2009 nfl draft

[kghoya]

well i was gone most of the day but ive now had a chance to see what happened. here are my thoughts:

surprised the skins didnt mortgage the future for sanchez. first they dont pick up owens and now this. im not sure what is going on in ashburn but it doesnt make sense given who is in charge.

pat white went to the fins? i thought they already had the wildcat spot covered.

im surprised the broncos drafted a rb so high. i thought they could just turn anybody into a 1000 yard rusher

the raiders showed why they are the radiers. hewyard bey at 7? i guess they were just going by 40 scores

surprised teams weren't stockpiling picks for next year to get the great tim tebow

i see road warrior animal's son slipped to the 2nd round. ive never been a fan of his (or his dads)

can somebody pick paulus tomorrow and somehow ruin his eligibilty? im in favor of that

[hifigator]

I can't really argue with anything you said there KG, except maybe the dig on Knowshon Moreno. As much as I hate the Dawgs, I think that kid is a real stud. I know what you mean about Denver RB's, but you have to remember that that was when Shanahan was running the show. I don't have the loathing, deep-seated hatred for Jawja that I do for FSU or Cuse, but I still really, really don't like them. Maybe a Maryland or Nova in your eyes? That being said, I still think that kid is something special. Of course, in the NFL, that's only a small part of the equation. Shaun Alexander went from Penthouse to Outhouse mighty quick for example ...

[SFHoya99]

The Broncos haven't been able to do that with running backs for several years now. They had a veteran O Line that played a long time together and cheated a lot -- now they are gone and they can't just plug in anyone. Plus, Shanahan is gone, it's a new era!

I love it as a Chargers fan. They signed some FA defenders, but their defense still isn't going to be good, and they have Kyle Orton at QB. He won't be as fun to make fun of, but I can't think they got better.

[SFHoya99]

How did everyone feel their team did?

It was a typical Chargers draft recently.

I really like the players. They seem to fit the system.

They also all seemed to be drafted a bit early and it seems like a more aggressive GM could have traded down and acquired more picks.

It also feels like they are constantly planning for the future and never really looking to the immediate year.

[vcjack]

Apr 26, 2009 11:10:40 GMT -5 SFHoya99 said:

The Broncos haven't been able to do that with running backs for several years now. They had a veteran O Line that played a long time together and cheated a lot -- now they are gone and they can't just plug in anyone. Plus, Shanahan is gone, it's a new era!

I love it as a Chargers fan. They signed some FA defenders, but their defense still isn't going to be good, and they have Kyle Orton at QB. He won't be as fun to make fun of, but I can't think they got better.

Captain Neckbeard isn't easy to make fun of?

mike100915.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/ortonmontage.jpg

Cutler won't have much to throw to in Chicago (unless we are going to keep up the charade that Hester is smart enough to run routs) but it will be less frustrating than Orton under throwing talented guys like Eddie Royal.

[SFHoya99]

Orton is just not good enough to really care.

The Chargers had a great thing going with Cutler. Cutler couldn't handle it.

[GIGAFAN99]

I have to say the Eagles offseason is almost confusing in how near perfect it's been.

Two high-level tackles? An actual fullback who can catch the ball and get 3rd an 1? I was upset to see Dawk go but the quick turnaround with Sean Jones eased concerns. It will be tough to replace the intagibles but the defensive backfield still looks solid.

And that was before the weekend. A clear #1 wideout (thanks Al) gives them an incredibly fast trio of receivers with Jackson in his second year a nd Curtis back for the full campaign. They got the speedy Westbrook back-up/replacement they wanted. And as an added bonus nabbed Ingram who can't block but who cares? Use him as just a big, fast wideout and I think it will be OK.

But the best move of the day for the Birds was Hobbs. Now Hobbs as your #1 corner is a disaster but playing with Samuel as a #2 corner makes that a little better. All that is secondary (no pun intended) to the way the Eagles addressed Sheldon Brown by saying "Oh not happy are you? Here's even more competition if you think you're the only corner in the league."

Who are these guys? They almost seem like they want to win.

[SFHoya99]

I'm not a fan of first round wideouts. Otherwise, I like the draft. But first wide wideouts have a ridiculous burnout rate.

[TBird41]

Apr 26, 2009 21:36:55 GMT -5 SFHoya99 said:

I'm not a fan of first round wideouts. Otherwise, I like the draft. But first wide wideouts have a ridiculous burnout rate.

Percy Harvin anyone? I like the Vikings choice of OT Phil Loadholt from OU in the 2nd round, bc the Vikings need a RT desperately, but it seems like they could have taken Oher instead of Harvin, who is both dumb (it's not the fact that he smokes pot, its the fact that he wasn't smart enough not to do it when he knew he'd be taking a drug test at the combine), coming out of a spread offense and a hybrid RB/WR that's relatively fragile, and I have no confidence in Childress being able to utilize him effectively (like Sean Payton has had some success doing with Reggie Bush).

[RDF]

Apr 26, 2009 22:36:28 GMT -5 TBird41 said:

Apr 26, 2009 21:36:55 GMT -5 SFHoya99 said:

I'm not a fan of first round wideouts. Otherwise, I like the draft. But first wide wideouts have a ridiculous burnout rate.

Percy Harvin anyone? I like the Vikings choice of OT Phil Loadholt from OU in the 2nd round, bc the Vikings need a RT desperately, but it seems like they could have taken Oher instead of Harvin, who is both dumb (it's not the fact that he smokes pot, its the fact that he wasn't smart enough not to do it when he knew he'd be taking a drug test at the combine), coming out of a spread offense and a hybrid RB/WR that's relatively fragile, and I have no confidence in Childress being able to utilize him effectively (like Sean Payton has had some success doing with Reggie Bush).

Loadholt has horrible footwork and is slow and will get his ass kicked off the edge--and a lot of holding calls. Not a very good run blocker either and topping it off--if you don't like Harvin's off the field stuff--Loadholt makes Harvin look like a choirboy.

Spread offense WR's need to learn how to run routes and how to play off press coverage. I like Maclin in return game as more of an initial impact then him at WR. Speed no doubt--but he's tiny (not strong at all).

Loved Eagles getting LeSean McCoy-great pickup for them.

Patriots just know what they are doing. Loved the Chung and Brandon Tate pick--who I think is a better WR then Nicks who Giants took in 3rd round. Tate does have the injury question-but he is a big time playmaker and great return guy too. I think the DC from UConn Butler is an upgrade over Ellis Hobbs--who I am not sad to see leave.

Cowboys just make me laugh--what a horrific draft and I'm adding the Roy Williams trade to that mess of a draft. My favorite selection--David Buehler of USC who is a Place Kicker and Cowboys already have one of the better kickers in league in Nick Folk. Guess Jerry really believes he's got "too much talent" which is funny because his franchise hasn't won a damn thing in 14 years. So he's going to waste a roster spot for a kickoff specialist?

In a non-draft move that I didn't know about--Green Bay switching to 3-4 is stupid if you consider their best DL was Aaron Kampman. Now he moves to OLB in 3-4 and the guy isn't fast enough or good enough in space--he was a horrible LB at Iowa and moved to DL because of his lack of quickness/burst and now he's in space again after proving to be a reliable DE? Stupid.

[ExcitableBoy]

Apr 26, 2009 22:36:28 GMT -5 TBird41 said:

Percy Harvin anyone? I like the Vikings choice of OT Phil Loadholt from OU in the 2nd round, bc the Vikings need a RT desperately, but it seems like they could have taken Oher instead of Harvin, who is both dumb (it's not the fact that he smokes pot, its the fact that he wasn't smart enough not to do it when he knew he'd be taking a drug test at the combine), coming out of a spread offense and a hybrid RB/WR that's relatively fragile, and I have no confidence in Childress being able to utilize him effectively (like Sean Payton has had some success doing with Reggie Bush).

The thing that boggles my mind about the Harvin pick is that the Vikings apparently put together a list of 70 players they wouldn't draft because of "character issues." If failing a combine drug test doesn't get you on that list I wonder what those 70 guys had to do!?

[kchoya]

Apr 26, 2009 17:40:03 GMT -5 SFHoya99 said:

How did everyone feel their team did?

It was a typical Chargers draft recently.

I think all Chefs fans are putting their faith in Scott Pioli bringing some of that Patriot magic, otherwise we don't know what to make of the draft. At least Jackson doesn't look like as much of a reach thanks to the Raiders doing their usual crap.

[hifigator]

Apr 27, 2009 9:50:40 GMT -5 ExcitableBoy said:

Apr 26, 2009 22:36:28 GMT -5 TBird41 said:

Percy Harvin anyone? I like the Vikings choice of OT Phil Loadholt from OU in the 2nd round, bc the Vikings need a RT desperately, but it seems like they could have taken Oher instead of Harvin, who is both dumb (it's not the fact that he smokes pot, its the fact that he wasn't smart enough not to do it when he knew he'd be taking a drug test at the combine), coming out of a spread offense and a hybrid RB/WR that's relatively fragile, and I have no confidence in Childress being able to utilize him effectively (like Sean Payton has had some success doing with Reggie Bush).

The thing that boggles my mind about the Harvin pick is that the Vikings apparently put together a list of 70 players they wouldn't draft because of "character issues." If failing a combine drug test doesn't get you on that list I wonder what those 70 guys had to do!?

I'm not going to get in the middle of that Harvin issue. Most of you know my opinion on that issue anyway. Regardless, at the very least, Harvin showed tremendously poor judgment and at the worst a complete lack of self-control. I find it hard to believe that they wouldn't all know the rules there. Even though that particular offense isn't really that "big of a deal," I would still think that these kids know that ALL invitees to the combine will get tested for both steroids as well as narcotics. In that situation, you would have to think that partaking at that particular time would be a very, very expensive decision. In any case, he has tremendous potential. He is about as explosive a player with the ball in his hands as anyone out there. He is Devin Hester elusive, but stronger. Injuries have been a concern for sure, but not his heart. He played the National Championship game this year, with a fractured ankle, and still made the OK. defenders look they were standing still. His ability to cut either direction and yet stay at full speed is remarkable, and he gets to full speed on the first step. He's an amazing player.

Getting back to the Vikings draft, what immediately jumped out at me was how many SEC players they drafted. I think all but 1 or 2 players come from the SEC.

GIGA, I think you could have gotten a great sleeper in the draft in Cornelius Ingram. The consensus is that he would have been a 2nd rounder had he not been coming off injury. But he is fully recovered and hasn't lost a step. He is very graceful and has tremendous hands. He was Mr. Basketball and Mr. Football his senior year of high school. He's not quite as big as some tight ends, but he will be a matchup problem against almost everyone. He's too big and strong for most safeties to handle, but he's fast and quick enough to give most linebackers problems. He also has great technique as far as using his body to shield away defenders, likely coming from his basketball background. Incidentally, he's also a decent kid who's not likely to get into a bunch of off the field issues.

[RDF]

BTW---as a person who is NOT offered NFL Network and stuck with ESPN, I must say that:

1. Chris Berman must be put to sleep. His same tired act is beyond irritating but it at least won me $100 in a bet for him pulling out the Mel Kiper Draftbook/War and Peace "schtick" for the 20th year in a row.

2. That Quan Cosby/Bill Cosby thing was the most ignorant/awkward thing ESPN has produced since Stuart Scott's "poetry jam" and Steve Phillips "fake press conference".

3. After listening to Herm Edwards--it's not hard to see why he was fired 2 times--but it is hard to see how he ever got employed to be a Head Coach. He's a moron.

[hifigator]

There were a couple of prominent names that went undrafted. Among them, Graham Harrell and Chase Daniel -- a pair of Big 12 QBs that were in the Heisman race much of the year.

As for SEC players, I am a little surprised that John Parker Wilson wasn't a late pick. He seems like the kind of guy to be a backup for a couple of seasons and then develop into a serviceable starter. Also, I would think someone would have taken a chance on Aryan Foster.

Finally, Jason Watkins -- mammoth lineman from Florida -- wasn't drafted. He has inked a free agent deal, and in all honesty, it might work out better than being a 7th round pick anyway, since he's free to negotiate with whomever he wants to and can pick and choose which team and personnel might fit his game best. Still, Sporting News had him listed as their 88th player in the top 100 draft. That's awful high up the list to not get drafted at all. In fact I was talking to Marty Cohen who does a radio sports show, and he said that prior to the Florida-Georgia game last year, he was talking to a KC Chief scout, and the player that he asked about was Jason Watkins. Oh well ...

Lastly, is there anyone out there willing to defend the Raiders and their selection of that wideout from Maryland as the first wide receiver taken -- over Crabtree, Maclin and Harvin?

[whatmaroon]

As a Titans fan, it was interesting to see them go against type and pick a WR in the 1st round for the first time since they took Kevin Dyson over Randy Moss. I, too, hate 1st round wideouts. Then, in the 2nd round, they take Sen'Derrick Marks, who'll probably be their #4 DT. They give up a 2nd round pick next year to get a late 3rd round pick this year, which I object to as a matter of principle. Then, they take an undersized nickel corner with their own 3rd round pick. Frustrating and agonizing, but that's been par for the course of late.

[SFHoya99]

Darrius Heyward-Bey is bigger and faster than Crabtree, Maclin and Harvin.

I'm not saying that's the order I pick them in (although I'm not certain it is not), but I don't really see it as that big of a deal. WRs are crapshoots, so drafting one in the 1st round at all is probably a bigger deal than taking Bey over Crabstreet.

Maclin and Harvin are the speedy guys who don't seem to translate even as well as the bigger, faster guys.

[HealyHoya]

I actually like that the Redskins didn't pull a Snyder and mortgage the future to land Sanchez. They're left to rehab their relationship with Jason Campbell but here's hoping that Campbell can handle the business side of the NFL better than, say, Jay Cutler.

Orakpo is a Game 1 starter who, in my opinion, can be a Pro Bowler if he adds 10-15lbs of muscle and learns to play the run better. With the addition of Albert Haynesworth, the Skins go from a D with no pass rush to a pass rush opposing teams need to factor in. That's a big improvement.

The 'Skins also signed Mizzou QB Chase Daniels to a FA contract. Sure, Daniels is too small, too short, lacks the arm strength to make it in the NFL (or so they say) but the guy performs on the field. With second year QB Colt Brennan also back, there might be something going on there.

Second year for Jim Zorn to make his mark on the offense and the D, which finished last year ranked in the top 5 in the NFL, has clearly improved. Is that enough to make the playoffs in a brutal division? I don't know.

EDIT: Although everyone is talking about Heyward-Bey at 7 as the worst pick of the draft, can we at least consider Jerry Jones selecting a PK in the 5th Rd -- with Nick Folk already on the Cowboys -- as the worst pick. America's Team!

[hifigator]

SF, for what it's worth, I would have taken Crabtree first. Harvin vs. Maclin would depend on the system. I understand the concerns on Harvin in durability/injury prone and the off the field issues like weed. It's easy to sit here as a fan and say this or that. But when you are investing millions of dollars on this guy, and more importantly, impacting the overall investment in the team, then it certainly takes on a new light. That being said, I would have no problem with Harvin from what I know. He's a team player. He's a positive in the locker room. He's not the smartest cookie, but he understands that. A lot of times, that means even more. As for his injury issue, he basically had a situation with his foot from when he was in 10th grade until last fall. Almost all of the issues are related to that, which is no longer a factor. And the kid is absolutely dynamic. He has Reggie Bush/Devin Hester like playmaking ability. As for Bey being "stronger" is he really? Harvin did 19 reps at the combine and 22 at the NFL Pro Day workouts. He is absolutely cut.


Healy wrote:

can we at least consider Jerry Jones selecting a PK in the 5th Rd -- with Nick Folk already on the Cowboys -- as the worst pick. America's Team!


As you all know, I despise the Noles with every fiber of my being, but I was a bit surprised that Gano wasn't selected. The Lou Groza award winner has an incredible leg and is surprisingly accurate as well.

[Cambridge]

Apr 27, 2009 10:30:43 GMT -5 kchoya said:

Apr 26, 2009 17:40:03 GMT -5 SFHoya99 said:

How did everyone feel their team did?

It was a typical Chargers draft recently.

I think all Chefs fans are putting their faith in Scott Pioli bringing some of that Patriot magic, otherwise we don't know what to make of the draft. At least Jackson doesn't look like as much of a reach thanks to the Raiders doing their usual crap.

If Pioli brings the Patriot's magic to the Chief drafts of the future, there is no point even watching the draft. He will consistently trade down and increase the number of second round picks if he is unhappy with the quality and fit of the players available. In the end, there will be no way to judge how the draft went for several years.