Tanking?

Unfortunately we live in a city where the fans of the local hockey team don't think about what they're saying. There are some myths floating around that don't make much sense at the best and are flat out wrong at the worst. Are Oilers fans really this delusional? Most of the time the answer is yes. Yes, Mcavid and Eichel are both good players, but why do we have to cheer for losses?

Cheering for draft picks is a favourite past time of Oilers fans. It's a sad, sad reality. Yes I know McDavid and Eichel are two really good players and "generational talents" and frankly I don't care. Remember when Taylor Hall was going to turn this team around? Remember when Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was going to turn this team around? Remember when Nail Yakupov was going to turn this team around? Remember when Jordan Eberle coming up was going to turn this team around? Remember when Omark and Paajarvi were going to at least help turn this team around? Haven't Oilers fans learned a lesson about draft picks and prospects? They aren't always what they're made out to be, and if they are, you need more than just that player. If you think Connor McDavid is coming here and turning the Oilers into a dynasty than I laugh at you. The Oilers will likely need at least one other centre, two defensemen, and a starting goalie, and that's just the basic shopping list. A top centre will not take this current group and make it completely turn around. Also since when did cheering for losses become the cool thing to do?

You really want to see this team lose? You honestly want to watch a mediocre or worse on ice product? And you want to do this to potentially get something that is nowhere near a guarantee. I can't think of any other scenario where such a thing is viewed as a positive. Don't you at least want to see the team play with pride, retain some form of dignity, at least try not to be the NHL laughing stock (seriously, leave that for  Toronto)? Potentially gain some confidence in themselves in the process? Like I said before a draft pick isn't a guarantee, Sure the Oilers are likely picking 2nd at worst, but there's a chance they find themselves picking third, and then what was the attempted taking for? Not the player most of you want. Or maybe you get the draft pick and the player's a bust, or suffers a career ending or altering injury. Sure both guys are having good seasons, but there's always that slight chance they can't translate to the NHL. So to summarize: you hope the team loses in order to get something that could potentially happen, but there's no guarantee of it happening, but even if it does happen that player won't be turning the team around.

Speaking of which can I show you some other teams with "generational talents" and their ability to make the playoffs and have post season success? I can? Great.

Washington Capitals, Alex Ovechkin, 05/06-present
Ovechkin played his rookie season in 05/06 and has become arguably the best pure scorer in the league. However, success for the Capitals has been far from guaranteed. In fact, the Capitals missed the playoffs in both the 05/06, and 06/07 seasons. Then they made the playoffs for six straight seasons. However, the conference semi-finals were as far as they went, and then last season they once again missed the playoffs.

Philadelphia Flyers, Claude Giroux, 08/09- present
08/09 was the first season Giroux played a significant amount of games, and in that season they lost the conference quarter-finals. The next season they did made the Cup Finals. However, this would be the last of any significant playoff success the Flyers would have. They would lose in the conference semis the next two years in a row, before completely missing the playoffs the next season and bowing out in the quarterfinals next year.

Tampa Bay Lightning, Steven Stamkos, 08/09- present
The lightning missed the playoffs in both Stamkos' rookie season and the year after. They lost in the quarterfinals for two years in a row before missing the playoffs for another three seasons. They lost the conference finals once, and then missed the playoffs twice more before losing in the conference finals last year.

All of these teams have a generational talent player, and yet they aren't necessarily guaranteed the playoffs and aren't at all guaranteed post season success. Oilers fans do you really want to be a fringe team that sometimes makes the playoffs and never does anything when you get there? Drafting McDavid won't solve all of this teams' problems. In fact, drafting McDavid with minimal additions elsewhere puts you closer to being Tampa Bay than it does Chicago. Personally I'd rather be like Chicago. Yes McDavid is a good player, but don't think he is going to bring this team out of despair on his own. More major parts are needed for that to happen. Which brings us to the next "saviour theory." Coaching.

In conclusion drafting either McDavid or Eichel is in no way a guarantee. If we do get to draft one of them there's no guarantee they're as good as advertised. And even if they are as good as advertised there's no guarantee that it turns the team around. So you still want to lose just to get something that comes with a lot of ifs and question marks? I sure don't.


-Darren


-What do you think of tanking? Let me know by either commenting below or finding me on twitter @thewildman111


-photo taken from cbssports.com

NFL Mock Draft #1

With the NFL Draft coming up soon, I thought it was time for a mock draft. I don't know how many I'll do or if I'll even do another, but as of right now, this is where I think everyone will be going.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

With the first overall pick in the NFL Draft the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Quarterback from the University of Oregon Marcus Mariota.

Tampa Bay needs help everywhere, usually the team picking first overall does. Mariota doesn't have the same problems in college that Winston did, and I also think he's the better QB. If Tampa adds this guy, they all of a sudden have a shot at becoming a good team.

2. Tennesee Titans- Leonard Williams, DE, USC

I don't believe Tennesee takes a QB. I think they might be inclined to give one of the players currently on the roster a chance, or maybe find a free agent. I also believe Williams is too good to pass up. He would help a Tennesee defense that struggled a lot last year.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

The Jaguars drafted Bortles last year and the results on the action he had I believe are inconclusive. This six foot one receiver could go a long ways in helping Bortles develop as a QB and giving him a legitimate target to throw to.

4. Oakland Raiders- Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

Look for Oakland to go offense. They had an okay defense last year, and looks to be even better with Khalil Mack looking like a stud. Plus they may pick up some defensive free agents. Carr is a good young Quarter back, but he could use someone to throw to, and Kevin White would definitely be a nice target for him.

5. Washington Redskins- Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska

This Corn Husker has all sorts of raw talent. Despite what their record says, the Red Skins were okay on both sides of the ball last year, but obviously need improvement. At this point Gregory would be the best player available, considering the position they need, and would be a huge help on a Redskins team looking to find their way.

6. New York Jets- Jameis Winston, QB, FSU

This is the obvious pick, I don't always like going obvious, but in this case I don't see anything else they do. I'm not sold on Winston, but the Jets need a QB in the worst way possible. I don't think they can have another season under Geno Smith, at least not without another option. Jets go Winston and hope for the best.

7. Chicago Bears- Dante Fowler Jr, OLB, Florida

The Bears need defense, and at this point it looks like they either go with Shane Ray or Fowler. I give Fowler the edge because he can move around and play multiple positions. That is something that a Bears defense which struggled mightily last year will appreciate. However, with Cutler's future with the Bears being uncertain I also wouldn't be surprised to see them trade up and snag one of the top QBs.

8. Atlanta Falcons- Shane Ray, DE, Missouri

The Falcons had an abysmal defense last year and finished dead last in yards per game. They will be looking to change that this year. Shane Ray out of Missouri looks like a strong prospect, who could provide some immediate help for a defense that really struggled last year.

9. New York Giants- Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky

The Giants also had a really bad defense. At this point Dupree might not be the best defensive player available, however the Giants take him because of his versatility. When a defense is bad usually they need help at multiple positions. Well Dupree could move around as needed and maybe give some help to a struggling defense.

10. St. Louis Rams- Brandon Scherff, OG, Iowa

With Bradford coming back the Rams are looking to make a push in the NFC West. Obviously teams always need to protect a QB, but with Bradford coming off a significant injury it will be especially important for St. Louis. Scherff looks like a strong prospect to strengthen the offensive line in St. Louis.

11. Minnesota Vikings- Devante Parker, WR, Louisville

Bridgewater looks like a good young QB. Now he needs some targets. In a very deep year for the WR Parker is yet another strong prospect and will likely go a long ways in being a target for Bridgewater.

12. Cleveland Browns- Danny Shelton, NT, Washington

The Browns don't necessarily need a Tackle badly. However, at this point their key needs aren't really available. They just might trade down and out of this situation for something they need. However, if they were to draft Shelton they would be getting a big dominant defender, this would not be a bad thing to have here either. A positive for the Browns here is they would have some options on what to do.

13. New Orleans Saints- Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
The Saints are looking to get back to their winning ways. They could use some help on defense, and a player who can move around the field will be a real nice addition for them.

14. Miami Dolphins- Trae Waynes, CB, MSU
The Dolphins had a .500 season. Neither the offense or defense was terrible, but both definitely need improvement. Corner back is one of the positions they need anyways and Waynes is just sitting there ready for the taking.

15. San Francisco 49ers- La'el Collins, OT, LSU
The Niners could use a piece or two in most positions. I think they look to the offensive line first round. Protecting your quarterback is the most important thing for any team and Collins could be ready to jump in and give that help to the Niners.

16. Houston Texans- Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
I could see the Texans trading out of this spot, I think everyone they would have been looking at by this point has already been taken. However, Peat does look like a good player and it never hurts to strengthen your offensive line. Peat could go a ways in doing that for Houston.

17. San Diego Chargers- Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
The Chargers need some help in the secondary and Peters is the best available to them to do that. Some would say Waynes is better than him. To me it's a toss up, but both are solid defenders who look ready to make a splash in the NFL.

18. Kansas City Chiefs- Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon
The Chiefs may want to trade out of this position. By this point there's nothing they absolutely need that's available. However, beefing up the defensive line is never a bad idea and Armstead looks like a strong prospect there.

19. Cleveland Browns- Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
Having two picks in the first round is never a bad thing. Adding Thompson and Shelton would go a long ways to strengthen the Browns on defense. Cleveland could be on the verge of building something good.

20. Philadelphia Eagles- Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
The Eagles' secondary was less than stellar last year. Adding one of the top prospects at Safety in Collins should help fix that.

21. Cincinati Bengals- Malcolm Brown, DT, Texas
The Bengals don't really need a Tackle, however, at this point it's a bit of a fall for Brown and could potentially be a steal. I think the Bengals would jump all over this.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers- Eddie Goldman, DT, FSU
The Steel Curtain isn't quite what it once was. The Steelers might be looking to rebuild the defense a bit, and Goldman could be a help in that.

23. Detroit Lions- Cameron Erving, C, FSU
There's nothing the Lions absolutely need here,  however, protecting Stafford should be a priority for them and Erving would be able to help in that.

24. Arizona Cardinals- Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA
The Cardinals defense could use some help, and Linebacker is a position they need. Inside Line Backer is a key position on any team, and Kendricks could fill that for them.

25. Carolina Panthers- TJ Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
Carolina needs multiple positions, and they have options at this point. However, Clemmings is the best available for them here and to me makes the most sense.

26. Baltimore Ravens- Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Gordon really falls from where a lot of people think he might go. However, a lot of teams don't need a running back, or if they do they have more pressing needs first. This would be a steal for Baltimore and make too much sense for them to not do it.

27. Dallas Cowboys- PJ Williams, CB, FSU
This might be a bit of a reach for the Cowboys to take. However, they need a corner and PJ looks good. I don't really see a reason for them not to reach a little bit. There's nothing available that they need badly otherwise. PJ might be better than some rankings indicate.

28. Denver Broncos- Jalen Strong, WR, Arizona State
With at least one of the Thomases- if not both- set to leave Denver will likely be looking at Wide Receivers. Strong is yet another talented receiver in what is looking like a very deep draft for them.

29. Indianapolis Colts- Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Miss St.
The Colts have a very strong offense, however, defense has been their downfall in the playoffs the last couple seasons. They're going to look to improve that both in the draft and free agency. McKinney looks like one of the better Linebackers out there and should definitely help the Colts.

30. Green Bay Packers- Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami
The Packers will likely be taking whoever the best inside linebacker available is at this point. Unless a stud of a player at another position falls all the way down to 30th, they're going to be taking an inside linebacker. With both Kendricks and McKinney off the board that means Perryman falls to them.

31. Seattle Seahawks- Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
I know people say the Seahawks need other positions, but I think they need a receiver. They rely heavily on the run and on their defense. If they could add an aerial assault they would be just that much better. And yet another receiver goes in the first round.

32. New England Patriots- Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
The Patriots might be looking to take the best available at this point, and that would be Gurley. Plus, they could use more strength in their running game so this would appear to be a good fit.

This concludes my first mock draft. I will take all comments, criticisms, and suggestions I get into consideration. Should I do a second mock draft I will take those a long with any recent developments to form another and hopefully more accurate mock draft.


-Darren


-What do you think of my draft? Let me know by either commenting below, or find me on twitter @thewildman111


-photo taken from sportingnews.com