Texans top NFL 2014 Draft Order

Photo Credit:  BleacherReport.com

With the NFL entering the Wild card round of the playoffs, teams now have acquired their spot in the 2014 NFL Draft.  Topping this years list is the Houston Texans followed by the Rams, Jaguars, Browns and Raiders to round out the Top 5.

The NFL Draft is set for May 8th in New York but only 20 of the 32 teams have an established draft order.  The 12 spots that remain will be arranged as playoff season continues and teams drop from the march to the Super Bowl 2014.

According to several sources including an article from CBS Sports, Miami native and Louisville Cardinals' Teddy Bridgewater is likely to go in the first round.

Much of the speculation is fueled by Houston's loss to the Tennessee Titans in week 17 including two interceptions thrown by current QB Matt Schaub.  While Schaub's contract was extended last year through 2016, a draft pick could be the least expensive route for Houston to make the QB change, unless they take a possible cap relief hit at a cost of millions.

TOP TEN DRAFT ORDER:

1.  Houston Texans

2.  St. Louis Rams (Redskins)

3.  Jacksonville Jaguars

4.  Cleveland Browns

5.  Oakland Raiders

6.  Atlanta Falcons

7.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers

8.  Minnesota Vikings

9.  Buffalo Bills

10. Detroit Lions

Got Heisman? Jameis Winston Wins

Charles LeClaire:  USA Today Sports

Florida State QB Jameis Winston became the youngest player to win the Heisman Trophy since the Downtown Athletic Club started the annual award in 1935.

The 19 year-old Winston was selected from a group of candidates last night that included a not so close second place voting finish by Alabama's quarterback AJ McCarron, and last year's winner Johnny Manziel who is slated to announce his future football plans prior to the Aggies bowl game.

Other candidates were QB Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois, RB Andre Williams, Boston College, RB Tre Mason, Auburn, QB Bryce Petty, Baylor, QB Derek Carr, Fresno State, QB Braxton Miller, Ohio State and RB Ka'Deem Carey, Arizona.

While controversy surrounded the season for Jameis Winston due to earlier accusations from an incident last December, the Florida State Seminoles are undefeated and headed to the BCS National Championship game with Auburn.  As late as Friday his accuser's attorney, who cannot seem to let a closed case go, requested an independent investigation of the Attorney Generals Office investigation and the Tallahassee Police Department.

According to the article an e-mail statement from a spokesperson for Florida's Governor Rick Scott (R) stated the following, "The state attorney's office and FDLE did a thorough investigation of this case and they concluded that no further action on this matter is required."

Winston who passed for 3,820 yards and 38 TD's this season may soon have another reason to celebrate if the NOLES win the title.  Congratulations to this year's winner of the Heisman Trophy and to all the candidates who made the ballot!

Ron Burgandy interviews Peyton Manning

Check out Ron Burgandy's interview with Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning.  The Anchorman sequel starring Will Ferrell, Anchorman 2:  The Legend Continues is slated for release December 18th in theaters.

The Broncos are 10-2 in regular season play.

Video rant responds to NFL ban of gun dealer Super Bowl Ad

In a recent article we reported the NFL's ban for a Super Bowl ad submitted by gun dealer Daniel Defense.  Here is a video response to this action and the "hypocrisy" of the NFL.  Please note this video contains explicit language.

WARNING:  Video contains explicit language

Cowboys win on Thanksgiving: Feel like cheering?

Dallas vs Oakland part of NFL Feast for Thanksgiving

If you need some NFL as your Thanksgiving tradition here are today's lineups:

Green Bay vs Detroit  12:30 p.m.  Tip:  Packers will play Matt Flynn at QB

Oakland vs Dallas  4:30 p.m.  Tip:  Cowboys are on a roll - enjoy dessert

Pittsburgh vs Baltimore  8:30 p.m.  Tip:  Ravens win at home, 4-1 this year

FOX, CBS and NBC will air the above games so Happy Thanksgiving and viewing!

Football Quotes for Fans of THE Game!

"Being in politics is like being a football coach.  You have to be smart enough to understand the game, and dumb enough to think it's important." - Eugene Mccarthy-

"Football is a game played with arms, legs and shoulders but mostly form the neck up."  -Knute Rockne-

"Football is an incredible game.  Sometimes it's so incredible, it's unbelievable."  -Tom Landry-

"I don't know any other way to lead but by example."  -Don Shula-

"Some people think football is a matter of life and death.  I assure you, it's much more serious than that."  - Bill Shankly-

"We are inclined to think that if we watch a football game or a baseball game, we have taken part in it." -JFK-

"The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary."  -Vince Lombardi

"Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."  -Vince Lombardi-

NFL Sunday Cowboys & Lions Oh My!

Cowboys Fans: Better to laugh than cry, well maybe?

Cowboys fans like myself are having another QB reality check as we struggle with our fearless leader on the field, Tony Romo.  And, like Giants fans we have to channel our displeasure right down to the passing arm.  After all, as the saying goes it is better to laugh than to cry, well maybe?

Here are this week's prize winners for poking fun at Romo and the Cowboys.  Cheer up fellow fans, somethings gotta give, and be thankful we are not 0-6 like our NFL neighbors to the north.

Just remind Romo to aim for the stars, not the feathers this week.  It's all in good FUN!

Cowboys and Raiders in Preseaon NFL game tonight!

The Dallas Cowboys take on the Oakland Raiders tonight in NFL Preseason football at 10:00 p.m. ET (9:00 p.m. Central) in Oakland.  While the game will be blocked for west coasters, you can watch live on the NFL Network.

Dallas is sporting a victory over the Miami Dolphins as they ready for game 2 in preseason play.

For game details and a poll to choose your favorite team to win, check out the b/r bleacher report article for the latest information.  No secret here, this girl is going with Big D to win!

Monday night event at Sun Life Stadium showcases Dolphins scrimmage game

Phin Fans lined up early for general admission seating Monday night at Sun Life Stadium in Miami to watch the Dolphin's scrimmage game.

The free admission price, and a long summer break, roused die-hard fans out to tailgate and watch the Dolphins run a series of drills and scrimmages.  22,876 fans attended Monday night's event which included pre-game entertainment by the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders and lots of fanfare excitement.

photos courtesy of Boris Balaban

QB #17 Ryan Tannehill took to the field first, and impressed fans during his second offensive round showcasing the Phins running game and short pass completion.  Tannehill connected for a total of three touchdown passes to give fans something to cheer about.

photos courtesy of Boris Balaban

#2 Brandon Fields whose career average stands at 46.4 yards per punt according to one source delivered consistent kicks throughout the game.  His 64 yard punt that landed well into the end zone brought a round of applause from fans.

Fans enjoyed some impressive plays from special teams, but most were less impressed with former Oregon State player QB #8 Matt Moore.  From our seats the fun to watch guy was #7 QB Pat Devlin. You might remember Devlin as a former Penn State, and Delaware transfer player who holds the Pennsylvania high school passing record.

Pat Devlin faces defense

Devlin faced some tough defensive plays that included a sack from Dion Jordan, a round 1 draft pick for the Dolphins.  Jordan has made the news for the Phins by being selected to play special teams.  In an article Jordan who plays defensive end was quoted about his role,

"It's something to say about you... Me personally, I started on all special teams in high school, even in Oregon.  And I started on defense.  I love to compete."

Thanks to the Dolphin's players who signed autographs after for fans, coach Joe Philbin and the Dolphins management for a fan oriented night of football.  The Dolphins play Tampa Bay Saturday, August 24th.

Sunday FUNday

Brandon Flowers Charity Weekend in Delray Beach, FL

NFL and Obamacare: Will fans go on strike?

Conservatives view Obamacare as

fiscal train wreck

According to a recent article on twitchy.com HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius plans to use the NFL for promoting Obamacare leaving some conservatives to voice their objections on twitter.

In an article the site remarked that Obama had earlier mentioned the NBA as a vehicle for promoting national healthcare, but Sebelius it appears wants gridiron action to push her enrollment message.

Sebelius was quoted in an article from The Hill stating, "We're having active discussions right now with a variety of sports affiliates" about both paid advertising and partnerships to encourage enrollment.

All of this is part of an advertising and public relations palooza coming in the next few months as more aspects of Obamacare take effect in 2014.  At the same time conservatives are continuing their stance on the economic issues facing Americans when another massive entitlement program takes place.

A recent meme photograph on social media perhaps sums up the opposition of Obamacare and its highly objectionable, long-term economic effects expected by conservatives.  Meanwhile it looks like Monday Night Football and the NFL just opened up the door to politics, and perhaps a strike of a different kind:  players in - viewers out.

Happy Father's Day!

No worries, NBA Finals got you covered!

NFL Notebook

Leather & Laces NFL Notebook

-Running back Marcus Lattimore has signed a four-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers.

-St. Louis RB Isaiah Pead violated the NFL's substance abuse policy and will be suspended for the first game of the 2013 season.

-Mike Adams OT for the Pittsburgh Steelers was stabbed during a robbery attempt.  He is expected to make a full recovery after stomach surgery, but will be sidelined for six to eight weeks due to the injuries sustained from the attack.

-Mike Goodson faces another paternity suit filed recently in Houston.  Given his history of legal issues are the Jets up for a long three-years?  Maybe the $6.9 million will be incentive to perform.

-Former New York Jets scout Eric Mangini will join the 49ers as an offensive consultant.

-Hang on fans you will have airtime Sunday, August 4th at 8:00 p.m. on NBC when the Miami Dolphins play the Dallas Cowboys so mark your calendars.  Any preseason predictions?

Saints Player Joe Morgan arrested for DWI

Joe Morgan wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated during the Memorial Day Weekend when he was discovered asleep behind the wheel of his vehicle by state police according to a Times-Picayune article.

Morgan was booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Facility after failing a sobriety test, and according to reports could not produce a valid drivers license.  He was later released on bond.

Morgan signed with the Saints in 2011 as an undrafted free agent.  He caught 10 passes for 379 yards last season in his first regular-season play.

Mark Duper post Dolphins career includes 2013 arrest

Mark Duper arrested in March

Mark Duper once again finds himself surrounded by controversy, when in March of 2013 he made headlines after an arrest for allegedly attacking his 17 year-old son in an exchange at his Jacksonville, Florida home.

The incident witnessed by former Dolphins defensive end Hugh Green according to the Florida Times Union led to the arrest.  Duper was released on $5,000 bail after reportedly attacking his son three times.

According to the article Green stated Duper attacked the 17 year-old when he:

"picked him up several times and slammed him to the ground," causing him to lose consciousness.

Dubbed 'Super Duper' during his career with Miami, he incurred a 30 day suspension in 1988 after he violated the substance abuse policy by skipping a scheduled drug test.  The league considered his refusal to take the test as positive for drug use, and placed him on suspension.

After leaving the Dolphins Duper found himself once again involved with drugs.  In May of 1994, Duper and his brother-in-law, Brian Briggs, were charged with cocaine possession with intent to distribute and conspiracy as part of a sting operation in Pompano Beach, Florida.  He was later acquitted claiming entrapment.  He admitted his drug addiction in a statement after the 1995 trial, calling it a "disease".  Duper could have faced 10 years in prison if he had been convicted.

Duper joined the Dolphins in 1982, and played 11 seasons as wide receiver.  His NFL career included 511 passes for 8,869 yards and 59 touchdowns while playing with football great Mark Clayton during the Marino era.  In 2001 Duper was hired as an assistant coach by Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, but the school with little comment abruptly changed their hiring decision.

FAU Spring Game April 20th

Leather and Laces Kick-off

Starla M. Brown

Off season.... what's a girl to do?  Watch basketball, start baseball season, take in a hockey game and watch the surfers at the beach.

Somehow we all survive until next season, but Leather and Laces will be working to provide news and op-eds from around the college and professional leagues.

Welcome to a little football blog...