoulders of Khris Davis? All that is discussed and more...
You can follow both hosts and the show's feed on Twitter:
Troy - @RedLightRamble
Evan - @Edubs1250intern
Red Light Sports Ramble - @RdLghtSprtsRmbl
Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.
-Andrew Vrchota
Follow us on Twitter (@WISportsBlog)
for up to date news on the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, Bucks, and Golden
Eagles. We feature live in-game commentary, breaking news, rumors,
previews, and post game discussion. Follow the entire writing team on
Twitter: @AndrewVrchota, @jheldred, @JoeP_Norton, @olewr7, @Stevie2Westside, and @10iskristin
Friday, February 14, 2014
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Brewers to Sign a Dominican Third Base Prospect?
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Scout.com's Kiley McDaniel posted an article a few days ago looking ahead to the July 2nd market for international prospects. He mentions a rumor that Dominican third baseman Gilbert Lara already has a $3.2MM deal in place with the Milwaukee Brewers, who he mentions are not generally known for splashy international signings. (via MLBTradeRumors.com)
Here is the excerpt from Kiley's article:
Here is a link to a page I found on Gilbert Lara that has a scouting video of him. He's listed at a shortstop, but will likely see his services utilized at third base in the big leagues.
This is a big deal for the Brewers, as mentioned above they tend to stay out of the "big name" international guys. So, this is very promising to see our scouting department and financial staff are seeing eye to eye regarding international prospects. Norichika Aoki was also a surprise a few years back when the Brewers were top bidder on him.
Nothing will be official until July 2nd, but Brewers fans should be very excited about this.
Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.
-Andrew Vrchota
Follow us on Twitter (@WISportsBlog) for up to date news on the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, Bucks, and Golden Eagles. We feature live in-game commentary, breaking news, rumors, previews, and post game discussion. Follow the entire writing team on Twitter: @AndrewVrchota, @jheldred, @JoeP_Norton, @olewr7, @Stevie2Westside, and @10iskristin
UPDATE 2/12/14 7:08am - Dominican July 2 prospect Yirver Gilbert Lara is reportedly said by some scouts to have agreed to a $3.2MM signing bonus with the Brewers. Lara's trainer, Jaime Ramos, told MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez that "there is nothing concrete and there are still a lot of teams interested in him," including the Brewers, Royals, Yankees, and Twins. Whether or not Lara lands in Milwaukee, explain Sanchez and his MLB.com colleague Adam McCalvy, the Brewers appear set to embark on greatly increased levels of international spending and player development efforts. (The team's largest international bonus awards to date are just $800K.) [via MLBTradeRumors.com]
Scout.com's Kiley McDaniel posted an article a few days ago looking ahead to the July 2nd market for international prospects. He mentions a rumor that Dominican third baseman Gilbert Lara already has a $3.2MM deal in place with the Milwaukee Brewers, who he mentions are not generally known for splashy international signings. (via MLBTradeRumors.com)
Here is the excerpt from Kiley's article:
"Gilbert Lara has the loose, handsy, fluid swing that scouts are looking for with the plus bat speed and raw power to project as a future All-Star. He hit a number of balls out to left field at the heavily scouted MLB showcase and hit a triple and homerun in the game portion of the event. The chatter among scouts is the Dominican third baseman has an agreement with the Milwaukee Brewers for a $3.2 million bonus"
Here is a link to a page I found on Gilbert Lara that has a scouting video of him. He's listed at a shortstop, but will likely see his services utilized at third base in the big leagues.
This is a big deal for the Brewers, as mentioned above they tend to stay out of the "big name" international guys. So, this is very promising to see our scouting department and financial staff are seeing eye to eye regarding international prospects. Norichika Aoki was also a surprise a few years back when the Brewers were top bidder on him.
Nothing will be official until July 2nd, but Brewers fans should be very excited about this.
Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.
-Andrew Vrchota
Follow us on Twitter (@WISportsBlog) for up to date news on the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, Bucks, and Golden Eagles. We feature live in-game commentary, breaking news, rumors, previews, and post game discussion. Follow the entire writing team on Twitter: @AndrewVrchota, @jheldred, @JoeP_Norton, @olewr7, @Stevie2Westside, and @10iskristin
Friday, February 7, 2014
Nick Collins Wants to Play in the NFL - Are Any Teams Interested?
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It all started with a tweet:
Just like that, a Nick Collins return to football seemed imminent. Since suffering a neck injury in week 2 of the 2011 season, Collins has been bound and determined to get back on the playing field. Here's a quick look at some possible destinations for the Super Bowl Champion free safety.
Packers - the first team that comes to mind obviously since Collins has played every single snap of his NFL career in Green and Gold. To top it off, the Packers are in desperate need of improved play at safety. It seems this match would be a perfect fit. But, the Packers notoriously cautious medical staff (see collarbone - Rodgers, Aaron) is unlikely to give clearance for Collins to suit up. At the time of the injury Collins was 28 years old, and at 30 now has age working against him as well. Mike McCarthy is on record saying if Nick Collins was his son he would not let him play. As much as everyone on the JS Comments board wants Collins back in Green Bay, it just isn't happening.
Possibility: Dikembe Mutobmo finger wave (not in Ted's House)
Bears - Of Chicago's two safeties, one is a free agent(Major Wright) and the other(Chris Conte) was so inconsistent Bears fans took to harassing a Nashville television reporter after his gaffes. It's hard to imagine Conte lining up in the Bears secondary after turning Randall Cobb loose for the game winning touchdown. Particularly in the NFC North with pass oriented Detriot and Green Bay, top notch safety play is a must. Plus it would continue the trend of division rivals gambling on former Packers players (see Vikings, Minnesota).
Texans - Houston gambled on a clearly washed up Ed Reed last season and the results were disastrous to the point where they now own the #1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft. It's hard to say what philosophy new coach Bill O'Brien will bring to Houston. But he did spend five years in New England under Bill Belichick who was notorious for taking veteran players no other team wanted and squeezing a few more years of success out of them (see Dillon, Corey and Moss, Randy). The Texans have one of the best front seven defensive fronts in the league. The pressure they cause could help ease Collins back onto the field where he doesn't feel pressed to make big plays every down.
Chiefs - With three safeties set to be free agents in 2014 in Kendrick Lewis, Quintin Demps and Husain Abdullah, Kansas City will be in the market at safety. But wait there's more. The GM in Kansas City is none other than former Packers Director of College Scouting and Director of Player Personnel John Dorsey. Dorsey played a large part in drafting Nick Collins in the second round of the 2005 draft and could be persuaded into taking another chance to help his new team.
Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.
- Neal Olson
Follow us on Twitter (@WISportsBlog) for up to date news on the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, Bucks, and Golden Eagles. We feature live in-game commentary, breaking news, rumors, previews, and post game discussion. Follow the entire writing team on Twitter: @AndrewVrchota, @jheldred, @JoeP_Norton, @olewr7, @Stevie2Westside, and @10iskristin
It all started with a tweet:
Who's looking for a top notch free safety. This kid is ready to dominate #2014
— Nick Collins (@nickdapick36) February 4, 2014
Just like that, a Nick Collins return to football seemed imminent. Since suffering a neck injury in week 2 of the 2011 season, Collins has been bound and determined to get back on the playing field. Here's a quick look at some possible destinations for the Super Bowl Champion free safety.
Packers - the first team that comes to mind obviously since Collins has played every single snap of his NFL career in Green and Gold. To top it off, the Packers are in desperate need of improved play at safety. It seems this match would be a perfect fit. But, the Packers notoriously cautious medical staff (see collarbone - Rodgers, Aaron) is unlikely to give clearance for Collins to suit up. At the time of the injury Collins was 28 years old, and at 30 now has age working against him as well. Mike McCarthy is on record saying if Nick Collins was his son he would not let him play. As much as everyone on the JS Comments board wants Collins back in Green Bay, it just isn't happening.Possibility: Dikembe Mutobmo finger wave (not in Ted's House)
Bears - Of Chicago's two safeties, one is a free agent(Major Wright) and the other(Chris Conte) was so inconsistent Bears fans took to harassing a Nashville television reporter after his gaffes. It's hard to imagine Conte lining up in the Bears secondary after turning Randall Cobb loose for the game winning touchdown. Particularly in the NFC North with pass oriented Detriot and Green Bay, top notch safety play is a must. Plus it would continue the trend of division rivals gambling on former Packers players (see Vikings, Minnesota).
Possibility: Remote
Texans - Houston gambled on a clearly washed up Ed Reed last season and the results were disastrous to the point where they now own the #1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft. It's hard to say what philosophy new coach Bill O'Brien will bring to Houston. But he did spend five years in New England under Bill Belichick who was notorious for taking veteran players no other team wanted and squeezing a few more years of success out of them (see Dillon, Corey and Moss, Randy). The Texans have one of the best front seven defensive fronts in the league. The pressure they cause could help ease Collins back onto the field where he doesn't feel pressed to make big plays every down.
Possibility: Never say never
Chiefs - With three safeties set to be free agents in 2014 in Kendrick Lewis, Quintin Demps and Husain Abdullah, Kansas City will be in the market at safety. But wait there's more. The GM in Kansas City is none other than former Packers Director of College Scouting and Director of Player Personnel John Dorsey. Dorsey played a large part in drafting Nick Collins in the second round of the 2005 draft and could be persuaded into taking another chance to help his new team.
Possibility: So you're saying there's a chance?
The road back to the NFL will be a long one for Nick Collins. When healthy he was one of the premier defensive backs in the league. However under the back drop of recent litigation the NFL has faced regarding player safety, particularly for head and neck trauma, it seems to be a long shot a team can justify taking a chance on him. Whether Collins returns to the field in 2014 or after, Packer fans will always have this moment.
- Neal Olson
Follow us on Twitter (@WISportsBlog) for up to date news on the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, Bucks, and Golden Eagles. We feature live in-game commentary, breaking news, rumors, previews, and post game discussion. Follow the entire writing team on Twitter: @AndrewVrchota, @jheldred, @JoeP_Norton, @olewr7, @Stevie2Westside, and @10iskristin
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
2014 Green Bay Packers First Round Draft Preview
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It's Super Bowl week and the NFL draft is still four months away. But college football's post season scouting showcase games are complete so now seems like a good time to become familiar with potential Packer draft targets. To begin with we'll look at players that could be on the board in the first round. Organized within a descending order from positions of need, these players are most likely to be wearing Green and Gold on draft day(or at least should be). Quick aside - I just can't bring myself to look at tight ends in the first round. There are too many other defensive positions that need impact players.
Position of Need: Safety
The lack of production from the safety position in 2013 has been rehashed endlessly since the end of the season. Zero turnovers and only five passes defensed are pretty strong supporting evidence that change of some kind is needed. However, the Packers extended Morgan Burnett last summer to the tune of 4 years and $25 million dollars, $8.25 million guaranteed. $8 million is a lot of money to give up on a player quickly, especially for the traditionally reluctant to give up on homegrown talent Thompson. Someone to play along side of Burnett is a must going into 2014, whether through the draft or free agency. The unfortunate truth for the Packers is this draft lacking high end talent at safety.
BJ Raji, Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly are all free agents. Raji seems interested playing in a different scheme capable of showcasing his pass rushing prowess. He turned down an $8 million a year offer from Green Bay prior to last season and after this year's disappointing performance isn't likely to be given that kind of offer from Ted Thompson again. Pickett and Jolly are both on the wrong side of 30 and Jolly is in progress of rehabbing a significant neck injury. It seems fair to assume bolstering the D-line has to be the second on the list of priorities during the off season.
Ra'Shede Hageman 6-6 311 lbs Minnesota
CJ Mosely ILB 6-2 235 lbs Alabama
Dee Ford OLB 6-2 238 lbs Auburn
Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.
- Neal Olson
Follow us on Twitter (@WISportsBlog) for up to date news on the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, Bucks, and Golden Eagles. We feature live in-game commentary, breaking news, rumors, previews, and post game discussion. Follow the entire writing team on Twitter: @AndrewVrchota, @jheldred, @JoeP_Norton, @olewr7, @Stevie2Westside, and @10iskristin
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| Who do Ted Thompson and the Packers scouting staff have their eyes on? |
The following list comes with the qualifier always noted with Ted Thompson drafts; the best player available is almost always selected over reaching for a player at a position of need.
Position of Need: Safety
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| Packers need improved safety play to avoid plays like this |
HaHa Clinton-Dix 6-1 210 lbs Alabama
Clinton-Dix is really the only sure fire first round pick at safety in this year's class. He continues the recent trend from Alabama of defensive backs taken day one of the draft following the footsteps of Mark Barron(#7-2012) and Dee Millner(#9-2013). Clinton-Dix is big and rangy, he breaks on the ball well and shows natural ability to make big plays. The only real knock was his two game suspension this past season taking a loan from an assistant coach. However, barring a complete no show at the combine, Clinton-Dix is unlikely to available when the Packers pick at 21.
Calvin Pryor 6-2 208 lbs Louisville
Like Clinton-Dix, Pryor is an early entrant to the NFL draft leaving Louisville after his junior season. Pryor is a big physical player and his more than comfortable coming up to make plays near the line of scrimmage. In coverage Pryor played a lot of deep zone where he used his speed and big hitting to control the back end of the defense. He was not asked to play much man to man coverage in college. Lack of man coverage combined with lesser competition in the American Athletic Conference are the biggest factors holding Pryor back from a definite first round grade. Pryor figures to be around when the Packers make their first round selection, but whether he grades out high enough will largely depend on his Combine performance.
Tre Boston 6-1 205 lbs North Carolina
The reports on Boston are mixed, some view him as a second or third round pick, while others have him lower. His career production at North Carolina cannot be dismissed though. He had 13 interceptions, three forced fumbles and 20 passes broken up. All the areas the Packers are desperate to improve. Boston also spent time at corner and has the top end speed and coverage skills necessary to play safety in today's pass happy NFL. That being said, Boston will most likely not be called with the Packer's pick at 21. He will remain on the radar though after spending some time with Ted Thompson at the East-West Shrine Bowl earlier in January.
Clinton-Dix is really the only sure fire first round pick at safety in this year's class. He continues the recent trend from Alabama of defensive backs taken day one of the draft following the footsteps of Mark Barron(#7-2012) and Dee Millner(#9-2013). Clinton-Dix is big and rangy, he breaks on the ball well and shows natural ability to make big plays. The only real knock was his two game suspension this past season taking a loan from an assistant coach. However, barring a complete no show at the combine, Clinton-Dix is unlikely to available when the Packers pick at 21.
Calvin Pryor 6-2 208 lbs Louisville
Like Clinton-Dix, Pryor is an early entrant to the NFL draft leaving Louisville after his junior season. Pryor is a big physical player and his more than comfortable coming up to make plays near the line of scrimmage. In coverage Pryor played a lot of deep zone where he used his speed and big hitting to control the back end of the defense. He was not asked to play much man to man coverage in college. Lack of man coverage combined with lesser competition in the American Athletic Conference are the biggest factors holding Pryor back from a definite first round grade. Pryor figures to be around when the Packers make their first round selection, but whether he grades out high enough will largely depend on his Combine performance.
Tre Boston 6-1 205 lbs North Carolina
The reports on Boston are mixed, some view him as a second or third round pick, while others have him lower. His career production at North Carolina cannot be dismissed though. He had 13 interceptions, three forced fumbles and 20 passes broken up. All the areas the Packers are desperate to improve. Boston also spent time at corner and has the top end speed and coverage skills necessary to play safety in today's pass happy NFL. That being said, Boston will most likely not be called with the Packer's pick at 21. He will remain on the radar though after spending some time with Ted Thompson at the East-West Shrine Bowl earlier in January.
Position of Need: Defensive Line
BJ Raji, Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly are all free agents. Raji seems interested playing in a different scheme capable of showcasing his pass rushing prowess. He turned down an $8 million a year offer from Green Bay prior to last season and after this year's disappointing performance isn't likely to be given that kind of offer from Ted Thompson again. Pickett and Jolly are both on the wrong side of 30 and Jolly is in progress of rehabbing a significant neck injury. It seems fair to assume bolstering the D-line has to be the second on the list of priorities during the off season.
Ra'Shede Hageman 6-6 311 lbs Minnesota
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| Hageman might be the pick to rejuvenate an older defensive line |
Hageman has all the measurable NFL scouts look for in
defensive linemen. He has the size and strength to play on the interior of the
line as well as the foot speed and explosiveness to attack quarterbacks from
the edge. The biggest knock on Hageman is similar for a lot of college
defensive lineman; he lacked consistent high level effort from on every play.
But his size and versatility will be coveted on draft day, and he seems likely
to be around when the Packers are on the clock in the first round. Unless
someone drops unexpectedly from the top of the draft, don’t be surprised if
Thompson pulls the trigger on Hageman.
Aaron Donald DT 6-0
285 lbs Pittsburgh
Dodson was one of the dominant players at the Senior Bowl
and has positioned himself to move into the first round despite lacking ideal
size. He had a terrific regular season as well. He won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Defensive Player of the Year), Chuck Bednarik Award (Defensive Player of the Year), Outland Trophy (Outstanding Interior Lineman) and Lombardi Award (Outstanding Lineman). Bottom line, Donald
is a good football player. The Packers have shown their willingness to gamble
on undersized lineman. Mike Daniels was also considered smaller for his
position and ended up being one of the most consistent defensive players for
Green Bay in 2013. The question for Thompson will be whether a line with two
undersized players can hold up in a division with Adrian Peterson, Matt Forte
and Reggie Bush.
Louis Nix NT 6-3 340
lbs Notre Dame
Nix fits the mold of the pro typical 3-4 nose tackle. With a mammoth frame, he uses his body
well, plays with the strength and leverage needed to occupy double teams and
hold the point of attack along the line. At times he even displayed explosiveness to rush the passer for the interior of the line. Nix recently had
surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. Considering the recent struggles
the Packers have had with injuries, they may want to avoid taking someone
already in the middle of rehabbing.
Clay Matthews is locked in at one outside linebacker spot. The other three positions could all improve. Nick Perry has been inconsistent throughout his two years but has battled injuries so it’s probably too early to give up on him. AJ Hawk and Brad Jones are average at best. Dom Caper’s 3-4 scheme relies heavily on a dynamic linebacker core to make plays in the run and pass game. Really the only consistent playmaker the Packers have is Matthews, which was underscored after Matthews missed time and the defense struggled to stop anyone one.
Position of Need: Linebacker
Clay Matthews is locked in at one outside linebacker spot. The other three positions could all improve. Nick Perry has been inconsistent throughout his two years but has battled injuries so it’s probably too early to give up on him. AJ Hawk and Brad Jones are average at best. Dom Caper’s 3-4 scheme relies heavily on a dynamic linebacker core to make plays in the run and pass game. Really the only consistent playmaker the Packers have is Matthews, which was underscored after Matthews missed time and the defense struggled to stop anyone one.
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| Mosely would be an impact player from day one. |
Mosely is the cream of the crop for
linebackers in this draft class. He is a two time first team All American and
All-SEC player. Mosely has great instincts reading gaps and diagnosing plays in
the run game. But also excels with speed and fluidity in the pass game. Mosely
would be an immediate starter at ILB and would team nicely with AJ Hawk. If he
falls to the Packers at 21, he will be the pick, hands down.
Dee Ford OLB 6-2 238 lbs Auburn
Ford has vaulted into the conversation
as potential first round pick after he dominated at the Senior Bowl. He was
largely un-blockable all week during practice and registered two sacks and a
pass deflection during the game. Ford is rumored to run in the 4.4 second range
in the 40 yard dash. If he can show that speed at the Combine in Febraury, he
will absolutely be able to make the transition from college defensive end to
NFL outside linebacker. Thompson has been on the record saying he wants the
Packers defense to improve in speed and athleticism and Ford clearly fits the
bill.
Trent Murphy OLB 6-6 261 lbs Stanford
Murphy is another who played defensive end
in college and looks to move to OLB at the next level. Last season he led the
country in sacks with 15 and finished second (to Aaron Donald) in tackles for
loss with 24.5. He has great instincts and quickness as a pass rusher off the
edge. At the Senior Bowl, Murphy showed enough athletic ability that pass
coverage should not be a major issue. He is on the fringe of being drafted in
the first round and could use a big performance at the Combine to solidify that
status. If not, Murphy might be someone the Packers look to steal with their
second round pick.
Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.
- Neal Olson
Follow us on Twitter (@WISportsBlog) for up to date news on the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, Bucks, and Golden Eagles. We feature live in-game commentary, breaking news, rumors, previews, and post game discussion. Follow the entire writing team on Twitter: @AndrewVrchota, @jheldred, @JoeP_Norton, @olewr7, @Stevie2Westside, and @10iskristin
Saturday, January 25, 2014
2014 Milwaukee Bucks Mock Draft 1.0
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When the 2014 NBA Draft rolls around, history might already be made as this may be the last year the lottery is a part of the league. Due to accusations of teams purposely "tanking" to qualify for the draft lottery, the league has been debating ending the concept of the lottery and coming up with a new system such as a "spin the wheel" approach.
According to ESPN's 2014 NBA Lottery Mock Draft generator, the Bucks have a 25% chance to win the lottery and the first overall pick. And, with the way the season is going, it looks like the Bucks will end up with the worst record in the league which gives them the best opportunity to win the first pick. Before I jump into who I think the Bucks will take, here is a look at what some of the top NBA Draft sites are predicting.
Bleacher Report: Jabari Parker, SF, Duke (#1 overall)
NBADraft.net: Joel Embiid, C, Kansas (#1 overall)
DraftExpress.com: Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas (#1 overall)
CBSSports.com: Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas (#2 overall)
MyNBADraft.com: Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas (#1 overall)
SportingNews.com: Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas (#1 overall)
WalterFootball.com: Jabari Parker, SF, Duke (#1 overall)
NBADraftRoom.com: Joel Embiid, C, Kansas (#1 overall)
BasketballInsiders.com: Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas (#1 overall)
Draftsite.com: Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas (#1 overall)
With four total picks (one in the first round, three in the second round) in the semi-decent draft class, the Bucks have an opportunity to make a large step to start rebuilding. Besides their regular picks, they have a pick from the T-Wolves that was acquired in the Luke Ridnour trade and a pick from the Raptors that was acquired in the J.J. Redick trade. The pick from the Raptors is a bit complicated because They have a large gap in a dominant center and an efficient shooting guard. They could also use a backup point guard to play behind Brandon Knight (Yes, I know we have Nate Wolters). So, with that here's what I came up with (assuming the Bucks win the lottery).
Round 1 Pick 1: Joel Embiid, C, Kansas University
Unless the Bucks think Andrew Wiggins can improve his play in college and live up to his own hype, I think they pass on the "best talent available" and take Wiggins' teammate Joel Embiid who is showing he is way more NBA ready than Andrew. According to many GMs in the league, Joel Embiid and Jabari Parker would be picked over Andrew Wiggins if the draft was today.
Also, unless the Bucks plan to have Wiggins be a shooting guard, I don't see them taking a small forward again like last year with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Don't get me wrong, the Bucks are in a stage of rebuilding that taking the best player available isn't out of the question. But, many believe that what Joel brings to the table actually makes him the best player available. The biggest obstacle to get Joel isn't even if the Bucks get the number one pick, but it's if he'll even enter this year's draft. Embiid was quoted saying “I don’t know if I feel like I’m ready for all of this. All of the great big men went to college at least two or three years. I think it’s a big factor. I don’t know if it will always work, but I think it’s the best choice.”
Round 2 Pick 31: C.J. Wilcox, SG, Washington University
Even if the Bucks don't win the lottery, if they finish the season with the worst record they will have the 31st overall pick which will allow them a shot at a really good player. As I mentioned above, the Bucks need a shooting guard who is a game changer yet efficient. O.J. Mayo and Monta Ellis are/were not that at all. Low shooting % and shaky performances are getting tiring to watch from the guard two spot for the Bucks. The senior is averaging 20.3 PPG, 46.1% shooting percentage and a 88.9% free throw percentage. Each year he's improved his numbers and has formulated into a very sound shooting guard for Washington.
Round 2 Pick 36 (from T-Wolves, previously Suns and Lakers): Shabazz Napier, PG, University of Connecticut
Another standout senior like Wilcox, Shabazz is one of the NCAA's top senior talents heading to the NBA Draft. Getting compared to Derek Fisher will help him a lot come draft day. He has improved on all of his numbers from his junior year, including going from 4.6 to 5.9 assists per game, field goal percentage has risen from 44% to 50%, and his three-point percentage has risen from 40% to 57%.
Because of his size (6'1" with a 6'3" wingspan), it's assumed his stock will fall on draft day and which ever team he ends up with he will be a back up to start out his NBA career as the team will want to test the waters with him.
Round 2 Pick 48 (from Suns, previously Raptors): Alec Brown, PF/C, University of Green Bay-Wisconsin
Alec Brown is a very unique player and could be an option for the Bucks if he's on the board for their third pick in the second round. He's a seven-foot-one (in shoes) center that has 3.3 blocks per game, but is also shooting almost 50% from three point range this season. He's a very versatile player to say the least. His rebound numbers have been down over the last two seasons, but his offensive numbers have been on the rise. He's currently averaging a career-high 17.0 PPG and his field goal percentage has gone up from 44% last year to 52% this year.
(Note: If Thanasis Antetokounmpo is on the board for this pick, it wouldn't shock me if the Bucks drafted the 20 year old brother of Giannis. He's a shooting guard/small forward currently playing in the NBA D-League but can be drafted in the 2014 Draft out of Athens, Greece.)
Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.
-Andrew Vrchota
Follow us on Twitter (@WISportsBlog) for up to date news on the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, Bucks, and Golden Eagles. We feature live in-game commentary, breaking news, rumors, previews, and post game discussion. Follow the entire writing team on Twitter: @AndrewVrchota, @jheldred, @JoeP_Norton, @olewr7, @Stevie2Westside, and @10iskristin
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| Joel Embiid presents himself as the best freshman option for the Milwaukee Bucks, even over Andrew Wiggins. |
When the 2014 NBA Draft rolls around, history might already be made as this may be the last year the lottery is a part of the league. Due to accusations of teams purposely "tanking" to qualify for the draft lottery, the league has been debating ending the concept of the lottery and coming up with a new system such as a "spin the wheel" approach.
According to ESPN's 2014 NBA Lottery Mock Draft generator, the Bucks have a 25% chance to win the lottery and the first overall pick. And, with the way the season is going, it looks like the Bucks will end up with the worst record in the league which gives them the best opportunity to win the first pick. Before I jump into who I think the Bucks will take, here is a look at what some of the top NBA Draft sites are predicting.
Bleacher Report: Jabari Parker, SF, Duke (#1 overall)
NBADraft.net: Joel Embiid, C, Kansas (#1 overall)
DraftExpress.com: Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas (#1 overall)
CBSSports.com: Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas (#2 overall)
MyNBADraft.com: Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas (#1 overall)
SportingNews.com: Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas (#1 overall)
WalterFootball.com: Jabari Parker, SF, Duke (#1 overall)
NBADraftRoom.com: Joel Embiid, C, Kansas (#1 overall)
BasketballInsiders.com: Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas (#1 overall)
Draftsite.com: Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas (#1 overall)
With four total picks (one in the first round, three in the second round) in the semi-decent draft class, the Bucks have an opportunity to make a large step to start rebuilding. Besides their regular picks, they have a pick from the T-Wolves that was acquired in the Luke Ridnour trade and a pick from the Raptors that was acquired in the J.J. Redick trade. The pick from the Raptors is a bit complicated because They have a large gap in a dominant center and an efficient shooting guard. They could also use a backup point guard to play behind Brandon Knight (Yes, I know we have Nate Wolters). So, with that here's what I came up with (assuming the Bucks win the lottery).
Round 1 Pick 1: Joel Embiid, C, Kansas University
Unless the Bucks think Andrew Wiggins can improve his play in college and live up to his own hype, I think they pass on the "best talent available" and take Wiggins' teammate Joel Embiid who is showing he is way more NBA ready than Andrew. According to many GMs in the league, Joel Embiid and Jabari Parker would be picked over Andrew Wiggins if the draft was today.
Also, unless the Bucks plan to have Wiggins be a shooting guard, I don't see them taking a small forward again like last year with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Don't get me wrong, the Bucks are in a stage of rebuilding that taking the best player available isn't out of the question. But, many believe that what Joel brings to the table actually makes him the best player available. The biggest obstacle to get Joel isn't even if the Bucks get the number one pick, but it's if he'll even enter this year's draft. Embiid was quoted saying “I don’t know if I feel like I’m ready for all of this. All of the great big men went to college at least two or three years. I think it’s a big factor. I don’t know if it will always work, but I think it’s the best choice.”
Round 2 Pick 31: C.J. Wilcox, SG, Washington University Even if the Bucks don't win the lottery, if they finish the season with the worst record they will have the 31st overall pick which will allow them a shot at a really good player. As I mentioned above, the Bucks need a shooting guard who is a game changer yet efficient. O.J. Mayo and Monta Ellis are/were not that at all. Low shooting % and shaky performances are getting tiring to watch from the guard two spot for the Bucks. The senior is averaging 20.3 PPG, 46.1% shooting percentage and a 88.9% free throw percentage. Each year he's improved his numbers and has formulated into a very sound shooting guard for Washington.
Round 2 Pick 36 (from T-Wolves, previously Suns and Lakers): Shabazz Napier, PG, University of Connecticut
Another standout senior like Wilcox, Shabazz is one of the NCAA's top senior talents heading to the NBA Draft. Getting compared to Derek Fisher will help him a lot come draft day. He has improved on all of his numbers from his junior year, including going from 4.6 to 5.9 assists per game, field goal percentage has risen from 44% to 50%, and his three-point percentage has risen from 40% to 57%.
Because of his size (6'1" with a 6'3" wingspan), it's assumed his stock will fall on draft day and which ever team he ends up with he will be a back up to start out his NBA career as the team will want to test the waters with him.
Round 2 Pick 48 (from Suns, previously Raptors): Alec Brown, PF/C, University of Green Bay-WisconsinAlec Brown is a very unique player and could be an option for the Bucks if he's on the board for their third pick in the second round. He's a seven-foot-one (in shoes) center that has 3.3 blocks per game, but is also shooting almost 50% from three point range this season. He's a very versatile player to say the least. His rebound numbers have been down over the last two seasons, but his offensive numbers have been on the rise. He's currently averaging a career-high 17.0 PPG and his field goal percentage has gone up from 44% last year to 52% this year.
(Note: If Thanasis Antetokounmpo is on the board for this pick, it wouldn't shock me if the Bucks drafted the 20 year old brother of Giannis. He's a shooting guard/small forward currently playing in the NBA D-League but can be drafted in the 2014 Draft out of Athens, Greece.)
Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.
-Andrew Vrchota
Follow us on Twitter (@WISportsBlog) for up to date news on the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, Bucks, and Golden Eagles. We feature live in-game commentary, breaking news, rumors, previews, and post game discussion. Follow the entire writing team on Twitter: @AndrewVrchota, @jheldred, @JoeP_Norton, @olewr7, @Stevie2Westside, and @10iskristin
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Milwaukee Brewers Officially Sign Matt Garza
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UPDATE (1/25/14 10:55am) - News has surfaced that the reason for the hold up is because both sides are trying to agree on how the 52 million dollars will be dispersed over the 4 years. Instead of it being 13-13-13-13, I'm sure the Brewers are trying to pay less this year and having it increase year after year. something like the Kyle Lohse deal is what I assume is being discussed. It is believed this will be worked out and the deal is in no fear of being dropped. This makes sense because as I said on Twitter, this deal is very affordable with Aramis and Rickie coming off the books next year, giving the Brewers more money to work with after the 2014 season.
UPDATE (1/23/14 7:15pm) - The Brewers released a statement regarding Matt Garza stating a deal has not been reached yet. Right away it was assumed something happened with his physical. Both Adam McCalvy and Tom Haudricourt reported that they both heard it has nothing to do with his physical, and that it is simply negotiations are still on going. Gord Ash declined to comment on the situation. Hold tight, all.
(Thursday 12:58pm) - First reported this morning by Adam Rygg of the Brewer Nation blog on MLBlogs.com, the Milwaukee Brewers have signed free agent right handed pitcher Matt Garza. The former Twins, Rays, Cubs, and Rangers pitcher has signed a 4 year, $52MM deal (physical pending), according to Ken Rosenthal.
This signing makes the most sense over arms like Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez because the Brewers do not have to surrender a draft pick like they did last year when the team inked Kyle Lohse. And honestly, they can't afford to do that two years in a row.
So, with this move that likely completes the construction of the rotation and possibly the bullpen. With Garza, you now have a rotation of Yovani Gallardo, Kyle Lohse, Matt Garza, Marco Estrada, and Wily Peralta, with Tyler Thornburg sliding to the bullpen to join Jim Henderson, Tom Gorzelanny, Brandon Kintzler, Donovan Hand, Rob Wooten, and Will Smith.
The Brewers get get Garza for four years, which will be his age 30, 31, 32, and 33 years. Last year for the Rangers and Cubs, Garza put up a 10-6 record with a 3.82 ERA. Historically speaking, his numbers are much better in the National League versus the American League.
I really like this signing. Doug Melvin is always good for one of these every offseason. We got Garza for very cheap, considering guys like Ricky Nolasco signed for much similar deals yet Garza is way younger. Also, with Aramis Ramirez and Rickie Weeks (assuming) coming off the books this year, this deal is very affordable for an early-30s pitcher. Not going to say this move puts us in the front of the NL Central by any means, but this signing gives us a very respectable starting rotation and will make the Brewers a contender, at least.
With that, I leave you with this.
Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.
-Andrew Vrchota
Follow us on Twitter (@WISportsBlog) for up to date news on the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, Bucks, and Golden Eagles. We feature live in-game commentary, breaking news, rumors, previews, and post game discussion. Follow the entire writing team on Twitter: @AndrewVrchota, @jheldred, @JoeP_Norton, @olewr7, @Stevie2Westside, and @10iskristin
UPDATE (1/28/14) 1:15pm) - The New York Post's Joel Sherman tweeted out this afternoon the details on the vesting option that took a few days to work out.
In his tweets, he mentions that the Brewers hold a $5MM option on Garza for the fifth year that will drop to just $1MM if Garza spends more than 130 days on the disabled list in any 183-day period throughout the life of the deal (FYI, 183 days is the length of one regular season). However, the option will vest for Garza at $13MM if he pitches 110 games over the first four years of the deal, is not on the disabled list at the end of the 2017 season and throws at least 115 innings in 2017. Garza will also receive an additional $500K for reaching 190 innings and 30 games in each year of the deal. Each year of the contract contains $2MM in deferred money without interest.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports notes that the complex nature of the fifth-year option illustrates the Brewers' concerns over Garza's long-term health, and he adds that other teams shared those concerns. (via MLBTradeRumors.com)
UPDATE (1/26/14 1:10pm) - Mark Attanasio opened the Q&A at the Brewers On Deck fanfest by announcing the Matt Garza deal was official and it just has to pass through MLB and the MLB Players Association. The deal is still a 4 year contract and I assume the dollars will be the same/very similar to the original 52 million dollars. Mark stated that this was not orchestrated to announce it at Brewers On Deck, that it was "just a coincidence". Doug Melvin backed the owner, saying "Deals take longer now then they did 25 years ago. It used to be a handshake and a beer." Doug Melvin also said it was contract details and reviewing of the physical that held up the deal with Matt Garza.
In his tweets, he mentions that the Brewers hold a $5MM option on Garza for the fifth year that will drop to just $1MM if Garza spends more than 130 days on the disabled list in any 183-day period throughout the life of the deal (FYI, 183 days is the length of one regular season). However, the option will vest for Garza at $13MM if he pitches 110 games over the first four years of the deal, is not on the disabled list at the end of the 2017 season and throws at least 115 innings in 2017. Garza will also receive an additional $500K for reaching 190 innings and 30 games in each year of the deal. Each year of the contract contains $2MM in deferred money without interest.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports notes that the complex nature of the fifth-year option illustrates the Brewers' concerns over Garza's long-term health, and he adds that other teams shared those concerns. (via MLBTradeRumors.com)
UPDATE (1/26/14 1:10pm) - Mark Attanasio opened the Q&A at the Brewers On Deck fanfest by announcing the Matt Garza deal was official and it just has to pass through MLB and the MLB Players Association. The deal is still a 4 year contract and I assume the dollars will be the same/very similar to the original 52 million dollars. Mark stated that this was not orchestrated to announce it at Brewers On Deck, that it was "just a coincidence". Doug Melvin backed the owner, saying "Deals take longer now then they did 25 years ago. It used to be a handshake and a beer." Doug Melvin also said it was contract details and reviewing of the physical that held up the deal with Matt Garza.
UPDATE (1/25/14 10:55am) - News has surfaced that the reason for the hold up is because both sides are trying to agree on how the 52 million dollars will be dispersed over the 4 years. Instead of it being 13-13-13-13, I'm sure the Brewers are trying to pay less this year and having it increase year after year. something like the Kyle Lohse deal is what I assume is being discussed. It is believed this will be worked out and the deal is in no fear of being dropped. This makes sense because as I said on Twitter, this deal is very affordable with Aramis and Rickie coming off the books next year, giving the Brewers more money to work with after the 2014 season.
UPDATE (1/23/14 7:15pm) - The Brewers released a statement regarding Matt Garza stating a deal has not been reached yet. Right away it was assumed something happened with his physical. Both Adam McCalvy and Tom Haudricourt reported that they both heard it has nothing to do with his physical, and that it is simply negotiations are still on going. Gord Ash declined to comment on the situation. Hold tight, all.
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| Matt Garza makes the Brewers rotation very interesting. And, hopefully good. |
(Thursday 12:58pm) - First reported this morning by Adam Rygg of the Brewer Nation blog on MLBlogs.com, the Milwaukee Brewers have signed free agent right handed pitcher Matt Garza. The former Twins, Rays, Cubs, and Rangers pitcher has signed a 4 year, $52MM deal (physical pending), according to Ken Rosenthal.
Source: Garza in agreement with #Brewers, four years, $52M, pending physical.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 23, 2014
This signing makes the most sense over arms like Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez because the Brewers do not have to surrender a draft pick like they did last year when the team inked Kyle Lohse. And honestly, they can't afford to do that two years in a row.
Just for fun. Garza last year: 3.88 FIP, 7.88 K/9, 2.2 fWAR. Lohse: 4.08 FIP, 5.66 K/9, 1.8 fWAR. Gallardo: 3.89 FIP, 7.17 K/9, 1.7 fWAR.
— Jaymes Langrehr (@JaymesL) January 23, 2014
So, with this move that likely completes the construction of the rotation and possibly the bullpen. With Garza, you now have a rotation of Yovani Gallardo, Kyle Lohse, Matt Garza, Marco Estrada, and Wily Peralta, with Tyler Thornburg sliding to the bullpen to join Jim Henderson, Tom Gorzelanny, Brandon Kintzler, Donovan Hand, Rob Wooten, and Will Smith.
The Brewers get get Garza for four years, which will be his age 30, 31, 32, and 33 years. Last year for the Rangers and Cubs, Garza put up a 10-6 record with a 3.82 ERA. Historically speaking, his numbers are much better in the National League versus the American League.
 |
| PHOTO: baseball-reference.com |
I really like this signing. Doug Melvin is always good for one of these every offseason. We got Garza for very cheap, considering guys like Ricky Nolasco signed for much similar deals yet Garza is way younger. Also, with Aramis Ramirez and Rickie Weeks (assuming) coming off the books this year, this deal is very affordable for an early-30s pitcher. Not going to say this move puts us in the front of the NL Central by any means, but this signing gives us a very respectable starting rotation and will make the Brewers a contender, at least.
With that, I leave you with this.
Doug Melvin's new nickname should be submarine. Nobody ever sees his moves coming.
— Howie Magner (@howiemag) January 23, 2014
Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.
-Andrew Vrchota
Follow us on Twitter (@WISportsBlog) for up to date news on the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, Bucks, and Golden Eagles. We feature live in-game commentary, breaking news, rumors, previews, and post game discussion. Follow the entire writing team on Twitter: @AndrewVrchota, @jheldred, @JoeP_Norton, @olewr7, @Stevie2Westside, and @10iskristin
Grading the 2013 Wisconsin Badgers
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The Wisconsin Badgers began the 2013 football season ranked 23rd in the AP Preseason polls. At the time I was disappointed in the ranking but could understand reason for doubting the team given the significant changes in coaching staff. Gary Andersen brought a lot of energy and a whole new posse of coaches with him and the team looked sharp, but not many knew what to expect. The result was a very solid season, capped off by a poor showing against Penn State on senior day and a disappointing ending to the Capitol One Bowl against South Carolina. The team finished with a 9-4 record and a 6-2 showing in the Big Ten. Kickers are kickers and punters are punters, but the best way to understand what went well and what didn’t for the team in 2013 is to take a look at each position on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
Quarterback – C. After breaking his collar bone several games into the 2012 season, Joel Stave won the starting quarterback job in camp, beating out sixth-year senior Curt Phillips and transfer Tanner McEvoy. What the coaches most like about Stave is his throwing accuracy and ability to get the ball down field. With Jared Abbrederis returning as arguably the top wide receiver in the Big Ten, many thought it was wise to go with the best throwing QB of the bunch and give the offense its best opportunity to stretch the field. The result was a mediocre season for Stave. He made many great throws, but also missed A LOT. He finished with 22 passing TDs to 13 interceptions and threw for 2,494 yards. He was arguably a better player on the road, throwing just 4 interceptions in 6 road games, versus 9 in 7 games at home. The most glaring issue with Stave seems to be his inability to find the open man. As a young quarterback, this is somewhat understandable, but Stave became a bit predictable in games as he would often seem to lock on a single receiver (usually Abbrederis) before the start of a play and abandon any sense of progression as the play developed. He will most likely have a firm grasp on the starting job heading into 2014, but there is certainly room for improvement.
Receivers – B. Heading into 2013 the Badgers knew they had something special in senior Jared Abbrederis, the former walk on who had earned first team All-Big Ten honors as a junior. Senior tight end Jacob Pederson was also returning after winning the Big Ten’s Kwalick-Clark award as the league’s top tight end. Beyond these two however, questions remained unanswered heading into the season opener as to who would answer the bill as the team’s number two wide receiver. The questions never really got answered, as no wide receiver outside of Abbrederis caught more than 12 passes. Abby hauled in an impressive 78 catches for 1,081 and 7 touchdowns while Pedersen snagged 39 balls for 551 yards and 3 scores. James White was also incredibly reliable out of the backfield, catching 39 passes for 300 yards and 2 scores. “Old Reliable,” Jeff Duckworth was next on the team with 12 catches for 176 yards and 2 touchdowns. The team will look heavily to youngsters Jordan Fredrick and Alex Erickson in 2014 to step up and carry the load as a receiving corps. Melvin Gordon will also need to play a bigger role out of the backfield than he did in 2013, catching just one pass for 10 yards.
Offensive Line – B. After losing starting center Travis Frederick to the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the NFL Draft, the Badgers offensive line needed some returners to step up. They did fairly well, once again blocking for one of the best rushing attacks in the country and keeping quarterback Joel Stave on his feet. The team ranked 17th nationally with 16 sacks allowed, an average of just 1.2 per game but loses left guard Ryan Groy to graduation. This is a hole that has to be filled, but the unit remains young and full of potential heading into 2014.
Defensive Line – B. With new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda came a new 3-4 scheme that worked surprisingly well for the Badger Defense in 2013. As a unit, Wisconsin ranked 15th in total defense, 6th in scoring defense, and 5th in rushing defense throughout the campaign. The one glaring statistic that keeps this unit from an “A” rating is the disappointingly low sack total. The team totaled just 26 sacks on the season, with 4 of those coming from backup nose tackle Warren Herring. Beau Allen has garnered attention leading into the NFL draft and Pat Muldoon and Tyler Dippel did well managing the ends. Look for the defense to remain consistent in 2014 but look to create more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Linebackers – A. Moving to a 3-4 scheme as a defense meant shifting Brenden Kelly from his defensive end position to and outside linebacker spot. This freed up middle linebacker Chris Borland to be more aggressive in attacking the ball carrier. Borland had his best season yet, recording 112 tackles and earning consensus first team All-Big Ten honors. Ethan Armstrong and Conor O’Neill were third and fourth on the team with 51 and 41 tackles, respectively and were a big reason for the team’s success against the run. The unit needs to find a way to replace Borland in 2014, but I believe the 3-4 scheme will continue to promote future success.
Secondary – B. After losing both starting corners and a safety to graduation heading into 2013, the Badger defense faced a lot of question marks in the secondary. The unit was good, however, ranking 17th nationally against the pass, allowing 202 yards per game. Senior Dez Southward returned and provided consistency for the group, totaling 40 tackles and nabbing one interception. The bright spot here was true freshman Sojourn Shelton. Shelton made his share of mistakes, as should be assumed from an 18 year old, but also pulled down 4 interceptions and primarily manned opposing team’s top wideout. Shelton receive praise from former Badger standouts Jamar Fletcher and Scott Starks for his confidence and competitive nature, but needs to sure up his coverage, as he was burned a few times too many throughout the course of the season. Michael Caputo was another bright spot, moving from linebacker to safety and looks to have a hold on the spot heading into 2014. Look for this young unit to grow and improve under Aranda.
Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.
-Joseph Norton (@JoeP_Norton)
Follow us on Twitter (@WISportsBlog) for up to date news on the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, Bucks, and Golden Eagles. We feature live in-game commentary, breaking news, rumors, previews, and post game discussion. Follow the entire writing team on Twitter: @AndrewVrchota, @jheldred, @JoeP_Norton, @olewr7, @Stevie2Westside, and @10iskristin
The Wisconsin Badgers began the 2013 football season ranked 23rd in the AP Preseason polls. At the time I was disappointed in the ranking but could understand reason for doubting the team given the significant changes in coaching staff. Gary Andersen brought a lot of energy and a whole new posse of coaches with him and the team looked sharp, but not many knew what to expect. The result was a very solid season, capped off by a poor showing against Penn State on senior day and a disappointing ending to the Capitol One Bowl against South Carolina. The team finished with a 9-4 record and a 6-2 showing in the Big Ten. Kickers are kickers and punters are punters, but the best way to understand what went well and what didn’t for the team in 2013 is to take a look at each position on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
Quarterback – C. After breaking his collar bone several games into the 2012 season, Joel Stave won the starting quarterback job in camp, beating out sixth-year senior Curt Phillips and transfer Tanner McEvoy. What the coaches most like about Stave is his throwing accuracy and ability to get the ball down field. With Jared Abbrederis returning as arguably the top wide receiver in the Big Ten, many thought it was wise to go with the best throwing QB of the bunch and give the offense its best opportunity to stretch the field. The result was a mediocre season for Stave. He made many great throws, but also missed A LOT. He finished with 22 passing TDs to 13 interceptions and threw for 2,494 yards. He was arguably a better player on the road, throwing just 4 interceptions in 6 road games, versus 9 in 7 games at home. The most glaring issue with Stave seems to be his inability to find the open man. As a young quarterback, this is somewhat understandable, but Stave became a bit predictable in games as he would often seem to lock on a single receiver (usually Abbrederis) before the start of a play and abandon any sense of progression as the play developed. He will most likely have a firm grasp on the starting job heading into 2014, but there is certainly room for improvement.
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| Melvin Gordon will return for his junior year. |
Running Backs – A. The running game was yet again the bright spot for Wisconsin in 2013. The Badgers finished 8th in the country in rushing, combining for 3,689 yards. Melvin Gordon emerged as one of the best backs in the country, leading the team with 1,609 yards while reaching the end zone 12 times and ranking fourth in the country with an impressive 7.8 yards per carry. James White wasn’t far behind, totaling 1,444 yards and 13 scores. Gordon raised eyebrows as many thought he might enter the draft as a potential second or third round draft pick, but the sophomore announced after the regular season that he will return to Madison in 2014 for his junior season. The third shining star in the backfield in 2013 was youngster Corey Clement. The freshman ran for 547 yards on just 67 carries and reached the end zone 7 times. With Clement and Gordon returning in 2014, there’s no reason to expect anything less than another 3,000 rushing yards from the Badger backfield.
Receivers – B. Heading into 2013 the Badgers knew they had something special in senior Jared Abbrederis, the former walk on who had earned first team All-Big Ten honors as a junior. Senior tight end Jacob Pederson was also returning after winning the Big Ten’s Kwalick-Clark award as the league’s top tight end. Beyond these two however, questions remained unanswered heading into the season opener as to who would answer the bill as the team’s number two wide receiver. The questions never really got answered, as no wide receiver outside of Abbrederis caught more than 12 passes. Abby hauled in an impressive 78 catches for 1,081 and 7 touchdowns while Pedersen snagged 39 balls for 551 yards and 3 scores. James White was also incredibly reliable out of the backfield, catching 39 passes for 300 yards and 2 scores. “Old Reliable,” Jeff Duckworth was next on the team with 12 catches for 176 yards and 2 touchdowns. The team will look heavily to youngsters Jordan Fredrick and Alex Erickson in 2014 to step up and carry the load as a receiving corps. Melvin Gordon will also need to play a bigger role out of the backfield than he did in 2013, catching just one pass for 10 yards.
Offensive Line – B. After losing starting center Travis Frederick to the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the NFL Draft, the Badgers offensive line needed some returners to step up. They did fairly well, once again blocking for one of the best rushing attacks in the country and keeping quarterback Joel Stave on his feet. The team ranked 17th nationally with 16 sacks allowed, an average of just 1.2 per game but loses left guard Ryan Groy to graduation. This is a hole that has to be filled, but the unit remains young and full of potential heading into 2014.
Defensive Line – B. With new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda came a new 3-4 scheme that worked surprisingly well for the Badger Defense in 2013. As a unit, Wisconsin ranked 15th in total defense, 6th in scoring defense, and 5th in rushing defense throughout the campaign. The one glaring statistic that keeps this unit from an “A” rating is the disappointingly low sack total. The team totaled just 26 sacks on the season, with 4 of those coming from backup nose tackle Warren Herring. Beau Allen has garnered attention leading into the NFL draft and Pat Muldoon and Tyler Dippel did well managing the ends. Look for the defense to remain consistent in 2014 but look to create more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
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| This will always be my favorite Chris Borland picture. |
Linebackers – A. Moving to a 3-4 scheme as a defense meant shifting Brenden Kelly from his defensive end position to and outside linebacker spot. This freed up middle linebacker Chris Borland to be more aggressive in attacking the ball carrier. Borland had his best season yet, recording 112 tackles and earning consensus first team All-Big Ten honors. Ethan Armstrong and Conor O’Neill were third and fourth on the team with 51 and 41 tackles, respectively and were a big reason for the team’s success against the run. The unit needs to find a way to replace Borland in 2014, but I believe the 3-4 scheme will continue to promote future success.
Secondary – B. After losing both starting corners and a safety to graduation heading into 2013, the Badger defense faced a lot of question marks in the secondary. The unit was good, however, ranking 17th nationally against the pass, allowing 202 yards per game. Senior Dez Southward returned and provided consistency for the group, totaling 40 tackles and nabbing one interception. The bright spot here was true freshman Sojourn Shelton. Shelton made his share of mistakes, as should be assumed from an 18 year old, but also pulled down 4 interceptions and primarily manned opposing team’s top wideout. Shelton receive praise from former Badger standouts Jamar Fletcher and Scott Starks for his confidence and competitive nature, but needs to sure up his coverage, as he was burned a few times too many throughout the course of the season. Michael Caputo was another bright spot, moving from linebacker to safety and looks to have a hold on the spot heading into 2014. Look for this young unit to grow and improve under Aranda.
Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.
-Joseph Norton (@JoeP_Norton)
Follow us on Twitter (@WISportsBlog) for up to date news on the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, Bucks, and Golden Eagles. We feature live in-game commentary, breaking news, rumors, previews, and post game discussion. Follow the entire writing team on Twitter: @AndrewVrchota, @jheldred, @JoeP_Norton, @olewr7, @Stevie2Westside, and @10iskristin
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