I need to start talking about the draft as a whole.
However, before I forget: You should really read this article by Mike Sando. He does a great job breaking down first round picks over the last few years. Yeah, this is a "fun with numbers" article. But some interesting stuff.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/columns/story?columnist=sando_mike&id=3356729
Several NFL teams had excellent drafts.
(1) The Kansas City Chiefs: I hate the Chiefs. There is nothing to like about them. Well, okay, their former owner (who passed away last year) seemed like a decent guy. And they used to have some LB with the last name "Thomas" who seemed like he could play. But other than that, there is nothing to like about the Chiefs. Just a dirty, dirty team.
That said, the Chiefs had one hell of a draft. Glen Dorsey looks like a real beast and, assuming his leg does not become a ningling injury, he may be a future pro-bowl DT (oh so valuable). And they managed to nab him at the 5th pick, a real steal. Sure, his contract will still be huge, but not nearly as devestating as a top three.
Anyway, Dorsey was a great pick. The chiefs followed that up with Brandon Albert. For those who don't know, Albert was a vogue top ten pick in the weeks leading up to the draft. Mel Kyper was screeching like a sharptail grouse about this guy. Why? Because he is a switch lineman. That's right. He is one of those special lineman who can play OG or OT. He played OG in college, but has the physical skills to cover either position. An incredibly valuable guy for any team. The Chiefs lucked out and nabbed him at pick 15 in the first round. Not only a great pick, but a value pick. And for those of you who have read Sando's article (see above) you know that DTs and OGs tend to pan out in the first round. Them's good picking.
The Chiefs did not end there. They picked up Brandon Flowers (a DB out of Virginia Tech) in the second round (pick 35). Flowers was projected as a bottom round 1 guy by both Kyper and McShay. How did they get him? He fell to them because of the deep run on OTs in the first round. If you didn't watch, OTs were a hot commodity in round one of the draft. Everyone was trying to get one and people started losing their minds (see: Houston Texans...egads they draft poorly). That run pushed several solid players into the second round. The silly old Chiefs grabbed another first round talent. Keeping track? That is THREE first round grades for the red and white.
Other nice pick ups: A nice project RB (Jamaal Charles out of Texas), two big bruiser TEs who should allow the Chiefs to run double TE running plays, a possible nickel corner (Brandon Carr out of Grand Valley State), a project OT (probably slotted as a back-up Right Tackle), a saftey who will play well on special teams (DaJuan Morgan out of North Carolina State), a DE who might contribute on special teams or as a project LB (Brian Johnston out of Gardner Webb), and two WRs (one fast and one possesion). Whew!
(2) The Miami Dolphins: Yeah, the Dolphins were terrible last year. That guy with the last name "Lemon" started at QB for most of the year. Even Raiders fans felt sorry for them.
But they got rid of their terrible first year coach (Have you heard me complain about that guy? Ask me the next time you see me drunk.) and brought in Bill Parcells to run the organization. Personally, I don't think Parcells is much of a coach. He never could run an offense and his idea of defense is "give the steroid junkies more coccaine." Anyway, not a fan of Parcells the coach.
But he knows talent. And he can build a team from the ground up.
This draft was a perfect example of what Parcells does well. First, they locked up Jake Long (OT out of Michigan). Yeah, he probably wasn't the top pick in the draft. The Fins were stuck picking at this spot though. Why? Because everyone planned to take Jake Long if they moved down. Only two teams in the top 10 could let him slide (the Vikings and the Patriots). To switch to either of those spots would have guaranteed "no Jake Long." The Rams would have to take him. The Falcons might have passed (maybe). The Raiders, at the 4, would have picked him against their own desires (to protect their second year QB). The Chiefs? Yeah, Larry Johnson hasn't been doing so well without that probowl line in front of him. And so on. Which means, the Fins had to stay because Long was on everyone's "we have to pick this guy unless we want to destroy our franchise" list.
Let's simplify this though. The Fins are in a full rebuild. Basic Draft Order dictates an OT. Long only gave up one sack through four years in college. At Michigan. Yep, you draft him.
Bottom of the 1st round, the Fins managed to steal Phillip Merling (DE out of Clemson). I hate Merling's name. That is "old boy's club southern inbread" if I ever heard it. But still, the guy looks likes a solid DE who can rush the passer and stop the run (i.e., an every down DE). Jason Taylor is likely gone from Miami...although I have yet to see a real suitor for him...so you had to replace your losses. Basic Draft Order also supports a DE here.
Then they went out and landed Chad Henne (QB out of Michigan) in the second round. Clearly, the Fins need someone to put behind center. I don't mean a superstar. Just someone who at least has the possibility of not sucking. Lemon isn't that guy. McCown isn't either. But Henne has the skills to be an NFL QB. Sure, he didn't deliver much at Michigan. However, Lloyd Carr (the Michigan coach) was a talent man, not a coach. That's what Parcells is thinking at least. Plus, now your top pick OT (Long) can enjoy camp with his ole college buddy (Henne). And nice value.
Other pick ups: Kendall Langford (DE out of Hampton) has the potential to be an outside LB in a 3-4 scheme. Or at least a special teams/situational guy. Shawn Murphy (OG out of Utah State) could be a starting LG. And I think Donald Thomas (OG out of Connecticut) projects as a starting RG. Nice grab in round 6.
(3) The Pittsburgh Steelers: A different draft for the black and gold. They usually draft defense and line...and do both quite well. But this draft saw an offense explosion from the Ketchup city.
It all started with (a) the run on OTs in round one followed by (b) the Dallas Cowboys forgetting what round they were in (and drafting a backup running back in round one; see more on this in an earlier post). Pittsburgh suddenly found Rashard Mendenhall (RB out of Illinois) still available at pick 23. Mendenhall likes to run up the middle. Pittsburgh considers the middle of the field their home. So, Mendenhall and the Steelers are a perfect marriage. With Willy Parker and Rashard Mendenhall, the Steel City will be able to run inside all day long.
Big Ben wanted a big WR. And Texas standout Limas Sweed is just that. Sweed gives Ben three WRs (with Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes) who can all catch and all work the field in different ways. The Steelers haven't had a big WR since Plaxico Burress left, so this should give them another dimension to their offense. Although...I am always concerned about drafting WRs. Sweed also has that "I am going to be a total headache" or "a total bust" smell. Admit it. You know what I'm talking about. Still, this looks like a solid pick for the Steelers. And they are not building, so I can see the desire to try and grab a potential difference maker.
Bruce Davis (OLB out of UCLA) should fit nicely into the Steelers 3-4. Tony Hills might have a ningling leg injury (OT out of Texas). If not, then he gives the Steelers depth at the Tackle position (or a starter at RT).
Dennis Dixon (QB out of Oregon) continues a Steeler's tradition: Drafting QBs that will convert to WRs/gadget players. Dixon runs like a gazelle and, assuming his knee holds up, will provide some offensive spark. He's no NFL QB (even though he still talks the talk). But he could enjoy a nice 5-6 year career as a 4th WR/backup QB/gadget man. Don't fight it Dennis. Don't fight it.
The Steelers 6th round picks are probably nothing more than special teamers. Still, a great draft for Pittsburgh.
Other teams worth mentioning:
(4) The Minnesota Vikings: Tyrell Johnson (Saftey out of Arkansas State) and John David Booty (QB out of USC) were both nice pick ups. Johnson, taken in the second round with a first round grade (because of the OT run in round one), will eventually start for the Vikings. Booty, taken in the fifth round, can run a west coast offense, makes good decisions with the ball, and knows how to win big games against elite competition. As a fifth round pick, Booty is an amazing value for the purple people eaters. This pick has a "Tom Brady" feel to it. By that I mean that he is a decent QB coming into a very good situation. He might be able to help this Vikings team to the next level. Also notice that they grabbed John Sullivan (Center out of Notre Dame) in round 6. Sullivan was one of the highest graded centers in the draft. The Vikings didn't have many picks this year (five total), but they used them well.
(5) The New Orleans Saints: They really needed a top tier DT. Sedrick Ellis (DT out of USC) was the second best DT in the draft. And healthier than Dorsey (the top graded DT). Pluse they grabbed a good CB in the second round (Tracy Porter out of Indiana). Porter might not be a shut down guy, but he is likely a good number 2 CB.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
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