DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum What area deserves our 1st pick?

Oh gawd, if we were to get Joe Thomas and Branch? That would be a dream come true.

True, but highly doubtful. I'm hoping for Thomas in Round 1 and Stanley Doughty, NT South Carolina (6'1" 325) around round 4..... I may be wrong, but he could good there. He was a good NT in 2005, but coaching staff wanted him to come in this year at 295 lbs. rather than 325, so he was penalized in playing time this year. The guy could be an interesting sleeper for us....

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It sounds as though I'm pickin' on you, but I think you probably won't see it that way........

I disagree. A broken collar-bone is considered far less serious now than a guy who's had a rebuilt knee two years ago. By the way, I remember the play. Peterson didn't need to hotdog it <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> One of my bartenders is a diehard Oklahoma boy, and all he did for weeks is cry about how Adrian had no reason to go divin' like he did. That is neither here nor there, just a lesson learned on his part, as it won't effect his draft status one iota as long as he's fully healed.

Thomas isn't ranked as a Pace-like player because of that knee, and Peterson isn't ranked as a Bush-caliber player because he's been nicked (as opposed to injury-riddled) and runs too upright for some people's liking. Now that isn't to suggest you're rating Peterson too high, just that he isn't the sure-fire, no-question guy that Johnson is.

I think you and I are on good enough terms where you'd believe me when I say I wouldn't mind drafting Peterson at all, just so long as we have fixed the O-line issues first. Without fixing the line, drafting Peterson doesn't do anything for us. With a bad line, Edge didn't do [censored] in 'Zona, but once they inserted Latui into the starting lineup, the line started playing better, and Edge is now getting 3.8 yrds per carry instead of 3.0 <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> If teams know that our QB's have to get rid of the ball in under 2 seconds, there's no reason to keep safeties and corners back, as they can simply stack nearer the line to stuff the run. Peterson is a talent, but good backs look very iffy when there aren't holes to go through.

If we have an answer for the busted O-line......the ENTIRE O-line......bring Peterson in. But if things stand as they pretty much are now, drafting Thomas fixes 2 problems instead of just 1. [/color]

Question to all: if we DO draft Joe Thomas, what are the chances of Thomas starting next September?

If Tuck don't come back .. 100% .... it just may not be at LT ...

if Tuck does come back ... 80 - 90% ... but again it may not be at RT ...

What are the chances he's starting by Oct .... 100% either way ...

this is ASSuming that he lasts longer than La ... <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Not to say that either is directly comparable ...... but if you have a choice between Tomlinson and Pace .... who do you take?

Never having seen Thomas play (at least that I can recall) what are his strengths and weaknesses? How did he do against top competition? What about Peterson? Which guy projects as being better as a pro at his position that the other? How big is the potential difference?

Strengths:
An excellent athlete for the position...Has outstanding feet...Great size with long arms...Very mobile and agile...Displays great balance and gets set quickly...Able to pull, slide and block in space...Still has the frame to bulk up and add some more weight...Technically sound, instinctive and very smart with top intangibles...Rare prospect who can legitimately play the crucial left tackle position at the pro level.

Weaknesses:
Is only one year removed from a major knee injury...Is not always as aggressive as you'd prefer and could show more of a killer instinct...Needs to get stronger, especially in the lower-body, and develop physically...Struggles a bit with power and the bull rush...Tends to play with a narrow base at times...Is still learning the position to a degree after playing tight end and defensive end early in his career.


Strengths: Great combination of size, strength and speed. A thoroughbred with the breakaway speed to take it the distance. Exhibits great natural run instincts. Has a feel for the running game and has great vision. Finds running lanes and has excellent feet and cutback ability. Is not only fast, but powerful in the open field and tough for defensive backs to take down. Is a decent pass receiver and is experienced as a pass protector as he has often played from a shotgun.

Weaknesses: The main one is durability. He has already had his share of injuries and with his long legs and running style, it may be tough for him to stay healthy.

About as close to 100 percent as possible. The only way he does not start is if he is injuried.

I like Peterson alot, I like the way he runs with reckless abandon but you have to have a good foundation before you can put on a roof..

I have been advocating Joe Thomas as much as anyone but I really can see the Lions taking Joe Thomas or see us beat the Texans and fall to 5-7. Ideally we pick three and can take Thomas but as everyone knows nothing ever goes the way the Browns need it to so here is the possibilities I see...

We pick at 1.3.- We have the choice of draft excluding Quinn and Calvin with the Front runner being Thomas

( What will probably happen) We pick at 1.5-7- Here we have the choice of either Branch (good chance), Peterson(good chance), Johnson( no way), Thomas(no way), Quinn ( Hopefully trade down), Gaines Adams (good chance) or a Top CB, either way I am not going to be terrible dissapointed.

The only way I won't be excited about the draft is if we don't draft either Thomas, Branch, C. Johnson, or Peterson....

Then again ..... the Chargers invested in Tomlinson, then built the line. Tomlinson was able to make his lines better, rather than "needing" a good line to start with.

don't know which guy is the right guy, but I bet there could be compelling arguments either way.

If I were to bet on which way Savage were to go ... I would guess Peterson. The explosive playmaker would be a more exciting sell. Also, a guy who is a threat every time he touches the ball would definitely force defenses to play a bit softer.

If we do get Peterson I hope it's at 5-7 rather than three.

As a side note I would draft Calvin Johnson before I would draft Peterson

Even though I like Johnson, there is no way that the Browns will draft him.

Politically unacceptable... next comment will be a reference to Detroit with the drafting of Rodgers (out of football), R.Williams (good player) that the Browns flipped with Detroit to get, and M. Williams (disappointment). We see how that approch has been sucessful for them.

Quinn could happen... but would the Browns take him ?... Interesting because I have never considered the possibility that he would get past Detroit or Oakland.. My guess is no, simply because the Browns do not have 2 years to allow him to develop.

So we come back to Thomas, Peterson, and Branch. This is how I see the Browns ranking the players.

I don't care what is politcally acceptable, point blank Calvin Johnson has the most talent of any of the members in the draft....

If Calvin Johnson is there it will be interesting to see if Savage sticks to his guns about BPA....

[color:"orange"]This is an interesting thread, a lot of good posts...

I've said we'll draft Peterson because I've heard Lerner covets him, but the final decision (as far as I know) comes down to Savage.

I think in the end we'll be adding a nice piece to the puzzle with the third pick, unless we waste it on a QB (1st round QBs are the devil).

Why I think the pick will be Peterson?

- He's a name and will peak fan interest in the team, the pick will have people talking.
- Drafting Peterson is more sexy than drafting Branch or Thomas, even though I think picking any of the above would be great.
- I know the people that make decisions have been po'd at the lack of production in the run game, and the blame lays at the feet of a lot of members of the team ( not just the OL).
- I think the FO thinks AP is the type of player you only get in the very top of the first round, and they can find solid OL additions in the first day later rounds.
- I think having a servicable guy like Droughns makes it more likely Peterson will be the pick...Peterson's history of injuries doesnt make it likely that he should or would be given 30 carries a game to start his career...splitting carries with Droughns would be beneficial to both backs IMO...

Now, by no means am I sold 100% that we'll take AP, because I think the info I'm getting could be a pure smokescreen for a trade down... <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Either way, this third pick is giving us a lot of options to make a big splash, because if this team doesnt show solid improvement next year, the house will be cleaned...the best part about that...the people at the top to the people at the bottom know that...[/color]

Savage has indicated that he considers need when the BPA is determined.

Yeah I know I just wish we could flip flop Edwards and Johnson. As good as Edwards is and can be, Johnson is just a complete total nightmare at WR. Not very many corners can match up with a 6' 3(4), 230 lb, 4.4ish 40 WR. Shoot he almost sounds like a create a player in madden...

If they take peterson Ill understand it and tbh early on in the year I was thinking about this guy and if we would have a shot at him. Now that we have moved up to the 3rd slot im not as interested in him. We drafted a guy Harrison to be our change of pace back. We drafted Wilson at WR.
Will these guys pan out? I have no idea however it would be suprising to me at least if with both of these players having sat their year Savage would draft those positions again with the third pick. OL at the top of a draft for some reason to me always seem like a huge risk.
With all the talent that will be up at our pick Im pretty sure someone will be happy with who ever we take and some will question it.
FA will again play a big factor too.

I agree with you....the lights out top player in the draft is Johnson. Not even close IMO.

If he is there when we pick, look for the trade down to finally happen. 2/3 of the league will be calling about a trade.

[color:"red"]I've said we'll draft Peterson because I've heard Lerner covets him, but the final decision (as far as I know) comes down to Savage.
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Can you expound on that?
Is Lerner going to be in Opie's ear on that one? <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
I hope not ..unless Thomas is gone by the time we select.

Ok, I read the whole thread to see if anybody called you on this... nobody did.


He has the rushing and receiving talent of Reggie Bush, the vision of LT, and blocks like a fullback? really...... <img src="/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

If all that is true, or even close to true, DRAFT HIM. <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Draft him? Hell, marry him!
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4. Joe Staley, Central Michigan
Tue., Dec. 26 @ 7:30 p.m. Motor City Central Michigan vs. Middle Tennessee

From my Bowl games post.. Did anyone happen to catch the game last night and check out Joe Staley?

Joe started all games in 2005 and blew his ACL in the bowl game and still made it back to start all games in 2006. The knee is fine. Where I was comparing Suggs to Peterson was the fact both players were kept off the feild due to minor injuries. Suggs' knee was fine and it wasn't the reason he kept missing games, it was the ankle sprains, broken finger, the shoulder stings, the hang nail..ect.....

Joe is a beast. So is Peterson but asking me to pass on a guy like Joe is crazy, IMO.



Let me elaborate on where I was going with the "Fix the line and everything else will fix it self." comment. If we can establish a core of young talented Offesive Linemen this year we will have a better gauge at what other area's are really in dire need. Now I don't think Droughns is the long term solution, but what about guys like Wright and Harrison? Are they LT, no not even in the same breath, but with a line they may be productive backs. And then there is the QB situation. I think there was a lot of variables that contrubuted to Frye's bad play. One was a bad line, two a bad running game, three WR dropped passes and four Frye at times made bad decisions.

I no way shape or form believe that we will be able to pick up enough peices in this offseason to make a run at the Superbowl, playoffs maybe, suberbowl no way. Once we get a better look at where the other peices are next years draft we can get the ones we need.



And if Savage is able to get a couple key "Young" outstanding linemen via trade or FA then I won't mind taking Peterson, but I don't see Cinci really letting Stienbech go with all of the trouble that they are having at O-line this year and the same goes for the other UFA's out there. At this time I have to assume that we will go into the draft with the team as is and O-line is a higher need then RB, IMO.

It was a total BS comment. Randy isn't Jerry Jones and Savage will be making the pick based on his decision. I think it will be Thomas or Branch based on Team need, not what the owner wants.

Why is it total BS comment? Because someone may be know some things?
Oh I guess your comment then is BS too <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
FYI owners can be meddlesome in case U forgot...

Show me where Randy has been meddlesome and where it has been stated that Randy wants Peterson. Maverick is in the know, but I havent' seen anything on ESPN insider or other credible news reports that would suggest his comments were true in the slightest.

See there U go again..where did I say Randy was meddlesome?
I never mentioned HIS name..I had other owners I was thinking of not him..
FYI who brought T.O. to Dallas?
Tuna or.......?????

And there you go trying to back peddle. The OC was about RANDY wanting Peterson and we will draft him. I said it was a BS comment, which you questioned why, and I answered that RANDY was not JERRY JONES. There has been nothing in the past that would make anyone believe that Randy Lerner would "meddle". He lets the football people make the picks. If you want to elaborate a little further in the OC it was also mentioned the possible information could be a "smoke screen" to draft down. To make a smoke screen work, don't you need the information to be out there amoung the sporting news wires and rumor mills?

What backpeddle?
I don't play CB anymore <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I said OWNERS can be meddlesome..and then I gave U Jerry Jones as example..meaning IF A OWNER really wants something WHO can stop him?
He has the ultimate hand and can force a powermove if he chosses to.
Tuna didn't want T.O..and Jones FORCED him down his throat..
I don't backtrack on that.

Jerry Jones has a history of doing that. I never said owners can't do that, my comment was Randy wasn't a Jones type owner and history has shown us he's not involved with the draft and I havent read anything out there that would suggest otherwise. I just have a hard time believing people that claim they know information no one else knows when it comes to MB's. If the person wants to elaborate on who he/she is and/or where he/she got his/her info to give credibility to the statement I'll retract mine.

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If the answer were only cut and dry, this wouldn't be such a tough question, hehe.

Time to be a sneaky snake here: Pace has a Super Bowl ring <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

To me, the honest answer comes from what's the greatest need. That's why I lean towards Thomas. By drafting him, we don't just fix one position. We fix two.

Neither guy is perfect, and anyone who says Thomas is the next Pace and Peterson is the next Tomlinson are lying through their teeth. Basing any arguement on that falacy ruins any credibility. Now if someone wants to say that Thomas blew out his knee at some point and that worries them, I can accept that. If someone says that Peterson runs too upright which means he's going to get pounded and ultimately dinged like he's been in college, I can accept that. So, to me, it always comes back to which position helps the team the most right now.

Just a comment on the "sexy pick" part. If Savage is influenced by trying to appease the fan base by making the sexy pick, the only fans he has to impress are the ones in Cleveland. In that regard, I would note two things:

1) Savage hasn't taken the sexy pick just for the sake of it. Nobody can say trading up to take an undersized LB was sexy, or that a guy who was supposed to just be a pass-rusher in his first year was as well.

2) When it comes to the fans of this team, FINALLY taking a left tackle with the 1st round pick is more sexy than taking any other player in the draft <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> We've been screaming for this for a decade, and finally..........FINALLY.........such a player is within reach. We'd cream our pants to finally have a franchise left tackle off the board, regardless if he plays well his first year. Nothing would make the majority of the fans happier.

I've watched Thomas numerous times this year. Probably more than I've been able to watch any other player. For whatever reason, they've been on my cable channels as much as Oklahoma and some of the west coast teams. I've seen both Thomas and Peterson a ton this season. Thomas is prototypical. He doesn't suffer from "short-arm-itis" that Gallery does. He's also got more drive in the run game than Gallery. In the games I've seen, he's been a technician, and I haven't witnessed the lack of aggressiveness that is noted in the scouting report posted here. To me, the one big question is his rebuilt knee. Outside of that, he looks on par with 'Brick, with the exception being he's not as likely to be bull-rushed or shoved into the backfield. I think he's a better prospect that 'Brick, but that's just me. During the two Jets games I've seen, it was very possible to shove 'Brick right back into the backfield because he's never going to be very strong in this league. Thomas won't have that problem from a purely physical standpoint.

Note on the Lions. They signed Backus to a one-year deal after Franchise Taggin' him with the guarantee that he wouldn't be tagged again this year. If they let him walk, Thomas becomes a major target. The problem is that while Backus isn't a pro-bowler, nor a good run-blocker, he's a decent pass protector. If they let him walk they are essentially giving away a 1st round pick and gaining nothing. I don't see them letting that happen. JMHO. [/color]

Maverick has his sources..as I know some others have theirs..I've had mine on occasion..and no one wants to reveal someone who told them something that was inhouse.
If it pigues my interests I ask privately ...I respect confidentiality..

" During the two Jets games I've seen, it was very possible to shove 'Brick right back into the backfield because he's never going to be very strong in this league "

I only saw the last one , but he looked bad .. Beaten like a rag doll by JT...

So if both ( Thomas ) and Johnson are sittin there at three ; What do you do ????

U're asking Peen?




<img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />

I take Thomas..

So you would take Thomas & not trade down in the first ( say for two firsts ) ???

I would have to say CLOSE to true just because of ONE HUGE thing... He hasn't proved JACK in the NFL YET... I would LOVE to have a kid like him in the backfield but not at the expense of losing out on the surest LT in the draft...

And Saint, I missed the bowl game but have seen a FEW games with Staley in it thanks to Mourg tipping me off about him... He looks like Joe Thomas does for wisconsin except that his level of competition is far below what Big Joe faced... Nick Kazur seems to be doing fine in the NFL though and he went to Toledo if memory serves me correctly... Not saying that Staley would be any different, would just like to see him up against the likes of the Woodley's and Pittcocks of the NCAA before he would get pimped hard by me... It is hard to see where he would project right now... Would like to see him slip to the 3rd and we get him there but I doubt we could be that lucky...

Did you look at the Sig?

I would choose Thomas, he combines a greator need and really isn't that far behind Calvin Johnson in terms of talent. But if Thomas is gone and we have a top 3 pick, I would rather have Calvin Johnson than Peterson any day. No offense running backs are comman in my mind. Every year there is a can't miss RB ( Bush, Peterson, McFadden.....) but I have never seen a WR like Calvin Johnson.

[color:"white"]Er.......If someone is offering me 2 first rounders..........[/color]

[color:"red"] So you would take Thomas & not trade down in the first ( say for two firsts ) ??? [/color]

I'll play...trade down HOW far ?
And when does the second first rounder occur?
NE has the 23 and 28 picks..maybe..
I would prefer a mid first and a mid second..