Astrosback
Active Roster
- Joined
- May 5, 2007
- Messages
- 726
- Reaction score
- 7
1.) Ronnie Brown
I was thinking back to that 2005 draft and how lately, it has seemed like Saban really made the best choice (compared to Cadillac and Benson) but I think one thing that has held true since their rookie reports came out is that indeed Cadillac does have better natural RB instincts than Ronnie and I think Benson does as well (when looking at his latest work with the Bengals).
Now, I'm not saying that I would've rather we drafted Cadillac or Benson or even Braylon "Stone Hands" Edwards. Obviously, those guys have been boarderline disasters for their respective franchises. And I like Ronnie and think of him as a complete RB.
But...Ronnie just does not have good instincts/vision. His hands, power and straightline speed make up a lot for his below-average vision and instincts. That spin move he made in the backfield with no defender even within reach of him was just a good example of Ronnie lack of feel for the position. He also doesn't seem to have the on-field speed that his combine 4.3 40 time would've led you to believe.
Ultimately, I doubt this regime gives him the long term deal. I think we'll either franchise tag him for one more year or, maybe franchise tag-and-trade him.
2.) Ted Ginn, Jr.
Well, the magician was up to his old disappearing act again last night. I do like Ginn on KRs though and think he actually NEEDS to be doing KRs just so we can keep him involved in games.
Our offense doesn't really use a "#1 WR" and Ginn isn't one anyway. I think he will prove to me much like Ronnie in his career as in a good-but-never-great player with always below average stats. Not bad players but you probably don't want them on your fantasy teams.
Does Ginn deserve some slack b/c Penny can't get the ball deep? Yes. But Ginn has to take the blame for constantly being knocked off his routes at the LOS.
Ultimately, if Brandon Marshall wasn't such a head case and/or Anquan Boldin wasn't so old now, I would trade Ginn and Ronnie for either of them.
I also would've traded Ginn, Ronnie and Penny for Cutler in a heartbeat earlier in the offseason when Cutler was on the block but...whatever.
3.) B-Ry Hartline
Well, I called this one right before the game last night. I knew Harline was going to win/keep that #2 starting WR job. I wasn't really aware of Hartline before the draft (despite being quite the draftnik myself) but I loved everything I read about him post draft. I hadn't really noticed during the combine drills that he had ranked so high in every single category (including 3 cone drill).
Harline is like a healthy-Camarillo 2.0 with more size and speed. We really needed that b/c Bess wouldn't have looked as good as a #2. Bess really works best in the slot.
If we're lucky, Hartline may be even better than Camarillo and may start to remind us of a young Ed McCaffrey.
5.) Sean Smith
Wow! Loving this guy. He might get beat every now and then this season when he goes up against super fast WRs but he'll make up for it every game with some big plays.
6.) Vontae Davis
Strong run support, solid tackling and nice cover skills. This guy isn't the real deal. Maybe not as spectacular a player as Sean but he will prove to be worth his pick - especially considering the hefty price tag to sign FA vet CBs.
Ultimately, I know we have to be happy with the play of Nate Jones and Ty Culver in the nickel and dime respectively, but I would love to get Vontae onto the field with Sean maybe moving into a center fielder roll for nickel and dime packages.
7.) Others
Moses, Soliai and McDaniel looked solid and should help us this year.
Merling has been too quiet.
Our interior OL still isn't getting enough push.
People jumped the gun on Lex Hilliard. He won't make the team.
Penny will win with his decision making before he ever wins with that arm of his.
I'm not sure what to make of Henne yet.
I was thinking back to that 2005 draft and how lately, it has seemed like Saban really made the best choice (compared to Cadillac and Benson) but I think one thing that has held true since their rookie reports came out is that indeed Cadillac does have better natural RB instincts than Ronnie and I think Benson does as well (when looking at his latest work with the Bengals).
Now, I'm not saying that I would've rather we drafted Cadillac or Benson or even Braylon "Stone Hands" Edwards. Obviously, those guys have been boarderline disasters for their respective franchises. And I like Ronnie and think of him as a complete RB.
But...Ronnie just does not have good instincts/vision. His hands, power and straightline speed make up a lot for his below-average vision and instincts. That spin move he made in the backfield with no defender even within reach of him was just a good example of Ronnie lack of feel for the position. He also doesn't seem to have the on-field speed that his combine 4.3 40 time would've led you to believe.
Ultimately, I doubt this regime gives him the long term deal. I think we'll either franchise tag him for one more year or, maybe franchise tag-and-trade him.
2.) Ted Ginn, Jr.
Well, the magician was up to his old disappearing act again last night. I do like Ginn on KRs though and think he actually NEEDS to be doing KRs just so we can keep him involved in games.
Our offense doesn't really use a "#1 WR" and Ginn isn't one anyway. I think he will prove to me much like Ronnie in his career as in a good-but-never-great player with always below average stats. Not bad players but you probably don't want them on your fantasy teams.
Does Ginn deserve some slack b/c Penny can't get the ball deep? Yes. But Ginn has to take the blame for constantly being knocked off his routes at the LOS.
Ultimately, if Brandon Marshall wasn't such a head case and/or Anquan Boldin wasn't so old now, I would trade Ginn and Ronnie for either of them.
I also would've traded Ginn, Ronnie and Penny for Cutler in a heartbeat earlier in the offseason when Cutler was on the block but...whatever.
3.) B-Ry Hartline
Well, I called this one right before the game last night. I knew Harline was going to win/keep that #2 starting WR job. I wasn't really aware of Hartline before the draft (despite being quite the draftnik myself) but I loved everything I read about him post draft. I hadn't really noticed during the combine drills that he had ranked so high in every single category (including 3 cone drill).
Harline is like a healthy-Camarillo 2.0 with more size and speed. We really needed that b/c Bess wouldn't have looked as good as a #2. Bess really works best in the slot.
If we're lucky, Hartline may be even better than Camarillo and may start to remind us of a young Ed McCaffrey.
5.) Sean Smith
Wow! Loving this guy. He might get beat every now and then this season when he goes up against super fast WRs but he'll make up for it every game with some big plays.
6.) Vontae Davis
Strong run support, solid tackling and nice cover skills. This guy isn't the real deal. Maybe not as spectacular a player as Sean but he will prove to be worth his pick - especially considering the hefty price tag to sign FA vet CBs.
Ultimately, I know we have to be happy with the play of Nate Jones and Ty Culver in the nickel and dime respectively, but I would love to get Vontae onto the field with Sean maybe moving into a center fielder roll for nickel and dime packages.
7.) Others
Moses, Soliai and McDaniel looked solid and should help us this year.
Merling has been too quiet.
Our interior OL still isn't getting enough push.
People jumped the gun on Lex Hilliard. He won't make the team.
Penny will win with his decision making before he ever wins with that arm of his.
I'm not sure what to make of Henne yet.
