Buddy Guy and Quinn Sullivan Paint the Zeiterion Blue

rsz_nate-winkler-new-bedford-guide — by Nate Winkler

I walked into the Zeiterion Theatre Wednesday night expecting to see a performance by a legendary blues musician. I walked out a few hours later knowing that I saw two.

Buddy Guy, famed Chicago bluesman, did not disappoint. His mastery over the pentatonic scale was riveting, as was the showmanship he’s long been noted for. I enjoyed every bent note, every crying vibrato, every story he told, whether spoken or played.

What I didn’t expect was the jaw-dropping performance by Buddy’s opening act, Quinn Sullivan. Many of you may already be familiar with the South Coast native, who is well on his way to becoming a household name himself. Sullivan, at the ripe age of 12, has the chops to not only open for Buddy Guy, but to stand toe to toe with him as well.

Had I known what I was missing, I would have gotten to the “Z” promptly at 8:00 to see the entire opening set, rather than grabbing a beverage at the Pour Farm. I caught the tail end of Quinn’s opener, but when I walked into the lobby to the sounds of his crying Stratocaster, I had a moment of panic. My ears let me assume Buddy had already taken the stage. But while Mr. Guy was still on the tour bus, his diminutive sidekick was stealing the night.

After closing to the stretched out B.B. King classic “The Thrill is Gone,” Sullivan left the stage to a roaring standing ovation. I’ve been to half a dozen or so musical performances at the “Z” in the last year, and they all seem like Church services in comparison. I’m sure Quinn had his share of family and friends to support him, but everyone in that theatre became a fan of his after hearing him play. I’ve seen talented musicians his age or younger before, but I can’t figure out how Sullivan got the blues.

When Buddy Guy came out, I had one of those great feelings that only seeing a legend can produce. He played Guy classics such as “First Time I Met the Blues,” mixed in a couple of cover songs, as well as a few songs off his new album, “Living Proof”. He interacted with the crowd, even walking around the entire theatre, lobby included, during one part of the show. Guy is a true showman from another era in every way. Born in the Mississippi Delta in the 1930’s, the world he grew up in lends reason to why he feels the hurt in every blue note he plays.

Enter Quinn Sullivan, from stage right, after a generous and heartfelt introduction from Guy. Quinn walked out like he owned the place, which at that point he did, and instantly began trading licks with Buddy. Guy had a look of a proud grandfather on his face, his prodigy being showcased in front of the home crowd.

This is where I get confused, because I don’t understand how someone of Sullivan’s age, growing up in the YouTube generation, can have the necessary fractures in his heart to properly play the blues. Most music can be fabricated, auto-tuned, and pumped out of the speakers, even when the performer is having an off night. (See any billboard top 100 from this millennium.)

The blues are not that way. They can’t be faked, and it doesn’t matter if you’re Berkley educated or learned on a two-stringed Dudley bow as Guy did. Sullivan must be carrying baggage from another lifetime in another world within his soul, because there is no other logical explanation.

It was another unforgettable night at the Zeiterion, where current and future blues legends shared the stage and bared their souls with those lucky enough to attend.

Saluting Our Veterans: Chris Moniz

This is the latest installment of Saluting Our Veterans, where we will spotlight local Southcoast residents who have honorably served in the military. You can read our first interview with Pete Despres here.

Name: Chris Moniz
Branch of Service, (Active/Reserve): USMC Active Duty
Years of Service: 4 (Aug. 1993 – Dec. 1997)
Primary Military Occupational Specialty: CH53E Helicopter Mechanic (6113)

Nate: What was the motivating factor for you deciding to serve your country by joining the military?

Moniz: I grew up in New Bedford and really lacked direction or a plan. The summer before my senior year of high school I went to talk to the military recruiters, and the Marine recruiter was impressive, both in what he had to offer and his relentless pursuit of getting me to sign on that dotted line. I bought what he was selling and entered the delayed entry program.

Nate: Briefly describe your career/service path (Boot Camp, Duty Stations, Etc.)

Moniz: I shipped out to Parris Island, South Carolina for Basic Training the day after my 18^th birthday. From there it was Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina, then onto Millington, Tennessee for Basic Helicopter School. I then completed schooling at Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, California and was assigned to a squadron on the same base, HMH-465 helicopter. I was deployed to the South Pacific on several occasions, including Okinawa, South Korea, and Thailand, as well as shipboard service on the USS Belleau Wood as part of a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

Nate: Which duty station/deployment were you most fond of and why?

Moniz: Being stationed at Tustin, which is nestled nicely between Los Angeles and San Diego, was a dream. It was unlike anything I had experienced in New England on many levels, and I adapted quite nicely. My brief stay in Thailand was also a memorable experience.

Nate: Did you participate in combat operations? If so could you describe?

CH53E Helicopter — The CH53E "Super Stallion" is is used for long-range mine sweeping and heavy-lift for the Navy.

Moniz: No, although we were given a Warning Order while I was on the Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) for a relief mission in Cambodia. We later stood down.

Nate: Which individual from your service stands out as the one who had the biggest impact on you and why?

Moniz: My Squadron Sergeant Major of HMH-465, SGT. MAJ Donald Franklin, was a man’s man. Tough and firm, but was always fair and treated us with dignity and respect. He was the senior enlisted Marine in our squadron for the duration of my time there, and I couldn’t imagine having a better leader of Marines.

Nate: How did your military service affect the way you have approached your life and career?

Moniz: The Marine Corps instilled the discipline and “get it done” mentality in me. Things aren’t always going to go your way, you just have to fight through it and get the job done. I think in today’s world, where so many people expect things to be handed to them, having that mindset is definitely and advantage.

Nate: If you had it to do all over again, would you still have decided to serve? Would you encourage or discourage your children from joining the military?

Moniz: I absolutely would do it again, I have no regrets whatsoever. As for my children, I would want them to make the best decision for them, but if they had well thought out plan that included military service and learning a trade courtesy of Uncle Sam, I’d have no problem supporting them 100%

Nate: Thank you, Chris for serving our country and for taking the time to share your story with us. “Semper Fidelis”, from one Marine to another.

Are you or someone you know a military veteran that would like to be recognized? Let us know by dropping us a line at info@newbedfordguide.com. Any branch of service, wartime or peace, young or old. Every Veteran has a story worth telling.

Bringing Them Home

On Wednesday, June 22^nd, President Obama addressed the nation, unveiling his drawdown plan for U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Although it seemed to be overshadowed in this area by the capture of notorious Boston mob boss James “Whitey” Bulger, this is a big story that has far reaching implications.

Not surprisingly, in today’s partisan political world, it has been difficult to find anyone who whole-heartedly agrees with the plan. Most Democrats believe that the President’s plan isn’t aggressive enough, and the troops should be coming home in larger numbers at a greater frequency. Most Republicans believe it is very risky to take fighting troops out of the hands of the generals on the ground, and withdrawing too much too soon could undermine all the progress that has been made in the region over the last decade. My opinion lies somewhere in between.

As a veteran who served alongside many heroes, I want nothing more than to see every last one of them home and in one piece. Conversely, if we leave before the job is done, and instability returns to the region, then a decade’s worth of blood, sweat, and sacrifice is seemingly in vain, and history will not look kindly on what “Imperialist America” so arrogantly tried to accomplish. I believe President Obama had a very difficult task of juggling those objectives, and the plan he put forth shows balance and resolve.

Before we can fully appreciate where we are going, let’s take a quick look at where we came from. Everyone has the memory of the terrorist attacks of September 11^th, 2001 seared into their minds. I was a Marine on active duty at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, a small airstrip between Cherry Point & Camp Lejeune on the coast of North Carolina. Even as the 2^nd plane hit, we were preparing for war; before the sun set that night, we were patrolling our base with the use of deadly force authorized for the first time in my military career. Although I didn’t personally know anyone who tragically perished in the attacks, I never remember feeling more sorrow than I did over those coming days. I don’t remember ever feeling more patriotic and unified, either.

Fast forward a couple of weeks to October 7^th, 2001, and Operation Enduring Freedom officially begins. The original intent of the invasion was to Find Osama Bin Laden & other Al Qaeda leaders and bring them to justice, as well as remove the Taliban from power. The coalition air campaign led to the quick ouster of the Taliban from Kabul, but the subsequent insurgency has led to many ups and downs in the decade since.

Many believe the cost of the war in Afghanistan is too high. Afghanistan took a backseat to the war in Iraq for a couple of years, and it wasn’t until the controversial troop surge, initiated by President Obama in December 2009, that enough progress was made to consider an exit strategy that didn’t include tails between legs. The raid in Pakistan that led to the death of Osama Bin Laden gave the American public the sense that victory was within reach, and all indications are that the demise of the iconic leader has crippled the terrorist organization. That brings us to where we are now, with the big red circle on the calendar for 2014, and the hope that the next time we talk to one of our brothers, sisters, sons, or daughters who serve in the military, the question, ‘When do you have to go back?’ doesn’t even enter our minds. So now let’s take a look at Obama’s plan to withdraw troops. Over 10,000 troops will be home before the end of this year, and another 23,000 by the end of the summer of 2012. That seems fairly aggressive, over a 30% reduction in essentially a year’s time. This brings us back to a pre-surge troop number, after which we will begin a transition from combat to support. Afghan security forces must be ready to shoulder the load at this point. If the region remains stable politically, which is the big wild card, the drawdown will continue over the next two years until we have essentially completely withdrawn. Many would argue that even if there is instability at that point, we must cut our losses and as the President put it, “…focus on nation building here at home”. With billions of dollars being spent in Afghanistan every day, and the myriad social and economic problems going on within our borders, it’s hard to disagree with that. I never deployed to Afghanistan, so I can’t speak first hand on to what is really going on there. I was in Iraq in 2003, and I didn’t necessarily agree with my being there, but I did what I had to do in order to get home safely, and I genuinely think the world is a better place thanks to what we did there. Hopefully in a few years, we will feel the same way about our role in Afghanistan. To draw a parallel between the two countries, it is my belief that you cannot force uncivilized people to be civilized. It’s just not that easy to convince a guy that uses his left hand as a Charmin substitute that he needs democracy. We’ve stayed the course for what will be 13 years if the plan unfolds as expected, which will go down as the longest continuous conflict in the history of the United States. It is safe to say at this point, we, as a nation, can look ourselves in the mirror and say we did everything we could to make Afghanistan and the world a safer place. But let’s not forget, the reason we are there in the first place is to make the United States of America a safer place. Everything else is, and should be, secondary. *This article is not meant to be a historical recollection of Operation Enduring Freedom, but the author’s opinion on the feasibility of the troop withdrawal proposal.

Saluting Our Veterans: Pete Despres

This is the first installment our new feature, Saluting Our Veterans, where we will spotlight local South Coast residents who have honorably served in the military.

Name: Pete Despres
Branch of Service (Active/Reserve): Army Active Duty
Years of Service: 4 (1984-1988)
Primary/Secondary MOS: Infantry (Dragon Gunner)

Nate Winkler: What was the motivating factor for you deciding to serve your country by joining the military?
Peter Despres: My family has a tradition of military service. My father was in the Army, as were my grandparents, and various uncles, cousins, and other family members. I grew up thinking that joining the service was just what a man was supposed to do when he got out of school.

Briefly describe your career/service path (Boot Camp, Duty Stations, Etc.)
Peter: I went to basic training in Fort Benning, GA, as all Army infantrymen do. Then I was assigned to the 7^th Infantry Division at Fort Ord, in Seaside, CA (The 7^th I.D. was the first “light” Infantry Division in the Army.) I spent about three years there, then did a one-year tour with the 1^st Armored Division in Vilseck, Germany, before rotating back to the United States as a civilian at the end of my commitment.

peter-despres-new-bedford-guide — Peter Despre

Which duty station/deployment were you most and least fond of and why?
Peter: I was fortunate enough to travel to a lot of interesting places including Korea, Hawaii, Panama, Germany, and various places throughout the States. I enjoyed my time in Panama and Hawaii the most, for obvious reasons, and I probably was least fond of the time I spent doing a training exercise in Arkansas. Nothing against Arkansas, but there wasn’t much going on there at the time.

Did you participate in combat operations? If so could you describe?
Peter: The U.S. wasn’t involved in any conflicts during my years of service.

Which individual from your service stands out as the one who had the biggest impact on you and why?
Peter: I went to basic training and my first unit with a man named Scott Barkalow. We became great friends, and remained in touch after I got out of the Army. Scott decided to make a career out of it, and he eventually ending up in the Special Forces. In February of 2003, his vehicle hit an anti-tank mine in Afghanistan, severing his right leg from the knee down. His positive attitude, courage, and spirit are inspirational and I’m glad to call him my friend and my brother-in-arms.

How did your military service affect the way you have approached your life and career?
Peter: First and foremost, being in the Army taught me the importance of being physically fit. I make every effort to run and workout three times a week. Second, and maybe most importantly, I understand how to deal with adversity and hardship, both physically as well as mentally. Being a soldier, even in peacetime, exposes you to difficult situations, and you learn that you are capable of far more than you ever realized. The responsibility, discipline, and fortitude that the Army required and demanded of me has helped in virtually every aspect of my life.

Thank you Pete for serving our country, and for taking the time to share your story with us. Readers, if you see Pete out on the town, buy him a pint and ask him to tell you his communist Germany train ride story… It’s a keeper.

An Evening with Kris Kristofferson

One man. One guitar. Generations worth of stories about hard living, heartbreak, love, and life all wrapped up into one intimate musical performance. This is what I was fortunate enough to witness last Tuesday (May 3rd) as a member of the jam-packed audience inside the Zeiterion Theater for the performance by American icon Kris Kristofferson. Although I expected to enjoy the show (as I do almost any live music performance), I grossly underestimated the raw power and rugged emotion this 74-year-old native Texan brought to the stage.

When I was younger, my grandfather would frequently take me on camping trips to bluegrass festivals throughout the Midwest, and a Waylon, Willie, or Johnny Cash record never seemed too far out of the rotation on Dad’s record player. Although at that point in his career (mid 80’s) Mr. Kristofferson was primarily focused on his acting, I remember staring at the cover of the Highwayman record and reveling at the outlaws, especially the one with the cool name, unaware then of his genre-stretching resume and the breadth of his songwriting.

As I grew older my musical interests drifted towards southern rock and the blues, where many of the artists I grew to love were undoubtedly influenced by his songs as well. What follows is my recollection of the evening, which can be perfectly captured in the following lines from the song “Bird on a Wire,” lines which are rumored to be requested by Kristofferson for his epitaph:

“Like a bird on a wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.”

-“Bird on a Wire” by Leonard Cohen

To roaring cheers he walked out dressed in black with his guitar strapped to his chest, a lone spotlight shining down on his microphone stand, looking every bit the part of the outlaw persona that made him an icon. He simply nodded his head, and began to play and sing. His whiskey-gravel voice instantly silenced the crowd as he began to weave his tales. After the first song, “Shipwrecked in the Eighties,” he quipped: “I was going to apologize for those words I forgot in that song, but I’ve already forgotten what I’d forgot,” poking fun at his age and senility while giving us all a glimpse of the fun we were about to have for the next two hours.

He quickly won over the crowd with a salute to our Troops before proceeding, then moved right into what was a great first set that included favorites like the touching “Darby’s Castle”, the anthem“Bobby McGee” (which became a sing-along), and then dialed up the knee-slapping “Best of All Possible Worlds.” This became the theme for the evening, as he laced soul-bearing ballads with tunes of upbeat, outlaw debauchery to get the crowd laughing again.

kris kristofferson new bedford guide zeiterion — Kris Kristofferson

The night was filled with songs that were easily recognizable (some surprisingly so), as well as songs from deep within the catalog that I wasn’t familiar with. I’ll have to admit, I tried to take notes on the songs he was playing to compile a set list, but somewhere toward the end of the first set I put my pen down, feeling like I was losing the emotional connection with the artist as I reached for my notebook every couple of minutes.

Although the tightness of the music drifted at times, and there were more than a couple of forgotten lines, I was absolutely riveted by the way Kristofferson played to the crowd. There was continuous banter between himself and a few energetic fans, even taking a couple of requests off the cuff. He sprinkled in a couple timely anecdotes in as well, one in particular about a former Army flight instructor that preceded the song “Sky King,” for whom it was written. If I were a Berklee graduate, I could easily nitpick the simplicity of the music and the tonal range of the singer, but I think the beauty is the way he dances within and around his limits, and all you hear is the stories, every one of them believable.

He ended the night with a double encore, embracing the crowd and oozing with gratitude. The lights dimmed as the harrowing and befitting “Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends” began. Then, as simply as he walked on, The Outlaw strode off the stage. As the Cohen quote alludes, Kris Kristofferson has experienced a life of hard-living, broken dreams, fun, and great achievements. Throughout it all he has done it his way, wild and free, which perfectly embodies the American Spirit.

2011 NFL Draft Preview

April is arguably the greatest sports month on the calendar. It begins with the culmination of the NCAA’s March Madness and the hope that springs eternal with Major League Baseball’s Opening Day. The NHL and NBA playoff s get underway shortly thereafter, and tucked in there is golf’s crown jewel, The Masters. While these are all events worth celebrating, my favorite event this month will occur in just a few days. It will not take place on a field of play, but rather it will happen in Radio City Music Hall. Beginning Thursday night with Round 1, and ending over the weekend with “Mr. Irrelevant,” the NFL will conduct its annual draft to determine which college/amateur players will get to fulfill their dreams and become professional athletes.

As most people who follow the NFL are aware, the league is currently in the middle of a labor disagreement between the players and owners that could threaten the 2011 season. This article isn’t meant to be about that, but the work stoppage does affect the dynamics of the draft in a few interesting ways. First of all, teams are not able to trade players for each other or draft picks, which is how many players (think Randy Moss and Richard Seymour) end up changing uniforms.

Secondly, there is no free agency period, which would normally have taken place between the end of last season and the draft. Most teams usually address some of their needs for the upcoming season through free agency, and without that ability this year the draft will be accentuated even more. Also, this year’s draft has a higher than normal influx of underclassmen, due to the seemingly imminent rookie wage scale that is being proposed in the new labor agreement. This can create a draft pool with less polished players, so there may be a need to be more patient with the lower round guys while they develop.

I have spent countless hours since the scouting combine in February listening to the various talking heads, reading scouting reports and mock drafts, and doing my own independent research, and based on what I’ve found, here is my best guess at how the first round could play out. There is also the possibility of teams trading up or down, as the Patriots have a reputation for doing. It’s important to note that New England has three of the first 33 draft picks, and six of the first 92, both of which are unprecedented. Don’t expect Bill Belichick and company to be holding pat with that kind of ammunition.

First Round: Thursday, April 28th at 8 P.M. (ESPN, NFL Network

Pick	Team	Projected Pick: *(denotes underclassmen)**	Nate’s Notes:
1	Carolina Panthers	(QB) Cam Newton-Auburn	2010 Heisman Winner has too much upside to pass up, despite short body of work and some character concerns. Has the potential to be a once in a generation QB.
2	Denver Broncos	(DT) Marcel Dareus-Alabama	A strong, physical presence with a nasty side, he will instantly help one of the league’s most woeful defensive fronts.
3	Buffalo Bills	(LB) Von Miller-Texas A&M	This year’s most complete edge rusher, will create havoc in the backfield but wasn’t asked to drop into coverage much in college.
4	Cincinnati Bengals	(QB) Blaine Gabbert-Missouri	With Carson Palmer’s situation unsettled, both on and off the field, this is the Bengals’ chance to solidify the key position for the next decade.
5	Arizona Cardinals	(WR) A.J. Green-Georgia	The Cardinals probably hope Gabbert(4) falls to them here as they desperately need a QB, but if not, look for them to either take the dynamic Green or try to trade down for more picks.
6	Cleveland Browns	(DB) Patrick Peterson-LSU	A seemingly “can’t miss” prospect, Peterson has the potential to be a game changer on defense and special teams a la Deion Sanders, and will be hard for the teams above to pass up.
7	San Francisco 49ers	(DT) Nick Fairley-Auburn	Many experts say it’s a toss- up between him and Dareus for the top DL prospect, but Fairley’s stock has taken a hit due to character and work ethic concerns, despite superior numbers.
8	Tennessee Titans	(DE) Robert Quinn-North Carolina	Although Quinn did not play a down in 2010 due to a suspension, he is a talented pass rusher and most GM’s are convinced he’s prepared to be a solid citizen. He’s also been the beneficiary of Da’Quan Bowers’ (14) slide due to health concerns.
9	Dallas Cowboys	(OT) Tyron Smith-Southern Cal	Smith is the highest rated offensive lineman in the draft, and the Cowboys desperately need a big earth-mover to shore up that unit, which was one of the oldest and slowest in the league last year.
10	Washington Redskins	(WR) Julio Jones-Alabama	A big, strong receiver that can beat the jam at the line of scrimmage and make plays both vertically and in traffic, Jones should help the ‘Skins lackluster offense instantly.
11	Houston Texans	(DB) Prince Amukamara-Nebraska	The road to the playoffs for the Texans goes through Indy, and Peyton Manning. After proving himself in the pass-happy Big XII, “The Pharoah” could turn into a shutdown corner that may help Houston finally get over the hump.
12	Minnesota Vikings	(DE) Cameron Jordan-California	An intelligent, coachable defender who can play any of the DL positions, and is athletic enough to stand up and drop into coverage. Played both 3-4 and 4-3 at Cal, Not an elite pass rusher, but an all-around talent who is solid in all phases.
13	Detroit Lions	(DE/LB) Aldon Smith- Missouri	Coach Jim Schwartz wants to stock his cupboard with front seven disrupters, and Smith will be a perfect complement to Suh and Co. Has the ability to provide pressure from the edge and is athletic enough to cover most TE’s.
14	St. Louis Rams	(DE) Da’Quan Bowers-Clemson	Bowers was a chic top 3 pick early on in the evaluation process, but has seen his stock slide recently over growing injury concerns. If, if, if he can stay on the field, he has the potential to be an elite pass rusher, and would be a steal for the Rams at this slot.
15	Miami Dolphins	(DE) J.J. Watt-Wisconsin	Get your DE’s while they’re hot, as it looks like the ‘Phins will go with Watt, the Big Ten standout who’s high motor and intangibles make him a quiet favorite among many of the league’s scouts. It wouldn’t be a shocker if he goes earlier in lieu of one of the edge defenders listed above.
16	Jacksonville Jaguars	(OT) Anthony Castonzo-Boston College	Could end up as a rare but coveted All-Pro LT, this 4 year starter from just down the road at Chestnut Hill makes up for his slight lack of strength with quickness, technique, and guile.
17	New England Patriots*	(DE) Ryan Kerrigan-Purdue	The Patriots, if they stay put, would likely consider taking a DE here, as they are still searching for answers following Richard Seymour’s departure. Kerrigan may not end up with a bust in Canton, but will be a solid pro that will improve his team, which is the Patriot Way.
18	San Diego Chargers	(OL) Mike Pouncey-Florida	An anchor for the Gators over his career, he’s portrayed as a can’t miss interior lineman, especially after seeing his brother perform as a rookie for the Steelers last year. (His injury leading up to the game was one of the main storylines of S.B. XLV)
19	New York Giants	(DT) Corey Liuget-Illinois	After a temporary reprieve, we’re back on the DL here as the G-men land an underrated force here in Liuget. Has the makeup to become a stalwart in the middle against the run, as well as forcing pressure right up the middle of the pocket, which makes QB’s squirm.
20	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	(OT) Gabe Carimi-Wisconsin	Arguably one of the toughest players in all of this year’s draft, Carimi should be able to walk in and take over at the RT position, giving the young Bucs some stability to grow around.
21	Kansas City Chiefs	(CB) Jimmy Smith-Colorado	Although he comes with a trail of red flags, regarding his character, Smith has the athleticism and moxie to be an elite DB in the league. The Chiefs would likely roll the dice to get some help for their oft-scorched secondary from a year ago.
22	Indianapolis Colts	(RB) Mark Ingram-Alabama	The former Heisman Trophy winner comes with some durability concerns, he was a workhorse for the Crimson Tide over the last couple of seasons, but he is a strong, compact runner who almost never loses yardage. The next Emmitt Smith may be a stretch, but you can draw many parallels.
23	Philadelphia Eagles	(OT) Derek Sherrod-Mississippi State	The Eagles will take their highest rated O-lineman left at this point, which will either be Sherrod or Watkins (29). Sherrod is a monster at 6’6″, 320, and should develop into a solid starter on either side of the line, protecting one of the league’s hottest commodities in Michael Vick.
24	New Orleans Saints	(DL) Phil Taylor-Baylor	A freakish athlete for a man weighing over 330 pounds, Taylor has the potential to anchor a defensive line and create a lot of happy (and rich) linebackers with his ability to tie up offensive lineman and lead blockers.
25	Seattle Seahawks	(DE) Adrian Clayborn-Iowa	Seattle could surprise here and take a QB (TCU’s Andy Dalton is among the strongest candidates to be the 3rd QB off the board), but if they don’t look for them to take Clayborn, who is a top 15 talent but has some health concerns.
26	Baltimore Ravens	(DT) Cameron Heyward-Ohio State	Son of the late, great Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, he plays with the fervor and tenacity that his father was known for. Has a high motor, jumps off the film when watching the OSU defense, and could be a case of the rich getting richer if the Ravens grab him here.
27	Atlanta Falcons	(DT) Muhammad Wilkerson-Temple	The Falcon’s would be ecstatic if Wilkerson fell to them here, as some have him going much higher. Can play DE in the 3-4 and is a stout defender who can hold his ground against the run and make plays in the backfield as well.
28	New England Patriots	(OL) Nate Solder-Colorado	Tom Terrific would likely cry less and dance more if the Pats were to add this pass blocking specialist from the Big XII. Solder would provide relief to a unit that is growing gray and less athletic by the year.
29	Chicago Bears	(OL) Danny Watkins-Baylor	Watkins is an interesting story. Already 26 and a former firefighter from British Columbia, he is a mature and reliable presence who can play either Guard or Tackle. Shoring up this unit is unquestionably the Bears #1 priority on draft day.
30	New York Jets	(LB) Akeem Ayers-UCLA	Would be a great fit as an inside LB in a 3-4, and the Jets could use an infusion of youth on that side of the ball. Plays a physical, disciplined game that Rex Ryan loves.
31	Pittsburgh Steelers	(WR) Torrey Smith-Maryland	A big play threat who consistently made defenders look JV during his career as a Terp, will need to work to polish his game to become a complete receiver in the NFL.
32	Green Bay Packers	(DL) Marvin Austin-North Carolina	An incredible talent who put up monster numbers while on the field, but improper actions with an agent got him kicked off the team prior to the 2010 season. Immense upside but “me first” perception could cost him dearly.