Random Thoughts:Post Draft - NFC Teams
Posted by thehuddlereport.com on May 7, 2008
by Drew Boylhart
49ers - This was a weird draft for the 49ers. It was almost like they weren’t in it at all. They got good talent in the first three rounds, but after that, I think they just said the hell with it and packed up and went home. Kentwan Balmer (DL North Carolina) has solid talent and fits their system. Chilo Rachal (OL USC) also has strong abilities/potential and Reggie Smith (CB Oklahoma) should be a good solid player as well…unfortunately, after that, they seemed to lose their way.
Bears - How do you not look for a QB in this draft? You cannot tell me that picking up a QB in the rookie free agency pool will be better than drafting a QB. I love the overall talent the Bears got in their draft, but not drafting a QB was a big mistake. You passed on Josh Johnson (QB San Diego St) and Matt Flynn (QB LSU)! You had a hell of a draft, but not drafting a QB and thinking you will be able to pick one up in free agency could be a big mistake.
Buccaneers - Sometimes collecting talent is a good thing and sometimes it is not. This is a team that usually lacks direction on draft day, but I have to say that this year they got the most talented overall group of players in this draft. I’m not sure how any of them fit the system the Buccaneers use, but they do have talent.
Cardinals - This is another team that did very well picking talented players. Dominique Rogers-Cromartie (CB Tennessee St) is a hell of a talent. Early Doucet (WR LSU) is that sneaky type of receiver in the mold of an Isaac Bruce who just beats you like a drum and you don’t know how or why, but at the end of the game, you wish he hadn’t.
Cowboys - Jerry Jones has become a person who understands how to run a draft. As they say, he plans his work and works his plan. He is no longer panicking when a player he wants goes off the board. He wanted Felix Jones (RB Texas) and he got him. He wanted a corner and he went out and got Mike Jenkins (CB South Florida). He needed a back up of both picks with players who will push both the rookies and the veterans, so he selected Tashard Choice (RB Georgia Tech) and Orlando Scandrick (CB Boise St). A very smart draft and the 4th he gave up for Pacman seems logical even if you do not agree with Pacman being a Cowboy.
Eagles - They didn’t pick until the second round and they land Trevor Laws (DL Notre Dame) who will improve the Defensive line the day he steps on the field. DeJuan Jackson (WR California) is also a good pick in the 2nd round and Mike McGlynn (OL Pittsburgh) will help change the mental strength of this team in the most positive way.
Falcons - The Falcons got the QB of the future in Matt Ryan (Boston College) and added a ton of speed to this team. Harry Douglas (WR/ST Louisville) will open up the slot and become a favorite target for Matt Ryan. Thomas Brown (RB Georgia) will help big time when Mike Turner gets hurt. Chevis Jackson (DB LSU) and Curtis Lofton (LB Oklahoma) will add leadership and toughness to the defense. The big mistake is Sam Baker (OL USC) — he might make it as a guard, but the jury will be out until he does.
Giants - Like I told one of the members, this is the type of draft that, the more you look at it, the more it grows on you. Kenny Philips (S Miami) is a solid, but not impacting, safety. Terrell Thomas (CB USC) is another smart, solid CB who fits the system very well. Bryan Kehl (LB BYU) is an excellent fit along with Jonathan Goff (LB Vanderbilt). Not thrilled about Mario Manningham (WR Michigan) but maybe I’m wrong — maybe he will play on every down and run every route out and block for his teammates. I mean look at the person he has to learn from…Plexico Burris! Plexico doesn’t practice, run routes out or block for teammates and plays when he feels like it. And the Giants still won the Super Bowl! So, I guess when Plexico’s contract is up the Giants will have a replacement.
Lions - The Lions got solid talent. Gosder Cherilus (OT Boston College) is a good player. Jerome Felton (FB Furman) could develop into an excellent red zone back and Caleb Campbell (S Army) will surprise the Lion fans with his athletic ability; he should become a fan favorite and a core player on defense. Jordon Dizon (LB Colorado) is a very good overachieving LB and Kevin Smith (RB Central Florida) is a power running back that, if the line blocks well for him, could surprise a lot of people with his ability to gain yardage.
Packers - This was an excellent draft for the Packers; they got smart players and they believe in the THR system. The last few years, the Packers have been one of the better drafting teams and have scored very well on our boards. They are definitely one of the teams in the NFL that think about the draft the way that we here at THR do. They drafted two QB’s — Brian Brohm (QB Louisville) and Matt Flynn (QB LSU). Now, some will suggest that they are not sure about Aaron Rodgers so they drafted two QB’s. I don’t believe that for one minute. One QB is to develop and use as a back up and the other QB will be developed and used in the future to gain more picks in future drafts. Both QB’s fit the style of offensive system the Packers use. That is smart drafting. Add to this Jordy Nelson (WR Kansas ST) who is a WCO dream come true for a QB, Jeremy Thompson (DE Wake Forest) — a smart DE who will develop into one of the better players from this draft — and Breno Giacomini (OT Louisville) who, if he matures, might wind up being a Pro Bowl offensive tackle. This is how a playoff team drafts and stays a playoff team. You draft players with a little longer LTI, but the players have excellent talent and the veterans can see the talent right away and know they have to continue to improve if they want to keep their jobs. LTI is different for every team. Playoff teams should look for very talented players who have a longer LTI and teams that are not in the playoffs should look for players with a very quick LTI even if they have less talent than other players.
Panthers - Another team who made a plan and then worked that plan. They drafted Jonathan Stewart (RB Oregon), then made a push for Jeff Otah (OT Pittsburgh). I’m not a big fan of Jeff Otah, but if a team wants a player and goes and gets that player then that is all that matters. Charles Godfrey (CB Iowa) has good talent and Dan Connor (LB Penn St) is a hell of a player. They got the players that fit their needs.
Rams - The Rams got one of the best players in the draft, but then they followed it up by doing one of the wackiest things I have ever seen happen in a draft. They left starting WR after starting WR on the board to pick a Special Teams player who plays the Wide Receiver position. These guys are still confused when it comes to working the draft. They have no plan…or the plan they have sucks. Call me you need help. If it wasn’t for the Chris Long pick, I’m not sure what you would have walked away with from this draft. I told you last year that you mailed in the 2nd day of your draft and that it would come back to haunt you. I’m telling you again this year that you better hope you don’t have very many injuries. Call me the number is 1 -8DR-AFT-HELP!
Redskins - They worked the THR formula the best I have seen. They got good talent that fits the new system they will use on offense and all the players have a short LTI with the possible exception of Devin Thomas (WR Michigan St). The thing about Devin is that, in a WCO, he fits like a glove. The WR position that runs all those underneath routes will be what he was made for. This will also shorten his LTI. He will not be expected to learn or run all the routes of a normal offense. Malcolm Kelly (WR Oklahoma) could be the offensive rookie of the year before it is all said and done. When you use the THR method of drafting, you shall be rewarded and the Redskins offensive turn around will be a lot quicker than you think. Colt Brennan (QB Hawaii) is a good fit also as a back-up WCO QB. He is smart and if he is done with all of his issues, he should be able to help in the future.
Saints - The Saints got excellent talent and filled some big needs. This is another team that worked their plan and did it well. Sedrick Ellis (DT USC) was the best DT in this draft. DeMario Presley (DT NC St) is a perfect complement to Sedrick — I’m calling them Fire and Lightning. Carl Nicks (OT Nebraska) if he gets serious, will be a solid offensive tackle and Adrian Arrington (WR Michigan) has big time potential written all over him if he can just mature and get focused about playing football.
Seahawks - The Seahawks got the best all around TE in this draft and let me tell you, the Buffalo Bills are pissed — they wanted this kid in a bad way. John Carlson (TE Notre Dame) is very underrated and should be able to impact his first year. Then they drafted Owen Schmitt (FB West Virginia) and Justin Forsett (RB California). These are two players that will turn this team into a red zone nightmare. Schmitt will bring back the days of former FB Tom Rathman during the early days of the WCO when the most important position was the FB! Watch out for the Seahawks next year.
Vikings - They got excellent talent and one of the better QB’s in this draft. He is a perfect fit for what they are doing in Viking land. John David Booty (QB USC) is a perfect fit and if Travarous Jackson gets hurt this year, he will not get back on the field. Booty with Adrian Peterson and that new defense will go right to the playoffs.
May 10, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Hello, Drew? This is the RAMS. Help, I need somebody’s HELP…
May 11, 2008 at 4:20 pm
LOL, LOL