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Author	Topic: NFL Draft 2008
Lank_Pavail Registered: Sep '02	Date Posted: 4/27 6:57pm Subject: RE: NFL Draft 2008
	OT x3 OLB x2 ILB CB FS WR DT So the Eagles, in their draft day wisdom, draft THREE OTs. Granted, their main guys are probably only a year or two away from being replaced. And Winston Justice has either got to prove last years embarrassment serving as Osi's doorman on the way to McNabb was a fluke (granted, his first start and he had NO help, but still) so they're trying to address this soon to be need on the O-line. The LB position has been lackluster when it comes to drafting with Reid and Co. But it looks like once again, he's trying to work out a rotation. More likely, these gents will be special teams CB will be a question. If Lito's dealt, then they have two good corners, then blech. The guy they chose won't be ready to go until next year, however. So they've not addressed immediate need. They appear to have semi-addressed the issue of FS. Dawkins wasn't as dominant as he's been. He does probably have another season in him, so now is the time to groom his successor. DT isn't that much of a need with the Birds, but Andy loves his big linemen, so there we are. And now, despite the begging of the fans, McNabb coming out and pleading, Westbrook publicly pleading, out of the entire draft, the Eagles pick ONE receiver. Now, the WC offense the Birds run is supposedly quite complex, so there'd be a learning curve regardless. But one WR, undersized but speedy, isn't that much of an upgrade. He's a great upgrade to punts and kick returns, and I'll be VERY happy to eat my words if he becomes anywhere near as good as Steve Smith whom some compared him to, but the Eagles did not address the glaring need they have here in the draft. Whether they will do so in free agency, I have no idea. -----signature----- High Keeper of stuffed EwokWJFC Lord Jon, Mr Lank & Ms Luna, Purveyors of Anachronistic Atrocities http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=14345682&brd=10477&replies=8 Admiral, JO
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SLR Registered: Oct '02	Date Posted: 4/27 7:08pm Subject: RE: NFL Draft 2008
	Lank, I agree with your analysis except for the following areas. One: Even if the Eagles trade Sheppard, the Eagles are fine at corner. They have Brown and Samuels. Desario Hanson is also a good backup/nickelback. He has played well for them the past couple of years in relief for injured Sheppard or Brown. Two: DeSean Jackson will be a good pick and worth a 2nd rounder, if he can give them a homerun threat on special teams and becomes a great return man ala Hester. It doesn't matter if he can't make a difference at receiver. If he can flip the field by returning kicks, he will be well worth the draft pick. In my opinion, him developing into a good receiver is gravy. -----signature----- *"Sir Tampon" of the Knights of The 3SA Sarcasm Table* Philadelphia Phillies 2007 and 2008 NL East Champions Fight on USC Fly Eagles fly, on the road to victory Rest in Peace Snowball
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Darth Dark Helmet Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Dec '99	Date Posted: 4/27 8:16pm Subject: RE: NFL Draft 2008
	Armenian_Jedi posted: Packers drafting two QB's... interesting. Yeah, I could see one, and I like the Brohm pick, but two. Could be a sign that Thompson and McCarthy aren't convinced of Rodgers' ability to stay healthy. All in all, though, I thought GB had a good draft. I would have liked to see maybe another DB somewhere in there, but it was a good dolid draft class for them. Like I said earlier, they got some guys who can help create better depth for the team short term, and maybe a couple of long term starters. -----signature----- When dealing with genocide, you must ask yourself, "What would Hitler do?" And then, you know, do the opposite. Milwaukee Brewers- NL WILD CARD!
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Grimby the Hutt Title: • JCC Mod with no MSG • RMFF webmaster Registered: Apr '00	Date Posted: 4/27 8:26pm Subject: RE: NFL Draft 2008
	I wouldn't put too much stock in a quarterback drafted in the 7th round. Most players drafted that low aren't expected to do much more than make the practice squad. Brohm will be there to motivate Rodgers. Beyond that, the Packers just have another long-shot prospect. -----signature----- sLaughter is the best medicine http://www.rmff.net -- Home of the greatest FanForce in the world.
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MASTERPRENN Title: JCC Man. Awesome Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 4/27 8:27pm Subject: RE: NFL Draft 2008
	Frankly, I'm more curious as to why we drafted two WRs...that's one of the best and deepest positions on our team. One I can understand, but two has me scratching my head. At least one of those picks could have gone toward a position that we're far thinner in. -----signature----- "When you see me, what do you see? I see a big bushy beard and hair." - Stephen Colbert discussing his inabilit to "see" race, with Cornel West
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Lank_Pavail Registered: Sep '02	Date Posted: 4/27 8:30pm Subject: RE: NFL Draft 2008
	Hanson's not bad, SLR, but depth is something the Birds are short of there. And like I said, I'll eat my words gladly if Jackson proves to be a good WR. If he does as you hope and keeps the fields short for the Eagles, then all the better. But they still need a good WR to pair Curtis off with, so he can be used ala Wes Welker, where he's most effective. -----signature----- High Keeper of stuffed EwokWJFC Lord Jon, Mr Lank & Ms Luna, Purveyors of Anachronistic Atrocities http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=14345682&brd=10477&replies=8 Admiral, JO
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SLR Registered: Oct '02	Date Posted: 4/27 9:38pm Subject: RE: NFL Draft 2008
	Jackson will be a good pick if he just improves their return game and gives them the homerun threat they haven't had in many years. Being a good WR is gravy. The Eagles aren't done making moves. They are going to use Lito Sheppard and some of the additional draft picks they got in next years draft to get Roy Williams or Anquan Boldin. -----signature----- *"Sir Tampon" of the Knights of The 3SA Sarcasm Table* Philadelphia Phillies 2007 and 2008 NL East Champions Fight on USC Fly Eagles fly, on the road to victory Rest in Peace Snowball
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BobaFrank Registered: Jul '01	Date Posted: 4/27 9:43pm Subject: RE: NFL Draft 2008
	Totally disappointed in the Titans picks. I hear the University of Phoenix and maybe ITT Tech has some linebackers available. -----signature----- "Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering." -Yoda TPM "May the Force Be with You." "One Nation Under GOD." "I want to come with you to Alderaan and become a Jedi like my father." "I am a Jedi. Like my father before me."
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solojones Registered: Sep '00	Date Posted: 4/28 6:46pm Subject: RE: NFL Draft 2008
	ApolloSmileGirl posted: You ever get the feeling that the majority of the fans that cheer at the draft, have no idea who their cheering for, or how the pick may benefit their respective teams? Well most of them are Jets fans. Most New Yorkers wouldn't know football if it cleated them in the face. -sj loves kevin spacey -----signature----- 6 x 9 = 42 Proud member of the Colbert Nation Obi-Wan Kenobi and Obi-Wan Kenobi in Ghost Ship Executor All Hail Cliegg's Blue Leg!
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RX_Sith Registered: Mar '06	Date Posted: 4/28 7:26pm Subject: RE: NFL Draft 2008
	NFL Draft Grades (from yahoo.com) NFC EAST Dallas Cowboys Picks: RB Felix Jones, DB Mike Jenkins, TE Martellus Bennett, RB Tashard Choice, DB Orlando Scandrick, DL Erik Walden Positives: Jones, Jenkins, Choice Negative: No young wide receiver to develop. Bottom line: B+. Only six picks, but Jones and Jenkins are solid picks. However, taking Jones over Rashard Mendenhall because he was used to playing a backup role makes no sense. That doesn’t make Felix a bad pick, it just links him forever to Mendenhall. Jenkins can return kicks and gives great insurance at cornerback for Pacman Jones. The addition of Pacman also counts, and Dallas doesn’t have a lot invested for the talent level. Bennett is intriguing and Choice could be a steal in the fourth round. New York Giants Picks: DB Kenny Phillips, DB Terrell Thomas, WR Mario Manningham, LB Bryan Kehl, LB Jonathan Goff, QB André Woodson, DE Robert Henderson Positives: Phillips, Manningham, Woodson Negative: No picks for tackle depth. Bottom line:B. A solid class from top to bottom. Phillips, Kehl and Woodson have a boatload of upside. Manningham could be a tremendous value pick in the third round. Whatever you want to say about his lack of speed or smarts (reportedly scored very low on the Wonderlic test administered at the NFL scouting combine), he consistently produced on the biggest of stages at the college level. But keeping him from becoming a character issue might be tough in New York. Woodson’s mechanics and decision-making translate into a major project over the next several years, but he’s got a lot of tools to keep the Giants invested. Philadelphia Eagles Picks: DL Trevor Laws, WR DeSean Jackson, DL Bryan Smith, OL Mike McGlynn, DB Quintin Demps, DB Jack Ikegwuonu, OL Mike Gibson, LB Joe Mays, DL Andrew Studebaker, OL King Dunlap Positives: Jackson, Ikegwuonu Negative: No tackle until the seventh round. Bottom line: C+. The 10 picks touched on all the major needs, but the class doesn’t have the “wow” factor. It’s a little reminiscent of the 2004 draft that went 10 deep but didn’t produce much. However, Philadelphia’s fleecing of Carolina for the 19th pick will produce future dividends. Jackson is explosive and a potential steal in the second round. Ikegwuonu has a lot of talent and could move over to safety when he recovers from his knee injury. McGlynn could move to tackle and Dunlap could make the team because of his size. Washington Redskins Picks: WR Devin Thomas, TE Fred Davis, WR Malcolm Kelly, OL Chad Rinehart, DB Justin Tryon, P Durant Brooks, DB Kareem Moore, QB Colt Brennan, DL Rob Jackson, DB Chris Horton Positives: Thomas, Davis, Kelly, Brooks Negative: Defensive end not addressed until the seventh round. Bottom line:A. Ten overall picks with lots of potential from top to bottom. The two wideouts slipped a little and could all end up providing great value. Thomas and Kelly could develop into quality big targets, and an AFC scout told Yahoo! Sports in February that Davis was the best overall talent at tight end in this draft. The punter need was addressed with the best one the college game had to offer in Brooks. Brennan is an intriguing pick late in the sixth round. A lot of potential starters in this draft. NFC NORTH Chicago Bears Picks: OL Chris Williams, RB Matt Forte, WR Earl Bennett, DL Marcus Harrison, DB Craig Steltz, DB Zack Bowman, TE Kellen Davis, DL Ervin Baldwin, OL Chester Adams, LB Joey LaRocque, OL Kirk Barton, WR Marcus Monk Positives: Williams, Forte Negative: No quarterback to groom. Bottom line: C. There are lots of bodies to look at with 12 total picks, but five of them were seventh-rounders. Williams is a decent offensive line prospect, but Jeff Otah or Branden Albert might have been better choices. Forte could be a solid second-round pick, but he has something to prove. The Bears passed on two marquee quarterbacks (Brian Brohm and Chad Henne) to pick Forte, which could come back to haunt them. Davis and Baldwin have a lot of raw potential and could be late-round steals. Detroit Lions Picks: OL Gosder Cherilus, LB Jordon Dizon, RB Kevin Smith, DL Andre Fluellen, DL Cliff Avril, WR Kenneth Moore, FB Jerome Felton, DL Landon Cohen, DB Caleb Campbell Positives: Dizon, Smith Negatives: Missing on first-round targets and reaching for Cherilus. Bottom line: D. Detroit addressed most needs but missed out on its three targeted players in the first round – Derrick Harvey, Jonathan Stewart and Jerod Mayo – then traded back to No. 17 and still reached for Cherilus. Dizon is smallish but consistent. Moving up for Smith in the third round was intriguing. He could be a good value there, but it’s a concern that he rarely had a dominating yards-per-carry average against quality competition. Other than Cherilus, it’s hard to see a lot of room to grow in this class. Green Bay Packers Picks: WR Jordy Nelson, QB Brian Brohm, DB Pat Lee, TE Jermichael Finley, DL Jeremy Thompson, OL Josh Sitton, OL Breno Giacomini, QB Matt Flynn, WR Brett Swain Positives: Nelson, Brohm, Lee, Flynn Negatives: No tackles drafted until the fourth and fifth round. Bottom line: B. GM Ted Thompson was active as usual and produced a robust class size of nine picks. He once again used his first pick on a position that didn’t seem to be a huge need (wideout), but it’s hard to rip him for a methodology that has worked in the bigger picture. Getting Brohm so late in the second round is a coup. He’ll create competition with Aaron Rodgers, and if they both develop well, the Packers have some capital at the position for future trades. Flynn likely won’t make the team but is good value late. Overall, it was a good class for depth. Minnesota Vikings Picks: DB Tyrell Johnson, QB John David Booty, DL Letroy Guion, OL John Sullivan, WR Jaymar Johnson Positive: Booty Negatives: Only five picks and no immediate impact players. Bottom line: B. Jared Allen factors into this draft, but his talent is balanced against his risk of further suspension. Johnson gives some good depth at safety. Guion and Sullivan are solid picks to groom for the future at defensive tackle and center. Johnson will get pushed around by cornerbacks at the next level. Booty is the really intriguing pick. He’s got the arm to fit Minnesota’s scheme and is likely to get time to play because of Tarvaris Jackson’s injury issues. NFC SOUTH Atlanta Falcons Picks: QB Matt Ryan, OL Sam Baker, LB Curtis Lofton, DB Chevis Jackson, WR Harry Douglas, DB Thomas DeCoud, LB Robert James, LB Kroy Biermann, RB Thomas Brown, DB Wilrey Fontenot, TE Keith Zinger Positives: Ryan, Baker, DeCoud Negative: No defensive line help. Bottom line: B. The class size is great with 11 picks, and it’s a strong defensive group with six picks on that side of the ball. The first four picks come from big-time programs. Ryan could reshape the franchise if he lives up to his billing. Baker was a necessary reach, and if he’s healthy, he could someday prove worthy of the 21st overall pick. Still, trading two second-rounders is an awful lot to pay for a guy whose performance last year dictated him worthy of one second-round pick. DeCoud has the speed to cover and the mentality to play the run tough. Hard to believe that out of 11 selections, Baker was the only pick invested between the offensive and defensive lines. That’s troubling. Carolina Panthers Picks: RB Jonathan Stewart, OL Jeff Otah, DB Charles Godfrey, LB Dan Connor, TE Gary Barnidge, DL Nick Hayden, LB Hilee Taylor, OL Geoff Schwartz, OL Mackenzy Bernadeau Positives: Stewart, Otah, Godfrey, Connor Negative: No young quarterback to groom. Bottom line: A. Nine picks with several potential starters on offense and defense. The Panthers gave up too much for Otah, but he could start immediately. Godfrey is a playmaker and Connor is a solid, consistent linebacker. Stewart has got loads of talent and should be OK after toe surgery. Hayden can be a solid platoon player at defensive tackle. New Orleans Saints Picks: DL Sedrick Ellis, DB Tracy Porter, DL DeMario Pressley, OL Carl Nicks, K Taylor Mehlhaff, WR Adrian Arrington Positives: Ellis, Porter, Arrington Negative: No tight end help. Bottom line: B-. Only two picks in the first 143 selections. The Saints tried to get Jeremy Shockey, but the Giants were asking too much. Ellis and Porter should be solid additions to the defense, and Pressley could be a steal in the fifth round if he stays healthy and improves his lower body strength. Nicks is a project at tackle. Arrington was great value in the seventh round, even if he is unlikely to make the roster at a deep wideout spot. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Picks: DB Aqib Talib, WR Dexter Jackson, OL Jeremy Zuttah, DL Dre Moore, QB Josh Johnson, LB Geno Hayes, RB Cory Boyd Positive: Jackson Negative: Character risk with Talib. Bottom line: C. All the major needs were hit with seven picks, including wideout and cornerback with the first two picks. Talib has some red flags for character and he takes chances on the field. But he’s also got size and can be a playmaker. Jackson hasn’t played in a pro-style offense, but he’s got a ton of quickness and athleticism. Despite his lack of elite size, it wouldn’t be a shocker to see him develop into the best wideout from this draft. Zuttah is a good guard/tackle combo project. Johnson has an enticing skill set but a lot to learn. NFC WEST Arizona Cardinals Picks: DB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, DL Calais Campbell, WR Early Doucet, DL Kenny Iwebema, RB Tim Hightower, DL Chris Harrington, OL Brandon Keith Positives: Rodgers-Cromartie, Campbell, Doucet Negative: No picks for depth at safety. Bottom line: B. Rodgers-Cromartie had an amazing offseason and has loads of upside. Campbell had a down year in 2007 but could be a steal in Round 2. He’ll likely shed some weight to pick up some explosion that he lacked last year. Doucet was a nice value pick in the third round, even if he’s likely to be a possession guy rather than a game breaker. Hightower has good size but doesn’t have great open-field speed. It’s hard to believe he’ll be the guy to replace Edgerrin James. St. Louis Rams Picks: DL Chris Long, WR Donnie Avery, OL John Greco, DB Justin King, WR Keenan Burton, OL Roy Schuening, LB Chris Chamberlain, LB David Vobora Positive: Long Negative: Only one immediate starter in the class. Bottom line: C+. Long should be an impact player right away and boosts the grade, but the rest of the class leaves a lot to be desired. Taking smallish Avery over Devin Thomas or James Hardy was a head-scratcher. Avery put up big yardage numbers as a senior but scored “only” seven touchdowns, and rarely played against the kind of competition Thomas and Hardy faced. Greco could eventually develop into a starter. King has all the skills but can’t seem to put it together. San Francisco 49ers Picks: DL Kentwan Balmer, OL Chilo Rachal, DB Reggie Smith, OL Cody Wallace, WR Josh Morgan, LB Larry Grant Positives: Balmer, Smith Negatives: C. Wideout and linebacker not addressed until sixth and seventh rounds. Bottom line: Having only six picks isn’t great, particularly when need areas like receiver and linebacker didn’t get prominent attention. Balmer is raw and athletic, but he basically has a one-year résumé. Rachal isn’t very athletic. Smith is an underrated pick in the third round. Morgan and Grant look like special teams players. It’s a class that doesn’t have a lot of spark in it. Seattle Seahawks Picks: DL Lawrence Jackson, TE John Carlson, DL Red Bryant, FB Owen Schmitt, LS Tyler Schmitt, RB Justin Forsett, K Brandon CoutuPositives: Jackson Negative: No wide receiver help. Bottom line: C. Jackson is a solid talent at defensive end, but there have been a lot of underachievers coming off the USC line the past several years. Still, Jackson has good quickness. The pick could have been used on one of the many wideouts still on the board, but that position was entirely ignored. Bryant should be a solid run-plugger for a fourth-rounder. With three of the seven picks devoted to long-snapper, kicker and fullback, it’s not the sexiest class ever. AFC EAST Buffalo Bills Picks: CB Leodis McKelvin, WR James Hardy, DE Chris Ellis, CB Reggie Corner, TE Derek Fine, LB Alvin Bowen, RB Xavier Omon, OT Demetrius Bell, WR Steve Johnson, DB Kennard Cox Positives: McKelvin and Hardy Negatives: Ellis Bottom line: B+. Patience paid off for the Bills as the early run on defensive linemen allowed McKelvin to slip to No. 11 overall. The Bills got the best cornerback in the draft and didn’t have to move up to get him. Hardy is an interesting prospect. His 6-foot-6 height should give the Bills a nice red zone receiver. Ellis isn’t a bad pick for the third round, but he’s not the most disciplined kid. The Bills continued to look for help at CB with Corner. Not the sexiest draft, but it should be effective. Miami Dolphins Picks: OT Jake Long, DE Phillip Merling, QB Chad Henne, DE Kendall Langford, G Shawn Murphy, RB Jalen Parmele, G Donald Thomas, RB Lex Hilliard, NT Lionel Dotson Positives: Long, Henne and Langford Negatives: Merling and Thomas Bottom line: B+. Anybody who wants to understand the Bill Parcells blueprint should study this draft. Rebuild the lines first and get a drop-back quarterback. Long immediately steps into the left tackle spot while Merling and Langford give the team a much-needed infusion of talent on the defensive line. However, Merling is a bit of a reach because he doesn’t fit a 3-4 defense perfectly. The best move for the Dolphins was not overreacting to the hype regarding Henne after Baltimore made an early move to nab Joe Flacco. Instead of creating a run on quarterbacks, the Dolphins patiently waited for him at the end of the second round. New England Patriots Picks: LB Jerod Mayo, CB Terrence Wheatley, LB Shawn Crable, QB Kevin O’Connell, CB Jonathan Wilhite, WR Matt Slater and LB Bo Ruud Positives: Mayo, Wheatley and Crable Negatives: O’Connell Bottom line: A-. Indy’s Bill Polian is the best drafter, but no team in the NFL works the draft better than the Patriots and they again showed it this year. They moved out of the No. 7 spot and got yet another pick after not getting a shot at one of the premier defenders in the draft. The Pats now can begin the transition from the paleo-linebacking corps they’ve had the past two years to a more modern group. Likewise, they hope the likes of Wheatley and Wilhite will fill the shoes of departed CBs Asante Samuel and Randall Gay. New York Jets Picks: LB/DE Vernon Gholston, TE Dustin Keller, CB Dwight Lowery, QB Erik Ainge, WR Marcus Henry, OT Nate Garner Positives: Keller and Lowery Negatives: Gholston and Ainge Bottom line: C. Jets fans at the draft were thrilled when their team grabbed Gholston to give them another outside pass rusher, another piece in an aggressive offseason. But there are plenty of people around the NFL who contend that Gholston is the biggest potential bust of the first round. There are concerns about whether he really likes the game. That’s not good. Keller gives the team a more dynamic receiver for the middle of the field and a stopgap if starting TE Chris Baker doesn’t play for the Jets this season. Lowery gives them depth at a weak spot. Ainge is a waste of a pick. AFC NORTH Baltimore Ravens Picks: QB Joe Flacco, RB Ray Rice, LB Tavares Gooden, S Tom Zbikowski, G Oniel Cousins, WR Marcus Smith, OT David Hale, S Haruki Nakamura, WR Justin Harper, RB Allen Patrick Positives: Rice, Gooden and Zbikowski Negatives: Flacco Bottom line: C. There’s a lot of excitement about Flacco, who has a cannon arm. But look at the history of the league: QBs who are taller than 6-5 generally aren’t very good. They can’t move fast enough to avoid hits. Flacco lumbers when he moves and he’s making a big jump from Delaware. Good luck. Rice is a very good backup to Willis McGahee, and Gooden is a much better player than he showed at Miami. Cincinnati Bengals Picks: LB Keith Rivers, WR Jerome Simpson, DT Pat Sims, WR Andre Caldwell, OT Anthony Collins, DT Jason Shirley, S Corey Lynch, TE Matt Sherry, DE Angelo Craig and WR Mario Urritia Positives: Rivers, Sims and Caldwell Negatives: Simpson and Shirley Bottom line: D-. Rivers and Sims are immediate starters, but that’s almost by default. The Bengals wanted to get USC DT Sedrick Ellis in the first round, but got jumped by the Saints, who telegraphed their move for four days. The Bengals should have done something to counter New Orleans, but as is typical with Cincy, the Bengals let someone else determine their fate. Calling Simpson a “negative” is a little strong, but he’s just a reminder of how bad the situation is there between the dismissal of Chris Henry and the mouthing off by Chad Johnson. Where the grade really takes a hit is with Shirley, a guy who was in and out of trouble last season. The Bengals never learn. Cleveland Browns Picks: LB Beau Bell, TE Martin Rucker, DT Ahtyba Rubin, WR Paul Hubbard and DE Alex Hall Positives: Rucker Negatives: Bell Bottom line: C. Rucker is a good backup to have for TE Kellen Winslow. This is a really difficult draft to analyze because the Browns traded away their first day of the draft. The first-round pick was dealt last year for Brady Quinn. Then they dealt the other picks for the likes of DTs Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams. The Quinn deal has yet to pan out but it could be great. Rogers and Williams were both huge needs, a sign that the Browns are playing for today. This is the type of draft where they could have problems down the road if the roster gets old in a hurry. Bell is a decent interior LB prospect, but he has been hurt. Pittsburgh Steelers Picks: RB Rashard Mendenhall, WR Limas Sweed, DE Bruce Davis, OT Tony Hills, QB Dennis Dixon, LB Mike Humpal, S Ryan Mundy Positives: Mendenhall, Sweed, Davis and Dixon Negatives: Hills Bottom line: A. This is a truly great draft, although it’s unlikely Dixon will get a chance to develop as a passer with Ben Roethlisberger entrenched. A month ago, there was a debate about who the second-best back in the draft was after Darren McFadden and many people thought it was Mendenhall. Then he fell behind Jonathan Stewart and Felix Jones. The Steelers nabbed a falling value, a great move in drafting. Sweed has awesome talent and Davis will convert to an OLB and has the quickness to be another great pass rusher in the Steelers’ 3-4 system. The injured Dixon was a great value in the fifth round. AFC SOUTH Houston Texans Picks: OT Duane Brown, CB Antwaun Molden, RB Steve Slaton, LB Xavier Adibi, DT Frank Okam, S Dominique Barber, QB Alex Brink Positives: Brown, Slaton and Okam Negatives: Molden Bottom line: B. Give Houston a lot of credit for maneuvering around the draft, particularly after a mid-first round run on offensive linemen left the Texans without great choices at the No. 18 spot. They slid back to get Brown at No. 26, nabbing a need player at a better value spot. You also have to love the speed of Slaton, who can change a game in a hurry. However, Molden is too raw and the downside of Slaton is that he doesn’t like contact, making him a predictable runner. Okam, a former defensive tackle, is likely to shift to guard, a clever move by teams that realize that non-athletic DTs can make for cheap, athletic G’s. Indianapolis Colts Picks: OT Mike Pollak, LB Philip Wheeler, TE Jacob Tamme, LB Marcus Howard, TE Tom Santi, C Steve Justice, RB Mike Hart, WR Pierre Garcon, G Jamey Richard Positives: Pollak, Tamme and Howard Negatives: Wheeler Bottom line: B. OK, any criticism of this draft is a matter of being pretty picky. Colts president Bill Polian is always a step or two ahead of the pack. Last year, he traded away his first pick to get Tony Ugoh, a starting left tackle. This year, he’s looking ahead to keeping the line solid with Pollak, a guy who fits the Colts’ system perfectly. Likewise, Tamme gives the Colts another receiving tight end to work the middle of the field. Wheeler is a little stiff for what the Colts do on defense, but he’s still a solid player. Howard is a great experiment at either LB or DE. Jacksonville Jaguars Picks: DE Derrick Harvey, DE Quentin Groves, LB Thomas Williams, CB Trae Williams, RB Chauncey Washington Positives: Harvey and Groves Negatives: Gave away took many draft picks. Bottom line: C+. This is not a criticism of the players the Jaguars took. Harvey is one of the most dynamic pass rushers in the draft, capable of playing both outside and inside. He’s going to be a force. Groves is only a step or two behind. However, how quickly will these guys make it? The Jags are in position to compete for a title and there’s a good argument that they could have nabbed Dolphins DE Jason Taylor with some of those picks. It’s a pretty good bet that Taylor will have more sacks over the next two years than either Harvey or Groves. Maybe more than them combined. Tennessee Titans Picks: RB Chris Johnson, DE Jason Jones, TE Craig Stevens, DL William Hayes, WR Lavelle Hawkins, LB Stanford Keglar, DB Cary Williams Positives: Jones and Hawkins Negatives: Johnson, Stevens and Hayes Bottom line: D. This not a shot at Johnson, who is one of the fastest players in the draft, but this is the third consecutive year the Titans have spent a first- or second-round pick on a running back. They desperately need receiving help. Jones fills in for the loss of Antwan Odom. Hayes will get a shot at that job as well, but he was more of reach. Hawkins is a really nice pickup in the fourth round, but the Titans needed to get another one earlier. AFC WEST Denver Broncos Picks: OT Ryan Clady, WR Eddie Royal, G Kory Lichtensteiger, CB Jack Williams, RB Ryan Torain, DT Carlton Powell, LB Spencer Larsen, DB Josh Barrett and RB Peyton Hillis Positives: Clady, Royal and Williams Negatives: Lichtensteiger and Torain Bottom line: B. The Broncos nabbed the second-best left tackle in the draft after Jake Long and an immediate replacement to Matt Lepsis, who retired. The Broncos addressed their constant need for a return man with Royal, who could be really interesting in the offense as well. Lichtensteiger is a solid player, but guys with short arms have problems in this league. So much of line play, both offensively and defensively, is dependent upon leverage. Like Royal, Williams is a speed guy the Broncos needed. Kansas City Chiefs Picks: DT Glenn Dorsey, G Branden Albert, CB Brandon Flowers, RB Jamaal Charles, TE Brad Cottam, S DaJuan Morgan, WR Will Franklin, CB Brandon Carr, OT Barry Richardson, WR Kevin Robinson, DE Brian Johnston and TE Michael Merritt Positives: Dorsey, Albert, Flowers and Charles Negatives: Cottam and Franklin Bottom line: A. Losing DE Jared Allen to get a bunch of picks still hurts, but that relationship was broken beyond repair. The Chiefs resisted all temptations to move either up or down, stood pat and got perhaps the most dynamic defensive player in the draft in Dorsey and a terrific talent on the offensive line in Albert. Both are great building blocks for the future. Flowers gives the Chiefs a much-needed infusion of youth since veteran Patrick Surtain might be close to the end. Charles provides some speed at running back and he could be a possible successor to Larry Johnson. Oakland Raiders Picks: RB Darren McFadden, CB Tyvon Branch, WR Arman Shields, DE Trevor Scott and WR Chaz Schilens Positives: McFadden, McFadden and McFadden Negatives: Branch and Shields Bottom line: A-. The McFadden pick is a great gamble, although there’s a legit concern about whether the Raiders will give him the personal help he needs to succeed. Like the Jets (Gholston) and Atlanta (Matt Ryan), the Raiders took a player with huge boom and bust potential. However, McFadden has the biggest upside of all three. In fact, he has the biggest upside of any player in the draft and he could be a huge help to second-year QB JaMarcus Russell. Branch and Shields are desperate attempts to fill needs, but should make the team. San Diego Chargers Picks: CB Antoine Cason, FB Jacob Hester, RB Marcus Thomas, CB DeJuan Tribble and OT Corey Clark Positives: Cason Negatives: Hester Bottom line: C. This is a much more clever draft than this grade indicates. Instead of grabbing a lot of players who won’t make the roster, the Chargers wisely took only five players. This is a dynamic that many teams don’t understand when they’re building a roster. Sometimes, having a lot of picks is a waste of time. Cason fills the job of departed CB Drayton Florence. Hester is a bit of a reach, but he is a quality player and a better running back than most people think. He fits well as a replacement for Michael Turner and will be great on special teams. -----signature----- Chief of Staff - The SWC Rebel Scum
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SLR Registered: Oct '02	Date Posted: 4/28 8:12pm Subject: RE: NFL Draft 2008
	RX, I completely disagree with your assessment about the Eagles 2004 draft. The Eagles got 2 pro bowlers out of that draft: Shawn Andrews and Trent Cole. -----signature----- *"Sir Tampon" of the Knights of The 3SA Sarcasm Table* Philadelphia Phillies 2007 and 2008 NL East Champions Fight on USC Fly Eagles fly, on the road to victory Rest in Peace Snowball
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Grimby the Hutt Title: • JCC Mod with no MSG • RMFF webmaster Registered: Apr '00	Date Posted: 4/28 8:12pm Subject: RE: NFL Draft 2008
	How can they possibly say that RB Ryan Torain was a bad pick for the Broncos? He completely fits the Denver running system. Honestly, when was the last time they drafted a bust at running back? I can't even think of one. Besides that, Peter King was saying today that Torain could be one of the biggest sleeper picks in the draft. -----signature----- sLaughter is the best medicine http://www.rmff.net -- Home of the greatest FanForce in the world.
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DarthIntegral Title: Manager SWC & Arena Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 4/29 5:17am Subject: RE: NFL Draft 2008 - Date Edited: 4/29 5:17am (1 edits total) Edited By: DarthIntegral
	BobaFrank posted: Totally disappointed in the Titans picks. I hear the University of Phoenix and maybe ITT Tech has some linebackers available. That totally goes against the team's drafting philosophy. They look for a running back who didn't have a great college career but ran a really fast 40 at the combine and draft him. And then they have monkeys throw darts to get the rest of their picks. -----signature----- halibut gave me 15 respect points I think he's just trying to bribe his way towards victory in Forum Feud Sey's big brother "Faith will bring a way to the impossible"
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Obese_1_Ka-Blooey Registered: Jan '06	Date Posted: 4/29 7:37pm Subject: RE: NFL Draft 2008
	BobaFrank posted: Totally disappointed in the Titans picks. You won't be disappointed by Craig Stevens or Lavelle Hawkins (who is a real steal in the 4th round). -----signature----- Tim Lincecum Cy Young Watch: 18-5, 2.62 ERA (2nd NL), 265 K (1st MLB) California Football: 3-1 (1-0 Pac 10); Next game: October 4 vs. Arizona St. Jahvid Best: 59 Car, 421 Yards, 7.1 YPC, 4 TD (Injured) Roll On You Bears!
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Trimaj Registered: Jun '05	Date Posted: 4/30 1:19am Subject: RE: NFL Draft 2008
	i say it's a wait and see game, as there's really nothing set in stone at this point. seriously, any one of those truly "great picks" could end up a bust, or injured and never being the same. besides, we won't truly know what each team has until at least two seasons are gone. :snoopy -----signature----- I'm just a figment of your imagination.
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