Disagree with Smith at #1, don't like Fili Moala, especially over a player like Evander Hood. I think Orakpo will fall as he isn't explosive off the edge and he isn't a great stack and shed guy either. Someone will overdraft Michael Johnson and I can't see KC passing on Stafford if he is there when they draft - it would rival our screw up of the Brady Quinn thing to years ago.
He could fit inside I think, but I don't know if he's really the type of guy you want to put a collar on by having him play inside for us. Clint Sintim would be a much better fit as an inside 3-4 LB.
Dude, I've done this scouting thing for more than 20 years and have scouted for magazines, newspapers and online facilities, with amongst others Frank Coyle, so yes I am serious. There will not be a draft board in any teams HQ that has players listed above another in terms of a specific ranking. I'm not doing anything to belittle you. Every year someone new comes onto the site, flashes that they "know a few people". Turns out it's all nonsense. On a site where there's a number of very serious and hugely well respected draft people, you have to earn respect. As to whether there's anything else - yes. You still haven't answered the question about Oher and Smith.
You can think what you want, but to say that nobody has boards up is just wrong. I know of at least one team that I can verify has a board up and has Smith atop of it right now. It isnt a finished board by any means but it is one that is in its preliminary stages. That may be because this team has nothing to look forward to till April but never the less. What question exactly? Your first statement accusing me of ranking Oher above Smith was made before I said I like Oher before Smith. Check the time stamps, that I provided two posts above. I have done no side by side comparisons yet of the two players. And even if I choose to rank Oher ahead of Smith in March, then it doesn't mean that Oher won't go after Smith in my final Mock. People like players all the time who get taken after players who they are have lower on their boards. For instance Erin Henderson was a guy who a lot of people like Coyle, Kiper, Maycock had on their boards and players who they had rated lower went before Henderson. It happens all the time, so trying to perdict that isn't as far fetched as you seem to be making it be.
They have to replace Willie Anderson, and they have to find Carson Palmer some weapons, they also need a RB. I think the pick will be made to keep Carson happy and upright, I see them spending a lot of time focusing on their offense this offseason, even though their defense is just as brutal. I like Hood a good deal and he's been very good for Mizzou this year, I really want to see him this weekend v. Oklahoma State. I agree on Johnson somebody will overdraft him, and he has all the tools but he has yet to put it together on a Saturday consistently. Orpako is a tough guy to completely tell on, his stats and play seem to indicate a guy who has finally gotten it. He has equalled his sack total from last year already and should surpass his tackle numbers in the next game or two. He is not as explosive as Johnson but he is a very capable pass rusher and I think going to Baltimore would be best for him. Im not sold on Stafford. I see him every Saturday living in Georgia and Im just not convinced that he has everything yet. Physically he can't be rivaled but mentally something bugs me. He tends to make a mistake or two every game that will lead to killed drive or a turnover. Also can he become the leader that David Greene and David Pollack were a few years ago that this team so badly needs? I think in the end you may be right about KC taking Stafford but it wouldn't shock me to see them pass on him. Also I didnt think you guys passing on Quinn was all that horrific, I just didnt like the alternative pick.
Curry has the ability to play any of the LB spots, he's that good. However I think you limit his potential by moving him inside. Watching him again last night he was very good. His vision, and awareness are what really make him stand out. At times he appeared to know what was going to happen before the offense did. Some other names to look inside would be: Daniel Holtzclaw (EMU), Scott McKillop (Pitt), Michael Tauiliili (Duke, underrated), Maruice Crum (Notre Dame), Dannel Ellerbe (UGA) to name a few more. Also Alphonso Smith's interception last night was a very good play. He was actually stepping towards the outside when he sprung back inside to make that pick. A very athletic play and a good reason as to why he deserves to be in the conversation with Jenkins and Davis. He is the Active Leader in the NCAA in both Interceptions and INT TD's.
Dude, seriously, forget it. I'l leave you with one note. And remember this: no team stacks a board with a junior at the top at this stage of this or any season. Teams operate with what they know.
They have Anderson's replacement. He's called Stacey Andrews, their franchise player. Given that Levi Jones has four years to run on his $40 million contract, I'd think it was highly unlikely, even if Andrews left via free agency, that the Bengals would spend $60 million on a guy to play RT when they can't run the ball consistently, can't get to the QB and have trouble stopping the run. Michael Johnson could be the most overrated prospect in a long time. A situational pass rusher who can't seal a corner and is a non entity in the run game? Please.
Im not sure if the Bengals will retain Andrews, if they have a shot at drafting a guy like Smith, Im not sure they would pass. Jones can be shifted to the right side, and allow Smith to be their LT. They could take a guy like Crabtree for the excitement factor if they dump Johnson and/or Housh, or they could go D with a guy like Selvie or a CB. They have a lot of options which makes them fun. I completely agree about Johnson. I wouldn't mind Buffalo taking him late in Round 1 (assuming we pick there) but if he goes top 15 which he probably will, I think somebody is overvaluing him.
The Andrews question will bear watching of course, but I just don't envisage any scenario where they tie up $100 million dollars in two tackles. Flipping Jones to the right doesn't add up because Carson needs that veteran protection and unless they take the cap hit, they're not like to simply cut Jones to allow Smith to play the left side. I also don't see them taking a redshirt sophomore wideout first or a corner given that they've spent 1st round picks on Jon Joseph and Leon Hall two of the last three seasons. More likely that they take a defensive tackle or a rush end. I think Buffalo's drafting is a lot more shrewd than to take Johnson. I think he's in for a meteoric tumble, given his one dimensional play.
A few things. 1. If Mark Sanchez goes in the top half of the first round, I'll boil one of my shoes and eat the leather. Just because the senior QB class is weak, that doesn't mean a guy like Mark freaking Sanchez is automatically going to rise way up into the top 10. If the senior QB class ends up really weak and none of the juniors come out, guess what we may not have a quarterback taken in the first round. It's happened plenty of years. I think there have been years where the first QB went in the 3rd. 2. This stupid pissing match thingy is silly. Either you did or did not say "I have Michael Oher rated higher." I haven't seen the quote that Boomer keeps quoting, but I'm also not hearing any denial that DB wrote that. 3. If you did say that, and you truly do like Oher better than Smith, then I think all Simon is trying to say is that fools are often made when, especially this early in the process, they're already building in suppositions that the NFL front offices will not recognize something that is already obvious to you this early in the game. I see that all the time, when someone's putting together a mock draft. Yeah, I have so-and-so rated higher, but I believe the teams will fall in love with this guy instead (presumably, a mistake). I've done it before, I often learn my lesson for it. I'm not saying it's impossible to be right when you say that, I'm saying that these guys get paid a lot more than we do (as most of us are unpaid for this work) and they've been a lot more successful building careers off it, to start assuming in SEPTEMBER that you ALREADY know better than them. 4. I see DraftBoy is not sold on Matthew Stafford. Nor am I. But, you know...that guy can throw an effing laser...and he wins some ball games in the SEC. So, I refuse to formulate my opinion on him yet. 5. Man, that's high for Aaron Curry...but he is a player. I think he's slow as molasses, though...and will be interested in seeing what he does in all the speed and agility tests. He doesn't measure out big enough for them to just easily forgive a 4.7 type showing. 6. Would be a travesty to me is Rey Mauluga went ahead of Brandon Spikes. Rey Mauluga is big and strong but doesn't have great instincts and he was schooled in that loss. Brandon Spikes is a beast and can play almost anywhere in any front seven. I mean, you're not gonna put him at nose in a 3-4 or tackle in a 4-3, but he can play end even in a 3-man rush. Yes, I'm serious. He's just a rare beast, with the intensity of a thousand suns and good instincts. 7. I agree with Boomer on Brian Orakpo. He recently had a great game against Phil Loadholt, but really it just exposed Loadholt for the fraud that he is as far as being an NFL left tackle prospect goes. Orakpo doesn't have the physicality and even though I think he's got more burst off the edge than Simon does, I'm just not sure he leaves that physical impression on the game. 8. I do like that you've got Michael Johnson falling to #17. Guy needs to play for a team like the Colts that ask their DEs to just go all-out on the passer every play regardless of run or pass. 9. Fili Moala...yuck. 10. I've been as big a fan of George Selvie as anyone out there because I've seen almost every home game of his live at the stadium and probably watched every away game of his too...but I still have my doubts about top 5 standing. He could do it, but I don't think he's going to measure and test with flare...and that could make him fall into like the #8-10 range...like Terrell Suggs. And, that might be where he deserves to go, truthfully.
First of all, I don't even see Sanchez coming out anyway. I don't see him as first round material and he has a better chance of being remembered if he stays at USC for his senior year and tries to win a National Championship. I agree with you on Stafford. Something seems to be missing, but the arm is live. He can make all the throws. Was very impressed with Zac Robinson yesterday for the 2nd time this season. He'll bear some watching as we head towards the 2010 draft. Battle of the best QB's in college was won by Colt McCoy who's really playing well. I really don't see Bradford coming out as a Rsoph, especially after this defeat. I like the way Curry diagnoses his plays. Reminds me of Curtis Lofton in that respect. That makes up for his lack of burst, but if he gets isolated in space then that's a worry. Interesting about Spikes; I know you're really high on him and we talked about when you saw him in the spring. But last three times I've seen him, I've come away less than impressed and last night was just the same. Yes he had the two picks and his ability at reading the QB's eyes is impressive, as his footwork in his backpedal. But time and again he gets washed out in the run game. He plays very high and whether it's the FB as evidenced last night or a pulling G or even the center, when they got their hands on him, it was over. Time and again he'd read the hole and then get blown out of the way. The first drive of the 2nd half was something of a microcosm of his whole season for me; he was bullied out of a hole by the C on a 3rd and short, he then failed to seal the edge when Trindon Holliday went off left tackle. Yes Holliday is quick, but his lack of hustle a) to the corner and then b) when Holliday was running downfield, even though Spikes had an angle in pursuit was disappointing. Then on the goaline, he had Andrew Hatch bang to rights and Hatch knocked him on his rear and scored. It was like 18 or so years ago in the Kingdome watching Bo Jackson deposit Brian Bosworth on his $11 million dollar bum. I want to see more metal, more fight from that from Spikes. Really been disappointed with him. With you on Moala. We've already discussed NT prospects. I really think - as far away as we are - that that's a key area for us in April early on. Peria Jerry impresses me, Dorell Scott of Clemson, Sen'Derrick Marks, Udofiah, Sue and Oghobaase and DeMarcus Granger. All interesting guys in that Sedrick Ellis size range.
Honestly, I don't think he's ready in terms of decision making. He's got good help that's allowing him to prosper but if he gets flustered and even when he's not, he'll throw picks and really some bad decisions. He'd be smart to stay (though I'd rather he jettisons himself) and make himself a better draft pick even if the class is weak. Moala seems like the kind of guy who'd do well as a pass-rushing 4-3 NT for a team like St. Louis the way Ellis has done for the Saints. I certainly don't think he's the right guy for us unless you want him at a 3-4 DE position, which would likely be a waste of possibly a high draft pick since some DL-starved team may be likely to use based on his $C hype.
Unless an NT present themselves worthy of our 1st rounder, or Maclin/Crabtree are there I am with you. Vontae Davis or the S from Mizzou (Moore?) are tops on my wish list. I really like that DB from Wake too from what I have seen.
Davis got abused by Decker yesterday, though Davis did make some nice plays. He is worthy but I don't expect him to shutdown a more physical WR.
William Moore of Missouri is a special player. Alphonso Smith of Wake I think your referring to. I like what he has but I don't know how he goes up against physical Receivers in this league. I think he could get thrown around. He can make a lot of plays though.
Yea Smith, didn't think he was a 1st rounde,r just have liked him the 3 times I have seen him this year.
Colt McCoy's having won the battle of the best pretty much seals that Sam Bradford will not come out, and I think Colt McCoy should go to the top of the QBs list for this draft. I meant if Mark Sanchez is the only junior that comes out. Personally, I don't see Sanchez as having enough experience or really all that impressive a set of tools. Brandon Spikes has some technique and leverage flaws, of that I'm certain. But, he is in his second year, and he can not only pass rush against offensive tackles (and good ones at that), but he can also drop back into coverage, read the quarterback's eyes, and make big plays in that department. Plus, despite the flaws you outline, he racks up the tackles and the Florida defense does well. You could take just about any player and focus on some bad plays, over-emphasize them and pick them apart. But the big picture for me is still the big picture. And the reality is he might be playing out of position. I really do see him like a Joey Porter.
There is that NT from Bama. Depending where the Phins are picking he could be a option. http://alabama.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=402298
I think he's far too big for Miami. I think they want their NT in the 305-322 range and no more. I'm pretty sure if they dealt down last year, that Sedrick Ellis would have been the pick.
Sorry dude, it was real late my time. It's almost impossible to say right now for obvious reasons. I would imagine that a nose tackle, an OLB or an end who converts down to linebacker would be the two choices. I don't see us going CB, knowing the history of Parcells and Ireland with Terrence Newman viz a viz Merriman. Parcells has had nothing but trouble with early round wideouts so much as we have issues there, I think they think they can unearth some Patrick Craytons and Miles Austins later on. Depending on where we pick, DeMarcus Granger, if he declares, would have to be a prime, prime target.
I agree about McCoy/Bradford. No way do I see Sam coming out now. Caught a little of Nate Davis. This is a talented kid. I don't - at this stage - see Spikes as having the speed off the edge to be a Porter type. I may be wrong - it happened once, don't like to talk about it - but his first three steps are very pedestrian. I want to see much more of the quick twitch athlete. I watched Jerod Mayo on Sunday night and whilst the Patriots got blown out, Mayo does the things that Spikes and Maualuga currently don't; read the right hole, play with instinct, play with correct leverage, close with pace. For me, neither of them have shown any consistency in that area of fundamental linebacker play. And yes, bigger picture is bigger picture, but as you well know, my observations are based on more than just one drive.
As far as a NT, maybe Evander Hood, but maybe he is too much of a 3 technique type guy, although he has great leverage. Or maybe Peria Jerry from Ole Miss may be a good guy to look at also. I have said how I feel about Terrance Taylor, but we'll see what this regime does.
I think Terrance Cody might be rounding into focus a little bit more. It's gotta be about the prospect, when it comes to rules about how big is too big, etc. I'm tired of those big huge mothers that just don't have enough fight in them, or enough stamina. But the Tide are now even using Cody in a full "Fridge" role as a fullback on goal line plays, and it's working. There's got to be fight in the dog to do that, there's got to be ginger in the cleats and punch in the hands. It's one thing to, in the Dolphins' system, forego overvaluing a guy just based on his mountainous size. It's another thing to downgrade him actively because of that size. They loved Sedrick Ellis and they like what Jason Ferguson brings to the table at his size, but they might also love what a gigantic mountain could do at the position IF he's got the fight in him they need to do the job. Ole Miss only scored 3 points when Cody was in the game, and Cody played fullback on Mark Ingram's 2-yard score. When Cody left the game, Ole Miss ran the ball and scored 17 points. That MAY show us Cody's value to the team. The injury is an MCL injury, can't count on Nick Satan to give more details on it, but it looks like it should keep Cody out for a few weeks (like Andre Smith).
Hell, he looks a good player, but some factors play for me against us taking him. First off, no way is he 368. He's 385 if he's a pound. Secondly, they tried to get Soliai to lose weight and he was a lot lighter than Cody. Thirdly, his inexperience. Fourth, he seems pretty intent that he's returning. God knows these kids change their minds like the wind, but still......he's also supposed to be extremely introverted and whilst this is a punt, it maybe that he doesn't interview very well. I just have this feeling that for NT's, we like to operate along the lighter side of the island. At the moment, I just don't see it.
Remember that Soliai ballooned up last year so it's arguable one way or the other on who topped the scales, Cody right now, or Soliai at the time they asked him to lose weight. And it would also be well to remember that they asked Soliai to lose weight because he didn't have anywhere near the fight in him at that big size that he would need to get the job done. He was a flat out embarrassment in 2007. And when it comes to Ferguson losing weight, remember the reason he fetched only a future 6th is because he couldn't stay healthy. Losing excess weight and having better flexibility and stamina is a better way to stay healthy. Again, I can see refusing to inflate a guy's draft grade based on size...given what we've seen with Ferg, Soliai and Ellis. But I can't see flatly knocking a guy for his size when he's not only getting the job done, but getting the job done at a very high level. As for experience, I haven't seen anything leads me to believe that's a big deal for them at those inside trench fighting spots. At other spots, for sure...but not necessarily in the middle of the trenches. I guess Cody could decide to go back to school, though...but we've heard these kids say they're staying at this time of year before. Cody is fast climbing up the boards of the people that know what they're doing when they grade these guys. Then you have, as you've said, agents trying to tell these kids to cash in, in anticipation of a last capped year. On top of it, spraining his MCL has to scare Terrance a little bit on what can happen if he prolongs his college career and doesn't take the financial security that sits right in front of him.
I wonder if he's really that good. When it comes to pure talent I look at a Demarcus Granger or Terrance Cody and I think those guys have premium physical potential. The key is whether they fight well every game.
Isn't exactly cold in Alabama. I think this regime would have him lose weight. Heck, I think he'd have to lose weight during the pre-draft process before he even gets drafted. But I know Nick Saban wouldn't rely on him so heavily, and even use him at fullback, if he felt stamina was an overriding concern.
I live in Bama it does get hot in the summer but for the most part its pretty cool out. I doubt a mountain of man like Cody could handle the Heat and Humidity. Though I believe you are right if he truly has a passion for football he would be commited to lose that weight. I don't think he would have a long career if he didn't.
