Green Bay Packers 2012 NFL Draft Preview

With the 28th overall pick the Green Bay Packers select...?  The Packers have needs on both sides of the ball, but their top priority needs to be a player that will improve their awful defense.  The Packers need another pass rusher to complement Clay Matthews, and I think they need to take a proven college pass rushing linebacker or defensive end.  They also might now target a safety since they released Nick Collins earlier today.  I think the Packers will take a pass rusher with their first pick, but I would not be surprised if they did take a safety, even though it is not as big of a need.  The Packers need to get an outside linebacker who can step in right away and make a difference.  The answer to the Packers problems is outside linebacker Shea McClellin, from Boise State.  McClellin has the length and skills to be a great fit in the Packers defensive system, and he also has a lot of experience that will allow him to contribute right away.  The Packers have multiple needs, but the Packers will take a pass rusher, most likely Shea McClellin, with their first round pick.  I would not be surprised though if the Packers move up in the draft.

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Brewers Struggle Out of the Gate

The Milwaukee Brewers have gotten off to a slow start this season.  Through their first ten games the Brewers have a team average of only .228, which is 26^th overall in the MLB, and an on base percentage of .299, which is 23^rd overall in the MLB.  Aramis Ramirez, who was signed to help replace the lost production from Prince Fielder, has gotten off to a very slow start, and hasn’t done anything.  He is only averaging .114 to start the season.  Aramis Ramirez throughout his career has averaged only .255 in April/March and .271 in May.  The first two months of the season, Aramis Ramirez always starts slow and then he heats up in June where he is averaging .301.  Throughout the rest of the season he is always averaging at least .280.  The Brewers have faced some good teams to start, and their hitting will come around.  Ryan Braun, the raining N.L. MVP, has picked up where he left of last year, and all the Brewers need is for Aramis Ramirez to heat up. 

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American League Preview

American League East

The Red Sox, Yankees and Rays are all great teams, and are capable of winning the AL East.  The Rays have one of the best starting rotations in the league and some good offensive players.  The Yankees will struggle at times because they are the oldest team in the MLB.  The Red Sox will struggle because of their weak end of the rotation pitchers and relief pitching, but I think they have one of the best lineups in the majors, which could help carry them through out the year.  The Rays will win this division because of their great young pitching and good offensive.

American League Central

This division won't be competitive at all.  The Tigers will easily win the AL Central because of their great lineup, and because they have Justin Verlander and some good young starting pitching.  The Indians will have a shot at winning but I don't think they will be able to win the division because of their young and inexperienced pitching staff. 

American League West

The Rangers and Angels will be the two teams fighting for the division the whole season.  Both these teams have a great lineup and pitching staff.  The Rangers have the better lineup because they have younger players and a left handed power hitter, compared to the Angels older lineup with all of its power hitters batting right handed.  The Rangers will win the division because they are more experienced and they have a little bit better of a team overall.

American League Wild Card

The Angels will win one of the wild cards spots.  The Angels could easily win their division, but I think they will fall just short.  They should easily win the wild card because they have a great starting rotation.  The Red Sox will win the other wild card spot because of their great offense.  I think the Yankees could win the wild card, but because of their old age, which will led to injuries.  The Yankees and maybe the Indians have are the only other teams that have a chance of winning a wild card spot.

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National League Preview

National League East

There will be four teams that will be competitive in the N.L. East, but I think the Phillies should win the division.  I believe the Phillies have the best rotation and one of the top closers in baseball.  The Phillies also have a pretty good lineup, that should be able to score at least three or four runs a game.  I think the Braves, Marlins and Nationals should all do well, but I feel that they are not as deep as the Phillies.

National League Central

The Brewers, Cardinals and Reds are all good enough to win the N.L. Central.  The Brewers have the best starting pitching and relief pitching to win another division crown.  Both the Reds and Cardinals will struggle because the Reds pitching staff doesn’t have a true number one pitcher and an inexperience closer, and the Cardinals offense will struggle without Albert Pujols’ power in the middle of their lineup.   Even with the Brewers losing Prince Fielder I feel the Brewers lineup can still produce at a high level.  The Brewers will win the division because of  their great starting and relief pitching.

National League West

This division will be the closest division in the National League. Each team is capable of winning the division.  I think the Arizona Diamondbacks are the most complete team in the division because of their great young pitching staff and great young power hitters.  I feel the Dodgers can compete because they have Clayton Kershaw, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, but I think their relief pitching and starting pitching after Kershaw will struggle.  I also think the Giants can do well because they have a great pitching staff, and the Rockies can do well because of their offense.  The Padres can win but I think they might struggle because they are so young and inexperienced.  The Arizona Diamondbacks will win the N.L. West because they are the most complete and experienced team.

National League Wild Card

The Marlins and Braves will win the N.L Wild Cards because they have good pitching and offense.  The key for both these teams will be staying healthy because these teams are very talented, but if one of their stars get hurt, I think they will struggle.  I think the Nationals have a good shot at winning a wild card spot, but they will be too young and inexperienced and fall out of contention towards the end of the season. You could also see the Cardinals, Reds, Dodgers and Giants all compete for the wild card, but each of those teams have either a weak offense or pitching staff that will hold them back from winning.

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NCAA Championship Game

Monday April 2nd the Kentucky Wildcats will face the Kansas Jayhawks in the National Championship Game.  This will be their second meeting this year.  They met in mid November at Madison Square Garden and Kentucky was able to bet Kansas 75-65.  I think the National Championship Game will be a much better game, and I think it will come down to the wire.  I think both teams are capable of winning this game, even though many people think Kentucky should easily win because of their talent and athleticism.  I feel Kansas can and will beat Kentucky tomorrow.  Kansas will need to play great defense against Anthony Davis, and they will need Thomas Robinson to have a huge game.  Thomas Robinson will have a huge game against Anthony Davis because he is mad that Anthony Davis won the player of the year award over him, and because he will need to play well if Kansas wants to win.  Kansas will also need to make Kentucky's young players show their inexperience and force them to make mistakes with the ball.  I feel if Kansas can get Anthony Davis in foul trouble, play good defense, and score points in the paint with Thomas Robinson they should be able to beat Kentucky.