billdawg12185

Let's put Jason Taylor and the Miami Dolphins in this scenario. It is obvious Bill Parcells isn't happy that Taylor is dancing and not in mini-camp workouts. Granted he is a defensive stud and the only bright spot on a terrible Miami team last year.

There is no doubt Taylor is going to have an acting career after football and at the age of 33 that time is coming quickly. Being the first active NFL player to compete on Dancing with the Stars, he saw it as a great opportunity because his team was and will be in the rebuilding process for a few years.

Yes they got better through the draft but was it enough? I doubt. Now back to the possible trade. Miami was asking for a first rounder during the draft and didn't get it. Taylor is getting older and isn't worth a first rounder at his age, but as a Jaguar fan I'd give up a future second rounder or a third and fifth for him. Taylor would be an immediate impact on the field, in the locker room and be able to mentor Derrick Harvey and Queiten Groves.

Taylor probably has one or two more years in him before he turns into a full-time actor, but I'd love to see the Jags snatch him up even if it is just for a year. Win now I say. And with Taylor not in good favor with Miami management, teams could probably get him much cheaper.

Miami can see him retiring this year and might get scared and give him up for much less than they originally wanted. I wouldn't be surprised.

Parcells runs a tight ship and having his best defensive player dancing isn't sitting well. If he can get a few draft picks for him, I know he would do it. Parcells loves the draft and drafts well. The more picks the better in his book.

I know Parcells likes the horses and takes gambles on players. Here is another gamble, and I think it would benefit Miami as well as Jacksonville.

So Mr. Parcells if you are reading this, let me speak on behalf of Jacksonville. An offer of a third- and fifth-rounder are on the table........you my friend are on the clock.

I don't know about anyone else, but I think PETA should find something else to complain about. Wanting to suspend Gabriel Saez, the jockey aboard Eight Belles in the Kentucky Derby is ridiculous.

The passing of Eight Belles was extremely tragic and as a horse racing fan you never want to see something like that happen. But for PETA to say Saez knowingly pushed the filly to her death is unfounded. Vets at the derby say there is no way Eight Belles could have suffered her injury before the race ended.

Running on two broken ankles? Not likely. The injury occurred when the horses slow themselves down after the race and the jockey stands up (sorry I don't know if there is a more correct term) to relieve the weight off the horse.

The fact people are saying a filly shouldn't have run in the derby is just as crazy as PETA. Rags to Riches beat the big boys last year, and Eight Belles could have done that this year.

Trainers, owners and jockeys all love the horses. I've seen that love first hand at the Saratoga Race Course and at friend's horse farms. I know fatalities happen, and the most current stat I've heard since Saturday's tragedy is 1.6 deaths per 1,000 races. Factor in there are probably an average of 8 horses per race (I'm guessing on this one) so that's almost two deaths per 8,000 horses.

I've seen a horse put down at Saratoga and a hush came over the crowd. It's scary. But imagine the jockeys who put their lives on the line to ride these great athletes. I've seen three jockeys fall off during one race. When a horse starts to fall, the motion brings the jockey forward. So again, PETA saying Saez didn't have any regard for Eight Belles is crazy.

I have to say the only thing PETA could say is cruel is the whip. It's been used in horse racing forever, and if they want to try to change anything that should be their focus not trying to suspend Saez. Even the trainer said Saez did everything right.

And lastly, I've heard people saying they should spread the Triple Crown Races out. Normally horses have a two month rest between races, or more but to win the Triple Crown a horse must endure three races in just over a month. If that were to change it would take all the integrity, history and drama of the Triple Crown.

One day until one of my favorite days of the year, the Kentucky Derby -- the first leg of the Triple Crown. I don't think this is the year we crown a Triple Crown winner, but its all about the chance and possibility of crowning one.

After the 20 horse field for the derby, only 10 or 12 go to the next leg and the other contenders rest up for the Belmont Stakes. Can you blame the trainer and owners though? Why run your horse if they isn't as much at stake. Resting for the final leg of the Triple Crown is a smart move and gives you the best chance at winning.

Look at last year, all three were great races, but three different horses won. It doesn't take anything away from any of those horses, but everyone would love to see a Triple Crown winner in their lifetime. I have yet to see one, but hope to one day.

This year the 20-horse field doesn't have any horse that has a lot of hype around them like in the past years. I know Big Brown is the favorite at 3-1 but he hasn't raced in that many races and having the outside post isn't exactly lucky. Only one horse has won the derby from that post. And looking back to 2007 some of the horses that were supposed to be a potential Triple Crown hopeful isn't even in the field of 20. War Pass trained by Nick Zito started off great, but towards the end of last year couldn't buy a win.

Old news, as we focus on the present favorites. I personally don't like Big Brown, mainly because of his post. I worked in Saratoga Springs for the past four years and got multiple chances to go to the Saratoga Race Course and take in the beauty of the grounds and horses. I was also able to see Street Sense, Rags to Riches, among others last year.

There is nothing better than taking in the track, and cheering on the horse you bet on down the stretch. As I won't be in Kentucky to watch the derby, you better believe I'll be taking in the races at home or at a bar. I'll probably place a few bets but don't expect to win it big.

My picks: Colonel John - Z Fortune - Gayego - Big Brown

I'll start off by saying I am no expert, just an avid sports fan and took in my fair share of the NFL draft this weekend. Pizza, beer and some picks leaving me scratching my head. My mock draft exploded like many others mainly because we can't predict what trades might be made. Granted it is too soon to tell how this draft will pan out, but just based on needs, talent and potential I'll give this a shot. So without further ado here are my grades.


Arizona Cardinals: They addressed offensive line last year with Levi Brown but still needed more in this draft to open some holes for James and give whoever plays quarterback some time to throw the dam ball. They didn't had any depth at o-line until the 7th round, but they did address their secondary needs with their first pick.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie should be a solid corner in the NFL and is the Cardinals best player taken in the draft. I like that they took three defensive ends because that is a huge need for this team. They are betting on one of the three to be a solid pass rusher. Also to picks of Early Doucet and Tim Hightower are inexpensive picks to bring in depth at both positions. Edge is getting old and Doucet provides insurance in case Boldin is traded (especially with him unhappy with his contract).

Grade: B

Atlanta Falcons: Arthur Blank needed a face of the franchise so they can finally put the Michael Vick saga behind them. I question the choice of Matt Ryan with the third pick because Glenn Dorsey would have been a stud on their defensive line. I know teams were worried about his injuries but he is a difference maker on D. They could have gotten a quarterback in the second round pretty easily considering how far Chad Henne and Brian Brohm fell.

Taking Sam Baker in the first round and trading up might be a stretch but they felt he'd be gone by their next pick. I agree with taking some line help to protect your new franchise QB, but it might have came pretty steep. The thing I like is that they added a lot of picks to their defense.

I think their best pick was Chevis Jackson from LSU. He will be a starter at CB and was a great pick in the third round.

Grade: B-

Baltimore Ravens: I started off really liking the first round trade with Jacksonville and getting more picks to rebuild. Then trading back up to take Flacco baffled me. I know they need a quarterback now that Steve McNair called it quits and Kyle Boeller never panned out. I think Flacco would have been there at No. 26 for the Ravens and they would have had more picks to use.

I really like taking Ray Rice in the second and having him team up with McGahee in the backfield. Tavares Gooden and Tom Zbikowski should fit right in with the Ravens defense and be contributors. They didn't get any huge picks in this draft but filled the teams needs. If Flacco pans out and is the franchise QB the Ravens hope obviously this draft grade goes up.

Grade: C+

Buffalo Bills: I think the Bills came out of this weekend with some starters and a lot of good role players. I love the Leodis McKelvin pick. He gives them youth in the secondary and a future starter. Getting James Hardy in the second was a steal and I also like the pick of receiver Steve Johnson in the seventh. I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes a solid slot receiver for the Bills.

If the Bills can stay healthy they could be a surprise team in the AFC this year. They played tough last year and lost some close games. These picks should fill in som