Yesterday I did a quick glance at my winners and losers of the first 3 rounds of the drafts. I have a few more thoughts now that the draft is complete. I have no desire to bore with a team by team breakdown, but I'll pick a team from each division that I think did a noticeably good or bad job.
Let's start with the ever overrated overhyped NFC East.
Good: Philadelphia: Not so sure about them picking Nick Foles from Arizona in the 3rd but at this point I trust Andy Reid with QBs. Besides that they shored up the defense through the draft as opposed to last year's big splash in free agency. Philly knows it's time to put up or shut up and this draft should give Andy Reid another talented core to work with for a few more years.
Bad: Washington: Due to the big trade for RGIII they only had 3 picks in the first 102, the last of which they bizarrely used on Kirk Cousins. I can't speak for much on day 3, but I question taking 2 QBs in the first 102. I understand the importance of depth, competition, and the back up position's value today in the NFL with the concussion policies etc. It just seems like classic Washington to take another QB prospect to challenge their supposed franchise guy.
NFC South
Good: Tampa Bay: I am basing this totally on the fact that they drafted LaVonte David. This guy is a missile, and will fit perfectly in the Tampa Bay legacy of great LBs. Ok, he is only 6'1", but he makes plays.
Indifferent: New Orleans: When you only have 4 picks (thanks to Gregg and the Bounty system) it's hard to make a huge impact. They did OK, I like the Nick Toon pick, but this is not a good season to have a weak draft when you are trying to continue to compete with the last few good years you have left from Brees (who is still no under contract...)
NFC West:
Each team did some bizarre things.
Arizona: Positive, Michael Floyd. Weird, I have not heard of anyone else they drafted
San Francisco: Positive, LaMichael James. Weird, AJ Jenkins
Seattle: Positive, Russell Wilson. Weird, they already have Matt Flynn & Tarvaris Jackson
St Louis: Positive, Michael Brockers. Weird, they missed out on Floyd & Blackmon
NFC North:
I think all 4 teams stuck to their identity for the most part and did what they believed they had to do.
Minnesota: Good: Scammed the Browns into thinking people were interested in their pick and got their guy Matt Kalil and a couple more picks to boot.
Chicago: Hmmm: Their first 2 picks could be boom or bust. Boise St defenders are kind of an unknown proposition, but if anyone can mold Shea it will be the Bears. Alshon Jeffrey could turn into another slow fat plodding WR that can't separate and make plays. Or he could be Hakeem Nicks
AFC East:
Buffalo: Good: Big fan of what they did across the board. Shored up positions across O & D lines.
Miami: Stupid: You know how I feel about Ryan Tannehill. That is all (although his wife is hot)
AFC South:
Houston: Good: They just straight up beefed up their team after losing DeMeco Ryans & Mario Williams. Mercilus will be a beast, and they stole Jared Crick late in the 4th. They are the favorites for the division for the next 2-3 years (as long as Schaub stays healthy).
Jacksonville: What? They drafted a punter in the 3rd round. I bet he could play QB as good as Blaine Gabbert though.
AFC West:
San Diego: Good: Nice talent across the board and addressed positions of need.
Oakland: Hmmm: Former Packers employee Reggie McKenzie has taken the franchise in a new direction. Unfortunately, Al Davis stripped them of any real ability to make an impact in this draft by trading everything away from QBs this year.
AFC North:
Good: Cincinnati: Wow, great job. 2 potential studs and soon to be starters in the first round with Dre Kirkpatrick & Kevin Zetiler in the 1st. Love the Devon Still pick in the 2nd. They are ready to compete in the very tough AFC North.
Bad: Cleveland: Brandon Weeden and getting suckered into trading up one for Trent Richardson. That is all.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
NFL Draft
This is my attempt at an amateur/fan breakdown of the first few rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Let's go for winners/losers (like I have a clue).
Winner:
Indianapolis: The Colts were 30th in the League in offense last year, 27th in passing. So what did they do? Took advantage of their horrible 2011 and drafted the best QB prospect in 10-15 years in Andrew Luck. And then, why not grab his TE Coby Fleener? Then throw in another TE from Clemson & a speedster type WR from FIU and it is time to score some points and rebuild the offense around Andrew.
Loser:
Cleveland Browns: Shocking, I know. The most poorly run franchise since their rebirth in 1999, the Browns seemed to make some of the same old mistakes under Mike Holmgren. Trading up one spot to grab Trent Richardson? What? OK, so obviously Minnesota put up smoke signals that other teams were clamouring for that spot, but giving up 3 picks to move up one position to draft a running back that will probably be injured and out of the league in 3 years? Speaking of out the league in 3 years, the Browns picked Brandon Weeden, a 457 year old QB out of Oklahoma State. He played in a spread offense in the Big 12 (stop me if you've heard this before... Chase Daniel, Kliff Kingsbury, Graham Harrell, Blaine Gabbert, Vince Young, Colt McCoy...) But hey, at least they might reach 8 wins the next 3 years... if they're lucky.
Loser:
Miami Dolphins: I want to give them credit, I really do. They have been a horrible franchise since Dan Marino retired. But speaking of bad Big 12 QBs, they take one of the worst, Ryan Tannehill. Seriously, why are you drafting an ex-WR who had one good season (if you consider leading a talented/underachieving team to a 6-6 record "good) in the top 10? Oh, you like his combine workout? Get serious. Haven't people learned from JaMarcus Russell? The really hilarious thing about it is he is probably not even better than Matt Moore, who actually played OK last year. Seems like they have solidified their O & D lines in the 2nd-3rd rounds, but honestly, do you believe in the Dolphins? I know they have a new coaching staff, but until I see otherwise it is the same old same old in South Florida.
Winner:
St. Louis Rams: They traded out of the top 5 and still grabbed an absolute beast in LSU DT Michael Brockers. Then started snatching skill positions in the 2nd & 3rd rounds. Brian Quick, Janoris Jenkins, Isaiah Pead, & Trumaine Johnson should all provide depth and hopefully immediate impact across the offensive & defensive backfield. I trust & believe in Jeff Fisher and believe the Rams have made solid moves toward the future.
3-5 Years from now, I will be wrong as hell.
Let's go for winners/losers (like I have a clue).
Winner:
Indianapolis: The Colts were 30th in the League in offense last year, 27th in passing. So what did they do? Took advantage of their horrible 2011 and drafted the best QB prospect in 10-15 years in Andrew Luck. And then, why not grab his TE Coby Fleener? Then throw in another TE from Clemson & a speedster type WR from FIU and it is time to score some points and rebuild the offense around Andrew.
Loser:
Cleveland Browns: Shocking, I know. The most poorly run franchise since their rebirth in 1999, the Browns seemed to make some of the same old mistakes under Mike Holmgren. Trading up one spot to grab Trent Richardson? What? OK, so obviously Minnesota put up smoke signals that other teams were clamouring for that spot, but giving up 3 picks to move up one position to draft a running back that will probably be injured and out of the league in 3 years? Speaking of out the league in 3 years, the Browns picked Brandon Weeden, a 457 year old QB out of Oklahoma State. He played in a spread offense in the Big 12 (stop me if you've heard this before... Chase Daniel, Kliff Kingsbury, Graham Harrell, Blaine Gabbert, Vince Young, Colt McCoy...) But hey, at least they might reach 8 wins the next 3 years... if they're lucky.
Loser:
Miami Dolphins: I want to give them credit, I really do. They have been a horrible franchise since Dan Marino retired. But speaking of bad Big 12 QBs, they take one of the worst, Ryan Tannehill. Seriously, why are you drafting an ex-WR who had one good season (if you consider leading a talented/underachieving team to a 6-6 record "good) in the top 10? Oh, you like his combine workout? Get serious. Haven't people learned from JaMarcus Russell? The really hilarious thing about it is he is probably not even better than Matt Moore, who actually played OK last year. Seems like they have solidified their O & D lines in the 2nd-3rd rounds, but honestly, do you believe in the Dolphins? I know they have a new coaching staff, but until I see otherwise it is the same old same old in South Florida.
Winner:
St. Louis Rams: They traded out of the top 5 and still grabbed an absolute beast in LSU DT Michael Brockers. Then started snatching skill positions in the 2nd & 3rd rounds. Brian Quick, Janoris Jenkins, Isaiah Pead, & Trumaine Johnson should all provide depth and hopefully immediate impact across the offensive & defensive backfield. I trust & believe in Jeff Fisher and believe the Rams have made solid moves toward the future.
3-5 Years from now, I will be wrong as hell.
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