One week until the NFL draft, I just sent out the invitations for my annual draft party, and it’s time to check out the mock drafts again.
Only two of the mock drafters have updated their mock drafts (get with it, mock drafters!). Fox Sports’ Adam Caplan still doesn’t have Jake Locker in his first round, but Pro Football Weekly has moved The Savior from #15 (MIA) to #12 (MIN). Two new names appear for the Seahawks, Jimmy Smith, a 6-3, 211 lb. CB. No more getting pawned by Larry Fitzgerald with Smith around, you’d hope. Pro Football Weekly now has the Hawks selecting Andy Dalton, the ginger TCU QB, who our own Doug Farrar has called a “fringe prospect” because of his lack of arm strength. Doug didn’t exactly say Dalton’s passes weren’t strong enough to knock Jack Wilson over, but he sure implied it.
My exclusive mock draft is available via fax for $250. I have yet to actually write a mock draft, but if anyone wants to pay me the $250, I will.
Tigers 3, Mariners 2 [recap]: Bedard struggled with his command and lasted just five innings, but David Pauley kept the team in the game with scoreless relief. Still, the offense couldn’t break through. The M’s had the tying run on second with one out in the ninth, but Bradley and then Carlos Peguero, in his first major league game, struck out.
In other news…
Peguero’s debut wasn’t exactly Ron-Wright-esque, but it weren’t purty, either. The big lefty went 0-4 with 3 Ks, including the aforementioned whiff to end the game. Todd wrote a neat story summing up Peguero’s day.
The increasingly relevant Adam Kennedy hit a home run in his 11th start of the season. Dustin Ackley may find his path to the majors blocked not by Wilson, but by Kennedy, who’s second on the team in OPS.
You know, Ken Griffey Jr. is just full of pleasant surprises. He’s a great dad, he’s an international diplomat, and — who knew — he’s a pilot!
M’s manager Eric Wedge talked about his first major league start, which came against the M’s and Randy Johnson. Wedge also shared his awesome advice to Peguero, which you hope the guy took: “I told him to go out and have fun. Enjoy the day. Sometimes we get so caught up in this, you forget to do that. Its important. Realize how fortunate we all are, go out and enjoy the day and enjoy the game.”
Why did David Aardsma walk so many dudes in his rehab stint Tuesday? He was too amped up by his own theme music, writes our John Hickey.
New Seattle real estate site Curbed shows us photos of former and current Mariners’ big-ass houses.
After his four-hit game Tuesday night, Ichiro’s 9th all-time in four-plus hit games with 44, writes our Steve Rudman.
The Sounders may go an unorthodox front line tonight against Colorado on Friday, writes our Stanley Holmes.
Jokester Fredy Montero played a little prank on Alvaro Fernandez, writes Matt Gaschk of SoundersFC.com.
The Huskies’ d-line could be beastly, writes Bob Condotta.
Junior college big man Keith Davis won’t play for UW next year, reports Percy Allen. Darnell Gant, hope you’re doing a lot of squats!
Know the name Helene Madison? You ought to. Madison, an Olympic swimmer, was Seattle’s first international celebrity, writes our David Eskanazi.
Seven days closer to a championship…
Thursday, April 21
Mariners vs. Oakland @ Safeco, 7:10 p.m. (ROOT) Felix Day!
Friday, April 22
Sounders @ Colorado Rapids, 6:30 p.m. (FSC)
Mariners vs. Oakland @ Safeco, 7:10 p.m. (ROOT) Pineda Day!
Saturday, April 23
Mariners vs. Oakland @ Safeco, 6:10 p.m. (ROOT)
Sunday, April 24
Mariners vs. Oakland @ Safeco, 1:10 p.m. (ROOT)
Monday, April 25
NADA
Tuesday, April 26
Mariners @ Detroit, 4:05 p.m. (ROOT)
Wednesday, April 27
Mariners @ Detroit, 4:05 p.m. (ROOT)