If we were all able to hang out and shoot the breeze about US football it'd be a blast. During the off-season we'd find topics to discuss, such as "What If?" scenarios, as we prep for the return of Autumn. Just because we can't do so in person doesn't mean we can't create a "make believe" one to hang out here.

So, for those who want to keep "eat, breathe and sleep football" during the off-season, let's have some fun.

I'll kick things off with the first hypothetical: If you could create a Linebacking core made from any NFL players of your choice - any team, any time - who would you pick and why? After all, it doesn't have to be just "They were the best" - you might have some favourites you want to have "teaming up" to learn...putting Von Miller under the tutelage of Jack Ham, for example.

3-4 or 4-3 defense?

I will go with 3-4.

My Middle Linebackers would probably be Mike Singletary and Chris Speilman. Outside Linebackers would probably be Terrell Suggs and Von Miller. The two young guys could learn the professionalism from Singletary and the heart from Speilman.

Right now, my 3-4 would probably be Suggs, Miller, D'Qwell Jackson(CLE), and Desmond Bishop(GB).

3-4 defense

OLB Lawrence Taylor - Best passrusher ever. Was attempted to be blocked by 3 people almost every play.

ILB Harry Carson - One of the best runstoppers and short yardage defenders of all time.

ILB John Offerdahl - He was a tackling machine and a 1-man defense.

OLB Jack Ham - He was the best coverage linebacker ever and also a fierce passrusher and runstopper.

3-4

OLB - Derrick Thomas - Not only was he a great player but also a great person.

ILB - Derrick Johnson - Good pass defender and playmaker.

ILB - Donnie Edwards - Never the biggest or fastest but always played with heart.

OLB - Tamba Hali - Loves to pressure - Him and Thomas = QB nightmare!

If you can't tell I'm a big Chiefs fan!

So with the draft in a few days, who do you think will be the biggest faller in the draft?

It seems everyone is placing Tannehill at 8 (MIA) but I could actually see him falling to the late teens early 20's. Maybe to CLE at 22. There has been alot of talk about Miami taking him because the new OC is his college coach. But I think if they pass at 8 he could fall pretty far. The Chiefs at 11 have been rumored, but with Cassell, Quinn, and Stanzi I see them waiting until a later round (maybe Weeden/Foles) if at all to draft a QB. And SEA at 12 may take him as insurance/competition. But after that it is mostly defensive needs for the next few teams.

Tannehill should fall. The QB class after Luck and Griffin, is solid and fairly close together. No reason to take a flyer unless you really love a guy. Being a Browns fan(yeah, I know..lol), they have taken way too many chances on underwhelming talent, especially at quarterback. Brady Quinn most recently. However, I could see Miami grabbing him at 8 or maybe Seattle or Buffalo if he falls to them.

I'm hoping the Browns pass on Tannehill. He's not going to come in and succeed without talent around him anyway. So I'm looking for Richardson or Blackmon at 4. I would rather them wait til round 2 or even 3 to get a quarterback. Someone like Brock Osweiler out of Arozona State. I'm not sold on Brandon Weeden, the age thing scares me. 8 years and he is Peyton Manning's age and we are discussing retirement options.

I like Nick Foles, but he ran a 5.14 at the combine. That's offensive line speed and a slow one at that. Cleveland's line would get him killed or shelved quickly.

To answer your question about a faller, watch Kendall Wright, the Wide Receiver out of Baylor. Early projections had him as the 2nd best receiver in the draft. Now, he is maybe the 5th. I would be overly surprised to see him taken day one. Maybe even mid round 2.

I'm working on a mock draft right now. Seeing how close I can get. Can post it if anyone is interested.

I hope the Dolphins pass on Tannehill. They have been a disaster at QB since Dan Marino retired.

Which may lead them to take a flier on Tannehill. Once Luck and Griffin go off the board, you just know someone is going to get antsy and pick him up. He is the 3rd best option right now. So theoretically, someone could see him there and think that there is no way he could fall to them in the second and grab him.

Look at last year as a prime example of teams freaking out. Jacksonville scooped up Blaine Gabbert, Minnesota jumped on Christian Ponder, and Tennessee reached for Jake Locker. But a team like Cincinnati addressed their receiving threats with AJ Green, then waited until the second round to take Andy Dalton. Look where that got them. They have a talented tandem that will grow together. Now look at the other teams I listed, they are all in shambles. And I would be surprised if Jacksonville didn't grab a quarterback in the first two rounds this year.

Ok, for fun..here is my Mock Draft. I based it on what I think team needs are, not necessarily best player available. Also doesn't figure in trades..

1. Colts- QB Andrew Luck (Stanford)
2. Redskins- QB Robert Griffin III (Baylor)
3. Vikings- CB Morris Claiborne (LSU)
4. Browns- HB Trent Richardson (Alabama)
5. Bucs- CB Stephon Gilmore (South Carolina)
6. Rams- WR Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State)
7. Jaguars- DT Fletcher Cox (Mississippi State)
8. Dolphins- QB Ryan Tannehill (Texas A&M)
9. Panthers- WR Michael Floyd (Notre Dame)
10. Bills- OT Matt Kalil (USC)
11. Chiefs- OG David DeCastro (Stanford)
12. Seahawks- DE Quinton Coples- (UNC)
13. Cardinals- OT Riley Reiff (Iowa)
14. Cowboys- SS Mark Barron (Alabama)
15. Eagles- LB Luke Kuechly (Boston College)
16. Jets- DE Courtney Upshaw (Alabama)
17. Bengals- CB Dre Kirkpatrick (Alabama)
18. Chargers- DE Chandler Jones (Syracuse)
19. Bears- LB Melvin Ingram (South Carolina)
20. Titans- LB Whitney Mercilus (Illinois)
21. Bengals- DT Michael Brockers (LSU)
22. Browns- WR Stephen Hill (Georgia Tech)
23. Lions- DE Nick Perry (USC)
24. Steelers- OT Cordy Glenn (Georgia)
25. Broncos- DT Dontari Poe (Memphis)
26. Texans- DE Alan Branch (Clemson)
27. Patriots- LB Dont'a Hightower (Alabama)
28. Packers - DT Jerel Worthy (Michigan State)
29. Ravens- OT Mike Adams (Ohio State)
30. 49ers- G Kevin Zeitler (Wisconsin)
31. Patriots- DT Devon Still (Penn State)
32. Giants- OT Jonathan Martin (Stanford)

I got Q. Couples (UNC) going to the Panthers with the 9th pick. Our top priority is a big pass rusher.

I could see him going there. But I honestly think Michael Floyd is too good to pass up there. He is a big, physical receiver that can stretch the defense with his speed, or exploit bump and run coverage against much smaller corners. The man is 6'3 and 220lbs. Runs a 4.47. With the explosion of Cam Newton and the resurgence of Steve Smith, adding another weapon to help free them up, could be devastating. Look at Smith in particular. The guy was the only real receiving threat on that team last year. Imagine what will happen when teams have to cover someone else.


Panthers could wait until the 2nd round to address their pass rushing needs.

Vinny Curry is one to watch. At the combine, he ran a 4.98, but word was he was injured. So at his pro day, he ran a 4.64 and a 4.68. That is crazy speed off the edge, especially for someone 266lbs. He was Conference USA Defensive Player of the year. 11 sacks, 7 Forced Fumbles, and 22 tackles for loss. Guy is a wrecking machine.

The Dolphins messed up by not signing Matt Flynn. Their owner is a joke and the team may not improve until he sells it. I'm just happy the Giants are drafting 32 each round.

I could be horribly wrong, but I am not sold on Matt Flynn. He had the option to sign with them, yet chose Seattle. I think it is because the pressure for him to perform out there, is clearly less than in Miami where he will always be compared to Marino.

He had an amazing game at the end of the year last year. But it was just that, A game. He wasn't special in college and he performed in the final game of the season against the Lions, who already had a Wildcard position wrapped up.

Reminds me a lot of the Kevin Kolb hype.

If they go the Tannehill route, they will have to add another receiver somewhere. As a Buckeye fan, I love Brian Hartline. He might not be the quickest receiver on the team, but he will make a catch when needed. Bess is a playmaker, but can disappear at times. Naanee isn't going to help a young quarterback.

I would be totally joyous if the Bengals pick like that mock draft...I am worried they are going to reach for a Wide receiver...