Ask Boomer

[Boomer]

Aye Simon that it is, anyway I am sure he is banished to Neverland with all the Lost Boys. One question for you, how do you think Barber did in the Combine and did he stay the same or enhance his position? I know he had a real good vertical jumps(so he can hurdle tacklers :D )but did not see any of his other stats. Any news on my local boy?

Cheers

Paul

Hey Paul,

I don't have all his numbers to hand. He was 5'11, 221 and had 9.1% body fat. He had the good vertical but didn't run. I like him but to be honest if I was taking a back from Minnesota I'd wait a year and take Moroney. Don't get me wrong, I like him, but.......

 

[Boomer]

Hey Boom,
I've read quite a bit about Derrick Johnson.
Never seen the boy play, but there seems to be a general consensus that he's a physical specimen, a playmaker, an absolute beast. I've even seen some comparisons to Ray Lewis (no doubt overblown). In short, a lot of people are willing to take a flyer on him with our number 2 pick.
But on every report I've read from him, there are questions about his 'instincts' and his 'inability to shed blockers'. And every time I hear a college LB has a lack of instinct and an inability to shed blockers, I shudder. I fall into convlusions with images of Andy Katzenmoyer, Chris Claiborne and Trev Alberts invading my thoughts.
While Claiborne's turned out to be a decent LB (but certainly not worth the number 9 pick in the draft in front of Culpepper, Kearse, Winfield...), the Kat isn't even active any more (after gracing the covers of SI more than once) and lets say the Colts would probably like to have that number 5 pick back.

There is know doubt in my mind, instincts and a natural feel for the game are 2 very important assets to have as an NFL LB. A freak of nature can probably make up for his lack of instincts in the college game, but once he arrives in the NFL, the game becomes not only faster but also more complex.

Does Derrick Johnson have what it takes to be a very good NFL player?? The last LB to go number 2 was Lavar Arrington ? Do you see comparisons between the 2 ??
With the young LB's we have (Eddie Moore and Derrick Pope) do you think we can afford to invest our number 2 on a LB (IMO we've got to fill some holes at the skill positions such as RB, WR or DE) ???

All the best mate and take you time with your mock (I know it's not easy with all the shuffling going on at BBC and we still have 1 month and a half left before so it would be a bit premature. Nevertheless, I'm eagerly looking forward to it)

:)

Hey Pink......Instincts can't be taught. Johnson is a wonderful playmaker. Wonderful. But you have to temper that with the down side. I like him a lot, I'm just pretty sure that 2 is too high for him, IMO.

Johnson makes more game changing plays at the college level, LaVar was a much more well rounded individual. I don't know because I don't know what Nick is going to do. Each team needs playmakers, but misdirection and playaction can kill him.

No worries on the mock. :)

Cheers

 

[Megatron]

Hey Boomer why do you dislike Derrick Johnson so much?? The guy's performed at a high level since his rookie year and has the awards to prove it. What's your real beef with the guy?

 

[Boomer]

Hey Boom, I have a question for ya, what do you think of Kennoy Kennedy, and what do you think our chances of signing him are?

Hey Pasker. I think he is an improving player who has become better covering the pass as his career has gone on. He's a big time hitter, he's rangy enough and he would be an excellent pick up for this team. You have to view him as one of the better players left in FA and would be a nice coup to get him. I'm not sure what happens now Tillman has inked, but I like Kennedy as an emerging force who probably has a couple of Pro Bowl years in him.

 

[CashInFist]

Brown. No question.

No question?

 

[Boomer]

Hey Boomer why do you dislike Derrick Johnson so much?? The guy's performed at a high level since his rookie year and has the awards to prove it. What's your real beef with the guy?

Don't dislike him at all. In fact read my post above. I'm just not ready to annoit him the next Ray Lewis. Awards frankly mean little. I can give you 10 LBs who have won the Butkus who have gone on to do nothing. I'm a realist. I love what he brings to the table but you have to temper that with his disadvantages.

 

[Boomer]

No question?

Of the 3? No question. I've always been in the Auburn backs camp and have been championing Brown for 3 years. What he did at the Combine only went to prove exactly what I thought.

Why the sarcasm?

 

[CashInFist]

Of the 3? No question. I've always been in the Auburn backs camp and have been championing Brown for 3 years. What he did at the Combine only went to prove exactly what I thought.

Why the sarcasm?

Maybe there is no question in your opinion. However, if he was so great he definately would not have stood in Cadillac Williams' shadow his entire college career. Benson and Williams are better prospects IMO.

 

[NFL MVP]

Hey Boomer, what do you think of darren sproles

 

[Boomer]

Maybe there is no question in your opinion. However, if he was so great he definately would not have stood in Cadillac Williams' shadow his entire college career. Benson and Williams are better prospects IMO.

Well as this thread is entitled "Ask Boomer" what you are going to get is "my opinion". I would have thought that was obvious?

I don't see him in Cadillac's shadow at Auburn at all. Tommy Tuberville put him in at FB so as to keep him on the field more because of his run/catch ability. What their combo showed me was utter commitment to the team which is frankly beautifully refreshing and something I'd take any day of the week. A 6'1, 233 TB that runs a 4.4 who blocks, has great hands and has minimal miles on the clock, is a downhill runner, who punishes players on contact, who can create at the 2nd level, is, in my opinion, the better pro prospect of the 3.

 

[Boomer]

Hey Boomer, what do you think of darren sproles

Probably will have a solid career, if used correctly, as a quality return man/3rd down back. He's the sort of guy that if the Pats or the Eagles draft, will end up snaring 65 balls out of the backfield. Much too small to be a starter, but should be a devastating situational performer.

 

[CashInFist]

Well as this thread is entitled "Ask Boomer" what you are going to get is "my opinion". I would have thought that was obvious?

I don't see him in Cadillac's shadow at Auburn at all. Tommy Tuberville put him in at FB so as to keep him on the field more because of his run/catch ability. What their combo showed me was utter commitment to the team which is frankly beautifully refreshing and something I'd take any day of the week. A 6'1, 233 TB that runs a 4.4 who blocks, has great hands and has minimal miles on the clock, is a downhill runner, who punishes players on contact, who can create at the 2nd level, is, in my opinion, the better pro prospect of the 3.

Hey, don't get me wrong. I am not saying you are not right, I am just saying that it was kind of silly to say "No question". That's all. :)

 

[Boomer]

Hey, don't get me wrong. I am not saying you are not right, I am just saying that it was kind of silly to say "No question". That's all. :)

I was asked the question who would "I" take. Brown is who "I" would take.

No question.

 

[Megatron]

I'm a realist. I love what he brings to the table but you have to temper that with his disadvantages.

Like with any player.

 

[Boomer]

Like with any player.

Well of course, but a linebacker that gets caught up too much in the trash, struggles at times to come off blocks and gets caught out by playaction and mis-direction too easily worries me. These are fundamentals. Hey I hope he has a great career, I think he's a fine player, but lets not take him on the first bus to Canton just yet.