The NFL DRAFT -- My Thoughts

Question

Miami made the right decision with Jake Long. You can start him right away and forgot about his position for the next 7 yrs. Some people say he can only play right tackle but I cannot make that distinction.

The Rams should take Vernon Gholston but they will probably take Chris Long. I don't get all the hype over howie long's kid. Sure, he posted great stats (in a pretty average conference) and he is a "high motor" guy. I just think he will be to slow. I am not saying he won't be a decent player get drafted but I wouldn't draft him in the top 5. Vernon has better upside and will seem even faster on the ram's turf.

Why does everyone think Atlanta is going to pick Matt Ryan? I know that they need a QB and want a "character" guy. The should keep building on that decent defense because Ryan isn't anything special and they will likely have a high draft pick next year when there is a better crop of QBs. They should trade down for more picks and I think a lot of teams would be interested because with KC & Oakland are likely to draft some combination of matt ryan, darren mcfaden and glen dorsey.

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rajpdsouza · Answer

I'm gonna be at the Linc (Philadelphia Eagles stadium) tailgating and then watching the draft on the jumbotron. Should be a good time!

The one assumption you're making with Atlanta is that it is easy to trade down. Nowadays, teams are very weary up trading up because they are guaranteeing $20-30m to a guy who has no played a down in the NFL.

Also, do not assume the Falcons will have a high pick next year. The Cowboys made a trade with the Browns last year expecting the Browns to stink and have a high draft pick. The Browns ended up decent, thus the Cowboys only ended up with a pick in the 20s.

From what I've read, the Rams are going to take Glenn Dorsey from LSU. Chris Long goes far beyond what his blurbs say about him. He's has by far the highest floor (least potential of bust) of the top 4 or 5 guys. The Rams have no need for a defensive end. They already have Little and Carriker (last year's 1st round pick), who they played at DT because they had no one else. Carriker would move back to his natural end position if they take Dorsey.

Lastly, don't be surprised if KC takes Clady or Albert. They need help at a bunch of positions, but the quickest way to make your team better is to shore up your offensive line.

togafoot · Answer

Off Topic Board?

kidderek · Answer

Not a Jets fan, but they need to draft McFadden, given the opportunity. They have no explosiveness, save for Leon Washington returning kicks.

As a Giants fan, the obvious need is at safety and drafting Miami's Kenny Phillips, but they haven't had a stud linebacker in a while. Hope they can find a diamond in the rough.

Vernon Gholston -- overrated. He's a combine freak who was mostly unseen during Ohio State games.

rajpdsouza · Answer

The Jets will take Mcfadden is he is available, but the Raiders draft ahead of the Jets. And with that old, senile man Al Davis who knows what they will do. Sure they have Fargas,Jordan,Rhodes, and Bush, but Al Davis loves speed and Mcfadden has alot of speed. I'm still a little weary of Mcfadden and his lower body strength. His legs look like twigs and he never fell forward in college.

I read in a few places that when Tyree gets back from his surgery, the Giants will try him at safety. Interesting. Phillips would be a great fit for the Giants, but I do not know if he'll last until their pick. The safety crop this year is very weak, so if you don't get Phillips you should just wait until the late 2nd or 3rd round. The LB crop does not have any ELITE talent, but it has alot of very good depth. Mayo might be gone before the Giants pick, but Rivers and/or Connor will be available. All three are very versatile.

I think Gholston is overrated but he won't be a bust. He reminds me alot of Osi Umeniyora coming out of college.

jw1584 · Answer

I think if Gholston goes early (#2 or #3) you will see a trade up probably with the Saints so someone can get Dorsey...

As for me (season ticket holding Bears fan) I am getting ready for dissapointment tomorrow

Miketx · Answer

I am a cowboy fan and with two first round picks I am expecting hopefully something good. If McFadden drops past the jets say to around pick 9, I see the cowboys trading up. Wouldn't mind dropping down the boards a few spots if it means picking up an extra 2nd or possibly a 1st next years draft. The dam browns did better than expected this past season. :oops:

ncp · Answer

So, Matt Ryan went to Atlanta and the stupid raiders(I am a fan) took McFadden. Why do you need to draft a RB this high when you have dominic rhodes and have a multi-million dollar RB in Justin Fargas? I am all for a 1-2-3 punch from the back field but not when there are other pressing needs in the offense...

kidderek · Answer

Sometimes, you just gotta take the best player on the board. I think McFadden might be the best player in the entire draft, could be the next Ladainian Tomlinson.

ncp · Answer

For someone to be great, other "good" people need to be around. Look what happened to Shaun Alexander after Hutchinson, and what happended to Brady in SB after his O-line turned in a poor performance. Football is a team game and the raiders are not going to be able to turn their game around just because of McFadden.

McFadden is not going to be the last "potential" LT or Jim Brown. There will be others. They said the same thing about Reggie Bush couple of years ago. The Texans had the guts to make the right choice; All Al does is spend stupid money on the wrong people. Tommy Kelly, Anyone!

kidderek · Answer

Whoa whoa, step on the brakes. Who said anything about last potential LT or Jim Brown? I said he has the potential to be an LT.

Where were the Chargers before LT arrived? They were a mess of a team as well. Shaun Alexander was done b/c he was overused. No great RB is going down b/c of one lineman.

I was addressing that fact that the Raiders have a crowded backfield, but none of whom is even remotely close to a McFadden.

Look at the Giants, they didn't NEED to draft Eli. They were only 2-3 yrs removed from a SB appearance w/Kerry Collins. But they gave up a ton of picks to get Eli. Paid off only a few (albeit tumultuous) years later.

RonMexico · Answer

With all due respect, your team is going to be awful so long as Leisure Suit Larry's grandfather in the track suit calls the shots - he is officially senile. The Raiders need help EVERYWHRE, but especially on the offensive side of the field. In recent years, the Raiders have made some of the WORST free agent signings in the history of the Western World (D'Angelo Hall for 70 MIL? Tommy Kelly for 50 MIL?), and still have a mediocre running game (behind a bust of a tackle named Robert Gallery). Oh yeah, they are also overdue to fire their coach - it has been one season.

I take an opposite opinion - it is unfortunate that McFadden will likely be stuck with a mediocre team for a good part of his career. He has the tools to be an excellent back, far better than the scrubs in the OAK backfield right now. I hate to see wasted talent. Trust me, no respectable team would build their running game around Huggy Bear's kid if they had a choice. When the Raiders are good, the NFL benefits. Al Davis is ruining your team. He really needs to hang it up, because right now the Raiders would make a great case study for business school.....

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