2023 NFL Draft Underrated Prospects

April 27, 2023 Leave a comment

2023 NFL Draft Underrated Prospects. These are probably all Day Three prospects, either lower rounds or undrafted free agents. Of course, there may be a few who go Day Two, but I don’t think any of these players are considered third-rounders or higher. But you never know.

QBs

Adrian Martinez, QB, Kansas State
Signed by the Lions. Update 1/13/24: Waived by the Lions, signed by the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL.

Ha! I wonder how Cornhusker Nation feels about this? I would love to draft him. He’s got a ton of big game experience, he’s a great athlete and pretty good passer, and he has struggled through adversity. But when he’s at his best, he’s pretty great.

N’Kosi Perry, QB, FAU
Signed by the Bears. Update 1/13/24: Apparently cut by the Bears, Perry was in the CFL in Hamilton for a few games. Signed by XFL team Seattle, which looks to have folded in the USFL-XFL merger. Also, I missed out on Tyson Bagent, who was signed by the Bears and had a couple good games as a starter. Sorry Tyson.

Talented older prospect. Perry is athletic, good arm, transfer from Miami (Fla). He has a chance to do some good stuff. He was at Miami for years, including a Covid year. Went to FAU, had a pretty good year. Has a chance to be a pro QB.

Lindsey Scott Jr., QB, Incarnate Word
Invited to Jets NFL rookie camp
Selected second overall in the 2023 USFL Draft Update 1/13/24 Scott looks like he tried out for the Saints (??). It appears he has ended up in Arlington for a USFL team (??)

Scott started at LSU, went to Nicholls State and led the team in rushing a couple years, then moved to Incarnate Word. Scott threw for 4,600 yards of 60 TDs. Athletic. He is a SEVEN year guy. And he’s not what we like to call 5-11. But he has a chance in today’s NFL to be a backup guy.

Running Backs

Travis Dye, RB, USC
Signed by the Jets

Smaller back than I usually like, but in three productive years in the PAC 12, two at Oregon and the last at USC, he averaged 6 yards a carry. Each year. He can be a change of pace, a third-down guy, and a productive backup guy. He can run the damned ball.

Mohamed Ibrahim, RB, Minnesota
Signed by the Lions

This guy. I adore him. Gophers all-time leading rusher, ran for 1,600 yards last year though he got hurt, and racked up 4,600 yards and 50 rushing TDs. He’s 5-8 or so, 200 lbs., a 4.6 guy. The scouts have him at about sixth or seventh rounds. Those scouts may not have seen him play.

Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Youngstown St.
Signed by the Broncos

Back-to-back 2,400 yard rushing seasons. I don’t care where (D2), but damn. Smaller but very quick runner. Moved from D2 to Youngstown State, where he racked up 1,500 yards rushing. He could be a backup now. If he develops receiving chops, he’ll be a productive pro.

Tavion Thomas, Utah, RB

Finally a big back. 235 plus, former UC Bearcat, Utah guy. Thomas ran for 1,100 yards as a junior and 600 plus as a senior. He is not great at quickness, but if he gets to a place where is he is able to make a cut and go (ahem 49ers), he can be a productive backup.

OL (finally)

Ha ha. Had about 25 guys originally.

Alan Ali, C, TCU
Signed by the Vikings

Ali is a 300 pounder who started 39 games for SMU at center, guard, tackle. He earned Second Team All-AAC in 2021. He transferred to TCU for 2022, starting 15 games at center, earning All-Big 12 honors. He has a chance to develop into a backup, and maybe a starter.

TJ Bass, T-G, Oregon
Signed by the Cowboys

Big kid out of Oregon, two-time All-Pac 12 and second-team All-American left tackle. He probably projects as a guard, since he’s 330 pounds. The pass-blocking skills at tackle will have to develop, so his power.

Quinton Bobo, G, Bowie State

A shorter (6′) guard, Bobo needs a good camp to stick with an NFL team. He might be a little light to make the NFL, but he might be able to put on some good weight.

Connor Galvin, G/T, Baylor

Signed by the Lions

At 6’7″, 3 bills, Galvin is a big OT. He made 50 starts at LT at Baylor, and he was named the Big 12 Lineman of the Year. May be a little less athletic than the top-tier prospects, but he looks like he can make adjustments and get the job done.

Jaxson Kirland, T-G, Washington
Warren McClendon, OT, Georgia
Alex Palczewski, T, Illinois
Alex Pihlstrom, C, Illinois
Trevor Reid, T, Louisville

Tight Ends

Kemari Averett, TE, Bethune-Cookman
Payne Durham, TE, Purdue
Griffin Hebert, HB-TE, Louisiana Tech

Wide Receivers

Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State
Xavier Smith, WR, Florida A&M
Andrei Iosivas, WR, Princeton
Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue
Isaiah Winstead, WR, East Carolina

Edge Rushers

Isaiah Land, Florida A&M, Edge
Isaiah McGuire, Edge, Missouri
Jose Ramirez, Eastern Michigan Edge
Zeke Vandenburgh, Edge, Illinois State linebacker
Tyrus Wheat, Edge, Miss State
Byron Young, Edge, Tennessee

Interior DL

Aaron Lewis, DL, Rutgers
PJ Mustipher, DL, Penn State
Keith Randolph, DL, Illinois

Linebackers

Seth Benson, LB, Iowa
Abdul Carter, LB, Penn State
Cal Haladay, LB, Michigan State
Aubrey Miller Jr., LB, Jackson State
Bumper Pool, LB, Arkansas

Cornerbacks

Brandon Barnes-Brown, CB, Fayetteville State
Keenan Isaac, CB, Alabama State
Riley Moss, CB, Iowa
Rejzohn Wright, CB, Oregon State

Safeties

Anthony Johnson Jr., S, Iowa State
Isaiah Bolden, S, Jackson State

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Welcome to the Jungle

February 13, 2022 Leave a comment

Super Bowl 56 I think. #WhoDEY Welcome to the Jungle. Here’s Etta James cover from 2011.

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Tony Perez Reds Baseball Legend 111

July 13, 2021 Leave a comment

Tony Perez Announces His Arrival in the 1967 All-Star Game

Tony Perez was my favorite player when I was growing up. Doggie was many of my friends’ favorite player. I think this is significant, because there were many players who were likely guys: Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Lee May (not at the same time).

Before I became a fan, the Big Dog announced his presence as one of the most clutch, the clutchest, of player by hitting a homer off Catfish Hunter in 67 in Anaheim in the 15th inning to win the game 2-1. Won the game’s MVP Award. This is a game that really, really used to matter to the players, fans, managers, owners, groundskeepers, everyone.

Tony was moved to third base because the Reds stuck Lee May at first. Because ol’ Lee could hit. A ton. And while Perez may not have been Brooks Robinson at third (he wasn’t), he could hit.

This is how Phil Cola of SABR put it:

… much to Perez’s surprise Los Angeles Dodgers manager Walter Alston named him to the National League squad for the All-Star Game in Anaheim. Perez entered the game in the tenth inning, struck out in his first at-bat in the 12th, and then, in the 15th inning he hit a one-out home run off Catfish Hunter to give the National League a 2-1 victory. Perez was voted the game’s most valuable player.

Big Dog went on to have a bigger hit in the greatest World Series ever played, the 76 against the BoSox. And he was a Red until I think last year. No, but it was the 80s. Dude is a great player.

One day, we’ll discuss the 20-24 record with the Reds that Doggie had as a manager. And how “boy genius” Jim Bowden fired him 44 games into a season because, I guess, Bowden’s players could never start a season four games under .500 (I couldn’t find Jimmy Boy’s record, but I’m sure it ain’t much better than that winning percentage).

Big Dog, Doggie. Tony Perez. My guy.

This is my fav pic of Tony Perez being hailed by Bob Gibson and Willie Mays after homering in the 15th inning of the 1967 All-Star Game.

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Italy Break in Football Season

October 26, 2019 Leave a comment

My lovely and talented (and did I mention “lovely?”) wife and I took a little midseason break to vacation in Italy. It was our first big vacation in years. We were going to go to Paris for our 25th, and that fell through. So we went to Italy for our 31st wedding anniversary. We flew into Rome, spend a couple or three days. Trained to Orvieto. Spent a day. We then took a train to Florence. Three days in Florence. Trained to Venice. We were in Venice for three days. Then we flew home.

Here’s a nice shot of Venice at sunset.

Venice Sunset

Our last night in Venice, we had a nice table at a cafe. I took this shot.

 

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New Orleans SunUP Lowdown

March 31, 2019 Leave a comment

A visitor’s guide to New Orleans (on NewOrleans.com) sums up New Orleans history pretty well: “Volleyed between the French and the Spanish from the late 17th century until the United States bought Louisiana for pennies an acre in 1803, New Orleans is forever shaped by its European heritage.”

new-orleans-american-great-city

New Orleans is a great American city, and one of Uncle PK’s favorite places.

This is certainly one of the best cities in America.

One of old Uncle PK’s favorite things is the muffaletta. This proto-subway was created at Central Grocery and Deli on Decatur Street in New Orleans’s French Quarter. It was at Central Grocery that this treasure was first made for the working people of the city. It was created in 1906, according to neworleanshistorical.org website.

Central Grocery New Orleans

Muffuletta sandwich birthplace, the Central Grocery in New Orleans is a must-see.

And Bourbon Street. Bourbon Street to me is the cool older cousin of Rush Street, Broadway Street in NashVegas and the Strip in Vegas Vegas. I like it. Street performers, strip clubs, little bars, cheesy bars, Old Absinthe House, just a lot of touristy fun. And … with the “open carry,” I got to walk down the street with a beer. OK, not the most punk rock thing there ever was, but I always feel a little like a rebel doing that.

Bourbon Street in New Orleans

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MPM Food Equipment Group – Whole Foods Partnership

May 16, 2013 Leave a comment

MPM Food Equipment Group – Whole Foods Partnership

Whole Foods – MPM Partnership 2

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Rules of the Road on the Off-Ramp

January 23, 2013 Leave a comment

Off-Ramp

A guide to the good life, and staying easy with the world. Looking for a time of personal renaissance … an opportunity to reinvest in things that truly matter to me.

 

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New York Times Publishes Press Release by pau1ke11y

April 24, 2012 Leave a comment

OK. I KNOW that the New York Times didn’t really publish a press release that I wrote for Blue Chip Marketing Worldwide for Fisher Nuts. But, thanks to the pr wires and the internet, it surely does LOOK like the New York Times did. So … I’ll claim it. Sort of.

 

new york times pau1ke11y press release

new york times pau1ke11y press release

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Communications Need to Stand Out – Ford Escort Seller Shows How

March 22, 2012 Leave a comment

If you need a lesson on how to make your communications stand out, the person who wrote the classified ad for this Ford Escort–“the most ballingest car ever”–shows the rest of us how.

Here are some gems:

This well-maintained and fully restored beauty is a salvage title. It was bought out of an insurance pool after getting into a tiny fender bender (i.e. vicious car cock fight. . . which it won. . . with metal and brawn).

This one-of-a-kind ZX2 coupe is to the limit. And it takes no prisoners.

And the best:

The right front fender was dented, but then replaced by a cadre of men who were born in garages and bottle-fed Penzoil.

Read the whole ad at hooniverse.

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More than 300 Democrats Rally at Tenth Dems Convention

March 14, 2012 Leave a comment

More than 300 Democrats Rally at Tenth Dems Convention

Tenth Congressional District Democrats 10th District Convention by pau1ke11y

This is a shot of the crowd at the Tenth Congressional District Democrats 10th District Convention by pau1ke11y

More than 40 candidates and elected officials at the 10th  District-Wide Democratic Convention raised their voices in support of working families throughout the district, inspiring the more than 300 enthusiastic conventioneers Sunday at the Vernon Hills High School.

The convention was hosted by the Tenth Congressional District Democrats, or Tenth Dems. Candidates running for election at all levels of government from all parts of the district were able to meet active and passionate Democrats and interested independents.

The Tenth Dems members conducted a straw poll for their favorite congressional candidate in the March 20 primary, with Vivek Bavda receiving 1 percent, Brad Schneider getting 6 percent, John Tree getting 20 percent, and Ilya Sheyman garnering 73 percent. While the convention was open to the public, only Tenth Dems members were eligible to vote.

The keynote speaker was Fay Hartog-Levin, the 65th Ambassador to the Netherlands. Ambassador Levin’s speech reminded everyone what the task at hand is—getting out the vote and sending Democrats to Washington, to Springfield, and to the many local offices in the district. “The country needs Barack Obama,” Levin said. “But the world needs him even more.

“There was a generation in the world that only saw America through George W. Bush’s eyes,” Ambassador Levin added. “The international community needed to see America through President Obama’s eyes. The Dutch and the international community never understood, for example, how a country with the wealth and influence of the United States did not allow many of its citizens access to health care.”

Ambassador Levin was a senior consultant at Res Publica Group from 2006 to 2009, was Vice President for External Affairs at Chicago’s Field Museum from 1997 to 2005, and was an attorney in private practice and at Seyfarth, Shaw, Fairweather and Geraldson. Ambassador Levin’s parents were Dutch citizens who left the Netherlands during WWII, and immigrated to the U.S. thereafter.

Other speakers at the convention vowed to unify after the primary to change the direction of the country and the district. “The rally was a fun event and a great way to energize voters,” said Northfield Trustee Karen McCormick. Other speakers spoke in amazement at the number and the energy of the attendees.

The chair of the event was John Hmurovic, who has been the vice chair of Tenth Dems since 2003 and is a recognized expert in area politics. Hmurovic has been chair of Tenth Dems since 2006, he served as precinct committeeman in Libertyville, and he was the campaign manager for State Rep. Karen May in 2006, 2008, 2010, and for Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering in 2009.

This good old-fashioned political convention was headlined by most of the local candidates running in any precinct within the geographic boundaries of the 10th District, and it featured rousing music, sign-waving to support Democratic candidates, and more.

The Tenth Congressional District Democrats, or Tenth Dems for short, is a group of grassroots political volunteers who formed the organization in late 2003 to help elect Democrats to all levels of government throughout the 10th District.

For more information or to volunteer, go to http://www.tenthdems.org, email info@tenthdems.org, or call 847-266-VOTE (8683).

Home

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The Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats is a volunteer group with members from all parts of the 10th Congressional District. The 10th District contains portions of both Cook and Lake Counties stretching from Winnetka through Waukegan and from Lake Michigan west through Round Lake. The District includes all or part of the following townships: Avon, Benton, Grant, Libertyville, Moraine, Shields, Waukegan, West Deerfield, Vernon, Zion and parts of Fremont, Lake Villa, Maine, New Trier, Newport, Northfield, Warren, and Wheeling.

 

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