DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum A pre-pimp look at the draft.

Nas...

I got to see Alan Branch play quite a but this year and I agree with you that he is a STUD for us but I see him having more value to a 3-4 team like us than he would for MOST 4-3 teams... I guess what I am getting at is I don't know if he is going to be rated as high as Gaines or Pittcock just because of the roles... Time will tell after workouts and combine...

At any rate, he WOULD look good in Brown and Orange and IF we could trade down and still snag him while gaining an extra pick, I would be ALL about it...

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

Although I thought Gabe could have been a big fat body at the the nose, I wouldn't have considered him as a 1st round pick. I thought a 340LB man was worth a look in the 2nd or 3rd but obviously scouts didn't like what they saw in workouts and interviews. Personally I thought he was a steal on the second day and I have seen him get some signifigant playing time with Arizona (3 starts and 10 games played). Now, that may not be saying much, seeing as it is Arizona but he has recorded a sack. I think teams questioned his mean streak because he was such a nice guy.......most nice guys can't cut it in the trenches in the NFL.

Branch is on the opposite end of the spectrum: non-stop motor, much more athletic, a true 2 gap player and just downright nasty. When he gets a shot, he absolutely takes the RB/QB's head off. He's not a dirty player, just one that hits you with bad intentions. <img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> He even looks like a junkyard dawg. hehe.

I heard he's leaning towards returning for his senior year but if he comes out he's a sure fire top 10 pick IMO. You can't teach 6'6'' 330 LBS.......especially when that package comes with a side of motivation. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

By the way........I just made my way over to nfldraftcountdown.com for the first time this season and they just updated their mock.......thought it was kind of funny who was slotted at our pick:

[color:"yellow"]DT Alan Branch

The rebuilding process in Cleveland is now coming along slowly but surely however even though they have really upgraded the talent level in recent years there is still a lot of work to be done. One position that could stand to be upgraded is defensive end, where Orpheus Roye and Alvin McKinley are both basically just guys, so to land Alan Branch would be a coup. Branch plays defensive tackle for the Wolverines but he does have experience at end and that is where he would fit best in the Browns 3-4 scheme. Only a junior, Branch has emerged as one of the best pro prospects in the college game this year and could go very high should he decide to go pro early.

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sub/mockdraft.html [/color]

[color:"white"]
No, but Washington is proof that you can eat your way there, as long as you have a side of ranch <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I kid since I was horking Jon Scott, right up until the point where I saw him show absolutely no desire to put in work for the combine and Senior Bowl workouts.

Branch is a different player. I'm on board with that. Thomas is my clear-cut #1 and it's not close, but Branch is in a tie for #2 with the rest of the field at this point. He'd look mighty solid at DE during his first year in the league next to Washington. [/color]

I agree........if Thomas is there and Savage doesn't take him, I might have an aneurysm. In all honesty, we'd have to be extremely lucky to get our hands on him though. Unfortunately, it just makes too much sense for AZ (although they do have a track record of doing stupid things).

Funny, FootballsFuture.com has us taking Branch as well..

http://www.footballsfuture.com/2007/nflmockdraft.html

Personally, I have a evil side that wants to make an offer to Max Starks RFA Pittsburp and see what ther squealers do.. If they let him go.. wonderful, we get a good LT and weaken our division rival.. if they match and beat the offer.. just dandy, we drove the price up on our rival.

Then we have a huddle and decide what we are gonna do once we have some hard info on Bents recovery.. we evaluate Shaffer in terms of RT and LT.. we evaluate what Big Leonard can do.. we evaluate our Guard prospects in the draft..

Thats a LOT of meetings in Berea. I'd love to be a fly on those walls.

At this point you can't go wrong with Thomas or Branch. That said I am hoping to see Thomas in a Browns jersey on draft day. The way things are going I don't think that will happen. We aren't going to be picking top 3 and that's what it will take IMHO. (Of course top 5 is looking more and more like a possibility)

Saint, I had this same thought last week when I took a peak at the URFA/RFA list on ESPN.com. <img src="/images/graemlins/naughtydevil.gif" alt="" /> If I remember correctly, the Steelers are pretty strapped for cash. Do you know where you can find current cap number? I would gladly overpay a little to not only improve our OL but also hurt a division opponents as wel. <img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

[color:"white"]

Quote

Peterson should be gone a lot of general managers have been drooling over him for some time.

[/color]

I would pick my guy McFadden, RB, Arkansas if he decided to come out early before any RB including Peterson. I think Peterson is another one of those runners who runs too straight up and is making himself only more susceptible to injury. McFadden can beat you either by his running or passing (former QB).JMHO

If he decides to leave and gets one of those consultant companies that project where you would be drafted, plus has a great bowl game.....I think you might see the kid leave.

If he doesn't then he would be worth waiting for in 2008 draft.JMHO

I would take McFadden as well but unless I'm mistaken, I think he's only a sophomore? I'm pretty sure he isn't eligible untill the 2008 draft but I could be wrong.

Starks at this point is pure RT....He has been struggling with speed rushers off the ends....

HACK

You're just saying that because you don't want us to get him. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Yes I checked because early in this thread that's who I pimped...he is a Sophomore...

Marvel Smith is the Steelers LT...but be my quest...take Starks and put him at LT....but dont say I didnt warn you.....

The Pitt fans are already wanting him out of town....My guess is he will resign...and Pitt fans will cry everytime he gives up a sack next year....he had a good year last year....and seemed to regress some this year...but the Steelers entire Oline (including Faneca) have played very poorly this year.


HACK

He's right.. I goofed and fast fingered my typing again.. mea culpa

At least my intentions were pure.. To screw the squealers over! <img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Pretty accurate...

I can't see us winnin' but one more game which is fine by me...KEEP EM' CLOSE THO!!!

4-12 will get us top 5...

Thomas? Maybe
Peterson? Maybe
Gaines Adams (OLB) DEFINATELY
Branch NT (DE for a Year?) DEFINATELY

We'll end up with a MAJOR piece to this thing no doubt...

Then comes round 2...

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS OL IS?????????????

Justin Blalock...UT...RG...6'4" 330lbs of pure domination

http://www.footballsfuture.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=88883

Detroit Houston Oakland Arizona Tampa Bay Cleveland

Those are your bottom feeders heading into the draft. So basicly we can expect anywhere from 1-6 in the draft. Here is my top 10 and the only reason Quinn and Brohm are this high is because QB is a huge ??? for everyone but Arizona.

1. Calvin Johnson WR GT
2. Brady Quinn QB ND
3. Adrian Peterson RB OKla
4. Joe Thomas OT Wis
5 Sam Baker OT USC
6 Adam Gaines DE Clemson
7. Alan Branch DT Michigan
8. Laron Laundry S/CB LSU
9. Brian Brohm QB Louisville
10. Darrelle Revis CB Pittsburgh

Whats your analysis of [color:"blue"] Jake Long OT Michigan
[/color] ?

I like Jake Long.....haven't seen him play much but he looks like a player.

Just remember our strength of schedule is one of the tougher schedules, so that will hurt us if we tie with other teams in the final standings.

I think 3-4 is probably the best we will do.....if one can consider that "best" any good.

He is one of the most improved tackles that I have seen this year. I think he goes in that 2nd tier of tackles with Aaron Sears of Tenn. and Joe Staley of Central Michigan. I do believe he will be a RT in the NFL which is fine because he is an excellent run blocker.

If we dont go with Thomas or Baker in the first, the opportunity should be there to get one of those 3 in the second. Those 3 may also have more upside than the top 2. They are coming into their own at the right time. They are similar to the Whitworth and McNeils of last year.

And U know I wanted either MM or AW..
Well all we can do is chant we want so n so ....do 80mocks..and be disappointed. <img src="/images/graemlins/saywhat.gif" alt="" />

Baker has that mean nasty streak that you like to see in a linemen. Solid fundamentals and he makes it look easy. Tremendous feet and really sinks his hips. With all West Coast OL I question their level of competition.

Thomas is the complete package thanks to vastly improved run blocking. Best hands of the group. Good feet, hips. I would like to see him improve his blitz recognition.

Sears is the most well rounded of the group. Nothing spectacular but no real weaknesses. Raw at the position but improves everytime out. If he is allowed to concentrate on one position he could be a good one. He has been moved around so much that it bothers me projecting him to high.

Long is the best run blocker of the group. He is pretty physically imposing. Would like to see him play with a bit more extension but he could be special at RT.

Staley has the quickest feet of the 5. Good fundamentals all the way around. Would like to see him increase upper body strength but I think he ends up being the best pure LT of the group. Man he is just quick. Quick to engage. Quick to slide. Quick to pull. Not the greatest of competition.

Mourg,

FINALLY got to see Joe Staley on the tube... He is EVERYTHING you advertised.. I am not the type to watch a guy after one game and declare him the next best thing.. I trust you have seen plenty of him to have formed yours...

At any rate, he SHOULD be there in the 2nd and be a STEAL! As you talked about him, he is EVERYTHING you mentioned... FAST, gets to the next level, GREAT run Blocker, Pass blocker... I was QUITE impressed... I would be interested to see how he would handle better competition...

Let's say we are a top 5 pick but we also assume two things:
1) Cardinals are ahead us and select Joe Thomas
2) Alan Branch does not declare

Then what??? That is a very possible scenario and after Thomas there is a big dropoff (nothing really worth a top 5) so what do we do...

I simply do not see how we pass up on Calvin Johnson, Adrian Peterson ( even tho Toad hates it), Brady Quinn ( maybe trade him or keep him) or Gaines Adams/the DE from UGA (Mosley)but then again do we really want to put such a high pick on a guy that will have to switch positions?

If Branch doesn't declare and Zona is ahead us I would not want to be Savage cause whatever he does he will be disliked by alot of people, but then again what would you do??

EDIT:
Since we have alot of Joe Thomas backers on here, I was wondering if you guys thought that Joe Thomas would he be worth trading a first and 2nd for or first and 3rd ( I am not sure about the points but you get the idea)

Since you ask, under those circumstances, I'd be happy to trade down.

If the LT isn't there don't draft and pay LT money for avg NFL stuff. I'd be tempted to look and see if I could find a shutdown corner and OG in the 2nd.

JC,

I would favor a trade down only if it were to leap Az and get him.. Do I think he is that good? ABSOLUTELY! I have had the pleasure to watch this kid for a few seasons now and have to honestly say that I wanted McNeil last year under the conditions that Joe Thomas did not declare.. Well we all know about the Bowl game injury and of course his return this year so now here we sit, talking about picking in the top 10 yet again!!

Let's evaluate just a little bit how we got here and continue to get here...

1. Poor play from our QB's.. No coincedence when we have SEVERAL QB's since 1999 ruined by this franchise.. Is it the choice of QB's? Maybe but IMHO, NO team gets it wrong for 7 straight years with 6 different guys... The common trend that links all of these QB's failures to each other is a combo of injuries, (resulting from a [censored] poor O-Line) lack of time in the pocket and having legit talent around... We now have SOME talent surrounding a QB but he is on his back more than a well, you guys know... <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> So what would improve the play of the QB?? O-LINE!!

2. We are very close to the bottom of the league in scoring, 3rd down conversions... On and on it goes... WHAT WOULD HELP us improve the most in these areas?? O-LINE!!!

I know this isn't a long winded post filled with links and fancy stats but the fact remains, until we get an O-Line foundation put together, we will CONTINUE to break down ANY QB that arrives here, We will continue to have ANEMIC Red Zone stats, continue to stay at the bottom in league scoring and continue to draft in the top 10 each and every year...

We spent 30 + Million on an AVG. LT in FA who truly was a band-aid on an artery wound... The time is now to right this ship, Bentley in ALL likelihood is finished, Tucker is a Question mark and Shaff is an overpaid, out of position LT... And don't even get me started on the Guards..

The O-line situation has gone from a needing 2 guys to where we are desperate for 4 and BTW, we have NO idea what Sowells is...

Trade up for Joe Thomas? Yes at all reasonable costs!!

Trade down is something we always want but in any draft there are usually 2 prime trade down spots.....and you have to be lucky to be in one of them.

I really doubt that will be much of an option.

This draft will have 2 key trade down players IMO....Quinn and Johnson.....

The WILDCARD here is brohm....if he declares, he MIGHT be slotted near our draft position which would give us a trade down possibility....the question is do you take him yourself??

I might.

Just something else to add....with tuck a question....we could look at Jake Long. His slotting is a bit lower than our pick but IMO he is about as sure a deal as Thomas....maybe ever a surer pick considering the position.

Whoever drafts him will have a solid RT for the next 12 years. I don't know that taking him 6-7 slots early could be considered a bad value pick.

[color:"orange"]Some good discussion here...thank you dawgs.

Just some random responses.

My first impression on Brohm is I don't like him...however without pressure he is probably the best QB in the group with arm strength, touch and accuracy. But he is probably the worst with a little pressure - I wonder how coachable that is???

Quinn is probably the toughest. Again my first impression is that I don't want him either. He is again very tough reminds me actually of a more talented Frye.

But honestly neither give me that Sure thing Franchise QB feeling. I like the kid Russell from LSU as a developemental QB who wouldn't pose much of a threat to CF immediately and he could learn. Not quite sure where he gets slotted in this draft...2nd round/3rd or late first.

Branch is looking better and better. Somebody mentioned Pitchcock as a more received DLman pick...OSU bias at its finest...lol <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I like Pitchcock but draft wise talent he don't compare to Branch. 2nd rounder maybe late first right there with Carriker at least on my lists.

Saw Staley play...he might become a Combine darling but he has a lot to learn...very talented upside.

Long I don't see at LT.

Blalock pending how "slow" or "fast" he is could be mid-round 1st pick...if we are lucky he might be there for us in the 2nd.

Right now we are picking #6 - I don't see us cracking the top 5.

Joe Thomas has been my first choice for months now...ever since I saw Wisc. vs. Mich.

I don't like the hi-rated Corners so they are slowly disappearing from my possibles of our 1st rounds.

Stud RB is high on my list too...If we land the Turner kid from FA then that could drop RB from the 1st round list of needs.

Tweeners - Savage definately has a formula in his mind and I'll go with it. There were several tweeners but Savage pinpointed Wimbley to be the best for the 3-4 who was under my radar. Is Gaines a 3-4 guy?

Question is what do we do with Buster Davis??? <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> just love that kid.

But there definately are some decent 3-4 DL for us this draft...Branch, Pickock and Carriker come to mind...Oh and that kid from Louisville...for some reason with his smarts, athleticism and being coachable it would not surprise me if he's a Brown after draft day. Okoye, seems like a RAC/Savage type of guy. Saw his last game and he moved up my list for sure...thanks to those who pimped him and the purpose of the thread as a perfect example.

Saw him as 19 year old Sr. and sort of wrote him off...but he was pimped so I took note to watch him. This kid is special!

JMHO

If back is what you want....lynch will be there for the picking....you also have to see how well Bush heals...he might be a solid 2rd round pick if questions make him drop.


Like I said....Long isn't a LT...but as a RT, he will be a pro-bowl type player.....I would rather take a RT like Long than pick a guy like brown of PSU as a LT prospect.

Plus.....like it or not...shaffer is our LT for a while..forget moving him to guard or anywhere else...

JMO

[color:"orange"]Lynch has been one of my favorites...I have likened him to LT.
Excellent runner, pass catcher and good blocker.

I like him too....a rugged kid....should hold up and be a good between the tackle runner like lewis.

He might be a real possibility...the numbers as they stand today match-up .

I really like staley a lot. I think in a couple of years he could be the best of the group. I do worry about his upper body strength. Leaves himself open to the bullrush at times. His feet is special for a tackle. I see him sliding into late 2nd and if a lot of these receivers jump it could be the 3rd.

Sears of Tenn is one i really want to focus on at the senior bowl.

Quinn has no accuracy. It is easy to hit a guy with a 10 yard cushion but he simply doesnt fit the ball into tight spaces

Brohm has the most NFL potential but he also has a kelly holcomb injury report. I also agree with tab when the pressure is coming over and over, he hasnt shown the ability to really make teams pay.

I still think Andre Woodson of Ky is the best QB in the country but he needs another year. 6-5 235lbs strongest arm out there, doesnt rattle under pressure. He does have a problem with releasing just a tad to early which makes most of his throws high but atleast he doesnt hang his receiver out Next year he will be top dog. Not pimping for the Browns to take another QB from Ky. and I hope we arent in position to even consider him next year.

Peterson seems like he has missed more college games than he has played.

Calvin Johnson is a player that you simply can not pass on. I dont think there is another player in this draft that is close to his ability and his attitutde.

Michael Bush has missed this year with the broke leg but if he has a good combine showing, he is still a target. Even with the season ending injury he still has less questions than most of this draft. Its just not going to be one of those 5 star drafts. More of a 2 star draft.

Last year there was a tier 2 group of players that extended into the 2nd day. This year tier 2 starts after Calvin Johnson and probaly ends around 18. Before u get to the 2nd round you are on the tier 3 players. Right now that Tier 3 looks fairly slim of most positions other than OL and receiver.

I agree on Johnson...the best receiver in many years.

If he is there we have to take him....or...that is finally our trade down option that breaks the vault because about 2/3 of the teams that haven't drafted to that point will be calling...we could just name a price and sit back.

Johnson is great...the best player in this draft by far.

[color:"orange"]He is still a WR...maybe the best skilled player in this draft but for me and what I class as football nowhere necessary...thank goodness he will go #1 or #2 and we will not sniff 1,2 of this draft.

If Green is fired - I can't see Zona passing up on him regardless of Fitz n Bolden...I hope he and the first 2 QBs go quick n early...dropping Joe Thomas to us.

Mourg...Staley - as long as you don't think he's a 1st round option for us...I too would see him as a good choice in the 2nd maybe a steal in the 3rd as outside of our boards OL tends to drop <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Levi Brown is big and possibly a late first round candidate for RT. I'm curious if Tucker's status will be known come March 1st???

But I would love getting the best OG in this draft. If we lose out on Joe Thomas.

Btw - unless there are injuries I seriously doubt Staley comes close to the best of the draft...maybe 2nd best but not better than Thomas. Good feet or not...he was not worthy of that statement and that was against Louisiana Tech.

JMHO

Here's the problem: our fans and the Cleveland media. Savage might lose his job for making such a pick (because we took Braylon two years ago). I don't remember a time (when Savage was there) that Baltimore ever traded down to stockpile DP's. They almost always targeted "their guy" and took him. Something to keep in mind......

I consider Johnson to be the best player in this draft and In my personal opinion, #2 isn't in the same area code. That's not to say I don't think there are other very good players in this draft, I just see Johnson as an absolute elite player. He's a guy that could be a pro bowler in his rookie year.

If he's there would we take him? I'm not really sure but if Savage's philosophy is to take BPA, I don't see how he passes up a player of Johnson's calibur, even if we did use a #1 pick 2 years ago on a wideout. If Phil would pull the trigger on such a selection, he better trade back in to the first and get an OG/OT with future DP's. Cause if he doesn't, he'll probably get run out of town by some of the babbling idiots.

I don't neccessarily think a skill position player is a need but you have to make an exception when special players become available. If Thomas is gone, I would rather take Johnson if he's there and go OG, OG in rounds 2 and 3. Now again, it's just specualtion, but it's not out of the rhealm of possibilities. Johnson will go somewhere in the top 5 though, so unless we lose out (given out schedule) he's not going to be there when we pick.

Would I take him? No, because we have so many other holes. Not only that but we could probably get a huge package in exchange for the draft pick. There's someone who really covets Johnson (i.e. like Eli Manning) and we could swing a big trade, probably for 2 #1's and really fill some holes.

here's something for all of the OL pimps from the UT sports site........

SEARS VOTED SEC'S TOP BLOCKER, EARNS UT'S 18TH JACOBS AWARD


Dec. 6, 2006

Tennessee senior Arron Sears continued an award-winning finish to an outstanding collegiate football career Wednesday when the Southeastern Conference named him recipient of the 2006 Jacobs Award.

An All-America offensive tackle from Russellville, Ala., Sears becomes Tennessee's 18th overall winner and 13th different player to claim the prestigious trophy and UT's first since Antone Davis was named in 1990. The Vols and Alabama now are tied for most all-time Jacobs Award winners, with Georgia the next closest SEC school at seven.

"The Jacobs Award goes to the best lineman in the SEC, and that is a great accomplishment for me," Sears said. "I had an OK year by my standards, but I guess the coaches thought I played pretty well."

Presented annually since 1935, the Jacobs Award is based on a postseason poll of all 12 league coaches in conjunction with All-SEC balloting and other selected honors. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own players.

"This is a well-deserved honor for Arron," head coach Phillip Fulmer said. "I'm very excited. To me, this is certainly the top honor for a lineman in the Southeast and one of the top honors in the nation."

Sears began the season being named to the 2006 Playboy All-America team and has kept his momentum going from there. He was named last week a first-team All-America by the American Football Coaches Association and Rivals.com, and this week came word that he earned his second consecutive double selection as first-team, All-SEC by both the league coaches and Associated Press.

Sears enters his final game in a Tennessee uniform having made 31 consecutive starts. He anchors an offensive line that allowed only 17 sacks -- third-fewest in the league -- against 378 pass attempts -- second-most in the league. He has missed just one start since his freshman campaign, starting at every position on the line except center.

"I'm excited for Arron," said Greg Adkins, UT assistant coach who oversees Tennessee's offensive line. "He's a guy that decided to come back for his senior year and then proceeded to get himself ready for a great senior season. He works very hard in the weight room, has stayed relatively healthy it all has paid off with these individual awards he has received."

I like Sears alot...have mentioned him a few times up to this point.

I would be real happy if we got him in round 2....or even traded up into the bottom of round 1 to snag him.

i just don't know where he's gonna fall. i see him going in rd 1 if he's drafted to play tackle, but he wasn't dominating enough imo to warrant a !st rd pick as a guard.
i know this kid is gonna do well at the next level though, because he keeps the same high intensity no matter where he lines up.

He is one of those guys who went under the radar a bit....the all-star games will help him.

I think right now he is viewed as a second tier tackle...but the views right now are pretty fluid and much can change.