Social NFL Mock Draft - #18 Houston Texans

By guest writer El Matteo:

The Texans need a RB.  They could take Johnathan Stewart, Rashard Mendenhall or Felix Jones.  All would be good choices.  Pac-10 and Big 10 football suck, so I don't know much about those other two.  So, the Texans take Felix Jones and live happily ever after. 

I've had a crappy day, so this Super Bowl discussion won't be too long.  Life happens.  Sorry, kids. Maybe I can get something else in here before the big game. 

The Patriots are going to whip the G-Men.  Why is that?  B/c they are better, that's why.

The Giants have talked too much, while the Pats have just been quiet.  That's b/c the Patriots are the calm, quiet, confident fighter.  They are like Lennox Lewis when he dismantled Mike Tyson.  The Giants are like Tyson, talking smack and showing false bravado b/c deep down, they know they already gave the Pats their best shot (Week 17) and it wasn't good enough.

The Tale of the Tape:

Coaching:  Tremendous edge to the Patriots.  I don't think there is a GM, owner, or fan in the world who could rationally argue that they'd take Red Cheeks Coughlin over The Hoodie.   (Bonus points to Beli for the hoodie.  Nice to see a man with my fashion sense making it big.)

QB:  3 Super Bowls and numerous models to goofy ol' Peyton's little bro? No further questions, your honor.

RB:  I'll give the Giants the edge here.  Ward and Jacobs have been a nice little one-two punch.  Maroney is fresh, though, and has stepped up of late.

WR:  Pats-They've got the most productive corp of wide receivers in the history of the NFL.  Speed from Stallworth, deep-threat from Moss, slot guy extraordinaire in Wee Wes Welker and garbage man Jabar Gaffney. Toss end Super Duper Deluxe Goal line TE Mike Vrabel and Ben Watson ain't no joke, either.  For the Giants, it's not good when the talk about your TE is that he's not there and why do they seem to be better without him?  Plax has been great, but he's less than 100% and most of you probably don't even know who the other Giant WRs are.

OL:  Edge Pats b/c of the beards.  You'd have to see me to understand.  Do not underestimate the power of the playoff beard...ever.

Defense:  Tough to call.  I give the G-Men the edge on the DL.  I give an ever-so-slight edge to the Giants at LB, only b/c the Pats LB's are so old and light skinned.  In the secondary, I just like the Pats.  Harrison and Samuel have been making plays and causing trouble and they should be foaming at the mouth for another chance at Eli.  Overall, the Pats are wily and cunning and have Belichick, so I'd probably take them if I had to choose.

Special Teams:  Even.  Solid kickers, potentially explosive returners, smart coverage for both teams.

Intangibles: 

NYG:  Call it an anti-intangible.  Too many things have gone their way.  Eli isn't this good.  Brett Favre's terrible game in the cold.  A boring, busted up Tampa Bay team.  Tony Romo and Simpsongate.  How many freakin' road wins did Eli have again?  10?  Not possible.  Sooner or later, the breaks gotta go the other way.  Sunday is that day. 

NE:  19-0 and immortality.  Other teams in other sports who have been that dominant over their other teams don't get upset.  I'm thinking of Yankee teams who set the record for wins-They win the World Series.  Even the 85 Bears, arguably one of the most dominant teams ever, lost a game, but blew out the Super Bowl.  The Bulls and 72 wins won it all.  Some great USC and Miami football teams in the last decade. You get the point.  Like Santana Moss said, "Big time players step up in big time games."  These Patriots are the biggest of the big time player going for sports perfection and immortality.  Along with that, you have one of the most singularly focused teams in recent sports history.  They managed to stay motivated and focused even as ESPN was trying to turn them into some Evil Empire (which they are not, nor do I know anyone who feels that they are.  Just ESPN.com writers.)  No way, no how they blow it now.

I think it'll be a game for a half and then I think Brady and Co. see immortality staring them in the face and they go out and get it.  Personally, I'm a Lions fan, I don't have a dog in the fight.  I'd much rather see history made than have to listen to how great of an upset this was and comparing Eli to Namath and other upset-leading QBs.  Not much is worse than New Yawkers on an even-worse superiority kick than they usually are.  Not to mention, ESPN thinking everyone cares about Northeastern sports the most, thus shoving it down our throats.

So, once Brady takes over in the second half, the  Patriots are going to win this by 20 or more points.  That's a fairly bold call, right?  Brady for MVP.  (Not a bold call.)  Final score:  38-17 Patriots.  History made.  19-0.

Joker, to you, I issue a challaaaange.  We're waiting for your predictions.

To satiate your appetite for the lady pics:  Ode to the Glendale area...

Phoenix Sun Cheerleaders: 
ASU Cheerleaders: 
Arizona Cardinal Cheerleaders (with a nice shot of the...umm...Super Bowl stadium):