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Looking ahead to 2010 prospects

Discussion in 'NFL Draft Forum' started by joeydolfan, Apr 29, 2009.

  1. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

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    I would imagine because of his ability in the return game as well as at WR, that he probably makes it although his measurements in Indianapolis will be key as will his forty time.
     
  2. mroz

    mroz Fix the OL Club Member

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    you know Boom, that is another position we need to up grade. We have gotten zero production out of our punt return game.
     
  3. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Just shuttled through the rest of that Ohio/Marshall game. The two players that flashed all game were Mario Harvey at LB for Marshall who was very active, got outside and made plays on the perimeter and in the pass game but also brought the lumber with that massive butt of his. He played some MLB and SLB and was impressive all game. Ashton Hall the Herd safety also played very well. Noah Kellar diagnoses well and made a lot of tackles but couldn't get off a block all night. I'm surprised Price has caught a ball all season given how atrocious Theo Scott is. I stick by the fact that he lacks explosion on short and intermediate routes and is a little mechanical on those same routes, but he's one to watch. With regards Miami I wonder whether he's just another raw type when what we're looking for is a polished guy.
     
  4. Conuficus

    Conuficus Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Well away from here
    I have concerns about Benn's inability to produce scores, and Dez Bryant's lack of playing time this season. Bryant will be rusty, for a while after he comes back that I am pretty sure of.

    Benn I need to watch more of, but he should have been scoring at a higher rate in the Big 10. He just should have.
     
  5. adamprez2003

    adamprez2003 Senior Member

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    we are currently slotted between 11 and 15 so Dez Bryant and Rolondo McClain are definetly in play for us
     
  6. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Any thoughts on Rich Gunnell - WR - Boston College? He's impressed me since he had Ryan at QB. Real blue collar player who runs great routes and leaves everything on the field. He seems to have enough speed to be a factor in this league and maybe develop in to a Hines Ward type possession guy?
     
  7. Frayser

    Frayser Barstool Philosopher

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    I know people will go crazy if we were to pass on Bryant, but I think I would have to take McClain. This regime has only drafted one linebacker thus far, and it is starting to show. Crowder and Ayodele are a sub-par duo in the middle, and we are relying on two aging veterans on the outside. We're not even sure Cameron Wake can transition from defensive end. When I consider all of that and then see a guy like McClain with that size, athleticism, and instincts, I just can't get excited about rolling the dice on Bryant. And I do think it would be rolling the dice.
     
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  8. adamprez2003

    adamprez2003 Senior Member

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    i have been singing his praises all year. Him and chris mcgaha. Both late rounders and probably duplicates of our hartline but i love both receivers. Mcgaha probably a 5th rounder and gunnell probably a 7th
     
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  9. adamprez2003

    adamprez2003 Senior Member

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    Me too but Dez Bryant I could live with. If we drafted Benn in the first round I would snap if McClain was still on the board. Still I think a McClain type of player is more important to this team then a WR like Bryant. That and the fact that 2011 draft is loaded with number one type receivers that we should be able tp draft throughout the first round and I would rather make sure our linebacking is fixed and worry about receiver then the other way around
     
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  10. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Agree. Keller is a play maker though, he's always around the football, creates and collects turnovers.

    Theo Scott is terrible. I had picked Ohio to win by 3 points in that game and I was flipping out all game long for my idiocy in picking a team with such a terrible QB. At one point I thought Theo got hurt and I was celebrating thinking this is my shot to win my office pool pick. But no, he came back in.

    Honestly I consider Golden Tate to be what Taylor Price could have been if he went to Notre Dame and got Notre Dame coaching instead of going to Ohio and getting Ohio coaching with Theo Scott throwing.
     
  11. GARDENHEAD

    GARDENHEAD Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    CK, give me one name that you think might realistically be around when we draft (10-13) in the first round that would make you giddy. Thanks.
     
  12. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    A couple more things.

    Gotta think in 3 Dimensions. The choice of passing on Dez Bryant for Rolondo McClain doesn't happen in a vaccuum. There is a free agent period and then the draft. We have to consider what we have. Today the LBers were atrocious, given. But, why? Because Crowder got hurt. We have a valid linebacker there. Do we have a valid receiver? We THINK Hartline could be, we don't know. Now we have a free agent period. See the Linebackers, Linebackers, Linebackers thread. There are A LOT of free agents to be. The market can't absorb all of these guys before they hit the market. Give me DeMeco Ryans. Give me D'Qwell Jackson. Give me Karlos Dansby. Give me D.J. Williams. Even give me Thomas Davis. And heck, some of those other guys look worthy of taking a shot on, as well. Guys like Tim Dobbins, Brandon Johnson, Scott Fujita, Chris Gocong, Rocky McIntosh, James Anderson, Derrick Johnson or Thomas Howard. Not every free agent decision has been a Reggie Torbor, Eric Green or Ernest Wilford. Some of them turn out to be Randy Starks, too. So why not get a free agent? We need an IMMEDIATE impact, to try and compete right away next year. A rookie will not necessarily do that. Not even necessarily in his second year. Jerod Mayo was great as a rookie but in absolute terms, Channing Crowder was better. And this year, Mayo is nothing special. Get a DeMeco Ryans and you start flying NOW.

    Now ask yourself...do we have a whole lot of options at the WR position in free agency? NOT REALLY. Antonio Bryant might make himself available to us. Anquan Boldin will be back to the same old story, we have to pay a price for him. Will Miles Austin make it out of Dallas? Not likely. Will Vincent Jackson make it out of San Diego? Not flaming likely. What exactly does a Malcolm Floyd bring to the table for us? Will HE make it, now that Chambers is gone? Is Chambers going to be our best option? Will Braylon Edwards make it out of New York? I'm going to say, not likely.

    So, if you get a chance to take a Dez Bryant, who is so talented he might make a rookie impact, at a position where your free agent options are not that great...and you have to pass on him to take Rolondo McClain, because you refused to take part of this big free agent linebacker class...that to me is the epitome of a shame.

    Now, that said...we have to head into this thinking that Dez won't necessarily make it to us. And if you get beyond him, what you have to think when it comes to the WR position is which players make immediate impact. Guys that make immediate impact are guys that can get on the active roster. Guys that get on the active roster are guys that play STs.
     
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  13. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    I've seen LaFell on the punt teams a lot. :shifty:


    Really I have though, as a gunner.
     
  14. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    I like Brandon Siler. Been impressed by him the last two years really, he's become a nice linebacker. Does a quality job getting into the backfield IMO.
     
  15. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Excellent question.

    Right now I would say, on offense, that the possibility of Dez Bryant or C.J. Spiller being available where we pick, would genuinely excite me. I'm sold on both players. I've been sold on Dez for years, but I have become HEAVILY in Spiller's corner this season. He is just truly amazing. He has everything. I believe he is the best offensive player in the draft, bar none.

    I know, Ronnie Brown is not out the door yet. And he may never be. But C.J. Spiller would bring something to this offense that neither Brown nor Williams bring, and how long can we count on them when Ricky is old and prone to retiring at the drop of a hat, and Ronnie is highly injury prone. Either way, I said before that to pass on Adrian Peterson would have been dumb a few years ago regardless of who we had, and though Spiller is not necessarily Peterson, he might be Chris Johnson. In fact, he could be better than Chris Johnson. I see that potential in him.

    So that takes care of the offense. On defense, who would really get my juices flowing? Well...right away, I have to go with Eric Berry. While I've been a proponent of allowing some of our safety talent better opportunities like we saw Chris Clemons get today (and I thought he played pretty well I should add), you get a shot at Eric Berry, you take Eric Berry. Nuff said. I know many will say that there is absolutely no way Berry is available. But, it's not totally inconceivable. He *is* a safety, and not the most physically impressive as far as those go. He won't measure out all that well in the eyeball test. He will probably time well, but if he doesn't time *great*, then the dude could be available. I'm just saying.

    Now, that probably does it for the players that would make me *giddy*, which was your question. Once you get beyond that level of girlish excitement, I would say that guys that would make me very happy include Brandon Spikes, Rolondo McClain, Jared Odrick, Corey Wootton, Derrick Morgan, Marvin Austin, Gerald McCoy, and Jermaine Gresham.
     
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  16. F.O

    F.O New Member

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    CJ "The Thriller" Spiller please.

    Pretty please !?

    I just love that kid
     
  17. GARDENHEAD

    GARDENHEAD Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Thanks. I agree on Spiller. We need a speedy RB who can burst through the small holes. Is it me, or do we under-utilize Jake Long at the point of attack for running plays? Why is this?
     
  18. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    You make some great points in there but theres two things I think you left out:

    1. Those big time free agents like Dansby and Ryans rarely move. Guys like McIntosh Derick Johnson dont really fit the Planet theory type players this regime normally looks for. and So our best hope for a splash in FA are good players like Thomas Howard and Dwqell Jackson but from where I sit, we need 2-3 LB's total just to make the starters acceptable. And Crowder barely passes for acceptable from where I sit but thats a different discussion. If you sign a free agent linebacker like Jackson to play inside next to Crowder who are your outside guys? Porter, Wake and Taylor should either be forced to share one LB spot until one proves they can play the run effectively...so far Taylor's the only one who has shown he can do it. You still need another OLB to set the edge well. Im guessing Porter's gone and Taylor might be too. So you need guys to replace them since Wake hasnt shown he can play the run well.
    2. You are looking at it like next year we are expected to contend and Im just not sure its going to go down this way. Parcells had a decent first year in Dallas and then 2 more rebuilding years. He took time with the Jets to build things the way he wanted to and to get his guys there. Whether Jeff Ireland will do it the same way remains to be seen but when they took over their roles in this organization I felt it was 3 years just to get players there and the 4th year we would contend. I still feel that way. Im not sure its reasonable to expect to find at least 2 good wr's, a minimum of 2 LB's (1 inside, at least 1, hopefully 2, outside), a TE upgrade, a FS, stability at LB and RG, and possibly a nose tackle. Thats a heck of a lot to ask, though it can be done IF things break right. I dont think these guys will be rushed or pressure in to going the expensive free agent route if it can be avoided the guys we have gone after are middle tier FA's, FA's with upside, or FA's whose role on a team is clearly defined as a backup (Nathan Jones, Charlie Anderson). I tend to believe this a longer term project then some people here want to believe it is. We may get worse again before we get better

    When you talk about Spiller you talk about him like he's a pure running back and Im just not sure he is that. Im not saying hes Reggie Bush because I dont think he's that soft either that its inconceivable for be a between the tackles runner. I watch him and the player Im most reminded of is Eric Metcalf. He's flat out explosive in space but he's less then 200 pounds and Im not sure he can be a between the tackles runner at this level. Chris Johnson is a big physical back who chooses a finesse style. Spiller seems a finesse back and Im not sure he can be a physical player at this level. Is that the identity parcells and JI are looking for? Highly doubtful in my opinion.

    He is a great offensive weapon, but can you justify using a top 15 pick on a guy who may not be an every down player when we have so many other needs? Not a great idea in my opinion. Dez Bryant and Berry make sense. McClain or Spikes make sense. Spiller I like but Im very lukewarm. :wink2:
     
  19. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I think Gunnell may be a little faster and a little more athletic then Hartline. I think they both like to mix it up in the blocking game, a trait that may draw the attention of the front office trifecta
     
  20. F.O

    F.O New Member

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    I don't know where you got that Chris Johnson is a Big physical back.. He is 5'11 and 195 pounds. And he looks pretty small and frail on TV to boot.

    Spiller is 5'11 and 195 pounds.

    Guess what, they're the exact same size ! ;)

    And Spiller would see the ball more than a WR who sees every down.. Giving Spiller 8 rushes and 4 receptions would be 12 touches... which is more than WR's touch the ball in a game over 95% of the time.

    Spiller is a home run threat every time he touches the ball, is an excellent pass catcher.. his elusiveness and quickness is absolutely mindblowing, off the charts. Moreso than Johnson's imo. But Johnson may have a bit more straight-line speed - ever so slightly.
     
  21. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    Spiller is a faster Westbrook IMO.
     
  22. F.O

    F.O New Member

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    And it's not like Spiller isn't well-built.. he's built better than Johnson

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  23. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Johnson is listed here at 5'11-200 but Ive heard him announced at 205 on TV: http://nationalfootballpost.stats.com/fb/playerstats.asp?id=8801&team=10

    Spiller is 195, for some reason I thought he was less. No way that guy reminds me of Marshall Faulk though. Faulk was a solid inside runner when he wanted to be. He showed that in college. I really havent seen that at all from Spiller. Clemson's offense is all finesse and its all Spiller. Its not a coincidence. Hes a hell of a solid player when hes on the perimeter but last time we saw a player like that he was a #4 overall pick and seems to be mired in mediocrity. His name is Reggie Bush. I think Spiller is a slightly better runner but I think hes more of a receiver then a runner at the pro level.
     
  24. F.O

    F.O New Member

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    right from NFL.com

    195 to 200

    http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/chris-johnson?id=262

    When he was drafted he was 195, I do remember that.

    really it's just splitting hairs as they'll be exactly the same size at draft time.

    And even at 200, that does not make Johnson a "Big" back by any means.
     
  25. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    True but the way they play is whats different. Additionally, like I said Im not sure Spillers best position in the NFL isnt WR. I might be the only one who feels that way but I trust my eyes a lot regarding certain positions. I can normally spot successful NFL RB's from a mile away and most of them have one thing in common. They can run inside regularly. Spiller hasnt done that and until I see it I wouldnt touch him with a first round selection as long as my team had other, far more pressing, needs.
     
  26. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    1. Inside linebackers can move in free agency. They're not amongst the most highly valued positions. You never see left tackles or quarterbacks move, you rarely see true blue goose #1 receivers move, but aside from that, you see inside linebackers move as much as any position. You also see inside linebackers that maybe weren't highly thought of move and reclaim their former glory. Look at a guy like Keith Brooking, who is having a fantastic season. I know that Fineas really argued hard for a signing of a Keith Brooking, and many argued against him, I think Fineas was justified ultimately in that one. Takeo Spikes is having a heck of a year, he's moved via free agency twice now and has had a major impact at both new destinations. London Fletcher moved via free agency, has been huge for the Redskins since then. Bradie James moved via free agency, he's been big for the Cowboys ever since. Larry Foote has played well this year in Detroit after moving via free agency. Jonathan Vilma \was traded for a song (conditional 4th rounder). James Farrior arrived in Pittsburgh via free agency. Antonio Pierce arrived in New York via free agency and has been fantastic ever since. Julian Peterson moved as a free agent once upon a time, and then was traded for a song. David Thornton moved as a free agent. Bart Scott moved as a free agent. It happens. And in a year when there are so many set to be free agents, I think that at least one will escape into free agency, or get cut, and we can grab one. I would absolutely, by the way, include a D'Qwell Jackson in with Dansby and Ryans.

    2. I talk about C.J. Spiller as if he's a straight up running back because he is a straight up running back. He will succeed at the NFL level as a running back. He runs with balance, vision, and he has tackle breaking ability. His speed and instinct combination are unreal and sharper than at any point in his career.

    3. Chris Johnson is smaller and not built as stoutly as C.J. Spiller. That's not even a matter of opinion, that's just a fact.

    4. This team is built to contend for a Super Bowl over many coming years but the first realistic of those years is absolutely 2010 and if that is not the case, then Ireland, Sparano and Parcells have messed up to some degree. They're very much operating on a three year time table. If they do not make the playoffs in 2010, it won't be time to get a new coach or anything like that, but it will have been a failure on their part. I can't fault them for making the playoffs in 2008 and then missing them in 2009 when the schedule got harder, but in 2010, excuses are done.
     
  27. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    I don't know, judging by this, that you have a firm grasp on Spiller's ability, nor the Clemson offense. I was not a fan of Reggie Bush. I went on record many times saying his style wouldn't play in the NFL and he lacked the power and/or blinding speed to make it. I'm a big fan of C.J. Spiller. That alone should tell you that I see something different in Spiller's game than I did Reggie's.
     
  28. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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  29. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    I reviewed Chris Johnson a lot coming out of ECU. I watched them pretty frequently. I remember having conversations with KB21 back when Chris Johnson was just a blip on the radar screen that, despite his size, Johnson breaks some contact and his speed is unreal, he can play at the next level. I was a believer in his.

    But I don't buy this argument that C.J. Spiller has shown less aptitude for or frequency in running between the tackles than Chris Johnson had before he came out. I don't see that at all. If anything, Spiller is built more like a runner than Johnson was, and has more experience with and comfort in running between the tackles than Chris Johnson did coming out of ECU.
     
  30. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    1. Some of the situations you bring up regarding the ILB's who have moved were extenuating to a degree. I know ILB's can move but Brooking and Farrior normally wouldnt have. For example, one team was switching defenses (Jets 3-4 to 4-3) and Farrior was left to go, Scott merely followed his coach, and one was rebulding (Falcons). Im not saying they cant move but do you think a guy who is a legit franchise type LB like Ryans or Dansby will move this year when teams have an additional way to inhibit moving with the possible extra transition tag? Im not so sure.

    2. You have your opinion on Spiller, I respect it, but Im not changing mine. I really dont believe in him as a straight up runner at the NFL level. I knew people would have something to say about it when I typed it and thats fine. I would be really shocked if he turned in to the type of back Parcells wanted. But hey, Ill leave it open to the fact its possible I dont know Ireland's draft preferences as well as I think I know Parcells. :wink2:

    4. When they took over this team the consensus was: 3 drafts to get his players in here right? Well with all that turnover you need time for those players to gel and mature. You had a heck of a lot of holes to fill when the trifecta arrived here basically from the ground up...Ronnie Brown, Bell, Greg Camarillo and not much else remain. You've basically had to cover 6-7 starting positions per offseason if youre on a 3 year plan. Is that reasonable? I would say that its truly remarkable considering some teams cant even patch up 1-2 spots right per offseason. 3-4 is extremely difficult to do in one offseason. Yet here we are with by my count needing 2 starting WR's, a starting TE or a good pass catching backup (either way at least 1 TE), a FS, an ILB, at least 1 starting OLB, at least 1 more NT added to the roster (either as backup or starter depending on how the front office feels about Soliai). Thats 7 holes to fill not including a possible need at guard in case Smiley's shoulder is a chronic thing. Can it be done? Yeah. Should it be expected? Hardly. In my opinion that is what we need to contend for a Super Bowl and if anyone can do it I have faith in this regime but its certainly a lot to ask. By no means would I consider it a failure if they didnt accomplish it all in one offseason.
     
  31. F.O

    F.O New Member

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    Would it shock you then that Parcells said this guy was his favorite player on those Giants offenses he had ? because he did say exactly that

    [​IMG]
     
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  32. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Parcells is an avid believer that you don't take a running back that high in the draft. But, a couple of things.

    1. Parcells doesn't run the draft.

    2. Parcells may not even be here by draft day.

    3. As F.O. points out, Dave Meggett was his very favorite player on those Giants offenses, and C.J. Spiller absolutely has to bring everyone visions of not just him but the guy who is lighting the NFL on fire and will end up breaking Marshall Faulk's record for yards from scrimmage in a season.

    That said, I'm not proposing that the Dolphins would draft Spiller unless something happens where they lose Ronnie or Ricky or both.
     
  33. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Yeah I know Parcells said it but he wasnt the every down starter, Joe Morris and Oj Anderson were in 86 and 90. There would be games where Meggett wouldnt even touch the ball except on special teams. Meggett also wasnt a high first round pick; he was a fifth round pick (132 overall). There's a big difference in determining a players value to you and part is based on where the player is selected. If youre drawing a comparison between Spiller and Meggett based on Parcells affinity for Meggett I dont think youre heading down the right path.

    Of course many will say that about my opinion of Spiller and that fine... :wink2:
     
  34. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Everyone is entitled to their opinion. You could certainly take a riskier opinion than to err on the side of a premium NFL running back needing to be 220 pounds with a proficiency for banging away between the tackles over and over again. Recent history is much more on your side than not.

    However, when it comes to the specific lines of reasoning, I was mainly arguing against the notion that Chris Johnson and C.J. Spiller were/are different coming out, or that Spiller never bangs away between the tackles, or even that the Clemson offense is purely a "finesse" offense. I don't see those so much as a matter of opinion...unlike the overarching issue of whether you're a believer in Spiller or not a believer in Spiller. Certainly the presence and dominance of Chris Johnson belongs in the "pro" as opposed to "con" category for Spiller, and any efforts to differentiate the two based on size, build or proficiency for running between the tackles in college...is very thin, to me.
     
  35. F.O

    F.O New Member

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    Boik,

    Let's not forget that many people said Parcells would never draft an O-lineman in the first round, especially 1st overall.

    Jake Long was my choice 2 months before the 08 draft and I'm glad they went that way..

    Many thought Pat White would never be a BP type player - a small option QB ? and not a strong pocket passer ? he picked White higher than Henne in those 2 drafts.... we found out after the draft from numerous sources that Pat White was a Parcells pick.

    Now I am not trying to support my stance on Spiller based on the skill levels of Pat White as an NFL player. But my point is BP has done things in Miami he has rarely done before.

    We know how much he loved Meggett. You brought up Joe Morris.. Guess what, Morris was 195 pounds as well. Curtis Martin was 5'11 and 200 lbs when drafted by the Pats.

    We know this team desperately needs big play ability on offense. And Spiller is the best big play guy offensively in the draft.. I don't think it is as far fetched as you make it seem.
     
  36. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    And to further your point, Parcells traded a first and third for Curtis Martin as soon as he arrived with the Jets.

    So perhaps the notion that Parcells would never use a first rounder on a running back is not so sacred after all.
     
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  37. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    What about the Clemson offense makes you believe they are anything but a finesse offense? They run from a single back spread and from the gun more then any other formation. The majority of Spillers big plays seem to come from those formations. They dont run as much from traditional pro sets.

    I didnt get a chance to watch ECU when Johnson was there as much as I do Clemson since Spiller has been there but I didnt see Johnson running shotgun draws like it was the only thing in the playbook. I wouldnt say Johnson goes out of his way to be physical but I think when he needs to grind out a yard or two on an inside run hes shown that he can. I wasnt as skeptical on him when he came out because of the system he played in, the coaching he received, and the style of play he showed.
     
  38. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Morris was 195 in a different era, players were smaller and 195 was an average back then. Parcells has always shown an affinity for between the tackles backs which spiller is not but Martin, Morris, OJ anderson, Marion Barber, Julius Jones all are/were. Those Giant teams had 6 different run plays they ran all year in 86 and 90.

    I wanted the other Long during that draft but I certainly never once dismissed the notion that Parcells would draft an OL first overall. Im glad they went the way they did too bro.

    White I think is a special case because I think eventually he is strictly a wildcat pick or a backup qb brought in to support the fact Parcells/JI like to double draft every position to create competition, depth and ensure they get at least 1 player to fill the spot. I was not a fan of the White pick, probably wont ever be. I was truly stunned by the selection to be honest ( I really thought Sintim or even Barwin would be the guy) and I dont expect it to happen again with Spiller.

    I never said parcells wouldnt use a 1st on a RB...he used a 2nd on Jones in Dallas, so what prohibits him from using a first? I just said Id be surprised if it was Spiller.

    Also there is a difference in using a first rounder on a proven commodity like Parcells did with Martin and just drafting an RB in round 1 when Ronnie and Ricky are both on the roster. I think we will look for an RB this draft possibly in the middle or late rounds. Someone like LaGarrette Blunt comes to mind as a possibility.

    On a different note CK, where do you see Austen Lane going? I have him as a solid 3rd rounder...
     
  39. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    There's nothing gimmicky or finesse about a singleback set, and your characterization of Spiller as having taken the overwhelming majority of his snaps from a shotgun draw is both unfair and just plain inaccurate. As is your assertion that he makes all of his bigger plays from that set.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MooMhKt-wKw"]YouTube- CJ Spiller Clemson[/ame]

    Right away, very first run from scrimmage in that highlight is a singleback set, against Wake Forest, a simple stretch play. The second run is a singleback set against Georgia Tech. Third run against NC State is another singleback set. Fourth run against South Carolina, again a singleback set, straight through the tackles. The fifth run against Auburn is a shotgun draw, as you say, as is the sixth run against Boston College.

    Aside from the runs, there are six receptions highlighted on that video. Three of the receptions came from the shotgun. Another of the receptions comes from an empty backfield. But two of the TD receptions came from a singleback set play-action, which only serves to emphasize the regularity from which they run the ball out of the singleback to where if they're using play-action...the most believable run fake comes from a singleback set.

    This doesn't at all suggest that Spiller does most of his damage running the ball from a shotgun. Nor does my observation from having watched several (somewhere in the range of four or five) Clemson games this year. Just tonight he seemed to break off his best runs from singleback.

    Again I have no issues with an opinion that Spiller's not destined for NFL greatness, I would just assume leave the hyperbole, exaggerations, and stretching of the truth out of the argument.
     
    Big E likes this.
  40. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    I wasn't particularly speaking to you about the 1st round pick thing, just anticipating arguments from others who I'm sure will raise the very valid point that Parcells has in the past publicly vowed never to use a high first round pick on a running back.
     

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