2011 NFL Draft Thread

[Hooe]

Re: 2011 NFL Draft Thread

Cowboys - I guess they forgot that it was the Full Back who missed the block.

You are correct on that.

However, four of our 2010 starters on the offensive line are on the wrong side of 30, and in particular one (right tackle Marc Colombo) was rated by a few different sources as the weakest player on our offense last year (though right guard Leonard Davis didn't really do well at times either). The Cowboys have to turn over their offensive line, and I'm convinced they made the correct position pick. Having read a bit since the first round concluded, I don't know if they picked the right player, but I am hopeful.

[Sportsbuck]

Re: 2011 NFL Draft Thread

Really wishing the Panthers take my favorite OSU player of all-time in Dane Sanzenbacher...

[SouthernBrick]

Re: 2011 NFL Draft Thread

Chargers - I forgot who they drafted. Defensive end, right? What ever. they need to fix special teams and find a way to win play off games. DE isn't going to push them over the top.

They picked up Corey Luiget out of Illinois a DT who will be moved to DE(He's 6'2 298 pounds) as his primary position but, he's a really versatile player so he can be kicked inside as well. The Chargers don't have a a lot of glaring holes(a lot of free agents though) and the D-line was definitely a top 3 priority if not number 1. Special teams and turnovers literally killed the Chargers chances of playoffs. Still can't get over all those blocked punts.

I think the Chargers got a starter opposite Castillo IMO. Coaches say he won't start right away but, I really think that is just to keep the DE free agents from possibly getting a little butt hurt.

They already got a really good special teams coach out of Tampa. The Chargers will be drafting for depth more than likely with a possible 2 or 3 starters(SD has 4 picks on day 2). 5 picks in the first 89 picks of the draft if I'm not mistaken should help the Chargers quite a bit.

[Nza]

Re: 2011 NFL Draft Thread

Can't wait for Locker to prove everyone wrong. It's gonna be great. It will take a few years, but I think he's the best QB in this class and will show it.

/homer

Also hilarious that in the end, Locker didn't really cost himself much by staying. He's still gonna get paid great money, and he got to beat the **** out of Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl. I'd say it's all working out perfectly fine for him.

I'm just happy the Titans should get back to having a real football player at QB. Not to mention a guy who I think clearly wants to be great and already has an idea what it's like to face obstacles in achieving that. He probably isn't going to come into the league thinking he's got this down quite like Vince did.

Gabbert is ok but I just don't see how he was so much better as a prospect that taking him at 8 is ok but Locker isn't. I know plenty didn't like Gabbert top 10 at all but it wasn't like taking Gabbert at 8 would have produced the same "WTF??!? LOL" responses some have to Locker at 8. You swap both their circumstances and I think perceptions as prospects swap too.

But that's all history now - on to NFL careers, which are not connected in any way shape or form to college success. I think both of their situations are conducive to success.

[MachoMyers]

Re: 2011 NFL Draft Thread

As a Pac 10 fan I'm rooting for Locker, however I don't know how long he will hold up because if I recall his best move in college was pulling the ball down and running past everyone. I saw his first game ever as freshman and he had that same deceptive quarterback speed that Matt Jones from Arksansas had. That is great in college but just won't get it done in the pros.

[Evan_OS]

Re: 2011 NFL Draft Thread

I've got my doubts about Locker, let's just hope for my sake, he is at least decent.

[Cre8]

Re: 2011 NFL Draft Thread

Still shaking my head at that one. I guess Atlanta forgot they actually have needs. WR wasnt one of them.

They gave up a lot, but how much did they really lose?

Why this might make sense for the Falcons...

• They are a perennial playoff contender now - Jones only makes them better.
• They essentially gave up the #27 pick next season... 4th Rd doesn't matter much in the scheme of things...

Why the Browns finally look smart, but definitely don't look like a playoff contender.

• They end up trading up and taking a 6'4" 340lb DT to replace Shaun Rogers... filling a need.
• They pick #5 and #27 today... They don't have a 3rd Rd Pick... This tells me that they either want to move up into the top three today OR they will hopefully find a good WR with a 2nd rd pick... (the Robiskie/Massaquoi 2nd Rd doesn't look as good as it did when they did it originally.
• They pass on Julio Jones - leaving the door wide open for my current Browns big board -
  1. Akeem Ayers
  2. Da'Quan Bowers
  3. Aaron Williams
  4. Torrey Smith
  5. DeMarco Murray (Gotta Prep for the Curse)
  6. Titus Young
  7. Leonard Hankerson
  8. Edmund Gates (WR) - 4.31 40

As a Pac 10 fan I'm rooting for Locker, however I don't know how long he will hold up because if I recall his best move in college was pulling the ball down and running past everyone. I saw his first game ever as freshman and he had that same deceptive quarterback speed that Matt Jones from Arksansas had. That is great in college but just won't get it done in the pros.

Considering he probably won't have Kenny Britt to throw to, I think the Titans might be in the market for a 2nd Rd WR.

[Nza]

Re: 2011 NFL Draft Thread

Yeah he will of course have to be able to pass well to be successful. In some ways I think he is similar as a player as McNair was. Same build basically. McNair had a bit of a mean power running style at first. McNair was a much more prolific passer in college, but he wasn't in the same competition level Locker was of course. Locker appears to share that toughness factor. He's about as athletic as McNair was coming out and does have a similar arm. I'd be happy with a McNair like career from him.

I was a fan of VY's but now that's well and truly over, it's nice to see a QB prospect who is basically the polar opposite in most ways. GM Reinfeldt mentioned how he's happy Locker will bring a culture change at the position by being the first one in and the last one out. If Locker is truly like this from day 1 he won't fail for the same reasons VY did - hell, it's just nice the Titans now have a QB that the HC and GM are tied to and really wanted, and we won't see a repeat of the mess that was Bud Adams choosing VY and forcing him into an environment questionable for his success. It's been a while since the Titans had a HC, GM and QB combo really working as one.

[TexasBorn1]

Re: 2011 NFL Draft Thread

The Cowboys made the right pick. Absolutely cannot take another year of Marc Colombo, he will not be missed, Oft injured and can't handle anyone with speed

[Cre8]

Re: 2011 NFL Draft Thread

The Cowboys made the right pick. Absolutely cannot take another year of Marc Colombo, he will not be missed, Oft injured and can't handle anyone with speed

Now if the rest of the team can stay healthy...

Romo's injury essentially ended their season. IMHO.

[muggins]

Re: 2011 NFL Draft Thread

That's the thing. The Dolphins front office could not take the safe pick this year, the fans are growing restless, and these safe picks are blowing it for the fans down in Miami.

Take it from a Bills fan. You want the safe pick.

[Hooe]

Re: 2011 NFL Draft Thread

Now if the rest of the team can stay healthy...

Romo's injury essentially ended their season. IMHO.

Probably, but the defense was a piece of work for the entire season and really was the foremost downfall of the team. Having picked up one talented new face of the offensive line, I kinda hope we spend the next four rounds of draft picks on the defensive side of the ball, lol.

[LBzrule]

Re: 2011 NFL Draft Thread

PGaither,

The Ravens actually need Smith more than anything. Our pass defense fell to 21st last season. Secondly, with AJ Green, Mike Wallace in our division we have nobody that can cover those guys. Lastly, none of our CB's are over 5'11, 190 lbs. This guy is 6'2 and has the speed to hang with a guy like Wallace. It's going to allow us to play more press man and allow new defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano to go back to blitzing. We do have other needs, but this was perhaps the most pressing. I'm sure the Ravens have one lasting memory from last season. 3rd and 19 and got burnt on a deep pass

[Cj7298419]

Re: 2011 NFL Draft Thread

Guys only get bigger and stronger at the next level. I don't think his skill set/style of running will translate to the NFL. He's above average at most things. The only skills I see really helping him is his balance and vision. He's not going to just bounce off defender in the pros.

That's basically what people said about Pierre Thomas coming out of Illinois. He's not fast enough, he's not great at one thing but pretty good at everything.

So just imagine Ingram being a stronger, more durable version of Pierre. He's tough to bring down, he's productive, he's very good as a check-down receiver, he played in a pro-style system (ready for the NFL on Day 1), he's a good blocker that will pick up blitzes well, he's a hard-worker and is a down-to-earth kinda guy, he runs the screen game nicely (which Saints fans love about Pierre), and he was coached by Saban. Ever since his days at LSU, and now at Bama, Saban has produced NFL-ready talent.

So honestly, alot of people are saying Reggie Bush is the one in trouble....but I'd put Pierre Thomas on watch. When you take in consideration what I said in the paragraph above, you realize Ingram is just a better version of Pierre. You think it really matters that he signed that contract extension?? Saints can trade him if teams come calling.

[SteelersFreak]

Re: 2011 NFL Draft Thread

I don't mind the Heyward pick but the Steelers better have a hell of a lot of confidence in some of the lesser ranked corners in this draft or they better be coming up with a trade to get Aaron Williams or Brandon Harris early in the second round.