An Optimists Outlook on the Draft

[foozool13]

Okay so I don't understand why everyone is/was so upset with the draft. We went into the draft with needs at and in order #1.CBs, #2. NT, #3. WRs #4. LBs. We needed NT, but brace was gone by #44 and there were no other NTs in this draft worth reaching for in the second or even third round. So scratch that off the list for the draft (If the players don't exist in the draft then its not the FO fault)

With our first pick we get the #1 rated pure corner in the draft at the value most had him at. Some even had him higher than that. We get another DB/S in Sean Smith and this is a guy I really wanted and had predicted with our 2b pick. GREAT value and HUGE need with Will Allen's contract expiring this year and Bell having essentially a 1 year contract with the amount of money due to him in 2011 (likely a cap casualty). If he doesn't pan out at DB then he will be a Safety no doubt. If these two become regular starters then IMO this draft already becomes a B+ grade at worst. Corner is probably one of the hardest positions to be GREAT at and just at Parcells and Billacheat believe you can't have enough corners. We took the two of the three best ones in this draft!

Now add in Pat White the architect for our wildcat who I really wanted at #44 I just didn't think Parcells had it in him to take him. This pick shows that Jeff Ireland has a lot of say in our draft room. I think I was one of the most excited phins fans when this happened and maybe the only one...lol A lot of people don't like the wildcat b/c its to much of a college "thing." So was the spread offense until Billcheat ran it with Brady and went 16-0 and now its the best thing to hit the NFL. Great coaches become great coaches b/c they "change the game". They learn to think outside the box and are inventive and know how to adapt. P.S. He cna still be a QB in this league...who cares if he is short....so is Drew Brees.

Then we take 2 more WRs who 99% of people here have been wanting and bitching about. We ALL knew that Parcells does not take WR on the first day so this should not have been a surprise to anyone. The kid we got in the 4th round Hartline looks VERY promising and every single thing I read seems to think we got tremendous value with that pick. 95% of the time WRs are projects and need development no matter what round they go in including the first round. One thing you can count on is route running. If they can run the route tree well in college then they have a MUCH better chance to succeed in the NFL. Which is why a guy like WR Brian Robinskie was so coveted. Hartline seems to have that.

As far as OLB I think that was more of a project Parcells wanted to have as opposed to a HUGE need. I think the FO really wanted Larry English but he was gone. Ya we didn't get any OLBs but we took care of that in the offseason with Wake and I think with JT in their back pocket I think they felt there was no reason to reach fro someone. Remember that we still have Joey Porter!!!! The guy will have a min of 10 sacks next year you can bet on it. And don't give me non-sense about him being old and getting injured crap. He is one of the biggest gym rats on the team and he is in EXCELLENT shape. Plus from what I remember JP isnt exactly injury prone. Look at guys like Strahan or JT. Very productive even when they were older because pass rushers do not take beatings like ILBs.

We got some additional depth at S (which will really help b/c Bell has had durability issues in the past) and O-Line depth specifically at tackle. Hopefully this guy never gets on the fields b/c that would mean an injury to $30 million dollars.

Again I am 100% trusting the talent evaluation process of our FO. And I have confidence in their evaluations for two main reasons. (1) Last years draft evaluations were GREAT so that gives them credibility (2) They also had one full year to get better at it, so until someone here breaks down endless tape and interviews these guys you can't tell me you know better, I don't care how many games your friend has gone to and told you about.

I think we get a B at worst in this draft

 

[finfan54]

first off, the LB thing was a complete lie. We are not really looking for a LB unless they can play special teams or are Curry.

Next, Hartline is Anthony Gonzalez if you look real close except he will be doing special teams right off the bat and he is a guy who goes over the middle so he wont be afraid to be hit when returning kicks.

Pat Turner is more polished and ready than Ramses Barden by a mile. So I dont know why people would blow a stack over this one. A team went up and possibly took our guy, and I emphasis, POSSIBLY, therefore we made the Turner pick rather quick and it did not seem like we were thrown off our game or anything. We talked to this guy first at the Senior Bowl.

Pat White-No one knows where the Pats were going to pick him but they probably were because alot of media people were predicting him going there. I never understood this since I have never seen the WC in NE.

We have 3 good DB's out of this draft in Davis, Smith, and Clemons. All I can say is that is one spot we are set at for the next five years with some more tweaking over time. We scored big here!

The Tackle position last year was a big prob and now it is settled for a long time to come. Now its the DB's. Meanwhile, we have multiple LB's including Wake and the strong possibility of bringing back JT. Pretty strong position there. DE position was settled last year with good depth to rotate with the new guy from Jax entering the picture. OL overall is set and we will find more guys over time. QB position is set. Running back is one place where next year we may have to address but since the WC is here to stay, look for a deal to get done should Ronnie come alive this year!

I am not sure with the way this draft was stacked or how it ended up shaking up (weird draft picks all day for two days) just shows you cannot judge something without looking at the big picture.

 

[Rich]

My only complaint is Hartline instead of NT Sammie Lee Hill. I like the first 4. I like Clemons. At OT, we could use some depth, and 6'7" 300 pound Gardner looks like good value, too.

This secondary is going to kick butt this year, with Sean Smith, Vontae Davis, and Will Allen.

 

[dr.jake]

anyone who trusts any FO 100% has zero recollection of ted ginn or eddie munster moore. there are several free agent signings and draft picks from last year looking for work.

 

[foozool13]

I believe in the process that we take not in the person making the choice. The evaluation process is setup so that value determines the player not a person. The Raiders are a great example of what happens when you like a player and disregard "true" value.