I don’t take any conversation seriously that has Blaine Gabbert as the #1 overall pick in the 2011 Draft. Gabbert has done nothing on the field, as far as I’m concern to warrant such discussion.

Gabbert doesn’t have great stats, has no poise in the pocket, is not the greatest down field passer (or intermedite for that matter) and never put on Mizzou on his back and won when it counted. All this in a Big 12 Conference that was mediocre at best on the defensive side of the ball.

I don’t buy the hype and I’m not drinking the kool-aid that the pundits from Mike Lombardi, Charlie Casserly and Mike Mayock over at NFL Network to that idiot Nolan Nawrocki over at Pro Football Weekly to Russ Lande over at Sporting News to the “Draft experts” at BSPN, Todd Mcsahy and Mel Kiper are pooring. I have never paticularly cared for the opinion of these people.The one thing I have taken away from this year’s Draft conversation———do your own homework———don’t rely on someone else to tell you who’s great. Once I saw Gabbert’s name at the top of your list, I stopped reading!

When did on-the-field performance take a back seat to intangilbles? This year. What a joke!

1) Carolina Marcel Darius, DT, Alabama——maybe the most versatile D-lineman in this Draft. Can play in 30 front as a zero or 5-technique or in a 40 front as a LDE, a 3-technique or a 1 shade. Nick Saban’s players are pro ready and so is Dareus.

2) Denver Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU ——— Peterson is the most athletically arrongant player to come into this league in year’s. Peterson is the new breed of player. Peterson is certainly comfortable playing on the island, but can also play over the bigger number 3 WR’s in the slot or handle the Y-flex TE’s that dominate in today’s passing game.

3) Buffalo Cam Newton, QB, Auburn——-forgert about the negative Newton coversation. Newton was the most dominant player in the college game in 2010. Newton posseses all the things one looks for in a Franchise QB——prototypical size, poise under pressure, the arm strength to drive the football down the field, mobilty to make plays outside of scheme, charisma (he commands a room), intangibles galore, and an ability to have players rally around him (demonstrated this at Blinn College and Auburn with many come from behind wins). Chan Gailey/Buddy Nix will pull the trigger if Cam Newton is on the board.

4) Cincinatti Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri—— Gabbert is not really worthy of this selection. However, Carson Palmer has essentially quit on the Bengals and the Bengals need a signal caller. Gabber has good size and some say very good intangibles. This will be enough for Mike Brown and Marvin Lewis to hand the card over to the Commissioner with Blaine Gabbert’s name on it. Now, I don’t think Gabbert has the it factor. I lke Marvin Lewis, but the Bengals will remain pussy cats as oppose to Tiger cats.

5) Arizona Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M ——With Blaine Gabbert off the board (the player the Cardinals really covet) Miller becomes the selection. New DC Ray Horton gets an early Christmas present and perhaps the best pure pass rushing edge player in this Draft. Miller’s jack rabbit quickness and athleticism is desperately needed in the desert on defense.

6) Cleveland A J Green WR, Georgia—— Green will be a diference maker and coverage dictator for year’s to come in the NFL. If the Mike Holmgren love affair with Colt McCoy is to come to fruition, a playmaker has to be drafted——enter A J Green.

7) San Francisco Robert Quinn, DE, NC—— It’s a toss up as to who is the better edge rusher, Von Miller or Robert Quinn. Quinn like D’a Quan Bowers has a medical issue hanging over him. No matter, Quinn is a big-time pass rusher with a great motor and even greater motivation. Quinn can make the 49ers defense remain the best in the NFC West.

8) Tennessee Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn——Fairley, who is a top 5 talent, will be hurt by the backlash agaist the Auburn players. Fairley will use the slight and slide as motivation to prove to teams that passed up on him, and perhaps, the next Warren Sapp.

9) Dallas Tyron Smith, OT, USC——-This kid’s a big-time prospect with rare athletic ability and movement skills. I see clear separation when compared with other OT’s from this Draft class and Jerry Jones must get someone in there to protect the inconsistent and underwhelming Tony Romo.

10) Washington J J Watt, DE, Wisconsin ——-Watt is easily this year’s Tyson Alualu. This kid is scheme diverse (4-3 or 3-4 fit), has a high motor, played big in big games, is mature beyond his years and is flying up Draft boards (based on what I hear). If Mike Shanahan is to remain employed in Washington, he must get a difference maker opposite Brian Arakpo. J J Watt could be that guy.