(Photo: NYDailyNews.com)

If you’d like to add your vote for this year’s Pro Bowl (one of sports’ least exciting all-star games), fans can do so through this Monday, 12/19 via the official ballot at NFL.com. And if you’re a Giants fan (or a particularly astute fantasy geek) you might notice two glaring omissions from the candidates at defensive end and wide receiver … namely, DE Jason Pierre Paul and WR Victor Cruz, who have each had breakout seasons at their respective positions for New York.

Pierre-Paul is currently 5th in the NFL with 12.5 sacks, while Cruz is 3rd in the league in receiving yards with 1,150, but neither are eligible for your votes to go to Hawaii. According to the Ralph Vacchiano of the NY Daily News, JPP and Cruz are victims of an antiquated voting system, and both were left off the ballot by the Giants organization, who were forced to make some difficult decisions based on the sheer volume of talent they have at certain positions:

Teams are only allowed a certain number of players at each position – two defensive ends and two receivers, for example. In some cases, there are other categories, such as a “flex” spot for either a running back or a receiver. 

Since the Giants had to submit their players before October 25th, they put Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora as their two DEs, and Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham as their two WRs. For the flex position, they chose Brandon Jacobs after giving the RB slot to Ahmad Bradshaw.

Apparently, there is some flexibility for teams to swap out candidates during the season. But according to a Giants’ team spokesman, they elected to keep their starters on the ballot, since none were lost to injury for any significant periods, and despite the emergence of the younger stars on the field.

New York did try to sneak Pierre-Paul on the ballot at middle linebacker, but the league quickly squashed that, since, ya know, he doesn’t play that position. One seemingly obvious answer would be to swap out Cruz for Jacobs at the flex spot, but with the way Jacobs has come on late in the season (and given his fragile mental state), it makes taking his slot away that much tougher.

(Photo: UPI.com)

Now, the fan vote only accounts for one-third of the total Pro Bowl voting, with players and coaches making up the other two-thirds. So there is an outside chance either player could still make the NFC squad if they get enough love from their peers. Also, since it’s relatively meaningless, plenty of players choose to drop out of the game, leaving room for qualified replacements … so there’s a good chance both Cruz and Pierre-Paul will ultimately end up in Honolulu.

But this situation points out an obvious flaw in the Pro Bowl balloting system, especially in the days of running back by committee, four receiver sets and constantly platooning defensive units. Whether they’re technically a “starter” or not, as long as they contribute in a significant way, there’s no real reason to prevent teams from including any player on the ballot who might be deserving of an all-star nod.

Fortunately, my only contact with Sandusky came on these practice fields, while fully dressed (Photo: psu.edu)

Up until now, we’ve remained silent on the whole Jerry Sandusky scandal at Penn State. Mainly because we’re an NFL blog and it’s not professional football news, but also because the troubling subject matter is a little bit outside of our normally light-hearted sphere.

And there’s simply no way to avoid just how ugly and disgusting the whole affair is, especially as more and more details come to light. If you haven’t seen it already, the full 23-page Grand Jury report is available online, and it’s worth the disturbing read to get a full understanding of the exact nature & scope of the allegations against Sandusky by his victims. Of all the reprehensible details, it’s the idea that someone would utilize the very foundation he founded to help troubled youth (The Second Mile) as a feeding ground for his sexual perversions that truly makes the blood boil. And as despicable as Sandusky’s behavior was, it’s almost equally disturbing to see how the members of the Penn State University staff and football program seemingly helped to sweep it under the rug since at least 1998.

The guys at Deadspin have been all over this story, and one of the more troubling facts to come to light is that, as recently as 2009, Sandusky was running overnight football camps on university campuses. Which means that even though he had retired from coaching in 1999, and had previously been prohibited from bringing young boys onto the main Penn State campus (due to being caught showering with – and possibly sodomizing –  a 10-year-old in an athletic building in 2002), he still managed to not only stay around the program, but create scenarios within the university where he would have unsupervised access to young boys.

Which brings us to the point of our story: During the summer of 1990, as a fresh-faced 16-year-old from Connecticut, I attended football camp at Penn State University, where I was coached by Jerry Sandusky himself.

It was the summer before my junior year, about eight years before the first known incident of sexual abuse is alleged to have taken place. I was a slow, undersized linebacker for a mediocre high school squad, but I had an instinctive head for the game and found myself consistently around the ball, which garnered a few nibbles from college scouts. That spring, I (along with three other juniors) had already been named as a captain of the varsity squad for the next season, as our team would be woefully devoid of senior leadership. Looking to further my football education and hopefully increase my chances of getting a scholarship, I planned to attend camp at a nearby college to learn from coaches at the next level. And being in the northeast, there were plenty of powerhouses to choose from.

Mike McQueary - the current QB coach and former graduate assistant at the center of the Sandusky controversy - at PSU football camp (Photo: PSU.edu)

Ultimately, I decided to go with the program I had most looked up to as a youth: Penn State.

The Nittany Lions’ national championships in 1982 and 1986 were some of my earliest memories watching the game, and I had long dreamed of attending “Linebacker U”. As part of the week-long session, the camp’s pamphlet (which I studied endlessly during the months leading up to camp) promised that those of us attending would receive hands-on tutelage from the Lions’ varsity coaching staff, including none other than head coach Joe Paterno and defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. The program was legendary, and even though my teammates elected to go elsewhere, I was determined to experience Happy Valley first hand.

Upon arriving at State College and settling into my dorm room, we went right to work under the watchful eyes of Paterno’s assistant coaches. It was a no-contact, no pads scenario, so we mainly worked on agility drills, technique and game theory. Dressed in shorts and t-shirts, we were led through the same drills as the varsity players, providing a preview of what to expect at the collegiate level. I remember being asked what position we played on offense, and even though I normally lined up as a lineman, I chose fullback, wanting to follow in the footsteps of PSU legend D.J. Dozier. But my real focus was on the defensive side of the ball, and becoming a better linebacker.

Paterno showed up on the practice field only once during camp, delivered an unmemorable speech, and we never saw him again. But Sandusky didn’t disappoint.

Sandusky immediately stood out with his booming voice and obvious passion for the game. He had this bigger-than-life persona, and a smile almost as big that you could spot from across the practice fields. This was the man who had built Penn State’s reputation as a defensive powerhouse with guys like Shane Conlan, Andre Collins and Walker Lee Ashley. On the field, Sandusky was clearly the leader of the program, and the rest of the coaches invariably deferred to his authority. He was a living, breathing football God.

So, when I broke my thumb while tackling a dummy on the fourth day of camp, sidelining me for the rest of the week, I was disheartened to say the least. It meant I wouldn’t get to participate in the remainder of camp or the big camp-ending flag football tournament. And worst of all, I wouldn’t get to learn any more at the feet of Sandusky. And that’s how my camp experience ended at Penn State. With a cast on my right arm, and missing the last three days to injury.

My closest contact with Sandusky that summer came on the field, fully dressed, in the context of football drills.

No scandal. No stories of bear hugs in the shower. No deep, dark secret.

Sandusky demonstrates "technique" with a young player (Image via aangirfan.com)

But even back then, with extremely limited exposure to the man, I can recall being in awe of Sandusky. Hell, most of us just wanted to be near the guy, to soak up as much football knowledge as we possibly could during our minimal time in his presence. In retrospect, this fact is more than unsettling, and speaks to the power this man held over so many boys who have admired and trusted him over the years. To think of just how many kids Sandusky has come in contact with over the years through camps like this and the Second Mile Program – and the levels of faith & reverence they all had for him – is absolutely horrifying.

So, with Paterno now out at PSU and Sandusky facing 40 charges of sexual abuse (with more victims coming forward daily), we are left to wonder, “How?”. How could this not only have happened, but gone unreported and unpunished for so long?!? Especially under the man who, until recently, was the most highly respected head coach in college football history?

Ultimately, it speaks to the culture at Penn State, which has deified Paterno and his football program for so long. Only in a culture like this, where JoePa was essentially given unchallenged dictatorial rule over the campus, would the reputation of the program be elevated over the safety of their own children. Only in a culture like this would students and alumni still be defending their head coach, which goes to show just how their blind devotion is/was, and how long overdue Paterno’s dismissal has been.

Make no mistake, Sandusky is the real monster here, but it’s become painfully clear that Paterno could and should have done more to put a stop to the abuse. As a man entrusted with the safety of thousands children over the years, there is simply no excuse for not doing more.

And now, Penn State’s longtime motto, “Success With Honor” suddenly rings wildly hollow.

(Photo: wireimage.com)

Inspired by this recent New York Times piece, which examines the disappearance of neck rolls from the game of football, we decided to compile a list of the greatest neck rolls in NFL history.

The neck roll apparatus – which theoretically protects against injuries by helping to stabilize the neck – was a standard part of the uniform for anyone playing youth or high school football in the 80s or 90s. And although sports science seems to have proven neck rolls to be relatively useless as an injury prevention tool, they will always hold a warm place in our football memories.

From the Times piece:

It goes by names like cowboy collar and butterfly restrictor, can look like a cut-up life preserver, a miniature washboard or a tube of cookie dough and, depending on whom you ask, is incredibly effective or about as necessary as an appendix.

(…)

Much like Spandex did not, in fact, make everybody who wore it look thinner, neck rolls became another disappearing fad because they were probably more style than substance, said Stephen J. Straub, a professor of athletic training and sports medicine at Quinnipiac University. 

Straub was involved in a 2003 study that examined three different types of neck rolls and ultimately concluded that “they’ve never been shown to be effective,” he said, adding: “In a lab, they seem to be able to control the head, at least a little bit. But no one has been able to show that on a football field.”

If nothing else, they at least helped make you look more intimidating on the field (well, except on Grogan, that is), and we’ll continue to hold out hope for a comeback as we pay tribute to the once-ubiquitous neck roll with the following glorious images.

TOP 10 NECK ROLLS IN NFL HISTORY

(If you think of any other players who donned a neck roll during their career and we may have omitted from our list, please let us know in the comments)

1. Steve Grogan – New England Patriots

Grogan and his fabled 2-story neck roll (Photo: BleacherReport.com)

(Photo: ESPN.com)

2. Bryan Cox – Miami Dolphins/New York Jets

Cox made the headrest-style neckroll famous (Photo: cleveland.com)

But he experimented with a variety of neck rolls, including this from earlier in his career

3. Jack Lambert – Pittsburgh Steelers

The original badass (Photo: mitchellandness.com)

Rocking the cookie dough tube (Photo: SteelerGridiron.com)

3. Willie Lanier – Kansas City Chiefs

Bonus points for the specially padded helmet (Photo: Helmethut.com)

(Photo: Bestsportsphotos.com)

4. Wilber Marshall – Chicago Bears/Washington Redskins

Marshall's neck roll resembled elephant tusks (Photo: BleacherReport.com)

BONUS PIC - w/ Dan Hampton and Refrigerator Perry, all with neck rolls

5. Howie Long – Oakland Raiders

This style clearly had no neck stability benefits (Photo: Bizjournals.com)

(Photo: BleacherReport.com)

6. Eric Dickerson – LA Rams/Indianapolis Colts

Rocking the butterfly collar look (Photo: NFL.com)

7. Brian Bosworth – Seattle Seahawks

The Boz was all style over substance (Photo: SIKids.com)

8. Christian Okoye – Kansas City Chiefs

The Nigerian Nightmare looked even more imposing with his under-the-jersey neck roll (Photo: ioffer.com)

9. Mike Alstott – Tampa Bay Buccanneers 

Alstott also sported the under-the-jersey variety (Photo: SPtimes.com)

10. Carl Banks – New York Giants/Cleveland Browns

(Photo: BleacherReport.com)

(Photo: mearsonlineauctions.com)

Michael Bolton: That's the worst idea I've ever heard in my life, Tom (Image via blogspot.com)

Every year, we try to refrain from pulling a Tom Smykowski from Office Space, and jumping to any conclusions about the upcoming NFL season prematurely. In a sixteen-game season, it usually takes several games for teams to figure out their identity, and a lot longer than that to determine a realistic playoff picture.

So, while it’s tempting to draw knee-jerk reactions from a couple of games, we at least try to wait until the quarter-point mark to start making our hyperbolic and definitive statements about the season ahead. Even with the lockout-shortened off-season, four games is enough to get a sense of which teams are back in the driver’s seat (Packers, Patriots), and which teams are going to have trouble living up to expectations (Jets, Rams).

So without further adieu, here are our top 5 observations on the ol’ Jump To Conclusions mat:

1. 

   (Photo: Philly.com)

   The “Dream Team” is actually a Nightmare: This pre-season, the Philadelphia Eagles were crowned as NFC East Champions based almost solely on the big name signings made by GM Howie Roseman, who apparently attended the Dan Snyder school of Free Agency. Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins were among the stars to join the Philadelphia roster, and Eagles fans were planning trips to the Super Bowl before a down had been played.

   Well, after a 1-3 start, the Eagles are proving that it takes more than just raw talent to win in the NFL, and chemistry can be the most important thing for a team to succeed. Plus, in the age of the salary cap, spending huge money at certain positions inevitably results in deficiencies elsewhere (see the Eagles LB corps), and so far the Philly defense has been a big disappointment. It will be interesting to see how Andy Reid – and the egos in his locker room – handles their early adversity.



(Photo: WashingtonPost.com)

2. The Detroit Lions will compete for the NFC crown: Yes, the Lions bandwagon is already starting to get crowded after starting the season 4-0 for the first time since 1980, and completing consecutive comebacks of 20 points or more against the Vikings and Cowboys.Ndamukong Suh and Calvin Johnson are unquestionably young superstars in this league, and if Matt Stafford can remain healthy, they give Jim Schwartz’ team a chance to compete in any game. And first round draft pick Nick Fairley could return from injury this week, making Detroit’s defense even more imposing. Bottom line: the Lions will make playoffs this year.
3. The Buffalo Bills are for real: The Bills are off to an impressive 3-1 start, and after defeating their hated rival Patriots in Week 3, they’re a fashionable pick to surprise in the AFC this year. Chan Gailey’s offense is clicking with Ryan Fitzpatrick, Fred Jackson and Steve Johnson off to a hot start, and the Bills defense has been opportunistic with 8 INTs. But those takeaways could be covering up for bigger problems on defense, and Buffalo faces a brutal schedule late in the season which will really test their road toughness. So while the Bills are definitely improved, and there’s reason for optimism in Buffalo, the division still goes through New England until someone proves otherwise.
4. Cam Newton is a superstar in the making: It took us a while to come around on this one, but Cam Newton is making believers out of even his biggest doubters after getting off to the best start of any rookie QB in NFL history.
   

   (Photo: CBSBoston.com)

   Newton has thrown for 1,386 yards and 5 TDs through four games, and has added 133 yards and 4 scores on the ground, making it look relatively easy along the way.  But as impressive as these numbers are, it’s Newton’s poise and presence on the field that is most mind-blowing to see from a rookie quarterback being thrown into the fire. So although the Panthers (1-3) still have a lot of holes ill, they know they have their leader for the next ten years in Newton.

5. Tim Tebow will start in Denver this season: Let’s face it – the Broncos just aren’t a very good football team right now. With the John Fox/John Elway era in it’s infancy, this is clearly a transitional period in Denver, and after a 1-3 start with Kyle Orton under center, the Broncos faithful are already clamoring for Tim Tebow. Billboards notwithstanding, if the Broncos continue to struggle, Fox has nothing to lose by giving the former Heisman trophy winner a shot. If nothing else, it will put to rest the questions, and give everyone a chance to see what Tebow can do in the NFL … and the Broncos can move forward with our without him.

Samir: Yes, this is horrible, this idea (Image via tumblr.com)

And a few more random early conclusions we’re not afraid to jump to:

• Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are making it look frighteningly easy so far. The defending champs are showing no signs of a hangover, and you can pencil them in as the #1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
• Jerry Jones will be dealing with questions about his boy Tony Romo all season, and the Cowboys will go as their manic QB goes (8-8)
• Not surprisingly, the Colts are screwed without Peyton Manning.

(photo courtesy of www.photobucket.com)

For anyone who watch football in the late 1970s and 1980s, Walter Payton was emblematic of all that was good in professional sports.  He was graceful on the field, and gracious off of it.  Soft spoken and dignified, Payton– or, perhaps more precisely, what we knew of Payton– was the kind of player– the kind of person– to emulate.  The NFL calls its man of the year award the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for that very reason.   I was never a Bears fans.  But, like many others, I was always a fan of Walter Payton.

Twelve years after his untimely death, Sports Illustrated has excerpted a book by Jeff Pearlman alleging that Payton cheated on his wife and did drugs.  Why write this book?  While I don’t condone cheating on your wife or using drugs, I fundamentally do not understand why this book needs to be written, now.  For starters, the guy’s dead: he can’t defend himself.  Moreover, people don’t still look up to Payton (see point one, he’s dead).  Instead, they admire him for what he represented and, when they see an image of him dancing between defenders, the “C” emblazoned on his helmet, they think of when they were a kid.  When Sunday was spent glued to a television, watching the voracious Bears’ defense serve as the perfect compliment to Payton’s elegance.  Am I supposed to revisit that?  Question it?  Realize that, gee, idols aren’t always what they are cracked up to be when you peal away the onion?  Wow, there’s a novel and timely lesson for the 40-plus crowd that admired him.  Pearlman: for an encore, how about a book on the real truth behind the VHS versus Betamax fight for market share?

Sunday confirmed Indy's worst fears. (Source: NBCSports.com)

Week 1 in the NFL is a lock to produce its share of over-the-top, knee-jerk reactions. Half the league’s fan base wakes up Monday morning feeling great about themselves — and life. The other half are looking around the house for sharp objects. The meaningless preseason has given way to real games, and losses can’t be shrugged off — for some teams, Sunday was a reality check. Here’s a look at yesterday’s biggest losers:

5t. Cleveland (27-17 to Cincinnati): Extremely disappointing for the Browns. Cleveland has won only ONE opener since 1999, despite hosting every one of those games. With their new pass-oriented attack run by Colt McCoy, the Browns looked poised to take a step up in the AFC North — instead, they’re 0-1 after dropping a stinker to Cincy, who many considered worst team in football.

5t. New York Giants (28-14 to Washington): Every other team in this division gets massive media hype, but Washington could end up surprising. They’re immediately dismissed because Rex Grossman‘s at quarterback, but the Shanahans love this kid, and he performed yesterday. For the (heavily banged-up) Giants, a loss that raises more questions about Eli Manning, but not earth-shattering. They played even in the first half and, more importantly, this is a team that does not give up.

4. Kansas City (41-7 to Buffalo): A nightmare opener for the Chiefs, who were as lifeless as they appeared during a tumultuous preseason. Last year’s 10-6 team looked hundreds of miles away.

3. Dallas (27-24 to New York Jets): The Cowboys ended this one in embarrassing fashion, but it was the loss of their starting three corners for most of the second half that allowed Mark Sanchez to find his receivers (including the tedious Plaxico Burress) and climb back in. It’s a bitter defeat for Dallas, but they looked fantastic defensively early on, and there’s reason for hope here. Jason Garrett is putting together a team that could (or should, at least) defeat anyone else on this list.

2. Pittsburgh (35-7 to Baltimore): Are the Steelers in trouble? Not yet. The team has climbed out of bigger holes than this. The team is aging, yes, but they are among the best-coached squads in the game. The Ravens wanted this one more — and it showed.

1. Indianapolis (34-7 to Houston): Nobody picked Indy to go anywhere without Peyton Manning, but Sunday’s trainwreck was clear confirmation that the Colts are in jeopardy without their all-everything quarterback. Granted, it’s going to take Kerry Collins time to learn the offense, but there was very little, if anything, to be hopeful about in this one.

Nerdlings celebrating another man's success.

The outpouring of concern over Arian Foster‘s tweaked left hamstring – mostly from jittery fantasy football disciples whose drafts unfold this week — raises yet another question about where our heads are at.

After Foster re-aggravated the hamstring Saturday night in the Texans’ 30-7 win over the 49ers, he made efforts to assure his Twitter followers that he’d be ready for the Colts on Sept. 11.

“4 those sincerely concerned, I’m doing ok & plan 2 B back by opening day. 4 those worried abt your fantasy team, u ppl are sick,” he wrote Sunday.

Speaking for fantasy players everywhere, ESPN’s Colin Cowherd tweeted back: “Hey Arian Foster— ‘We really do care about you as a human too. Um,now about that hammy? –signed, everybody.”

Replied Foster: “Did you want to be a critic as a child? Or did your dreams die with your humility?”

Not that the players are pure — or must be treated delicately — but Foster’s irritation is justified.

At its best, fantasy football is a not-to-be-taken-too-seriously outshoot of the game we’ve grown up with and adore. At its worst, it is a parasitic worm draining the fun out of the sport.

“I hope @ArianFoster realizes that fantasy football is the only reason 90% of chicks and 30% of guys even know who he is,” one follower tweeted after Foster’s updates.

Uh-huh.

Fans might not want to hear that fantasy doesn’t matter to the players they draft and follow with religious fervor during the season, but things might be different if not for the overly serious tone fantasy has adopted of late. For many, it’s eclipsed the sport itself. You’ll find more and more clowns roaming around town who don’t care for the game — just the raw, lifeless numbers produced.

For Foster — the player — it’s about getting back on the field and building on last season’s from-the-wilderness outburst, which included 1,616 rushing yards and 18 total touchdowns.

For those who draft him, anything less will be a disappointment.

August is here and, against all odds, so is training camp. (Source: Pitt. Post-Gazette)

So, the NFL lockout is over, and we’re assured of labor peace for the next decade. That means we don’t need to focus on the Norris-LaGuardia Act until at least 2021.

The NFL has returned. Training camp is underway, and just as the players and coaches are shaking off the rust, we bloggers are doing the same.

This frenzied week of free-agency and rookie signings, meshed with the start of 32 NFL training camps — well, it’s wonderful … but where does one begin?

Now swimming in a flood of NFL news, the April promises of some fan groups to bypass this season, to show the NFL that the fans matter more than owners or players — laughable.

The cries of the sports-offended were silenced and blotted out the minute the labor deal was done. Nobody’s talking about boycotting a damn thing tonight.

The game is bigger than the fans, for better or worse. Nobody who loved the game in January is fashioning plans, circulating petitions and organizing rallies to skip the season.

Everyone’s fallen in line.

And maybe it doesn’t even matter. The game is back. Two weekends from now, we’ll see our 20- and 30-something millionaire heroes back on the field, throwing a ball around before hundreds of thousands of fans who paid a pretty penny to enter billion-dollar stadiums from San Diego to East Rutherford — and Dallas to Minneapolis.

There is no proper starting point this time around.

We’re just here. Football is back.

For better or worse, our game is back.

No Hurt Locker: Vikings seem serious about Jake. (Source: Andrew Fredrickson)

National Football Post’s Aaron Wilson cites an NFL source in reporting that the Minnesota Vikings plan to call in Washington quarterback Jake Locker for a private workout Tuesday.

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier has been vocal about finding a quarterback in this draft, but at the No. 12 spot, they could be out of the running for Auburn’s Cam Newton or Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert.

Locker, however, remains an intriguing possibility for the Vikings–much better than the aged Brett Favre, back on his farm tilling soil. The 6’3″, 231-pound Locker is a mobile passer, running the 40 in 4.50 seconds at last month’s NFL scouting Combine, to go along with his 35-inch vertical and a 9-7 broad jump.

Locker will also work out for the Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks later this month, according to NFP.

It time for a new start in Minnesota, and it has to excited Vikings fans that Frazier is turning out to be a good organizer and an honest leader who has buy-in. Clouds loom in the distance in Minnesota, with their problematic stadium situation problematic–and Los Angeles positioning itself for a team.

The Los Angeles Vikings? I have a problem with that. This is one of the NFL’s storied teams.

You have to wonder if they’re gunning for Newton–it could be in the works. Some don’t even have Newton in their top 10, but falling right into the Vikings’ lap.

As mentioned in my mock, I just don’t see Ron Rivera passing up this opportunity to bring in a franchise-altering passer with the No. 1 pick in the draft. I expect Netwon to end up as the top pick in this draft–unless the Vikings offer all the gold inside the Metrodome and the head of Favre.

2015 just called to tell us that J.J. Watt is the steal of this draft. (Source: Madison.com)

For picks 1-5, go here.

For picks 6-10, go here.

11. Houston Texans — J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin: We get so many of these projections wrong. The “sure lock” winds up a flaming bust, and players we’re ignoring today — guys who won’t even be drafted — will light up the league. I believe we’ll look back on this 2011 NFL Draft five years from now and call J.J. Watt a top 5 pick. I loved his presence, intensity and motor at the combine. Wade Phillips‘ 3-4 defense is the perfect landing spot for Watt, and a good environment for this hard-working, self-made player. He worked himself onto Wisconsin’s roster, paying his own way at the start of his tenure — delivering Pizza Hut to save up dough. He’s no prima donna. He’s a coachable workhorse who did the requisite work at Wisconsin to make the switch from tight end to defensive lineman. Watt is the steal of this draft at No. 11. Sometime these midround picks are where you find the real gems — where less pressure is placed on the incoming player, as well. Houston and Watt are an excellent match.

12. Minnesota Vikings — Julio Jones, WR, Alabama: The Vikings have been vocal about finding a quarterback in this draft. I see a potential trade up — or down — to get their guy. There was a time when it appeared Minnesota at No. 12 could snag Auburn’s Cam Newton, but the hype machine’s in full swing and I project him to go no less than No. 1 to the Carolina Panthers. He’s the type of passer that’s going to require time to develop, coming from a spread, and Leslie Frazier would love the challenge. There are other possibilities at quarterback for the Vikings — and all of them are better than Brett Favre right now, who’s back on his farm tilling soil. It’s time for a new start in Minnesota. In this mock, with no trades — and Jake Locker a reach — I project the Vikings to jump on Jones, who had an excellent combine and would be a good-value selection here. Sidney Rice could bolt via free agency, so Jones addresses a potential need as well. We all saw what happened to Percy Harvin when Rice was out of the offense — they need a No. 1 guy in there to give the passing game a shot.

Picks 13-20 after the jump.

13. Detroit Lions — Tyron Smith, OT, USC: Detroit has to be concerned about Matthew Stafford‘s durability. They won’t say as much, but two seasons running, he’s been shotgunned out of the lineup with significant injuries. He’s a tough kid, that’s not the issue. We recall his gritty performance against the Cleveland Browns two seasons ago. If shoring up the line will keep Matt healthy, selecting the athletic Smith — who bulked up significantly for last month’s combine — is the move here at No. 13. The Lions also could look to Nate Solder or Anthony Castonzo — this is a good class for line prospects. The Lions showed signs of life in 2010. Jim Schwartz has begun turning this program around and keeping Stafford in one piece for a full season could land the Lions in the playoffs, or very close to it.

14. St. Louis Rams — Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri: I think the Rams would love to add a wideout like Julio Jones, but he’s gone in this mock. You exit the top 10, and there’s still a flock of quality DE/OLB prospects available — Ryan Kerrigan and Justin Houston come to mind. Cameron Jordan seems like a find for the Rams at this spot, but he’s done his best work at the left end position, typically Chris Long‘s haunt in the Rams’ D. Smith is an intriguing find. He’s a versatile, dispruptive defender, but he’s not projected as an immediate starter by most. He could really come on if a team like St. Louis can find a way to grow him. He could present problems for offenses as a hell-or-high-water edge passer for years to come.

I seem to remember another diminutive, "too-slow" #22 slipping past half the National Football League on draft day. (Source: mkrob.com)

15. Miami Dolphins — Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama: Miami’s tandem of Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown have been effective for the Dolphins — at times, sensational. Both are free agents, and that makes Ingram Jr. — son of the former New York Giants wideout with the same name (I feel old) — an ideal choice at this spot. …I don’t get it. Ingram’s attached to a subpar class of running backs, and it’s possibly diminished his stock. His 40 times are not ideal, but this is a tough, driven runner who’s been compared to Emmitt Smith for more than his stature. Take it to the bank: if the Dolphins make this pick, he’ll change their offense for a decade. Ingram enters the league at a time when teams are shifting away from the lone-back. This guy doesn’t need a committee. He’s going to leave his stamp on the National Football League. Mega-steal in the 15 slot.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars — Cameron Jordan, DE/DT, California: The Jaguars’ defense needs all sorts of help, and I strongly believe they’ll zone in on a cornerback (or two) in this draft (they finished 28th against the pass last season, and it likely cost them the playoffs). With Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara long gone, none of the remaining corners fit here at No. 16. Make no mistake, the Jaguars would be thrilled to land a player like Jordan. He’s a special pass rusher, one the Jaguars could insert immediately into their scheme. Unlike some of these first-rounders, Jordan did his time as a four-year starter, and his versatility to switch between tackle and end is a huge plus. People overlook the Jaguars, but this team knocked on the playoff door last season, and a good draft could help them finally topple the Colts.

17. New England Patriots (from Oakland) — Ryan Kerrigan, DE/OLB, Purdue: Kerrigan’s ability to wreak havoc off the edge is documented — he’s ideal in the Pats’ 3-4. We saw how New England’s inability to get to the quarterback ended their season against the New York Jets. Bill Belichick coached that D up in 2010, but adding Kerrigan to the mix, primarily as an outside backer, gives this team a Purdue product who will abide by the Patriot Way. New England — per usual — could wheel-and-deal this pick, but No. 17 is a good opportunity to get an impact player. I stopped doubting the Patriots about 10 years ago — they’ll do the right thing, they almost always do. Note: If Ingram were ever available at this spot, I love the idea of him paired with Tom Brady, but it’s a long shot he gets past Miami.

18. San Diego Chargers — Cameron Heyward, DE/DT, Ohio State: San Diego’s search to fill the spot opposite defensive end Luis Castillo could come to and end with Heyward. An elbow injury kept him out of OSU’s pro day, but he’s set to show off his skills later this month in a separate session. Cameron — the son of former New Orleans Saints bulldozing runner Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, a Tecmo Bowl legend– excels as a 5-technique and fills a missing puzzle piece for the Chargers. You wonder how many more years San Diego has to knock on the door, especially after a disappointing finish in 2010 (despite a statistically powerful season). There are other needs at this slot, but Heyward’s on the short list.

19. New York Giants — Nate Solder, OT, Colorado: The G-Men desperately need help along the offensive line. Nothing is more important than protecting Eli Manning. You have to wonder if Tom Coughlin‘s Boston College background could sway him toward OT Anthony Castonzo, but I believe Solder will be the pick. Solder’s dropped on some boards. He’s 6’9″ — he could block an automobile from hitting Eli — and he was a rock at Colorado, a guy who avoided injuries and flat-out got the job done. Check the video above to see what he did to a Denver Broncos scout  during CU’s pro day — he’ll do the same to some poor, lonely Washington Redskins defender come autumn.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa: Check out the suddenly dangerous Bucs. Last year at this time, we had no idea where this team was going. Now, coming off a 10-6 season, with Josh Freeman blossoming into a presence at quarterback, this team must be taken seriously. I love what Raheem Morris did with the young roster last season — he shrugged off a laundry list of late injuries, plugged players in, and kept chugging. The Bucs are in need of a defensive end to pair alongside Gerald McCoy. In such a deep draft for defensive linemen, they get an interesting prospect in Clayborn. Much has been made of his struggle with Erb’s Palsy, which causes intermittent paralysis of the upper arm — but Clayborn has played with it for years and it didn’t prevent him from having a sensational junior year at Iowa. He didn’t match that last season, but remains an intriguing prospect.

My mock draft will continue later this week with picks 21-32.