1
Talk of how much longer the Mariners will stick with Ken Griffey Jr. is building in the blogosphere.
The M’s looked at a video and determined Griffey needs to be using his legs more when he swings. He used them more last year when he had a bad knee. Griffey now has a more sweeping swing and it’s making him look real bad on fastballs. He’s been grounding out to second base about every other at-bat.
Griffey is working on making a change, but if it does not work, how long does he stay in the lineup on a semi-regular basis? Seattle’s oh-so-weak offense needs a real DH. Granted Griffey is a legend and has a role beyond that of player, but let’s hope he’s willing to accept the occasional pinch-hit role if he simply can’t bat any more.
His current numbers: .226 average with no homers and four RBI.
2
It’s too early — by about three years — to say who were the winners and losers in the NFL 2010 draft. That, of course, doesn’t stop the experts making instant analysis.
NFLfanhouse.com’s Dan Graziano calls the Baltimore Ravens the biggest winner. The Ravens traded pick No. 25 for three picks and got first-round talent in the second round, he says. Other pundits point out Baltimore failed to fix weaknesses in the defensive backfield.
General consensus is Seattle, Detroit and Philadelphia had good drafts.
Seattle’s picking of Russell Okung and Earl Thomas was graded A+ work, then again at No. 6 and No. 14 you better get talent. The trading for LenDale White and Leon Washington also got favorable marks.
Jacksonville gets the nod for biggest loser, taking a player at No. 10 — California DT Tyson Alualu — who was considered a mid- to late second rounder. At No. 10, signing bonuses can approach eight figures. Consensus is Alualu will be a good NFL player, but nothing special.
Runner-up for biggest loser is Buffalo, where they needed a QB and offensive linemen, and managed to take a quarterback in the seventh round and lineman in the fifth round. No one argues running back C.J. Spiller of Clemson is good, but should the Bills have used the ninth pick on a specialty player for a team that needs lot.
