Given the love of Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis has for speed and workout warriors people expect him to reach in the draft each year. Last year the shock was not in the fact that the Raiders passed on Michael Crabtree so much as who it was for. It was speculated that Al may shoot for a faster WR in Jeremy Maclin. In the end the Raiders used the #7 pick on Darrius Heyward-Bey out of Maryland…a WR that many had a mid to late first round grade on.

2010 is here, which player will the Raiders reach for this year? They have a big need at Offensive Tackle. Just so happens that there is one, from Maryland, that had a monster Combine. Bruce Campbell is getting the Raiders pick in many mock drafts this week.

It is amusing really to think that with the Raiders pick they have to take someone that nobody else would at that position. Someone with a great 40 time despite the fact you may never see the man run 40 yards. To mockers it becomes illogical to draft logical for the Raiders. Ahhh, that is part of the fun, isn’t it?

We are not prepared to make that leap just yet in our updated 2010 NFL Mock Draft. It would certainly not surprise us though.

The dust has not even settled on the 2010 NFL Draft Scouting Combine and Free Agency is off and running. Some of the moves that have been made since early Friday morning are going to have an impact on how the teams draft in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Although we are still sorting through some of the Combine data, Free Agency is forcing some Mock Draft changes that can’t wait…

The first pick directly impacted by free agency in this mock draft update is the Jacksonville Jaguars at pick #10. Previously we had the Jags going with Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech. With the signing of Aaron Kampman at Defensive End the Jags can look elsewhere. They certainly could still take Morgan considering they can use another pass rusher and Kampman may not be 100% but that would be admitting that the two picks used in 2008 were total busts. The Jags can make a move here for Dez Bryant setting off a series of changes.

With Bryant gone the Broncos look on the defensive side of the ball with ILB Rolando McClain. They would love to have Dez Bryant, especially if Brandon Marshall is shipped out as expected…but he is gone.

Until a few days ago the Dolphins may have been bummed to see McClain go. Signing Karlos Dansby would have changed that even if he didn’t go to Denver. Where to go now? A pass rusher? Could be. There is another BIG space to possibly be filled as Nose Tackle Jason Ferguson is facing a suspension. Should the Fins look at Big Dan Williams from Tennessee?

With the Atlanta Falcons bringing Cornerback Dunta Robinson home to Georgia they can now focus on getting some pressure on the passer. Who to take? Carlos Dunlap, Everson Griffen, and Sergio Kindle are still on the board. Kindle is looked at as more of an OLB but if they wanted to work him as both that could be interesting. We went Dunlap though.

One of the interesting changes resulted from the trade between the Arizona Cardinals and the Baltimore Ravens that included Anquan Boldin heading east. While the Ravens could certainly still look at a young receiver they could also look elsewhere in the passing game by adding Jermaine Gresham at Tight End. Adding Boldin and Gresham would make for immediate weapons for Joe Flacco.

So that wraps up some of the moves in the Football Jabber 2010 NFL Mock Draft in the first round. As there are more signings this week and we finish going over the Combine we will be updating and adding a second round later in the week.

ESPN First Draft: A half hour format like most ESPN shows. Downloads can be had on Wednesday, Mel Kiper and Todd McShay talk NFL Draft buzz and debate prospects. I see that the 2/24/09 edition is still available from last year. This was one of the classic football podcasts that came across my iPod in recent years as Kiper and McShay took off the gloves and some voices raised while debating if Matt Stafford should go #1 to the Lions. You certainly get the idea that while these two respect each other they often think the other is an idiot.

The Audible: FootballGuys.com take an NFL Draft turn from the usual Fantasy Football Talk. Often there will be talk of how the prospect may produce as a fantasy player but not enough for you to bypass this if you don’t play the game. If you do…bonus, you should be subscribed to this anyway. These guys have been doing this a while and you can tell when it comes time to get in depth. Find it HERE at iTunes as well.

Draft Countdown: Scott Wright of Draftcountdown.com is now putting out a podcast. You can just tell this guy bleeds passion for the draft process while listening to him. Finding the Podcast is kind of touch and go at times. At one point it wasn’t updating in iTunes and there does not appear to be a clear link at his site. The best way to get notified when it is updated is to follow Scott on Twitter.

Scout Radio: Scout.com NFL Draft Analyst Chris Steuber hosts this Podcast. There are often co-hosts and guests keeping the conversation going on Wednesday nights. From what I can find it is available around the Scout Network and there  isn’t a download link or iTunes to be found. Save this one for when you need some listening while browsing online.

ESPN Football Today: Not dedicated  to the NFL Draft but you can be certain there will be plenty of draft talk with the Combine and Draft getting closer.

There you go. Have a listen while browsing our NFL Mock Draft. If you have some favorites that are not listed here by all means, drop them in the comments!

Anyway, I will be spending the next couple of days soaking up as much as I can of the Saints Super Bowl experience. Thought I would share some links here for those that have been having a hard time finding any information about the game online (yeah, that was a joke).

• Ever play with Whatifsports.com? Enter the details down to the weather forecast in Miami for Sunday.  I love going there and punching in the big games as I’m a stats junkie. two out of three went to the Saints.
• There is a pretty awesome “History of” for both the Colts and Saints, as well as all the Super Bowls that have been played in Miami at USAToday.com
• Speaking of all the Super Bowls, watch the highlights at Hulu.com
• The Sporting News looks at the key players…
• Bruce Jenner tells Reggie Bush he needs a Super Bowl ring to get in with Kim’s family.
• The Indy Star is already having readers write the winning  headline.
• Bobby Herbert leading Who Dat Nation.
• Get your Saints Inspired Super Bowl Party recipes HERE! More recipes HERE from Saints players personal Chefs.
• The Star also looks at the QB matchup for the ages.
• You have to have a look at Gil Brandt’s matchups at NFL.com. They also have some video for your viewing pleasure!
• As of now, 68% of the “Point/Counter Point” vote at the NYTimes.com is in favor of the Colts.
• Clifton Brown at The Sporting News has a look at “The Other Payton.”
• Madden 2010 says it’s a Saints win…watch the highlights HERE.
• CNN talks about how Mardi Gras has nothing on the Saints in the Super Bowl.
• Drew Brees shares what the  the flear-de-lis symbolizes for New Orleans.
• Jonathan Vilma doing the homework on Peyton Manning’s calls…

Some Super Bowl Video Action!

• NFL.com Super Bowl Channel
• Fox Sports Video stuff
• CBSSports Video
• Fanhouse Super Bowl Videos
• ESPN Video home
• Yahoo Sports videos
• Pro Football Talk…PFTV

#8 Oakland Raiders-Who knows what the %#$@ Al Davis will do if he makes it to April. Previously we had them going top pass rusher Derrick Morgan. Thinking a little more need based could we see the Raiders get over the Robert Gallery pick and go Offensive Tackle again in the first round? That is where we have them going…

#10 Jacksonville Jaguars-In mocks up until now we had the Jags going Navorro Bowman, thinking that he would bring some swagger back to the defense. What if the top pass rusher falls there? They don’t appear to be satisfied with the early picks from just two years ago.

#12 Miami Dolphins-The Fins can seriously use help at Wide Receiver to go with Chad Henne’s arm but what are the chances of them taking one this early? Look at that linebacker corps. Getting older on the outside and that is what we had them addressing before. What if Rolando McClain fell and they could plant him inside?

#13-17 San Francisco 49ers-In the past we have had the Niners taking Texas Safety Earl Thomas at either positions, depending on who is available at the other pick. They still take him but there is a change at which Offensive Tackle they take with the other first round pick.

#15 New York Giants- Oh how the Giants would love for Rolando McClain to fall here. Alas he does not this time around. We know how the Giants love the pass rush and they have a chance to make it better here.

#18 Pittsburgh Steelers- The Steelers seriously need to upgrade the Offensive Line if they want to keep Big Ben upright long enough to get back into winning games. What if OT is scraped over by now? They also need serious help in the secondary and that is the direction we have them going…

#19 Atlanta Falcons- The Falcons need big time secondary help but if the Steelers swipe their pick they need to go another direction. Not so sure about this pick but the Falcons would have trouble passing on him and he shouldn’t fall any further than this.

#21 Cincinnati Bengals- The Bengals need help at Wide Receiver and find themselves in a position where it may be a reach to take one here. If one of the WR work their way up draft boards they could certainly fall here. I have not been big on the Bengals taking a Tight End as they have never been a Tight End team in the passing game and have had the chances to upgrade if they wanted to be. With that said…this Tight End is a great value here and if they want to start throwing to the TE he can catch it.

#24 Philadelphia Eagles- The Eagles are tough to pick and could go in a number of directions. Previously we had Carlos Dunlap fall to them at this pick. Now he is gone and there is another gift waiting for them.  It’s looking like the Eagles are in a position to get a great value pick one way or another having the freedom to go with whoever falls.

Hey, while you are here, follow us on Facebook and we will let you know when there are updates. Would also love for some thoughts in the discussion thread there. Join us HERE!

I have said for some time that if the NFL Network really wanted to get out there despite those nasty cable providers as they say, why not stream online? This is a close second as football fans can relive some of their great shows.

For example…know how ESPN runs those Super Bowl Highlights around this time of year? You don’t have to wait or search through looking for the one you want to watch now. You can watch the “America’s Game” season stories of the Super Bowl Champions for a given year (Goes back to Super Bowl 1 but for some reason the only one missing is the last one) and several other shows.  This is an NFL films smorgasbord!

How about 149 Episodes of “Game of the Week?”

I tell ya, this coupled with my laptop should make the trip to the In-Laws house this weekend a little easier!

Flying chest bump to Mashable for bringing this to my attention!

Dez Bryant: In the last Mock we had Bryant going to the Dolphins. This time around he makes a move up to the Broncos who will look to replace Brandon Marshall.

Sergio Kindle: The Dolphins no longer have to debate whether they should go WR with Bryant gone. They do need help with a pass rushing OLB. Kindle is the man but we suspect there is another who is going to work his way up as the top 3-4 OLB option.

Anthony Davis and Earl Thomas: These guys have both went to the Niners in previous mocks…they still do but in different draft spots.

Rolando McClain: Previously going to the Broncos he falls a little into the welcoming arms of an every year contender.

That’s it for now. Can’t wait to see who makes a move with a strong Senior Bowl week!

If you have not heard about the Saints and their struggles you certainly will over the next two weeks. Myself I’m fine with it as I’m a Saints fan, bring it on.

I say bring on the stories of how they have risen since Hurricane Katrina and brought the city of New Orleans with them.

Tell me about the history of one of the worst football teams of all time and how they are now heading to the Super Bowl.

Let’s hear about how Drew Brees injured his shoulder right before his chance at a payday while still in San Diego…and how they drafted that Rivers kid and would eventually send him out of town.

Bring on the stories about how Reggie Bush is finally realizing his potential (based on the Cardinals game…not the so-so showing in the Vikings game).

Let’s hear about Greg Williams and his aggressive Defense…will he still be coaching in New Orleans next season or is Al Davis lurking?

Tell me again about how the connection between this team and city is unrivaled in the NFL.

There is one thing that I believe I will tire of a bit. After hearing about how Archie Manning must be torn between the Saints and his son Peyton a few times I will have had enough. Archie will not be torn, as he hasn’t been in the past. He will get in front of the camera and say he loves the Saints but loves his son more. An interviewer will say “But it’s the Saints…” and Archie will explain even further.

I see that interview happening a lot of the next couple weeks. I’ll get sick of it but I’ll take it.  You should too, along with the rest of it. We Saints fans have had to do it for 43 Super Bowls, right?

• Sounding a bit like a College Football Rivalry, the Mayors of Minneapolis and New Orleans have a bet with some music CDs riding on the game.
• Three of the four on the ESPN Sunday Countdown crew are picking the Saints to win.
• Pete Prisco looks at some key matchups at CBS Sports.
• I agree with Don Banks at SI/CNN that the Brett Favre vs. Darren Sharper matchup is going to be  intriguing to watch.
• The Vikings could see some significant players sitting on the sidelines with injuries.
• Brad Childress isn’t getting the credit he should for the Vikings position.
• Pro Football Weekly has a nice look back and season review for the Saints and Vikings.
• NFL.com’s Steve Wyche looks at nine matchups to see who has The Edge.
• Gil Brandt at NFL.com has an in depth look at more matchups, including Chad Greenway vs. Reggie Bush.
• More matchups at USA Today.
• Keep up with the games locally at NOLA.com and The Star Tribune.

Some Quotable Jabber on the Dome Crowd:

“As a defensive player, it’s great having all that noise,” Allen said Wednesday, hoping that playing in the Superdome will help more than hurt. “I think we have an experience playing down there. We’re used to playing in a dome. We’re used to playing with loud noises so I think it’s kind of a blessing in disguise.”-Jared Allen on playing in the Super Dome.

“It was big. So much of the game, especially in the playoffs, is based on momentum. Obviously, playing at home you hope that becomes an advantage for you in regards to the crowd, and everybody getting involved, and getting loud, and what have you…“-Drew Brees on playing at home vs. the Cardinals

In Mock Draft Version 1.0 we had the Jets drafting Notre Dame Wide Receiver Golden Tate. With the upset over the Chargers in the Divisional Playoffs the Jets of course lose some draft position. In the updated Version 1.1 Golden Tate is selected by the Ravens, who previously picked later than the Jets, with the #25 pick. The Jets in turn stick with Wide Receiver and select Illinois WR, Arrelious Benn.

So, the shorter version…they have switched picks of Wide Receivers.