What If All Football Teams Were Independent?

Chip Kelly recently said something recently that many of us had said for years. He mentioned that all major football programs should be independent like Notre Dame. That concept should have universal support and is something that many of us have been asking to happen for a long time. There is absolutely no reason to not do this and I have outlined below how it could work...

If you took the top 80 college football programs in the country and separated them into 16 regional pods of 5 those would be teams that always play each other. Additionally, you would have one rivalry that was outside of their pod for a locked opponent. Then you could have one rival from the next 80 for one Tier 2 game per school. Each team would have 6 locked opponents every year this way and the other 6 would rotate every year. Every team in the top 80 would play 11 games against other top 80 teams. Right now, less than half of P5 teams play 10 games against the Power 5 (which is essentially what the top 80 would be). Better games and better chance at protecting regional rivalries under this scenario. The top 80 would play for the national championship each year and the next 80 would play for a chance to make the top 80 the following year. EVERY GAME COUNTS under this scenario.

The top 80 would be chosen by their tv viewership under the initial model. Below is 16 regional pods of 5 featuring this top 80. Western Kentucky (78) and UTSA (79) were replaced by SMU (83) and Vanderbilt (82) to avoid any current Power 5 from being left out of the initial top 80 teams. In parenthesis is each teams non-pod rivalry and rival from the next 80. The next 80 are the current remaining FBS teams, teams that made the FCS playoffs, and the FCS schools with the largest stadiums. This division would be known as 1-AA, while the top 80 would be 1-A.

Pod 1

Alabama (LSU) (UAB)

Auburn (Georgia Tech) (South Alabama)

Houston (TCU) (Sam Houston)

Rice (Texas A&M) (Texas State)

SMU (Baylor) (Louisiana Monroe)

Pod 2

Florida (Georgia) (Georgia Southern)

Florida State (Clemson) (Jacksonville State)

Miami (Boston College) (Miami Ohio)

UCF (Colorado State) (Florida International)

USF (Tulane) (Florida Atlantic)

Pod 3

Georgia (Florida) (Troy)

Georgia Tech (Auburn) (Georgia State)

Tennessee (South Carolina) (Middle Tennessee)

Memphis (Mississippi) (Mercer)

Vanderbilt (Army) (Chattanooga)

Pod 4

Michigan (Ohio State) (Central Michigan)

Michigan State (Penn State) (Eastern Michigan)

Minnesota (Iowa) (Western Michigan)

Wisconsin (Illinois) (Youngstown State)

Northwestern (Purdue) (Southern Illinois)

Pod 5

Ohio State (Michigan) (Toledo)

Cincinnati (Rutgers) (Ohio)

Navy (Maryland) (Air Force)

Army (Vanderbilt) (Albany)

Louisville (Kentucky) (Bowling Green)

Pod 6

Texas (Oklahoma) (UTSA)

Texas A&M (Rice) (UTEP)

TCU (Houston) (Delaware)

Texas Tech (Colorado) (Texas Southern)

Baylor (SMU) (North Texas)

Pod 7

Notre Dame (Southern Cal) (Ball State)

Indiana (Duke) (Kent State)

Purdue (Northwestern) (Villanova)

Illinois (Wisconsin) (Northern Illinois)

Kentucky (Louisville) (Western Kentucky)

Pod 8

Arkansas (Kansas) (Arkansas State)

LSU (Alabama) (Louisiana Tech)

Mississippi (Memphis) (Southern Mississippi)

Mississippi State (Missouri) (Mississippi Valley State)

Tulane (USF) (Louisiana)

Pod 9

California (Washington) (Fresno State)

San Jose State (Boise State) (San Diego State)

Southern California (Notre Dame) (Hawaii)

Stanford (Arizona State) (Yale)

UCLA (Oregon) (Sacramento State)

Pod 10

Colorado (Texas Tech) (Jackson State)

Colorado State (UCF) (Wyoming)

Oklahoma (Texas) (Tulsa)

Oklahoma State (Iowa State) (Lafayette)

Nebraska (Kansas State) (Nicholls)

Pod 11

Oregon (UCLA) (Gardner-Webb)

Oregon State (Arizona) (Austin Peay)

UNLV (BYU) (Nevada)

Washington (California) (Harvard)

Washington State (Utah) (Penn)

Pod 12

Iowa (Minnesota) (Drake)

Iowa State (Oklahoma State) (Montana State)

Kansas (Arkansas) (North Dakota State)

Kansas State (Nebraska) (South Dakota State)

Missouri (Mississippi State) (South Dakota)

Pod 13

Maryland (Navy) (Liberty)

Virginia (North Carolina) (James Madison)

Virginia Tech (Syracuse) (Old Dominion)

Wake Forest (NC State) (Appalachian State)

West Virginia (Pittsburgh) (Marshall)

Pod 14

Clemson (Florida State) (Furman)

South Carolina (Tennessee) (Coastal Carolina)

Duke (Indiana) (Richmond)

North Carolina (Virginia) (East Carolina)

North Carolina State (Wake Forest) (Charlotte)

Pod 15 

Boston College (Miami) (UMASS)

Penn State (Michigan State) (Temple)

Pittsburgh (West Virginia) (Akron)

Rutgers (Cincinnati) (UCONN)

Syracuse (Virginia Tech) (Buffalo)

Pod 16

Arizona (Oregon State) (New Mexico)

Arizona State (Stanford) (New Mexico State)

Boise State (San Jose State) (Idaho)

BYU (UNLV) (Montana)

Utah (Washington State) (Utah State)

Under this scenario Florida State's 6 locked opponents would be Florida, Miami, UCF, USF, Clemson, and Jacksonville State. Protecting all of the schools main rivals and giving exciting matchups in USF and UCF that we don't get to see every year, but should. The other 6 opponents would change each year.

Here is how they would find the other 6 opponents. One random opponent will be selected each year for one opponent. Two pods will be randomly paired together each year to form the conference for that year for the other. If your out of conference rival ends up in your conference, then you get a second random game that year to make up for the missing game. The top team in each conference will get a home playoff game and the second place team in each conference will get a road playoff game. 8 conferences, 16 team playoff. More on relegation and promotion will come later in this post...For now, just think of the prospect of 8 corporately sponsored conferences that change each year. Inifinitely more money for those schools. We get excited about 60 million per school in the big two conferences, but each school easily takes home 100 million from the conferences that are sponsored. Think of how much each sponsorship would go for. Allstate, State Farm etc. would pay crazy money to have their name on a conference each week. Let's not lie to ourselves anymore about it being all about money. Let's capitalize on it. Here is how the conferences could look...

Allstate Conference

Alabama

Auburn

Florida

Florida State

Houston

Miami

Rice

SMU

UCF

USF

AT&T Conference

Arizona

Arizona State

Boise State

BYU

California

San Jose State

Southern Cal

Stanford 

UCLA

Utah

Capital One Conference

Boston College

Clemson

Duke

North Carolina

North Carolina State

Penn State

Pittsburgh

Rutgers

South Carolina

Syracuse

Cheez-It Conference

Maryland

Oregon

Oregon State

UNLV

Virginia

Virginia Tech

Wake Forest

Washington

Washington State

West Virginia

Chic-Fil-A Conference

Georgia 

Georgia Tech

Iowa

Iowa State

Kansas

Kansas State

Memphis

Missouri

Tennessee

Vanderbilt

Dr. Pepper Conference

Arkansas

Colorado

Colorado State

LSU

Mississippi

Mississippi State

Nebraska

Oklahoma

Oklahoma State

Tulane

Ticketmaster Conference

Army

Cincinnati

Louisville

Michigan

Michigan State

Minnesota

Navy

Northwestern

Ohio State

Wisconsin

VRBO Conference

Baylor

Illinois

Indiana

Kentucky

Notre Dame

Purdue

TCU

Texas

Texas A&M

Texas Tech

This would be Florida State's Schedule

v. Clemson

@ Jacksonville State

@ Houston

v. UCF

@ Alabama

v. Auburn

@ Miami

v. Rice

@ SMU

v. Colorado

@ USF

v. Florida

The playoffs would be decided on the field. Top team in each conference gets a home playoff game. The second place team in each conference would be the road team. Final standings would be based on conference record. Overall record would be the first tie-breaker. Head to head would be the second tie-breaker. Third tie-breaker (if more than 2 teams tied) would be opponent winning percentage. The potential playoff 1st round would be

Oregon @ Florida State

Missouri @ Texas

Clemson @ Michigan

Southern Cal @ Mississippi

Oklahoma @ Utah

Ohio State @ Penn State

Notre Dame @ Georgia

Alabama @ Washington

The 2nd round, semis, and championship would take place at the classic bowl game settings they have always been held at. Teams would really have something to play for and it would be clear-cut who made it. Now comes the part where all the games matter....

That's right under this scenario you could make even the seemingly irrelevant game matter a great deal. Because the bottom two teams in each conference could be threatened with relegation. The top two in each 1AA conference would get to challenge a bottom two team from a 1A conference. For insance Liberty would have the opportunity to take one of the top 80 spots and have a shot at a national championship the following year. You could have Liberty v. Vanderbilt with a chance to be in the highest tier on the line. Suddenly a game without meaning has a ton of meaning.

Suddenly, all the games would have meaning again. Every school would make more money. It would not affect the other sports. All schools would have a fair shot. A whole lot better than making the sport more like figure skating. Football would once again be decided on the field and not be a committee.

1990 MLB Re-Draft

How would the 1990 draft have gone if teams drafted correctly?

In this third installment of the MLB re-draft, we look at the 1990 MLB draft and do it over knowing what we know now.

Before we get into that, let's look at the 1987, 1988, and 1989re-drafts.

1 Atlanta Braves

Select: SS        Chipper Jones         The Bolles School

Jones was the Braves actual selection.

This was the clear cut choice then and now. Chipper was an excellent 3rd baseman for a long time and played his entire 19 year career in Atlanta. An excellent decision with the #1 pick.

2 Detroit Tigers

Select: P          Mike Mussina           Stanford

Mussina was actually selected with the 20th overall selection by the Baltimore Orioles.

Actual Selection: OF        Tony Clark        Christian HS

Clark was actually a solid pick. He made an all-star team in 2001 and was so well thought of that he is the current head of the MLBPA. That said, he did not belong in the top 5 and definitely not at #2 overall. Meanwhile, there is already a 2nd hall of famer from this draft class. Mike Mussina won 270 career games in the challenging AL East. To have that many wins and an ERA under 4 while pitching in that beast of a division your entire career is super impressive. Detroit fielders would have loved playing behind the incredibly efficient Mussina.

3 Philadelphia Phillies

Select: P          Andy Pettitte               Deer Park HS

Pettitte was actually selected in the 22nd round with the 594th overall selection by the Yankees.

Actual Selection: C           Mike Lieberthal        Westlake HS

Lieberthal was an all-star and a decent pick, but no way is he the selection if the Phillies got the chance to do it again. They surely go with the multi-time World Series champion pitcher in Andy Pettitte. They would have loved to add Andy to the rotation. It is crazy that this guy lasted until the 22nd round.

4 Chicago White Sox

Select: C          Jorge Posada              Calhoun Community College

Posada was actually selected in 24th round with the 646th overall selection by the Yankees.

Actual Selection: P            Alex Fernandez         Miami-Dade College

Fernandez was actually one of the best picks in the actual draft and won't be around much longer in the re-draft. There was a better player on the board though, and he was not selected until much later. Posada was an excellent catcher and part of the Yankee core-4 that brought them multiple World Series championships. The White Sox would have loved to have him behind the dish in the 90s. 

5 Pittsburgh Pirates

Select: P           Alex Fernandez          Miami-Dade Collge

Fernandez was actually selected with the 4th overall selection  by the White Sox.

Actual Selection: P        Kurt Miller          West HS

Miller was a terrible selection and the Pirates should have done much better. Through the re-draft, they are lucky to have Alex Fernandez available. He was a much better pro pitcher than Miller. Pittsburgh would have loved to have Alex on the bump.

6 Seattle Mariners

Select: OF         Rondell White       Jones County HS

White was actually selected with the 24th overall selection by the Montreal Expos.

Actual Selection: 1B       Marc Newfield       Marina HS

The Mariners selected Newfield at #6 and eventually moved him to left field. Instead, they could have picked an actual stud outfielder in White. An outfield of White, Griffey, and Buhner would have been the best in baseball. This could have made the Mariners a true contender for a World Series. Instead, they busted and took the underachieving Newfield. 

7 Cincinnati Reds

Select: OF         Garret Anderson        Kennedy HS

Anderson was actually selected in the 4th round with the 125th overall selection by the Angels.

Actual Selection: C        Dan Wilson          Minnesota

Dan Wilson was a solid catcher and one time all-star. He did a great job for the Reds, but he was not near one of the most impactful in this class. Meanwhile, Anderson, who wasn't picked until round 4, had 287 career home runs, and was a huge reason why the Angels won the 2002 World Series. The left fielder was also incredibly loyal spending 15 years with the Angels. Cincinnati would have loved to have Anderson and his winning pedigree with the Reds.

8 Cleveland Indians

Select: P              Troy Percival            California

Percival was actually selected in the 6th round with the 179th overall selection by the Angels.

Actual Selection: SS       Tim Costo            Iowa

Costo had a negative career war and only spent parts of two seasons in the big leagues. The Indians could have done much better with this selection and a better pick could have led to a possible World Series win. The Indians were possibly a strong pitcher away from a 1995& 1997 World Series championships. How about the team getting one of the best closers of the generation. It would have possibly been the difference and would have allowed the Indians to shorten the game if nothing else.

9 Los Angeles Dodgers

Select: OF         Rusty Greer              University of Montevallo

Greer was actually selected in the 10th round with the 279th overall selection by the Texas Rangers.

Actual Selection: P         Ron Walden          Blanchard HS

Walden never even made the bigs, so its safe to say he was a bust. The Dodgers do much better in the redraft. They select a really solid outfielder that makes the team far better. Rusty Greer never made an all-star team, but he was a really solid dependable outfielder for a long time. The 90s Dodgers teams could have really used solid and dependable.

10 New York Yankees

Select: P            Mike Hampton             Crystal River HS

Hampton was actually selected in the 6th round with the 161st overall selection by the Mariners.

Actual Selection: OF        Carl Everett           Hillsborough HS

The Yankees really came out of this re-draft on the losing end. They lost 2 of their core 4. They still do better than their first pick this year and get a really solid contributing piece. It's not that Everett was a bad pick, because he did well as a pro, but it wasn't as a Yankee. New York picks a guy that had a slightly better career and could contribute to their starting rotation. His 148 career wins would have been a welcome sight in New York.

11 Montreal Expos

Select: 2B          Ray Durham              Harding HS

Durham was actually selected in the 5th round with the 132nd overall selection by the White Sox.

Actual Selection: 3B        Shane Andrews         Carlsbad HS

The Expos could have done worse than Andrews and many teams did worse during this 1st round. That said, he was not worthy of being a first rounder. Durham was a fantastic infielder and is an absolute steal here at 11 in the re-draft. He had the potential to be a game-changer for the Expos. This would have been outstanding for Montreal if this happened and perhaps could have helped keep the team in Canada.

12 Minnesota Twins

Select: 2B          Bret Boone                   Southern Cal

Boone was actually selected in the 5th round with the 134th overall selection by the Mariners.

Actual Selection: P         Todd Ritchie        Duncanville HS

Ritchie was not worth a first round pick, let alone being selected in the top half of round 1. Instead, they pick a guy they originally drafted in 1987 back when he did not sign. This time they get him and he is a huge success story for the Twins. Boone has 252 career home runs, which is an incredibly high number for a second baseman. The Twins love this re-draft.

13 St. Louis Cardinals

Select: OF          Carl Everett                Hillsborough HS

Everett was actually selected with the 10th overall selection by the New York Yankees.

Actual Selection: P            Donovan Osbourne          UNLV

Osbourne was an ok selection and had an impact in the majors, but the Cardinals could have done better. Here, they select a guy that was already gone in the actual draft. Everett was a really solid outfielder and would have given St. Louis one of the best outfields in the game.

14 Oakland Athletics

Select: OF             Jeromy Burnitz            Oklahoma State

Burnitz was actually selected with the 17th overall selection by the New York Mets.

Actual Selection: P           Todd Van Poppel           James W. Martin Hs

Van Poppel had a negative career WAR and should not have been a 1st round pick. This re-draft is a chance for Oakland to extend their window and make an impact selection. They select an all-star outfielder that would have complemented the Bash Brothers well with his hustle.

15 San Francisco Giants

Select: C                  Mike Lieberthal           Westlake HS

Lieberthal was actually selected with the 3rd overall selection by the Philadelphia Phillies.

Actual Selection: OF         Adam Hyzdu           Archbishop Moeller HS

Lieberthal was long gone in the actual draft, but provides great value at 15 here in the real draft for the Giants. The opportunity to get an all-star backstop in the re-draft would excite the Giants very much. It would have been a much better selection than Hyzdu that is for sure.

16 Texas Rangers

Select: P                     Bob Wickman              Wisconsin-Whitewater

Wickman was actually selected  in the 2nd round with the 44th overall selection by the White Sox.

Actual Selection: P             Dan Smith               Creighton

Dan Smith didn't do anything productive in the MLB, but Bob Wickman had himself a solid MLB career. Wickman was a really solid starter that eventually was converted into a closer. He should have been a 1st rounder instead of a second rounder. Here in the re-draft, the Rangers make sure it happens.

17 New York Mets

Select: IF                     David Bell                     Archbishop Moeller HS

Bell was actually selected in the 7th round with the 190th overall selection by the Cleveland Indians.

Actual Selection: OF           Jeromy Burnitz       Oklahoma State

Burnitz was a wonderful selection and he had a really good pro career. However, he was selected already in the re-draft. If the draft happened today, the Mets would take the player that had the best career, and that was David Bell. The longtime big leaguer had quite the pro career and the Mets could have certainly lived with selecting him.

18 St. Louis Cardinals

Select: C                      Dan Wilson                     Minnesota

Wilson was actually selected with the 7th overall selection by the Cincinnati Reds.

Actual Selection: SS            Aaron Holbert         David Starr Jordan HS

Aaron Holbert never did anything of significance in the pros. The Cardinals could have made a selection of somebody else instead. Dan Wilson was gone in the actual draft, but the Cardinals are thrilled to get the all-star catcher in the re-draft.

19 San Francisco Giants

Select: 2B                     Fernando Vina                 Arizona State

Vina was actually selected in the 9th round with the 253rd overall selection by the Mets.

Actual Selection: C              Eric Christopherson     San Diego State

Christopherson was another guy that was drafted way too high. This guy didn't even make the majors. They could have done better picking 100s of different guys. With the re-draft, they have the opportunity to select former all-star second baseman Fernando Vina.

20 Baltimore Orioles

Select: OF                     Tony Clark                       Christian HS

Clark was actually selected with the 2nd overall pick by the Detroit Tigers.

Actual Selection: P               Mike Mussina          Stanford

No pick during this draft was better than Mike Mussina. He was a Hall of Famer and the Orioles ace for years. The team is quite unlucky in the re-draft losing him. However, they could pick up slugger Tony Clark. Clark's best season was 1997 and that was the season the Orioles won the AL East. That year Clark would slug 32 home runs and drive in 117 RBIs. Perhaps the slugger could have slugged the Orioles into the World Series.

21 Houston Astros

Select: P                          Eddie Guardado              San Joaquin Delta College

Guardado was actually selected 21st round with the 570th overall selection by the Twins.

Actual Selection: SS             Tom Nevers              Edina HS

Nevers never made the big leagues, but one guy that did was Everyday Eddie. The reliever was an outstanding closer with a long career. The Astros are thrilled to get him at number 21 in the re-draft. During the actual draft, Guardado didn't go until the 21st round.

22 Toronto Blue Jays

Select: P                Steve Karsay            Christ the King HS

Karsay was the Blue Jays actual selection.

The Blue Jays selected well in 1990 by getting the solid pitcher in Karsay. He would have an 11 year big league career and be solid for many years.

23 Chicago Cubs

Select: IF              Tony Graffanino        East Islip HS

Graffanino was actually selected in the 10th round with the 264th overall selection by the Braves.

Actual Selection: P                 Lance Dickson         Arizona

Dickson accomplished nothing in his big league career, but one guy that did was Tony Graffanino. The infielder had a 13 year big league career and was quite the bargain in the 10th round. Here in the re-draft, he is still a bargain for the Cubs at 23.

24 Montreal Expos

Select: P                James Baldwin            Pinecrest HS

Baldwin was actually selected in the 4th round with the 105th overall selection by the White Sox. 

Actual Selection: OF              Rondell White          Jones County HS

The Expos made an excellent selection by nabbing White at 24. However, in the re-draft, he is long gone. They select the best player available happens to be former starter James Baldwin who was absolutely fantastic up until about 2001. He has 79 career wins and an all-star appearance under his belt.

25 San Diego Padres

Select: P                Dave Fleming              Georgia

Fleming was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 79th overall selection by the Mariners.

Actual Selection: P                 Robbie Beckett         McCollum HS

Beckett did nothing as a pro, and the Padres wisely select one that did in the re-draft. While Fleming only lasted 5 years in the pros, they were wonderful years before he started having arm problems. He even won 17 games in 1992. Those 17 wins on the Padres, could have helped the team make the postseason.

26 Oakland Athletics

Select: OF               Rich Becker                  West HS

Becker was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 85th overall selection by the Twins.

Actual Selection: P                 Don Peters                 University of St. Francis

Don Peters never made the big leagues, it would have done the Athletics well to pick a player that would have made it. Here in the re-draft, they pick the best player left. That player is Rich Becker, who had a solid 8 year career. He was not a world beater, but he was a much better pro than Peters.

- Noland

Team Names Changing

This summer the Washington Redskins name change controversy came to the forefront once again. The name change will officially happen soon and it made me realize a few things about team names. Many nicknames in professional sports are terrible and many teams have no tradition associated with their name. In that light, what if some of those teams had to change names as well. What if every team that has never won had to change names. Here is a look at this fun exercise. I have re-named every team that has not won the major championship in their professional sport.

Major League Baseball

Colorado Rockies

This is one of the best team names on the list and one that probably should stick. That said, I said every team that has not won, so it includes this one. Colorado is known for its beautiful landscapes and wildlife. The new name for the Colorado Rockies will be the Colorado Coyotes.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers were another fantastic team name that fits the city and franchise well. However, like the Rockies, the name should be changed. A lot of people do not realize that Harley Davidson actually started in Milwaukee as well. It would make sense to name the team after that and do some cool sound effects at the stadium for it. New name will be the Milwaukee Motorcycles.

San Diego Padres

Now we are getting into names that aren't so great. Most people don't even know what a Padre is or why it is a sport team nickname. Why does it fit for San Diego as well? San Diego is known for its wildlife, its attractions, and above all its perfect weather. However it is difficult to name a team after the weather. We can easily name a team after an awesome animal in San Diego. New team name will be the San Diego Sand Sharks.

Seattle Mariners

The Mariners had the best player of this generation, but a boring team name. Most people think of rain when they think of seattle and the city likes alliterative nicknames. Why don't we make the Mariners the Seattle Storm. Way better name and its alliterative.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays actually are a great team name and the team is arguably the best in the area. However, I do prefer the old Devil Rays name and logo personally. There is a minor league team named the Tarpons in Tampa and its a great name. The Tarpon fishing in Tampa Bay is the best in the world. This franchise shall rename itself the Tampa Bay Tarpons.

Texas Rangers

This nickname isn't awful either, the Texas Rangers are a great name. The worst team names have won though in this sport and here is another solid name being changed. Now, the team will recognize the city and become the Arlington Admirals instead of the Texas Rangers.

Bonus: Houston Astros

The Astros are a dumb name from a team that cheated to its way to its only championship in 2017. They should absolutely be on this list and should have their recent history erased for their embarrassing cheating. The colors are terrible too by the way. Orange and blue should never be together. Let's go for some alliteration and re-name this team the Houston Hornets. Change their colors to gold and black.

National Basketball Association

Brooklyn Nets

Nets is a boring team name and since the team is no longer New Jersey, it doesn't flow as well. The best possible name is a throwback to a wrestler. This team is now to be known as the Brooklyn Brawlers. Its long past time for this to be a team nickname.

Charlotte Hornets

Any name is better than the Bobcats, but having to Hornets back in Charlotte hasn't exactly been a great thing. The colors are nothing like hornets either. That said, the color scheme is unique and should stay. A truly unique name could be the Charlotte Carriers. The carrier pigeon is green and purple and since they eat hornets, they have to be considered more intimidating. 

Denver Nuggets

I like the name Denver Nuggets and Rocky the Mountain Lion is one of the best mascots around. However, the team hasn't won, so I am going to submit a name change. An intimidating and alliterative new name is the Denver Dobermans. There are a lot of teams with Bulldogs as their nickname, but not many other dog breeds. The doberman is more intimidating than a bulldog though.

Indiana Pacers

It's crazy that the Pacers never won the NBA Championship. They had Reggie Miller! They didn't win though, so they are on the list. To tie in the rich history that Indiana has with cars, they shall be named the Indiana Ignition.

Los Angeles Clippers

The LA Clippers are serious contenders now with Kawhi and Paul George. The team hasn't won yet though and the name is terrible. The team could be named the California Condors instead. This bird with the largest wingspan in North America would make a wonderful mascot. It's majesty would go well with the red, white, and blue color scheme.

Memphis Grizzles

There are so many Grizzles in Memphis....How about a name that actually goes with the area. Memphis has a rich musical history, but the Jazz isn't the best name that they could use. Their new name shall be the Memphis Soul.

Minnesota Timberwolves

One of the best logos and names in the NBA, and not one that should be changed. As a team that hasn't won, they still go on the list. They shall now be named the Minnesota Mussels. There is a lot you can do with the Mussel as a logo, as the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels have shown us. This is a great name for a team.

New Orleans Pelicans

I actually like the name Pelicans, the uniforms and everything. This is a unique name among pro sports teams. They also will probably eventually win with Zion in the fold. For purposes of this exercise, we will still rename them. The team colors should be purple and gold for the Mardi Gras history of the town and be renamed the New Orleans Night Owls.

Orlando Magic

The Magic is one of the best names in pro sport and goes well with the city and the nearby Disney attraction. It is not one to change, but will be for purposes of these changes. To incorporate the other theme parks and thrills of the area, the new name will be the Orlando Adrenaline. Just bring back the pinstripe uniforms.

Phoenix Suns

Phoenix Suns isn't a bad name, but it is boring. Let's get something a little bit better. What animal is one of the best known ones out west? The roadrunner is an iconic bird and they could possibly tie in a bunch of looney tunes stuff with the team. That roadrunner has some purple, just like the current Phoenix team uniforms. The Arizona Roadrunners shall be the new name.

Utah Jazz

The Jazz are another team that has come close to winning, but fallen just short. They shall be renamed the Utah Grizzles. That name is great, it just doesn't fit in Memphis. It fits much better in Utah. There is a minor league ice hockey team that goes by this name, but the top league of the NBA gets dibs.

Washington Wizards

Technically the Wizards did win the NBA Championship back when the team was the Bullets. They were a good team back then and a return to the Bullets would be a welcome change. The Wizard is the worst nickname in professional sports though. It's just dumb. It has to change. If we can't have the Bullets, give us something else. Give me Freedom, Freedom Fighters, Americans, Generals, anything Patriotic. We will just say the Washington Generals for now.

National Football League

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons had a huge lead in the Super Bowl a few years back, but blew it. Just like they blew this unoriginal nickname. They can keep the colors and the bird theming. Just change it to a bigger and more powerful bird. The Atlanta Red Hawks.

Arizona Cardinals

Speaking of unoriginal team names, do we really need a Cardinals in every pro sport? Let's get something different. How about another team named after the deadly snakes in Arizona. The Arizona Copperheads is a lot more threatening of a name.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills made 4 straight Super Bowls and didn't win a single one. The team could change on that alone. I actually love the college team and mascot and think its a tad better. Let's do the Buffalo Bulls instead.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers have had their chances at winning too. They have an awfully boring and generic team name though. Carolina could be the Blue Crabs which sounds better and fits better with the area. It makes the blue make sense as well. Blue Panthers don't exist. 

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have some of the best uniforms in the NFL and have great colors. That said, you don't exactly think of Bengal Tigers when you think of Cincinnati. This city is known for its architecture. What is something associated with architecture? Construction. Cincinnati Construction doesn't sound great, but the Cincinnati Cranes sounds alright and gives the team a lot of options.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns will eventually be renamed. Fans of the team are often called the Dog Pound. Why not name the team after an intimidating breed of dog. The Cleveland Bloodhounds is an infinitely better name than the Browns.

Detroit Lions

Let me give you a little secret...Lions are not blue and they are not from Detroit. This nickname makes no sense and is forever linked with a loser. Time to change it. The Detroit Drive would be a nice recognition of the city's history with motor vehicles. It also allows them to go several different ways with logo and color scheme. I'm biased to silver and gold together and nobody else does it.

Houston Texans

The Texans is such a boring nickname. They had a great nickname, logo, and color scheme before the team moved. Time to go back. Houston Oilers with the baby blue instead of Navy.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars is a cool nickname from the standpoint of it being a unique nickname in pro sports and sounding cool. There are no Jaguars in Jacksonville though (unless you count the zoo) and the uniforms are terrible. Let's name them the Jacksonville Redfish after a popular fish in the region. Their colors can change to garnet and black for a more unique uniform. It can have some gold trim in there too.

Los Angeles Chargers

The powder blue uniforms of the Chargers are among the best in sport. What is not the best in sport is that there is another team in Los Angeles. This team shall move to another Californian city (San Diego, Oakland, or Sacramento) and be renamed the California Sea Lions. Just make their main color that blue.

Minnesota Vikings

Since the timberwolves changed their name, the Vikings can take the Timberwolves and adopt a purple and gray color scheme. The Vikings aren't a bad name, but the Timberwolves are a better one.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans are a solid team name and the team has great uniforms. They will now be known as the Nashville Noise giving recognition to the city's musical background. It gives them quite a bit of freedom with logos and colors as well.

Washington Football Team

The Redskins name was changed this summer to Washington Football Team. Obviously it will eventually change in to another team. I love the Red Wolves idea, but if they don't go with that, I'd love a patriotic theme. How about the Washington Freedom and have them get red, white, and blue uniforms like the other teams in Washington.

National Hockey League

Arizona Coyotes

There are plenty of coyotes in Arizona and the name isn't that bad. I'm not a huge fan of the uniforms though despite a great color scheme and the nickname can improve. Let's do the Arizona Racoons and change that desert sand to white. The team can be black and white with garnet as the third color.

Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo fans are passionate, but their teams are terrible. Their city is known for the cold and not much else. How about the Buffalo Blizzards? Their colors can be baby blue, white, and black.

Columbus Blue Jackets

What a dumb name? This is the dumbest name besides the Wizards. It's hard not to think of something that  improves this nickname. Additionally, the color scheme is overused. I love the old red, white, and blue, but it can't be used for every team. The team shall be renamed the Ohio Owls and their colors should change to brown, black, and yellow. A color scheme not used anywhere else in sports.

Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers have some of the coolest uniforms in hockey and a solid logo. This is one I wouldn't change, but the team hasn't won. A solid change could be the Miami Manatees. Their main color could be silver with orange as their secondary color.

Minnesota Wild

This is an uninspiring name with a weird logo that shows nothing about the state of Minnesota. There new name should be the Minnesota Miracle. A shout out to the Miracle on ice for which the coach of Team USA came from Minnesota. Of course the color scheme would have to change to red, white, and blue.

Nashville Predators

A cool team name, cool mascot, and sweet uniforms. This is one of the keeper teams. If it has to change, they should keep Gnash as the mascot. The story behind the name and that they found a saber-tooth tiger at the digsite is awesome. This team will be the Tigers and it will make sense.

Ottawa Senators

There are better nicknames than the Senators. A better name for the Ottawa NHL team would be the black bears. The Ottawa Black Bears is a much better team name.

San Jose Sharks 

This is a great team name, a great logo, and the sharks are crazy underutilized as a team name. Since by my rules it has to change, it should change to another underused team name. The San Jose Swordfish is another solid name.

Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks? That's the name? We already have the Canadians. Let's go with a team that would be far different, how about the Vancouver Lynx. That name isn't used in sports and could be a cool mascot.

Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas was on the right track, but their mascot makes no sense and this isn't 1890. They should be renamed the Golden Eagles. The golden eagle is the largest raptor in North America and makes for a wonderful team name. A golden eagle mascot would be far superior to their weird mascot which they claim is a gila monster.

Winnipeg Jets

This nickname leaves a lot to be desired. It also is the name that was used for a team that left town. They do have a solid logo though so we'd want a similar variation to that. How about the Winnipeg Wolves with a wolf where the jet is on the logo. You could keep the color scheme. This way the name has some alliteration and sounds way better.

- Noland

1996 NFL Re-Draft

It is time for another NFL Re-Draft. What would have happened if teams picked who they should have. Eventually we will get to all of the professional sports drafts of my lifetime.

You get the drill by now, but before we start here is....

1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992

1993

1994

1995

This draft set the Ravens up for multiple super bowl victories. This draft was also loaded with Hall of Fame level talent. What would happen if it went down as it should have?

1 New York Jets

Select: WR          Marvin Harrison          Syracuse

Harrison was actually selected with the 19th overall selection by the Indianapolis Colts.

Actual Selection:  WR        Keyshawn Johnson          Southern Cal

The Jets didn't make an awful selection in going WR during this draft. They already had Jumbo Elliot at tackle and had a great linebacking corps. It makes sense that they went to a position of need in a loaded draft. This re-draft has them selecting that position, but has them selecting a better player. Marvin Harrison had double the touchdowns that Keyshawn had in his career and is now a Hall of Famer due to his excellence. Harrison also didn't have the off the field concerns that Keyshawn had. Harrison goes #1 in the re-draft.

2 Jacksonville Jaguars

Select: LB               Ray Lewis            Miami

Lewis was actually selected with the 26th overall selection by the Baltimore Ravens.

Actual Selection: LB           Kevin Hardy             Illinois

Lewis had the best career out of the players in this draft and is one of the greatest linebackers of all-time. He is a slam dunk selection in the re-draft being available at this point. The Jacksonville Jaguars with Lewis in the middle of the defense could have possibly had a Super Bowl Victory. This guy is a Florida native and went to a Florida university. He should have been an easy choice for Jacksonville.

3 Arizona Cardinals

Select: OT               Jonathan Ogden         UCLA

Ogden was actually selected with the 4th overall selection by the Baltimore Ravens.

Actual Selection: DE           Simeon Rice             Illinois

Simeon Rice was an excellent selection and had a hall of fame level career. However, he only spent 6 seasons in Arizona and he was not the best player available. The Cardinals could have selected Ogden, who is one of the best offensive lineman of all-time. Ogden also spent his entire career with one franchise, which would have also been a major benefit to Arizona.

4 Baltimore Ravens

Select: OT              Willie Anderson           Auburn

Anderson was actually selected with the 10th overall selection by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Actual Selection: OT            Jonathan Ogden         UCLA

The Ravens had an amazing draft this year that set up multiple Super Bowls. Jonathan Ogden was a big part of that. With Ogden gone in the re-draft, the Ravens pick the next best person. It just so happens that there was another excellent tackle in this draft. He played one year longer than Ogden and did a great job on Cincy's offensive line. He would have made a great 4th overall selection.

5 New York Giants

Select: S                  Brian Dawkins              Clemson

Dawkins was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 61st overall selection by the Eagles.

Actual Selection: DE             Cedric Jones             Oklahoma

Dawkins is not only the best player available in this re-draft, but he is a Hall of Famer. He was an incredible safety that helped the Eagles defense a tremendous amount in the 00s.The Giants score twice in the re-draft, 1 by keeping Dawkins away from the  rival Eagles and 2 by selecting the best guy for the team. 

6 St. Louis Rams

Select: DE                Simeon Rice                   Illinois

Rice was actually selected with the 3rd overall selection by the Arizona Cardinals.

Actual Selection: RB             Lawrence Phillips       Nebraska

The 1996 St. Louis Rams were a 6 win mess with multiple rookies starting. They could have definitely done better than their selection of Lawrence Phillips. Selecting Rice would have been a game changer for the Rams and would have given them a insane pass rush. Kevin Carter and Simeon Rice would have terrorized the NFC West on the same defensive line. This selection would have made the Rams very difficult to play. 

7 New England Patriots

Select: S                    Lawyer Milloy                Washington

Milloy was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 36th overall selection by the Patriots.

Actual Selection: WR            Terry Glenn                Ohio State

The Patriots made an excellent pick in the actual draft to get Milloy in the 2nd round. They can not wait that long in the re-draft. New England must select him here. There is no hesitation in doing so either because Milloy was a truly elite safety. Milloy helped the Patriots win the 2001 Super Bowl and advance to the Super Bowl in this rookie season.

8 Carolina Panthers

Select: LB                   Zach Thomas                Texas Tech

Thomas was actually selected in the 5th round with the 154th selection by the Miami Dolphins.

Actual Selection: RB              Tim Biakabutka          Michigan

The Panthers were actually really good early on, advancing to the conference championship in 1996. They lost to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Packers in that game. Knowing how close they would come, they really look for the edge in the re-draft. The Panthers select the tackling machine Zach Thomas here, who would have fit in very nicely next to Sam Mills in the 3-4 defense. Thomas racked up over 150 tackles in his rookie year and finished his career well north of 1,000 tackles. He would have made a major difference on the Panther defense. 

9 Oakland Raiders

Select: OT                   Jon Runyan                    Michigan

Runyan was actually selected in the 4th round with the 109th overall selection by the Houston Oilers.

Actual Selection: TE               Rickey Dudley            Ohio State

Rickey Dudley was a decent pick and a decent tight end in the league. He was not the impact player that Runyan was though and the Raiders needed an upgrade at the tackle position. So in the re-draft, the Raiders select the better player at the more premium position.

10 Cincinnati Bengals

Select: DT                    La'Roi Glover                  San Diego State

Glover was actually selected in the 5th round with the 166th overall selection by the Oakland Raiders.

Actual Selection: OT              Willie Anderson           Auburn

Anderson was a great selection at a position of need for the Bengals. However, in the re-draft all three great tackles of this draft are gone. With that being the case and knowing that the team always comes up short, the Bengals take a different approach in the draft. Here they select the dominant interior defensive lineman in Glover who would go on to have a fantastic career. The team looks to build from the inside out. 

11 New Orleans Saints

Select: WR                    Terrell Owens                   Tennessee-Chattanooga

Owens was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 89th overall selection by the 49ers.

Actual Selection: CB               Alex Molden              Oregon

Was there a more garbage organization than the Saints of the 90s? The team was habitually bad and this selection of Molden was a poor one. They rectify that in the re-draft picking the best player available. They ignore the possible team chemistry issues down the road because he was a great player that gave 100% every time he stepped foot on the field. TO was a brilliant player that had an amazing career. Take away the off the field stuff and he is arguably the 2nd best receiver of all-time. 

12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Select: WR                   Eric Moulds                        Mississippi State

Moulds was actually selected with the 24th overall selection by the Buffalo Bills.

Actual Selection: DE              Regan Upshaw            California

Upshaw was a solid player for the Bucs and a decent draft pick. Here in the re-draft though, there were better guys available to the team. The team takes the opportunity to get a difference maker on offense that they did not have at the time. They select the dependable, loyal, and excellent WR from Mississippi State, Eric Moulds. 

13 Chicago Bears

Select: RB                      Eddie George                    Ohio State

George was actually selected with the 14th overall selection by the Houston Oilers.

Actual Selection: CB              Walt Harris                Mississippi State

The Bears picked a good starting corner in 1996 by picking Walt Harris. The re-draft gives them a chance to draft a better player at a better position of need. The Bears had no running game in the 90s despite several draft picks being used on the position. They know Eddie George will be successful and they solve that problem with this pick. 

14 Houston Oilers

Select: WR                    Keyshawn Johnson             Southern Cal

Johnson was actually selected with the 1st overall selection by the New York Jets.

Actual Selection: RB               Eddie George            Ohio State

Eddie George was a great pick by the Oilers in 1996 and had a great career with the franchise, but he is gone in the re-draft. With that, the Oilers decide to select the best player available. Keyshawn Johnson is one of the most talented people in this draft and a bargain talent wise at 14. There are some team chemistry concerns with Keyshawn, but perhaps by the Oilers getting McNair the best receiver he's ever had, they get that elusive win. Maybe Keyshawn gets that extra yard to win the Super Bowl.

15 Denver Broncos

Select: LB               John Mobley                         Kutztown Pennsylvania

Mobley was the Broncos actual selection.

Mobley was the only rookie starter on a good Broncos team. He was a great pick that contributed to back to back Super Bowls. Do the Broncos change that pick since Donnie Edwards had a slightly better career? They do not because Mobley was super effective and a 1st team all-pro during those Super Bowls.

16 Minnesota Vikings

Select: K                  Adam Vinatieri                     South Dakota State

Vinatieri actually went undrafted in 1996.

Actual Selection: DE               Duane Clemons          California

Picking a kicker in the 1st round would normally be a terrible decision. In this case, it makes sense for Minnesota. The 1998 Vikings were a missed FG in the NFC Championship from being one of the best teams ever. This opportunity to draft the most clutch kicker of all-time is a no-brainer for a Vikings team that always chokes in big games. 

17 Detroit Lions

Select: LB               Donnie Edwards                    UCLA

Edwards was actually selected in the 4th round with the 98th overall selection by the Chiefs.

Actual Selection: LB                Reggie Brown            Texas A&M

The Lions made a decent pick and picked a good player that tragically suffered a career ending injury. They get the opportunity in the re-draft to pick a stud linebacker that had a long career. Donnie Edwards was a great pro for many years and was a better pro than every Lion not named Sanders.

18 St. Louis Rams

Select: LB               Tedy Bruschi                         Arizona

Bruschi was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 86th overall selection by Patriots.

Actual Selection: WR               Eddie Kennison         LSU

The Rams love the opportunity to get this loyal and gifted linebacker who was an incredible winner as well. Bruschi would eventually be part of the team that took down the greatest show on turf in the Super Bowl. St. Louis relishes the opportunity to take Bruschi in the re-draft.

19 Indianapolis Colts

Select: WR             Muhsin Muhammed                Michigan State

Muhammed was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 43rd overall selection by the Panthers.

Actual Selection: WR               Marvin Harrison        Syracuse

The Colts made a fantastic selection during this draft in selecting one of the best receivers of all-time. Harrison is gone in the re-draft, so the Colts do the next best thing in selecting the very capable, Muhsin Muhammed. He is a fine selection in the re-draft and it would have been fun to watch him play with Peyton Manning.

20 Miami Dolphins

Select: RB               Mike Alstott                          Purdue

Alstorr was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 35th overall selecton by the Buccaneers.

Actual Selection: DT                Daryl Gardener           Baylor

1996 was one of the last years of Dan Marino's career and the quarterback was running out of chances to get a title. With his chances running low and knowing how effective he was at helping the running and passing game, the Dolphins select RB Mike Alstott and play him at fullback just like they did in Tampa. Alstott provides another threat on offense and brings a great work ethic that is needed by the Dolphins at the time.

21 Seattle Seahawks

Select: OG                  Pete Kendall               Boston College

Kendall was the Seahawks actual selection.

At this point in the re-draft there is no reason to change the Seahawks pick. They selected a really solid offensive lineman that started for them for years. The decision to pick Kendall was a strong one, and still is in the re-draft.

22 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Select: OT                 Fred Miller                   Baylor

Miller was actually selected in the 5th round with the 141st overall selection by the Rams.

Actual Selection: DE                 Marcus Jones             North Carolina

There were worse picks in this draft than Jones and the Bucs actually had better picks after this one. The Bucs love getting a solid tackle here in the re-draft. A starting tackle at 22 is tremendous value. This is especially true when you figure out that starting tackle Doug Riesenburg was not only below average, but on his last year in the NFL. The Bucs are happy that they get some protection for the offense and time to get the ball downfield to Moulds.

23 Detroit Lions

Select: C                    Jeff Hartings              Penn State

Hartings was the Lions actual selection.

The Lions ended up playing Hartings at RG and he did a fine job at that position. No reason to switch it up now, especially knowing now that Barry Sanders was about to call it quits. They wouldn't want to risk speeding up that decision.

24 Buffalo Bills

Select: LB                  Randall Godfrey        Georgia

Godfrey was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 49th overall selection by the Dallas Cowboys.

Actual Selection: WR                Eric Moulds               Mississippi State

This was a fantastic selection of a Buffalo legend in the actual draft. Here in the re-draft, Moulds went 12 picks earlier to Tampa though. The Bills use the re-draft to select the great linebacker Randall Godfrey to strengthen their defense. Godfrey would have upgraded the Bills linebacking corps to one of the best in the league.

25 Philadelphia Eagles

Select: WR                  Joe Horn                     Itawamba Junior College

Horn was actually selected in the 5th round with the 135th overall selection by the Chiefs.

Actual Selection: G                    Jermane Mayberry         Texas A&M

Mayberry was a decent selection and the Eagles sure could have done worse than this pick. They decide to upgrade their receiving corps with one of the most entertaining wide receivers of the late 90s/early 00s. Drafting Horn gives the Eagles a great receiving corps and an entertaining team.

26 Baltimore Ravens

Select: CB                   Donnie Abraham          East Tennessee State

Abraham was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 71st overall selection by the Buccaneers.

Actual Selection: LB                  Ray Lewis                 Miami

Ray Lewis was the most productive player in this draft and was the face of the Baltimore football franchise. Not getting Lewis in the re-draft is clearly a downgrade, but the Ravens do the best the can with the circumstances provided. The Ravens use the opportunity they have in the re-draft to pick a really solid corner in Abraham. If they are losing Lewis, they should at least be able to upgrade their anemic pass defense.

27 Green Bay Packers

Select: OT                    Roman Oben                  Louisville

Oben was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 66th overall selection by the Giants.

Actual Selection: OT                  John Michels            Southern Cal

Michels started 9 games on this Packers team that won the Super Bowl. That said, there were several better players available at the time than Michels. They still go tackle in the re-draft because they needed a tackle for their Super Bowl run, but they select the superior player in Roman Oben.

28 Kansas City Chiefs

Select: CB                    Walt Harris                     Mississippi State

Harris was actually selected with the 13th overall selection by the Chicago Bears.

Actual Selection: S                     Jerome Woods          Memphis

Harris was clearly a better DB then and is clearly better now after watching both play. However, in the real draft, Harris was locked up. At this point in the re-draft, Harris provides amazing value.

29 Pittsburgh Steelers

Select: QB                     Jon Kitna                        Central Washington

Kitna was actually undrafted in 1996.

Actual Selection: OT                  Jamain Stephens       North Carolina A&T

The Steelers had Mike Tomczak at QB at the time. They were a quarterback away from being a Super Bowl champ several times in the 90s. Kitna was no world beater at QB, but he was servicable and would have been an upgrade. He had almost 30,000 career yards and would have been fun to watch in Pittsburgh.

30 Washington Redskins

Select: LB                    Kevin Hardy                    Illinois

Hardy was actually selected with the 2nd overall selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Actual Selection: OT                  Andre Johnson          Penn State

The Redskins went 9-7 and just missed the playoffs in 1996. They had no rookie starters, by selecting one guy that could start, the Redskins had a chance to change that outcome. Hardy would have given the Redskins one of the best linebacking corps in the league. Unfortunately for him and for the Skins, Hardy was long gone in the actual draft. He's way too good of a value here in the re-draft for Washington to pass.

- Noland

1988 NBA Re-Draft

This is the second of my NBA re-drafts. The goal is to re-do all the professional drafts of my lifetime which began in 1987. Here is the 1988 NBA Re-Draft. Let's look at how different the NBA would look if the teams got it right way back when. Here is a look back at the 1987 re-draft.

For accuracy and length purposes, only the 1st round is redone in these redrafts.

1 Los Angeles Clippers

Select: SG      Hershey Hawkins      Bradley

Hawkins was actually selected by the Clippers with the 6th overall selection.

Actual Selection: F     Danny Manning       Kansas

Manning was a fine pro and had a good career, but the Clippers 2nd selection in 1988 actually had a better pick. Hershey Hawkins had a really solid career that spanned 13 seasons and saw him average 14.7 points per game.

2 Indiana Pacers

Select: PF       Anthony Mason        Tennessee State

Mason was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 53rd overall pick by the Trailblazers.

Actual Selection: C     Rick Smits         Marist

Smiths was solid and a good pick, but Mason was the slightly better all-around player. He averaged 2 more rebounds and 2 more assists per game than Smits. Perhaps Mason could have been the boost that Reggie Miller's Pacers needed.

3 Philadelphia 76ers

Select: SG     Mitch Richmond       Kansas State

Richmond was actually selected by the Warriors with the 5th overall selection.

Actual Selection: F      Charles Smith      Pittsburgh

Richmond was the big points scorer of this draft scoring 21 points per game over his 14 year career. Having his shooting presence would have been a big asset to the Barkley led 76ers.

4 New Jersey Nets

Select: PG            Rod Strickland       DePaul

Strickland was actually selected with the 19th overall selection by the New York Knicks.

Actual Selection: SF     Chris Morris       Auburn

Rod Strickland was a great point guard and an underrated star of the 90s decade. He nearly averaged a double double and had a far better career than Morris.

5 Golden State Warriors

Select: SF            Dan Majerle        Central Michigan

Majerle was actually selected with the 14th overall selection by the Phoenix Suns.

Actual Selection: SG     Mitch Richmond       Kansas State

Richmond was the best scorer in the draft and a great pick, but he's gone in the re-draft. Majerle was a solid pro that wasn't quite at Richmond's level, but he would have been a solid selection and is a great choice in the re-draft.

6 Los Angeles Clippers

Select: PG           Avery Johnson      Southern

Johnson actually went undrafted in the 1988 NBA Draft.

Actual Selection: SG      Hershey Hawkins      Bradley

Johnson was a winner and a solid point guard that would have done well on the Clippers. The fact that he went undrafted is a crime. The Clippers love the chance to draft this guy in the re-draft and add him to a backcourt with Hershey Hawkins.

7 Phoenix Suns

Select: C     Rick Smits         Marist

Smits was actually selected with the 2nd overall selection by the Indiana Pacers.

Actual Selection: C        Tim Perry          Temple

Tim Perry was not effective as a pro and the Suns could have done much better with this selection. However, Rick Smits was gone in  the actual draft and they wanted a center. Here in the re-draft, Smits was available and the Suns are greatful.

8 Charlotte Hornets

Select: PF          Grant Long            Eastern Michigan

Long was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 33rd overall pick by the Miami Heat.

Actual Selection: PG       Rex Chapman       Kentucky

Grant Long was not selected until the 2nd round, but he was a better pro than Rex Chapman. Long had a 15 yr NBA career where he averaged 9.5 points and 6.1 rebounds.

9 Miami Heat

Select: F     Danny Manning       Kansas

Manning was actually selected with the 1st overall selection by the Los Angeles Clippers.

Actual Selection: C         Rony Seikaly         Syracuse

The 15 year vet, Danny Manning, actually went 1st in the draft. Here in the re-draft, Manning is a bargain at #9.

10 San Antonio Spurs

Select: SG       John Starks        Oklahoma State

Starks actually went undrafted in the 1988 NBA Draft.

Actual Selection: SF       Willie Anderson      Georgia

The Spurs needed some scorers and were waiting on David Robinson's service commitment back in 1988. Selecting Starks in the re-draft, allows San Antonio to get some scoring punch into the lineup.

11 Chicago Bulls

Select: PG       Steve Kerr        Arizona

Kerr was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 50th overall selection by the Phoenix Suns.

Actual Selection: C          Will Perdue         Vanderbilt

Kerr was a key part of several Bulls championships. They want to keep him in the fold via the re-draft.

12 Washington Bullets

Select: F      Charles Smith      Pittsburgh

Smith was actually selected with the 3rd overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers.

Actual Selection: PF          Harvey Grant      Oklahoma

Charles Smith was gone in the actual draft, but he's available here now. He averaged 5 more points per game than Grant and was clearly a superior player. Washington would love to get Smith in the re-draft and keep him from the rival 76ers.

13 Milwaukee Bucks

Select: PG      Vinny Del Negro      NC State

Del Negro was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 29th overall pick by the Sacramento Kings.

Actual Selection: SF           Jeff Grayer        Iowa State

The 12 year vet Del Negro should have been a 1st rounder, especially in this weak draft class. Here in the re-draft, Del Negro goes 13 to the Bucks.

14 Phoenix Suns

Select: C         Rony Seikaly         Syracuse

Seikaly was actually selected with the 9th overall selection by the Miami Heat.

Actual Selection: SF            Dan Majerle     Central Michigan

Majerle is gone in the re-draft so the Suns pick best player available. That is Rony Seikaly, who was gone in the actual draft.

15 Seattle Supersonics

Select: SF     Chris Morris       Auburn

Morris was actually selected with the 4th overall selection by the New Jersey Nets.

Actual Selection: PG            Gary Grant       Michigan

Morris was gone in the actual draft and the obvious choice in the re-draft. The 11 yr vet averaged 11 per game and is a clear top 15 guy in this draft class.

16 Houston Rockets

Select: PF          Harvey Grant        Oklahoma

Grant was actually selected with the 12th overall pick by the Washington Bullets.

Actual Selection: SF             Derrick Chievous      Missouri

Harvey was solid and clearly better as a pro than Chievous. Grant spent 11 years in the NBA, while Chievous only spent 3.

17 Utah Jazz

Select: PG          Michael Williams       Baylor

Williams was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 48th overall pick by Detroit Pistons.

Actual Selection: C               Eric Leckner        Wyoming

Williams would have been a solid back up point guard to John Stockton which is about the best they could do in this draft. He's clearly the best player available and possible trade bait at some point. 

18 Sacramento Kings

Select: C            Andrew Lang          Arkansas

Lang was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 28th overall pick by the Phoenix Suns.

Actual Selection: SG            Ricky Berry        San Jose State

Andrew Lang was a solid big man for 12 seasons and a better player than anyone else available. 

19 New York Knicks

Select: SF       Willie Anderson        Georgia

Anderson was actually selected with the 10th overall selection by the San Antonio Spurs.

Actual Selection: PG            Rod Strickland       DePaul

Anderson was actually gone in the real draft and Strickland is long gone in the re-draft. Rod was a much better pro, but Anderson was solid and would have been a decent selection for the Knicks at this point.

20 Miami Heat

Select: PG        Vernon Maxwell        Florida

Maxwell was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 47th overall pick by the Nuggets.

Actual Selection: PG            Kevin Edwards       DePaul

Maxwell was a much better player than Edwards and averaged 12.8 points per game over a 13 year career. He is a bargain here for the Heat at 20 overall.

21 Portland Trailblazers

Select: PG       Rex Chapman       Kentucky

Chapman was actually selected with the 8th overall selection by the Charlotte Hornets.

Actual Selection: C              Mark Bryant          Seton Hall

Rex Chapman was crazy overdrafted in 1988, but he was still a 1st round value in this weak class. He had a solid 12 year career and would have fit well with the Blazers.

22 Cleveland Cavaliers

Select: C          Will Perdue         Vanderbilt

Perdue was actually selected with the 11th overall selection by the Chicago Bulls.

Actual Selection: SF             Randolph Keys       Southern Mississippi

The 13 year solid pro was still first round value. The Cavs would have done much better to get him at 22. Keys only lasted 5 years and was simply a bad pick.

23 Denver Nuggets

Select: PG             Brian Shaw         UC Santa Barbara

Shaw was actually selected with the 24th overall selection by the Boston Celtics.

Actual Selection: PF             Jerome Lane        Pittsburgh

Most probably remember Shaw at this point for his years as a pro, but he was actually a solid guard in the NBA.

24 Boston Celtics

Select: C              Mark Bryant          Seton Hall

Bryant was actually selected with the 21st overall selection by the Portland Trailblazers.

Actual Selection: PG             Brian Shaw         UC Santa Barbara

Shaw was a solid guard, and gone in the re-draft, but the Celtica may have actually benefitted from getting a big man instead. This could especially be true for Bryant, who lasted 15 years in the league.

25 Los Angeles Lakers

Select: SG            Duane Ferrell         Georgia Tech

Ferrell was actually undrafted in the 1988 NBA Draft.

Actual Selection: PG             David Rivers        Notre Dame

Ferrell went undrafted in the real draft, but he shouldn't have. He was a better guard than Rivers and would have helped the Los Angeles franchise.

- Noland

1989 MLB Re-Draft

How would the 1989 draft have gone if teams drafted correctly?

In this third installment of the MLB re-draft, we look at the 1989 MLB draft and do it over knowing what we know now.

Before we get into that, let's look at the 1987 and 1988 re-drafts.

1 Baltimore Orioles

Select: 1B       Frank Thomas       Auburn

Thomas was actually selected by the Chicago White Sox with the 7th overall pick.

Actual Selection: P     Ben McDonald        LSU

Thomas was the best player in this draft and a 1st ballot hall of famer. His presence in the Orioles lineup would have been a welcome addition and perhaps allowed the team to get that World Series victory that I never saw. With 521 career home runs, Thomas would have added some serious pop to the Orioles lineup. McDonald was a really solid pick and had a nice career in Baltimore, but he was just nowhere near the player Thomas was. Frank Thomas in the lineup with Cal Ripken Jr. would have been really fun to see.

2 Atlanta Braves

Select: 1B      Jeff Bagwell       University of Hartford

Bagwell was actually selected in the 4th round with the 110th overall selection by the Red Sox.

Actual Selection: C       Tyler Houston       Valley HS

The Atlanta Braves 1B at the time was Gerald Perry who was coming off an all-star appearance in 1988. However, Perry was starting the downswing of his career and 1989 was his last in Atlanta. Hard to know at the time, but Bagwell was the perfect pick and fir in Atlanta. The Hall of Fame 1st baseman hit 449 home runs while playing outstanding defense and would have been a game changer for Atlanta.

3 Seattle Mariners

Select: P        Trevor Hoffman      Arizona

Hoffman was actually selected in the 11th round with the 290th overall selection by the Reds.

Actual Selection: P       Roger Salkfeld        Salgaus HS

Salkfeld actually made the pros and won 10 games in his career, but he was not worthy of a 1st round selection. The Mariners instead could have chosen one of the greatest closers of all-time. Trevor Hoffman is a hall of famer for a reason and he could have helped the Mariners win that elusive World Series title. Hoffman's 601 saves rank 2nd all-time and this closer would have been a fantastic pick by Seattle at #3.

4 Philadelphia Phillies

Select: 3B        Jim Thome       Illinois Central College

Thome was actually selected in the 13th round with the 333rd overall selection by the Indians.

Actual Selection: OF      Jeff Jackson        Simeon HS

Jim Thome is a Hall of Famer and is an excellent selection at this point in the redraft. He had a couple stints with the Phillies and did well with them, but the team would have loved to have Thome for longer. Having the slugger his entire career would have been huge. 621 career home runs would have been huge in the Philadelphia lineup. However, the team instead took an outfielder that never made it to the big leagues.

5 Texas Rangers

Select: OF         Brian Giles       Granite High School

Giles was actually selected in the 17th round with the 437th overall pick by the Indians.

Actual Selection: OF      Donald Harris      Texas Tech

Donald Harris made the major league and hit 2 career home runs. You simply need more production out of a top 5 pick. The Rangers could have selected a much better outfielder 431 picks later. Brian Giles had a career on-base percentage of .400 to go with 287 home runs and over 1,000 career RBI. The two-time all-star was a very good pro and clearly worthy of a top 10 pick.

6 St. Louis Cardinals

Select: 1B          John Olerud          Washington State

Olerud was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 79th overall pick by the Blue Jays.

Actual Selection: OF       Paul Coleman      Frankston HS

The Cardinals first baseman at the time was Pedro Guerrero who was an all-star in 1989. However, that was his last truly productive season. The team had a chance to upgrade the position and have a dominant infield. John Olerud was a big piece of the Blue Jays championship teams and could have helped deliver the same to St. Louis. Olerud was excellent with the glove and with the bat during his career. His career WAR of 58.1 is 132nd all-time among position players.

7 Chicago White Sox

Select: 2B       Jeff Kent       Cal

Kent was actually selected in the 20th round with the 523rd overall pick by the Blue Jays.

Actual Selection: 1B       Frank Thomas       Auburn

Thomas was a phenomenal pick and is a hall of famer. With Thomas gone in the re-draft, the White Sox select the best available player. That guy didn't go until the 20th round in the actual draft. He also happens to be a major power threat just like Thomas. Kent had 377 home runs and had quite a bit more pop than the majority of second basemen during the era.

8 Chicago Cubs

Select: OF       Tim Salmon       Grand Canyon University

Salmon was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 69th overall pick by the Angels.

Actual Selection: OF       Earl Cunningham     Lancaster HS

Tim Salmon is probably the best player of my lifetime to never make an all-star game. Frankly, Salmon was robbed multiple times. Salmon had 299 career home runs and made a major impact on the Angels franchise that he stayed with his entire career. He was a big reason that the Angels won the World Series in 2002. 

9 California Angels

Select: 2B       Chuck Knoblauch       Texas A&M

Knoblauch was actually selected with the 25th overall pick by the Minnesota Twins.

Actual Selection: P        Kyle Abbot           Long Beach State

Knoblauch was a 4-time all-star at 2nd base and was the rookie of the year in 1991. His performance in 1991 was a big reason the Twins won the World Series. He helped 4 teams to win the World Series, the Twins and the Yankees 3 times. The Angels jump at the chance to get Knoblauch in the re-draft.

10 Montreal Expos

Select: C       Charles Johnson      Westwood HS

Johnson was the Expos actual selection.

It is difficult to find good catchers and the Expos had selected a very good one in 1989. Their problem was letting him go too soon, not selecting him. Johnson was an excellent catcher and a big reason why the Marlins won the World Series in 1997. The 4 time gold glove winner was known for his defensive excellence and being one of the better catchers on the 90s. 

11 Cleveland Indians

Select: 1B       Maurice Vaughn       Seton Hall

Vaughn was actually selected with the 23rd overall pick by the Boston Red Sox.

Actual Selection: 3B      Calvin Murray        WT White HS

Mo Vaughn was the MVP in 1995 and the known as the hit dog because he absolutely mashed the baseball. He was a terrific hitter and would have been a great selection by Cleveland in this draft. His most productive year lined up perfectly with on of the best seasons in Indian history. The team made the World Series in 1995 eventually falling short against the Atlanta Braves. Could Vaughn have put the Indians over the top? It is quite possible.

12 Houston Astros

Select: P     Ben McDonald        LSU

McDonald was actually selected with the 1st overall pick by the Baltimore Orioles.

Actual Selection: P       Jeff Juden      Salem HS

McDonald had 78 career wins and a sub 4 ERA in the AL East for the overwhelming majority of his career. McDonald was also top 10 in shutouts for three different seasons. He would have been a big boost to Houston's rotation.

13 Kansas City Royals

Select: P       Scott Erickson       Arizona

Erickson was actually selected in the 4th round with the 112th overall pick by the Minnesota Twins.

Actual Selection: C      Brent Mayne      Cal State Fullerton

Scott Erickson was never an all-star. Never the best in a rotation and he had a career ERA over 4. You know what else he had? A career winning record that included 142 wins. That makes him a bargain at 13 in the re-draft.

14 San Francisco Giants

Select: OF       Ryan Klesko       Westminster HS

Klesko was actually selected in the 4th round with the 116th overall pick by the Atlanta Braves.

Actual Selection: OF      Steve Hosey      Fresno State

Klesko spent the final year of his career with the Giants, but he could have spent his whole career with them. The outfielder was a serious power threat and hit 278 career home runs (133 of which were with the rival Padres). Klesko also had 10 postseason home runs, including 3 in the 1995 World Series that the Braves won. He could have easily been named MVP of that series. Klesko certainly should have been selected before the 4th round.

15 Los Angeles Dodgers

Select: OF        Eric Young        Rutgers

Young was actually selected in the 43rd round with the 1,123rd overall pick by the Dodgers.

Actual Selection: P       Kiki Jones       Hillsborough HS

Before he worked for the MLB Network, Eric Young was quite the sparkplug. He would end up scoring 996 runs and play great defense. The Dodgers made perhaps the best pick of the draft in picking Young. Their mistake was letting him slip away to the Rockies.

16 Boston Red Sox

Select: P        Denny Neagle        Minnesota

Neagle was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 85th overall pick by the Minnesota Twins.

Actual Selection: OF      Greg Blosser       Sarasota HS

Denny Neagle was a really solid starting pitcher during his career. He had 124 career wins and a 4.24 career ERA. Neagle would have been a great pick here and slotted in nicely to the Boston rotation. However, he was selected 2 rounds later.

17 Milwaukee Brewers

Select: P        Todd Jones         Jacksonville State

Jones was actually selected with the 27th overall pick by the Houston Astros.

Actual Selection: P       Cal Eldred        Iowa

Jones was a really solid reliever that ended up with 319 career saves. He had an all-star appearance and would have been a decent pick by Milwaukee. Eldred was a good pick, but Jones perhaps fit the team better at the time. 

18 Pittsburgh Pirates

Select: OF       Chad Curtis       Grand Canyon University

Curtis was actually selected in the 45th round with the 1,157th overall pick by the Angels.

Actual Selection: SS     Willie Greene      Jones County HS

Curtis was a major contributing factor on two Yankees World Series victories. He was a solid outfielder for years with tremendous postseason success. Back in 1999 he even hit two home runs in the World Series. For a Pirates team that hadn't won a World Series since 1979, that is an awful appealing option in the re-draft.

19 Toronto Blue Jays

Select: 1B       JT Snow       Arizona

Snow was actually selected in the 5th round with the 129th overall pick by the Yankees.

Actual Selection: SS      Eddie Zosky       Fresno State

Snow had 189 career home runs and was known as one of the best defensive 1st baseman of his generation. He had 6 gold gloves and played very well for many times. He would have been a fine pick here, 4 rounds sooner than he was actually selected.

20 Cincinnati Reds

Select: P           Paul Quantrill       Wisconsin

Quantrill was actually selected in the 6th round with the 163rd overall pick by the Red Sox.

Actual Selection: OF      Scott Bryant      Texas

Quantrill was a solid starter for many seasons despite having a career losing record. His ERA was under 4 for his career and the majority of his career was in the AL East. He could have really helped Cincinnati's rotation in the 90s.

21 Detroit Tigers

Select: P          Shane Reynolds       Texas

Reynolds was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 72nd overall pick by the Astros.

Actual Selection: P       Greg Gohr      Santa Clara

Reynolds was a much better career starter than Gohr.  He would have been a good pick here by Detroit. How good? Reynolds won 114 career games and had an ERA just over 4 for his career.

22 Los Angeles Dodgers

Select: P         Pat Rapp      Southern Miss

Rapp was actually selected in the 15th round with 388th overall pick by the San Francisco Giants.

Actual Selection: OF       Tom Goodwin        Fresno State

Rapp won 70 career games and was a solid starter for many years. He was a little bit better as a pro than Goodwin and would have helped the Dodger starting rotation for many years.

23 Boston Red Sox

Select: P       Cal Eldred        Iowa

Eldred was actually selected with the 17th overall pick by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Actual Selection: 1B       Maurice Vaughn       Seton Hall

Vaughn was a phenomenal pick and there is no way he'd last this long in a re-draft. With Vaughn long gone in this re-draft, the Red Sox grab another solid rotation piece. Cal Eldred won 86 career games and was a solid starter for a long time. Adding him and the previously acquired Neagle in the re-draft, would have been quite the haul in round 1 for Boston. That is two really solid starters in one draft.

24 New York Mets

Select: P       Tim Worrell       Biola University

Worrell was actually selected in the 20th overall pick with the 520th overall pick by the Padres.

Actual Selection: C       Alan Zinter           Arizona

Worrell had a career ERA under 4 and could have really helped the Met rotation. He would have been a much better pick than Zinter who only had 3 career home runs and had a negative career war.

25 Minnesota Twins

Select: P       Curt Leskanic       LSU

Leskanic was actually selected in the 8th round with the 203rd overall pick by the Indians.

Actual Selection: 2B       Chuck Knoblauch       Texas A&M

The Twins are another team that is hurt in this re-draft. They lose out on Knoblauch who was possibly the best pick of round 1. However, they pick up Leskanic here who won 50 games and had 55 saves in his career.

26 Seattle Mariners

Select: P       Mike Trombley       Duke

Trombley was actually selected in the 14th round with the 373rd overall pick by the Twins.

Actual Selection: P      Scott Burrell       Hamden High School

Trombley was a decent starter in his career and than a decent reliever. He wasn't the athlete Scott Burrell was, because Burrell played 2 professional sport. Burrell was not as good at baseball though.

27 Houston Astros

Select: P         Sterling Hitchcock        Armwood HS

Hitchcock was actually selected in the 9th round with the 233rd overall pick by the Yankees.

Actual Selection: P        Todd Jones         Jacksonville State

Hitchcock had 74 career wins and would have been a boost to the Houston rotation. With Hitchcock and McDonald the Astros would have had a major upgrade in their rotation. Those good pitchers could have helped Houston to have far more postseason success in the 90s.

28 Los Angeles Dodgers

Select: OF       Brian Hunter       Fort Vancouver HS

Hunter was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 35th overall pick by the Houston Astros.

Actual Selection: P        Jamie McAndrew        Florida

Hunter had 500 career runs and 260 stolen bases. He wasn't the best pick of the draft, but he also wasn't the worst. The outfielder would have been a solid pick here for LA.

29 Boston Red Sox

Select: P       Robert Person      Seminole Community College

Person was actually selected in the 25th round with the 645th overall pick by the Indians.

Actual Selection: P         Kevin Morton         Seton Hall

Person won 50 career games and would have been the third solid starter acquired by Boston in this draft. Can you imagine 3 solid starters being added to the Boston rotation in the 90s? That curse likely would have ended much sooner.

30 Milwaukee Brewers

Select: P       Russ Springer       LSU

Springer was actually selected in the 7th round 181st overall by the New York Yankees.

Actual Selection: 3B        Gordon Powell          Hughes HS

Springer was another solid pitcher in this draft that was selected far too low. He is the 2nd one selected by the Brewers in this re-draft. He was an infinitely better pro than Gordon Powell. At least he got passed A ball. The Brewers would have done much better picking Springer in the real draft.

- Noland