Tremendous Upside Potential

Contrary to published report, Greg Oden has not yet decided his basketball future. This according to Mike Conley Sr., one day after Greg Oden Sr. said his son was leaving Ohio State for the NBA. Conley Sr., who is expected to be Oden’s agent whenever his professional career begins, said Oden has not committed to turning pro just yet.

"No. Definitely not. Not to say he's not going to decide that -- but, 100 percent, as of this moment, he hasn't decided," Conley, father of Oden's high school and college teammate, Mike Conley Jr., told The Associated Press.

"I talk to his mother every day, and I talk to [Ohio State coach] Thad Matta every day, and if Thad Matta and his mother and I don't know, then how can anyone else know?"

The news that Oden may not leave Columbus after just one year will surprise a lot of people, but I’ve figured all along that Oden would return to Ohio State for his sophomore season. Oden just seems like a different kind of cat; he’s unbelievably humble and said earlier this season that he feels he still needs to work on his game at the college level. He even told ESPN’s Andy Katz that after he found out he needed surgery on his right wrist, he asked Ohio State coach Thad Matta if he could redshirt. If anyone else of Oden’s stature said that, it would be assumed they were joking, but I’m not sure if Greg Oden knows how to be funny. He will almost certainly be the #1 pick whenever he comes out, so Oden may not feel the pressure most college ballers do to make their millions right away.

And if Oden doesn’t come out, that would beg the question, just how good is this incoming draft class? For a year people have been saying how this is one of the most stacked classes in NBA history with two guaranteed blue chippers at the top (Oden and Durant), and a slew of other freshman (not to mention Florida’s trio of juniors) who were barred from entering the NBA out of high school because of a new rule passed by David Stern. If Oden goes back to school, Durant is the for-sure number one pick, but who would go after him? Guys like Al Horford, Brendan Wright, and Corey Brewer are all considered possible top 5 picks, but now one of those guys has to go #2 to an NBA team pissed off they didn’t land Oden or Durant.

For my money, I think Oden would be dumb not to go pro. Another year in college won’t fix any of his flaws because he dominates college ball already. He won’t need to work on his footwork and post moves because in college he can get by on his pure size and strength, something that won’t work for him in the NBA. But I’d love to see Oden go back to school just see the looks on the faces of all the NBA GM’s that instructed their teams to tank during the last two months of the NBA season. All that losing for nothing. Take that Milwaukee.

Hey remember when this website was about the NFL and NBA Draft? Boy, those were the days. Well were going to get back to that shit soon, but with baseball just starting and with the Bulls rocking (more on this tomorrow), there has just been so much going on locally. Anyways, back to draft related nonsense for a bit. They say it takes five years to grade an NFL draft class, so instead of looking back at the class of 2006, let’s peer back to the 2002 class.

1. Houston Texans- QB David Carr
Now: Backup in Carolina
The first pick in Texans’ history, Carr had mixed results in Houston playing behind a historically bad offensive line. He’s gone from Houston now, replaced by Matt Schuab, and he’ll backup Jake Delhomme in Carolina next season.
Grade: C-

2. Carolina Panthers- DE Julius Peppers
Now: Starting with Panthers
People felt about Peppers the same way they feel today about Calvin Johnson: he’s not only the best athlete, he’s the best player. Peppers has not disappointed, fighting off double and triple teams, he notched sacks 13 last season.
Grade: A

3. Detriot Lions- QB Joey Harrington
Now: Backup with Atlanta
To say Harrington’s tenure in Detroit was disappointing would be an understatement. It now appears like he’ll be a career backup, spending last season with Miami, and backing up Michael Vick in Atlanta next season.
Grade: D-

4. Buffalo Bills- OT Mike Williams
Now: Playing with Jaguars
Most people were surprised Williams was drafted before Miami Hurricane standout Bryant McKinnie, but no one expected him to be as bad as he was. A huge bust in Buffalo because he had problems controlling his weight, Williams is now a fringe backup with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Grade: F

5. San Diego Chargers- CB Quentin Jammer
Now: Starting with Chargers
We had a lot of trouble handing out this grade, so if you’re a Chargers fan, or just smarter than us, give us a helping hand in the comments section. Jammer has not at all lived up to his lofty draft status, but San Diego locked him up with a contract extension last season.
Grade: B-

6. Kansas City Chiefs- DT Ryan Sims
Now: Plays with Chiefs
Sims could have been the Vikings problem had they got their 6th pick in on time. Sims has been a bust in Kansas City, barely getting any playing time the last 3 seasons.
Grade: D-

7. Minnesota Vikings- OT Bryant McKinnie
Now: Starting with Vikings
Mount McKinnie never gave up a sack in college, and has been a standout in the pros. He solidifies the left side of a very good Vikings o-line with guard Steve Hutchinson.
Grade: A-

8. Dallas Cowboys- S Roy Williams
Now: Starting with Cowboys
Williams has been a starter on a very good Cowboys defense since his rookie season, but has still had some problems. He’s a big hitter but struggles in coverage.
Grade: B+

9. Jacksonville Jaguars- DT John Henderson
Now: Starting with Jaguars
The Jags built their interior defensive line around the turn of the millennium with Henderson and Marcus Stroud. While not as dominant as Stroud, Henderson has been one of the better players on the Jags defense the past few seasons.
Grade: B+

10. Cincinatti Bengals- OT Levi Brown
Now: Starting with Bengals
Most famous for getting punched out Joey Porter in a casino earlier this year, Brown has done a nice job in recent years of protecting franchise QB Carson Palmer.
Grade: B

11. Indianapolis Colts- DE Dwight Freeney
Now: Starting with Colts
Freeney might have earned an A after 2005, but his sack numbers dropped a little bit last season. We just can’t give him the same grade as Peppers.
Grade: A-

12. Arizona Cardinals- DT Wendell Bryant
Now: Out of football
B-U-S-T bust, bust, bust. What a horrible pick. Maybe the Cards should never draft a d-lineman in the first round again after Bryant and Andre Wadsworth stunk up the joint. The defensive tackle out of Wisconsin never made an impact in the pros and is now out of football.
Grade: F

13. New Orleans Saints- WR Donte Stallworth
Now: Signed with Patriots
The Saints traded Stallworth last season and it opened up a spot for rookie surprise Marques Colston. Stallworth was solid in Phili and will likely become Tom Brady’s favorite target in New England next season.
Grade: B-

14. NY Giants- TE Jeremy Shockey
Now: Starting for Giants
Greg Olsen will continue the long line of Miami tight ends this season, and often draws comparisons to Shockey. Known just as well for his game as his mouth, Shockey has become one of the better tight ends in the NFL.
Grade: B+

15. Tennessee Titans- DT Albert Haynesworth
Now: Starting with Titans
Drafted out of Tennessee, Haynesworth has been a good pro since being taken by the Titans. While he is best known for stomping on some guy’s face last season, he is still one of the better players on the Titans.
Grade: B+

16. Cleveland Browns- RB William Green
Now: Out of footballIs he better or worse then guys like Tim Couch, Courtney Brown, and Gerard Warren?
Grade: F

17. Oakland Raiders- CB Phillip Buchanan
Now: Out of football
Buchanan looked good to start his career in Oakland, but then his play began to slide. The Raiders made up for absence by drafting a plethora of defensive backs early in drafts in recent years.
Grade: D-

18. Atlanta Falcons- RB TJ Duckett
Now: Plays for Redskins
Duckett was one of the D’s in the Falcons vaunted DVD rushing attack for years until he was shipped to Washington last season. He may be their third best back now, however, behind Portis and LaDell Betts.
Grade: C-

19. Denver Broncos- WR Ashley Lelie
Now: Plays for Falcons
The Falcons acquired the speedy Lelie last season from the Broncos to give Michael Vick another weapon. Lelie struggled in Atlanta doing what every other Falcons wideout did: drop passes.
Grade: C+

20. Green Bay Packers- WR Javon Walker
Now: Starts for Broncos
Walker may be the best receiver in this class, making a pro bowl or two. He has enjoyed a pretty good career with Farve’s Packers and last season after Denver traded for him.
Grade: B+

21. New England Patriots- TE Daniel Graham
Now: Signed with Broncos
Coupled with Ben Watson, the Pats took tight ends in the first round in back to back seasons. Watson worked out- now one of Brady’s favorite targets- while Graham really didn’t. He’ll take his game to Denver next season.
Grade: C-

22. NY Jets- DE Bryan Thomas
Now: Playing for Jets
Note: I’m not sure if he remembers this, but this was my Dad’s guy in this draft! While not as good as the Old Man expected, Thomas had a career season in 2006, notching 8.5 sacks. His previous career high was 3.5 sacks.
Grade: C+

23. Oakland Raiders- OLB Napoleon Harris
Now: Playing with Kansas City
Harris will forever be remembered for being traded for Randy Moss (and the #7 pick in the draft a few years ago, aka Troy Williamson. Yikes), and has now been on three teams during his career. He’s not a standout, but he has become a quality fourth linebacker.
Grade: C-

24. Baltimore Ravens- S Ed Reed
Now: Starting for Ravens
Already named Defensive Player of the Year, Reed may be the NFL’s top safety, and along with Peppers, the best player to come out of this draft.
Grade: A

25. New Orleans Saints- DE Charles Grant
Now: Starts for Saints
The Saints defense surprised people last season and the d-end tandem of Grant and Will Smith was a big reason why. Grant tallied 6 sacks in 2006.
Grade: B

26. Philadephia Eagles- CB Lito Shepard
Now: Starts for Eagles
While he is often overshadowed by his higher profile teammates in Phili, Shepard is a vital cog in the Eagles defense. And he’s a lot better then the guy drafted after him…
Grade: B+

27. San Francisco 49ers- CB Mike Rumph
Now: Playing for Jaguars
The 49ers have a good young team, but Rumph isn’t a part of it anymore. He struggled in coverage in San Fran and now plays safety for the Jaguars.
Grade: D

28. Seattle Seahawks- TE Jerramy Stevens
Now: Started for Seahawks last season
Stevens’ mouth and poor hands drew the ire of Seahawks fans during his time in Seattle. He will most be remembered for dropping multiple passes in Super Bowl 40.
Grade: C

29. Chicago Bears- OT Marc Columbo
Now: Starts with Cowboys
This looked like a safe pick at the time, but a devastating knee injury derailed Columbo’ career in his rookie season. He rebounded nicely last season, however, starting at guard for the Cowboys.
Grade: C-

30. Pittsburgh Steelers- OG Kendall Simmons
Now: Starts with Steelers
A solid starter on a good offensive line in Pittsburgh, Simmons helped the Steelers win the Super Bowl in 2005.
Grade: B

31. St. Louis Rams- MLB Robert Thomas
Now: Playing with Raiders
Thomas’s career never got off the ground in St. Louis and he now plays for Oakland.
Grade: D

32. Washington Redskins- QB Patrick Ramsey
Now: Backup with Jets
Ramsey was never the same after Bears linebacker Lance Briggs atomic clothlined him in the first week of the 2005 season. He will compete with Kellen Clemens to backup Chad Pennington in New York next season.
Grade: C-