infiltrateib
TV Doctor
Everyone is scrabling right now to grade the draft, grade our draft, degrade our draft.
One thing we must all realize is that the NFL is FUNDAMENTALLY different from college football. Guys that excelled in college may not make it in the Pros. You can watch the tape as many times as you want (or, in most people's cases, re-read Mel Kiper's draft analysis again and consult his 'big draft board') and you STILL will NOT know who will be a Pro Bowl performer. This is the POINT of the draft.
Just for fun, let's jump back to the 2000 NFL Draft (CBS Sportsline). This is a very small glimpse into my point.
The Buffalo Bills got a B, and they had this to say: "The Bills focused on defense during the first day, and with their top pick chose DE Erik Flowers of Arizona State. Flowers gives them a much needed pass rusher off the corner. He flew up the draft charts off an impressive postseason." Erik Flowers is a MONSTER nowadays. No, seriously, he wears a giant green suit and pretends to be Shrek for childrens' birthday parties.
The Patriots? "They selected OT Adrian Klemm of Hawaii. Klemm is a natural left tackle with the footwork to match up well with speed rushers. He fills a major need along their line. In the 3rd round, they were surprised that RB J.R. Redmond of Arizona State was still on the board. They quickly selected the all-purpose runner. He has the talent to win the starting feature back job in camp. In the 5th round they chose TE Dave Stachelski of Boise State. He is a fine receiver who has the skills to play early in his career and maybe even win the starting job as a rookie."
Now let's go to one I think is just special. The CINCINNATI BENGALS: "The Bengals had their best draft in a decade. In the 1st round, they selected wideout Peter Warrick of Florida State. Warrick is a terrific playmaker who will team with young passer Akili Smith to form a big-play tandem. In the 2nd round, they selected corner Mark Roman of Louisiana State. Roman is a good cover man who figures to push for a starting job at either corner or safety." Peter Warrick is a blue-chip. What is this, his third pro bowl?
No! But wait! There's more.
The Jaguars: "In the 1st round, they chose wideout R. Jay Soward of USC. Soward is a gamebreaker with speed, quickness and top running skills. He has the talent to be an impact performer." He had a HIGH draft status and he was destined to CRACK the top 10. He's so fast, you'd think he was on DRUGS! He's that good!
The ARIZONA CARDINALS had an amazing draft too! They were graded with a great big "A." I'll post this one almost in its entirety, because it's really special. "The Cardinals had a fine draft from top to bottom and got their man in runner Thomas Jones of Virginia in the 1st round. Jones gives them a complete back with the ability to open up their offense. In the 2nd round, they selected LB Raynoch Thompson of Tennessee. Thompson is a fine addition for the weakside position and could win a starting job this summer. In the 3rd round, they added DT Darwin Walker of Tennessee for their depleted front four. He is a quality athlete who will contribute immediately on the inside. They added DE Mao Tosi of Idaho on the second day and he was a steal at that point and a player who will play a role in their line rotation."
Now, on to the individual players. I bet the Seahawks were upset they didn't get a shot at the #2 back on the board, THOMAS JONES. He "has the athletic package and the intangibles to be an early starter in the NFL with the well-rounded game to help in many roles. Tough, durable back with the natural running skills to provide immediate impact." They had to settle for Shaun Alexander, who had "average speed." Ron Dayne, who now sells TVs at Best Buy, had the "skills to be a top workhorse back."
You can't judge the market until the players play. Some players go up, some players go down. Some teams are better at drafting than others, but you never know until they step foot on the field. Zach Thomas, JT, Terrell Davis, TO, Randy McMichael... they were all "marginal" players who weren't really expected to contribute much. You read draft reports, Rick Spielman watches hours of game tape and meets with them personally. You talk to your best friend at the bar about Vince Wilfork, Rick Spielman talks to his coaches. Who knows if Rick is right? Mel Kiper doesn't, and you certainly don't. Reserve judgment, or don't expect anyone to take you seriously.
One thing we must all realize is that the NFL is FUNDAMENTALLY different from college football. Guys that excelled in college may not make it in the Pros. You can watch the tape as many times as you want (or, in most people's cases, re-read Mel Kiper's draft analysis again and consult his 'big draft board') and you STILL will NOT know who will be a Pro Bowl performer. This is the POINT of the draft.
Just for fun, let's jump back to the 2000 NFL Draft (CBS Sportsline). This is a very small glimpse into my point.
The Buffalo Bills got a B, and they had this to say: "The Bills focused on defense during the first day, and with their top pick chose DE Erik Flowers of Arizona State. Flowers gives them a much needed pass rusher off the corner. He flew up the draft charts off an impressive postseason." Erik Flowers is a MONSTER nowadays. No, seriously, he wears a giant green suit and pretends to be Shrek for childrens' birthday parties.
The Patriots? "They selected OT Adrian Klemm of Hawaii. Klemm is a natural left tackle with the footwork to match up well with speed rushers. He fills a major need along their line. In the 3rd round, they were surprised that RB J.R. Redmond of Arizona State was still on the board. They quickly selected the all-purpose runner. He has the talent to win the starting feature back job in camp. In the 5th round they chose TE Dave Stachelski of Boise State. He is a fine receiver who has the skills to play early in his career and maybe even win the starting job as a rookie."
Now let's go to one I think is just special. The CINCINNATI BENGALS: "The Bengals had their best draft in a decade. In the 1st round, they selected wideout Peter Warrick of Florida State. Warrick is a terrific playmaker who will team with young passer Akili Smith to form a big-play tandem. In the 2nd round, they selected corner Mark Roman of Louisiana State. Roman is a good cover man who figures to push for a starting job at either corner or safety." Peter Warrick is a blue-chip. What is this, his third pro bowl?
No! But wait! There's more.
The Jaguars: "In the 1st round, they chose wideout R. Jay Soward of USC. Soward is a gamebreaker with speed, quickness and top running skills. He has the talent to be an impact performer." He had a HIGH draft status and he was destined to CRACK the top 10. He's so fast, you'd think he was on DRUGS! He's that good!
The ARIZONA CARDINALS had an amazing draft too! They were graded with a great big "A." I'll post this one almost in its entirety, because it's really special. "The Cardinals had a fine draft from top to bottom and got their man in runner Thomas Jones of Virginia in the 1st round. Jones gives them a complete back with the ability to open up their offense. In the 2nd round, they selected LB Raynoch Thompson of Tennessee. Thompson is a fine addition for the weakside position and could win a starting job this summer. In the 3rd round, they added DT Darwin Walker of Tennessee for their depleted front four. He is a quality athlete who will contribute immediately on the inside. They added DE Mao Tosi of Idaho on the second day and he was a steal at that point and a player who will play a role in their line rotation."
Now, on to the individual players. I bet the Seahawks were upset they didn't get a shot at the #2 back on the board, THOMAS JONES. He "has the athletic package and the intangibles to be an early starter in the NFL with the well-rounded game to help in many roles. Tough, durable back with the natural running skills to provide immediate impact." They had to settle for Shaun Alexander, who had "average speed." Ron Dayne, who now sells TVs at Best Buy, had the "skills to be a top workhorse back."
You can't judge the market until the players play. Some players go up, some players go down. Some teams are better at drafting than others, but you never know until they step foot on the field. Zach Thomas, JT, Terrell Davis, TO, Randy McMichael... they were all "marginal" players who weren't really expected to contribute much. You read draft reports, Rick Spielman watches hours of game tape and meets with them personally. You talk to your best friend at the bar about Vince Wilfork, Rick Spielman talks to his coaches. Who knows if Rick is right? Mel Kiper doesn't, and you certainly don't. Reserve judgment, or don't expect anyone to take you seriously.
