NFL Draft - April 23rd & 24th

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
81

No, it don’t think they would have been better doing it your way… M. Williams is basically a younger M. Muhammed. The Bears don’t need two big, physical WR’s, they needed a sure-handed speedster who can break a game open. Granted, Bradley isn’t sure-handed, but he is a speedster (I’m not sold that he’s a game breaker) But that’s the Bears for you. And Benson will do more to improve the passing game than any WR, with the exception of Braylon Edwards, available. T. Jones doesn’t have the ability to force the defense to put 8 in the box, nor to wear down the defense. C. Benson does. He’ll add more to the passing game by keeping d’s from cheating on the pass, by pounding the ball, by giving play-action an actual “action”, by picking up blitzes, and by creating more 3rd and 2 or 3, than 3rd and 8 or 9. Passing on the surest thing in the draft to get a guy you already have would’ve been a huge error. Plus, Arrington, Fason, Barber, and Shelton are not nearly as good as Benson. While you have a point that the ratio of Williams to Bradley is much higher than Benson to Shelton, I think Benson is going to help the Bears a ton more than Mike Williams would ever have. The Bears are a defense orientated, control the ball, don’t make mistakes, type of team. Benson is a great fit for them.

Well, since yesterday, I’ve become a huge fan of Murphy, so I’m biased that way.

No, you take the best player available. Benson is better than Williams. Plus, he’s going to help your team win much more than having M. Williams on your roster would. Don’t get me wrong, I hate the Bears, but I think they did right by taking Benson.

Predicting which QB’s will prosper in the NFL is tough enough in the first round, let alone picking among 3rd, 4th, or 5th rounders. I like Orton, and the QB coach for the Bears probably knows him better than anyone, so I’d trust his judgment, if I were a Bear fan that is.

Unfortunately, I think the Lions improved more than anyone else in the NFL North. They didn’t make a bad pick, they helped themselves immensely, and they got a couple of guys who could blossom into studs. Fuckers. At least I can console myself that the Pack had a better draft than at least one of the teams in the NFL North.

82

In the defense of all the teams that passed on him, it takes a special kind of stupid to test positive for pot at the combine, when every single person attending is tested and knows in advance that they will be tested. In a lot of ways, it’s worse than Castillo’s steroid positive - at least Castillo had (some kind of) an excuse, and handled the situation pretty well.

83

Ah, yes … Kyle Brady. :rolleyes:

Fortunately for the Jets, that was only the third-worst mistake in the Top Ten of that year’s draft. :stuck_out_tongue:

Cincinnati kicked things off by selecting the doomed Ki-Jana Carter with the No. 1 spot, and Philadelphia wasted its pick at No. 7 on Mike Mamula, whose name is invoked year after year after year around draft time as commentators caution teams to avoid “workout wonders.” At least Brady has kicked around the league for a good number of years and been relatively productive.

84

Initially I was really unhappy about the Bears decision to pass on Mike Williams. I would have been fine with Ronnie Brown at #4, and might have preferred him to Williams. Then I had a change of heart. I think Benson will be good. He’s coming in with something to prove. It isn’t the same thing as having a chip on your shoulder; he’s got a lot of motivation to be successful and I think he’s happy to be in Chicago. His interview left something to be desired (what was he talking about?), but it’s good to see he has some emotion, and was kind of caught up in the situation. I think he will be the best pick the Bears could have made. (Let’s hope I’m right.)

It would have been nice if the Bears would have brought in some offensive line help. Bradley seems like a big project, and I have an aversion from players that are likely to be a product of the system (like those from Oklahoma). Why not take Khalif Barnes instead of Bradley? I hope the O-line is better than last year.

Orton is an OK pick for the fourth round. He’s got to be an improvement over Krenzel. Currie is more exciting to me than Bradley.

I have the Chicago sports fan thing going for me, which means I don’t have confidence in any of the teams (other than being confident that something will go wrong, and the team will lose). I would really like to see things get turned around.

85

My Saints stole McPherson in the 5th. I think at the very least it will force Brooks to start playing like his job depends on it.

86

Well since no one has commented on the Niners specifically, I’ll give it a go.
ALEX SMITH QB – I don’t like having to pay No. 1 pick money for a QB when we have three on the roster. That said, I think Rattay is or will be soon be headed elsewhere. None of QBs shined last season, but Rattay was particularly onerous as he had more experience at the position. Still no one really got a fair shot at showing their ability last year due to horrendous line play, so this one is a wait and see.

DAVID BASS G – See above, last year our line was decimated by injuries, with predictable results. Any moves to shore up the line is a GOOD THING. Add to that, that BASS is versatile and can also play OT and I’m happy.

FRANK GORE RB – I figure this was a good player available at that time pick. He doesn’t really add anything that we don’t posses at RB in Barlow and Hicks in breakaway ability or Beasley and Jackson at short yardage. However, again I’ll wait and see.

ADAM SNYDER G – See previous comments on David Bass. Good Pick.

I was also happy to see added depth at CB in the closeout of the draft and a continuing commitment on defense, with a DT drafted in the 5th Round. There is talk of moving Rumph (CB) to safety and I’d love to see him playing opposite Tony Parrish. When he’s had a chance to make open field tackles he lays on some great hits.

87

Here’s my Steeler-centric take on things:

  1. Health Miller TE : As a side: He had hernia issues over the past couple months and IIRC did not work out at the combine so that’s part of the reason he fell to the end of the first. Love the guy, just have concerns he’s a fit four our team. We havent utilized the TE as an offensive weapon since the days of Eric Green. Millers run blocking is supposedly average (and that may be generous.) But, that’s about the only knock on him that I’ve read. As long as we will use him in a way that showcases his strengths, I’m good with it.

  2. Bryant McFadden CB-- Very nice pick, and I couldn’t understand at all a couple of the CBs that went before this guy did. Great value pick here.

  3. Trai Essex OT: . Goddamit Pittsburgh, you had a nice run going and then this turd comes floating to the top of the punchbowl. Haven’t seen any of this kid, and he may turn out to be ok, but the one thing that sticks out like a sore thumb was no matter how bad you want this guy…he’ll be there in round 4 or 5!! :mad: Why take him now? Sigh. Supposedly this guy can play T or OG and they were impressed with his visit. Whatever. Definate reach here. Double the suck was that Elton Brown was still on the board here – arizona took him about 10 picks later.

  4. Fred Gibson, WR: Niiice. I will let them slide on that Essex pick, I think Gibson is value here. Good Height, Good speed, Will make the highlight reel catch and then drop the easy one. slight frame – will likely need to be addressed. Hands sometimes questionable. Limited YAC. Sound like anyone who’s name rhymes with “Traxico” ? All we’ve heard is that losing Plax meant we lost our ability to stretch the field. We may have just gotten in back here. Really like this pick to start the day off.

  5. Rian “Goo” Wallace LB – This guy played mostly OLB in college but I think they grabbed him to move him to ILB. Eh. Not horribly excited or PO’d about this pick.

  6. Chris Kemoeatu OG – SHWEEET! I was actually hoping we would grab this guy in the 5th round and here he was staring us in the face at the end of the 6th. This dude is big, strong, and pissed off. Has the measurables and the skills to be a dominant OG but needs to keep his head in check. Apparently he was suspended in consecutive games in college for shit after the wistle. I trust Russ Grimm can properly motivate him.

7a. Shaun Nua – DE. Who? WHO?!? :frowning: Crap pick # 2. Why is KayJay Harris still available…Why the F didn’t we just draft him? Ugh.

7b. Noah Herron, RB. Again, I like KayJay HArris in this spot but obviously those running the show diagree. This kid is a good looking RB, a HB/FB hybrid. I get the feeling with this pick that Verron Haynes’ days a Steeler may by numbered. We’ll see.
All in all I am really happy with this draft. The past few years have been “pretty solid on day 1, but day 2 we’ll just pick names out of a hat”. This year I feel like they got at least 2 and potentially 4 players on day 2 who can help them out in the next year or two.

88

I have no axe to grind with the 49s but I think they flopped on this pick. If they want to take a RB with this pick, that’s fine…but taking one when Fiason, Barber (and for that matter, Sproles and Moats) were still on the boards doesn’t make any sense to me at all. He’s already had both his knees rebuilt…

89

I have LaTroy Hawkins as an RP. Nobody deserves derision and mocking quite like me.

He could single-handedly guarantee a last place finish come October.

90

Like I said, I don’t really get this pick either, he doesn’t add anything we don’t already have. :shrug:

91

Philly:

Mike Patterson, DT: An excellent pick for their scheme. I was thinking DE, but I take this as a sign that the team still believes Jerome McDougal will come around. Corey Simon may very well be gone before the season starts, though I don’t think so. My guess is they try to keep everyone this year before the mass purge next offseason.

Reggie Brown, WR: Freddie Mitchell is gone within the week, and my hunch is TO is gone after this year.

Matt McCoy, OLB, David Bergeon, ILB: McCoy was surprising, to me, but a solid pick. May start, and will probably lead to Simoneau or Dhani Jones being released; if Bergeron makes the team, probably the former.

Ryan Moats, RB: Will fit into the Iggle’s preferred RB rotation. Conventional wisdom is that Westbrook is gone after this year; but I think he could stay if he can handle 200 carries/50 catches and stay healthy. Also will depend on how Moats looks.

Ryan Consadine, S: Their backup FS may be on IR, and Brian Dawkins isn’t getting younger. Solid pick.

Todd Herremans, T; Scott Young, G; Calvin Armstrong, T: 3 linemen, 2 of which are “projects.” The only way Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan are wearing green in 2006 is if the Jets want them.

Trent Cole, DE: Finally, a DE in round 5. May be a 3rd down rusher.

Keyonta Marshall, DT: 6’0" 355. Sweet Og, he’s a fire hydrant. Goodbye Hollis Thomas.

My read on this: This is a team that will have a major makeover next offseason: looking at the Ourlad’s depth chart, I count 8 to 12 starters who likely will not be with the team in 2006. As usual, they’re looking ahead. They could have gone with immediate need at DE or TE, but that’s a position they can fill with a rookie next year. Every single pick was made with an eye more on 2006 than 2005.

92

That’s the conventional wisdom, but only because the sport is so hidebound that kickers are still not considered real players.

But just look at the Patriots to see the importance of an absolutely reliable placekicker. They wouldn’t have those 3 SB trophies with an ordinary one. But the Jets just might have won the last one if they’d had a Vinatieri of their own.

Nugent absolutely stood out at his position in college, and that position is one of the few that translates well to the pros. That pick looks fine to me.

Punters are generally interchangeable, though, a few yards here or there don’t affect the outcome, and Denver can find one on the waiver wire almost anytime. The Clarett pick looks doubtful because he’s both so raw and so irresponsible. They could have traded for Travis Henry with the same pick.

My Pats needed depth at the O-line and the secondary, and got it. They still need to get another veteran linebacker in case Bruschi’s done, but the June 1 salary dump should provide one. Don’t worry about Mel Kiper not liking the Mankins pick at #32; Belichick and Pioli have built more SB winners than Kiper has, so just shut the hell up, Mel.

93

Thats a hell of a good point about the Henry for a 3rd rounder possibility. Puts the magnitude of the Clarrett gaffe in perspective. Though you need to adjust for salary cap hit. He’d better be another Shannahan creation or else they are hosed.

94

True on all counts. I’ll also allow that a) the J-E-T-S know better than anyone that kickers are real players after the loss to Pittsburgh last year and b) they got their CB a few picks later, whereas they thought they couldn’t do it by picking Miller first because the Vikings were thinking of taking Nugent. So they kind of got away with one there.

But still. This is the Jets we’re talking about here, and the NFL draft. And even though kickers are real players there hasn’t historically been a big return on picking them high in the draft. Disappointment and heartache are all but guaranteed to Gang Green from this (or any other) pick.

Ken O’Brian was a perfectly good quarterback, but in 1983 John Elway, Todd Blackledge, Jim Kelly and Tony Eason were gone. Remaining were O’Brian and some guy named Dan Marino. 'Nuff said.

95

Chicago Bears
There’s been enough discussion of the first three picks, so I won’t dwell on it too much here. As for the rest of the picks, I’m pretty underwhelmed. The Currie pick was a mystery. I think it’s clear to me that they were searching for a WR in a iffy draft for WRs. He failed to impress in a really poor defensive conference and is considered a project. Not what they need, an ex-track guy without prototypical size, seems like a hopeless venture. Only managed 4.5-4.6 speed at the combine, so what exactly is the upside for a guy with only 2 TDs as a senior? If you draft Williams you don’t need to pick either of these guys. Would have loved to see Anttaj Hawthorne go here. Those late round safeties are a mystery and probably won’t make the squad on this fairly deep defense. All in all, a really crappy draft. Probably one of the worst in the league. Even if Benson is a star and Orton turns out to be a steal there’s not enough depth added to like this showing. Boo!

Minnesota Vikings
Thankfully the Bears aren’t the only one who squandered opportunity in this division. While the Vikes didn’t pig it up quite as bad, they did manage to miss some opportunites. Williamson was major reach here, and even if he’s a quality player, I bet he’d have been there with the 18th pick. James is probably a decent value there, but with the injury history could be a collossal bust. However these guys will likely be productive players, I’m just critical (and a little relieved) because the Vikes could have really done something earth shattering, and I’m glad I don’t have to envision 10 years of Culpepper-to-Williams TD tosses. I think Fox was a bit of a reach, would have still been there on day 2, and I like Khalif Barnes better than Johnson in the 3rd round. Fason was a really solid pickup at that spot though, and might salvage RB for them.

Green Bay Packers
I’m a little torn on that Rodgers pick. I hope he’s a moderate bust, nothing monumental like Leaf, more of a underachiever relegating the Pack to years of mediocrity like Harrington while they are afraid to give up on him. However, if he pans out it’s a steal. In any case, he won’t be an impact for 3 years at least so there’s something of a reprieve. Its mitigated by the fact that there wasn’t a stud WR, CB or DE available there instead, which would have had an immediate impact. Probably a good pick in the long run. The Nick Collins pick was a dud, but they are pretty desperate in the secondary and on defense in general, seems like Cody would have made more sense here. Really like the Terrance Murphy pick, I think he’ll be a playmaker for them. The rest of the plethora of late round picks are a mixed bag, most of which I have never seen or heard of. The two of note are Coston and Montgomery. Coston will add depth if he’s able to learn from a solid guy like Flanagan. Montgomery is areally nice pick at that stage and gives them some size and depth up front which they desperately need. All in a all, solid if unspectacular draft.

Detroit Lions
This might be the best draft by any team that didn’t have extra early round picks. The only problem is they hardly address their two biggest needs. One of those rare times when going best-player-available pretty much constantly conflits with your existing roster as glaringly as it can. It’s annoyingly obvious how highly I think of Williams, but sadly here he’ll be hampered by Harringtons averageness and the prospect of sharing the ball with two stud WRs, a veteran who Harington likes throwing to and a pretty darn solid TE. Even if he’s the secnd coming of Kellen Winslow Sr. (which is IS) he might not get enough touches to control games. Cody is a great fit too, they need a tweener like him to matchup against the contrasting styles and environments of the Bears, Pack and Vikes. Wilson is also a nice selecton, and playing against mediocre passing games like the Bears and Pack (maybe the Vikes too with the loss of Moss) will allow him to develop without getting cooked too bad. If only he had gotten a little help. Orlovsky is a frigging AWESOME pick there and finally a good fit as the heir apparent to Harrington. Goddard and Swancutt are terrific selections and will shore up that line, both with quite a bit of upside and should be productive early on. I’m shocked they didn’t try to address the giant holes at LB and OL though. They didn’t reach once ad don’t have any real projects, but left themselves some holes. We’ll see if they are able to make do somehow. I think just about any team would be happy to trade drafts with these guys.

The only other teams with a draft as solid are San Diego and Dallas.

96

Two words: Russell Erxleben.

The real problem with taking a kicker is that he has to start and perform from day one. Any other position, if he’s not ready to start you can put him behind someone else, give him spot duty, use him on special teams, and so on, putting him in situations where he’s likely to succeed and gain confidence giving him time and coaching to progress.

A drafted kicker is going to start, and if he misses three of his first five and his confidence goes south and the crowds start booing him, there’s nowhere to hide. And if he has a lousy rookie year, all you can do is bring him back and hope he’s better, or else release him.

It’s not that kickers are unimportant it’s that as a group they’re inconsistient. It’s a bad gamble.

97

When I look at the Patriots, I see a team that didn’t blow a second-round pick on a kicker! :smiley:

To be fair, part of my irritation with the Nugent pick was that I was under the impression that his range was limited. But after a little Internet searching, I have discovered that to be erroneous.

Even so, I’m never going to be a real big fan of taking kickers that high. I’d rather a team improve in other areas so that it’s not even in a position to have to depend on whether a kicker is having a good day or not.

98

To be fair, almost every team passed on Marino in round 1. He had a “cocaine thing” clouding his value around draft time. No idea if it was the truth or not, but it was the perception.

99

I was listening to Herm Edwards on the Mike & Mike show yesterday, and while he never came out and said it, Herm basically made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that he (they) didn’t feel Heath Miller was worth a first round pick. In fact, they didn’t feel anybody after the first 10 or 15 were worth a first round pick. But they did feel there was a lot of quality in the second round. Thus they decided to trade down while picking up a “good enough” TE. Given that, I must grudgingly withdraw my Heath Miller complaint, no matter how disappointed I am about it.

Herm claimed drafting Nugent had nothing to do with Doug, but even he couldn’t sell it convincingly. Mike Francesa made the point that you simply couldn’t bring Brien back from such a debacle. If he were a promising rookie, ala the Chargers guy, or an established franchise kicker, ala Vinatieri/Vanderjagt, then you could get past the disaster in Pittsburgh and bring him back. But Brien was nothing more than a journyman, and already had a reputation for being solid in the regular season and choking in the playoffs. So he had to go. They figured Nugent wouldn’t still be there for their original 2nd rounder, so they took him high.

Given everything I’ve heard about the CB they picked up with that pick, I’m starting to feel much better about it. Best kicker availabe in half a decade is a good pickup. Good return man to replace Santana Moss was a smart move. And they did get Coles, remember.

The biggest problem for Gang Green that I can see is that they never addressed their OL defections. McKenzie and Ferguson were both major contributors last year, and AFAIK, they haven’t brough in anybody to replace them yet.

100

Oh, sure, no argument there. The Jets weren’t “wrong” to go with O’Brian, and to be sure he had a nice NFL career, better than Blackledge or Eason, IMO, both of whom went ahead of him. I’m just saying that with the Jets and the draft there’s just no way to win. Even when they’re right they’re wrong.