DawgTalkers.net Forums The Archives 2013 NFL Season NFL Draft (2013) Draft Stuff v.3

Polls have always been allowed only in the Poll forum, going back to the old board.

However, I could have sworn that it was in the forum description originally .... but it's not there. The "Rules of the Pound" need updated as well with the addition of the extra "Everything Else" forum and such.

Have never viewed Wright as a 1st rounder. I've viewed him as a slot guy since day one, nothing more. If he goes in the 1st round, that team will regret it badly.

Draft prospect Alfonzo Dennard arrested for assaulting a police officer
Posted by Mike Florio on April 21, 2012, 11:11 AM EDT
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There aren’t many hard-and-fast rules when it comes to the period before a player gets drafted by the NFL.

“Don’t punch a cop in the face” is at or near the top of the list.

Unfortunately, former Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard didn’t get the memo, allegedly. According to the Omaha World-Herald, Dennard was arrested early Saturday on multiple charges, including suspicion of assaulting a Lincoln, Nebraska police officer.

Dennard allegedly was fighting with another man outside a bar. When the authorities tried to intervene, Dennard allegedly punched one of them in the face.

The second-round (before this incident) prospect faces charges of suspicion of third-degree assault on an officer, resisting arrest, and third-degree assault for the underlying fight.

Dennard, who is expected to remain in jail through the weekend, was ejected from the 2012 Capital One Bowl for fighting with South Carolina receiver Alshon Jeffrey.

In hindsight, it’s a good thing that none of the officials got close enough to get cold-cocked. web page

Duh!

Interesting one common thing McCoy supporters do is hype his intangibles..no one questions that..But Bentley never propped McCoys pocket presence,ability to read defenses..and make the throws..WHATS THAT? UH..He can't make the throws...I see that..he's off target on those slants..and the intermediate sideline throws are floated out ,not zipped in.
So what if U get him all the weapons..it's not going to make his arm gain more velocity,it's not going to make him throw the ball before the receiver breaks..etc..

Sunday Blitz

A look at low motor players, evaluating pass rushers by production, and all the latest draft rumors. Dan Pompei
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One of the most important measurements of draft prospects can’t be done with tape measures, calipers or stopwatches. Measuring a player’s heart is a more abstract assignment, though experienced talent evaluators have tried and true methods they rely on.

This is how heart is measured at draft time.

*Game tape.

It is the ultimate truth, even when dealing with a subjective matter like passion. “You look at how he plays,” a personnel director said. “Is he lazy? Does he finish? Is he physical? Does he quit before the whistle? What is his body language like? What happens when the game is out of hand?”

CoplesQuinton Coples could fall in the draft because NFL teams question how much he wants it.

The tape on North Carolina’s Quinton Coples could make him drop like a melting icicle on draft day. Despite being one of the most gifted players in the draft at any position, Coples rarely plays like it. “At times you don’t even know he’s in the game,” one general manager said. “He is a lethargic player who goes through the paces.”

Added a college scouting director, “You can put together a highlight tape that makes him look like the first pick in the draft. But all the plays in between, he gets pushed around.”

*Practice.

When scouts take their fall visits, they often can be seen at practice quietly talking into tape recorders, jotting down notes on paper or typing into cell phones or tablets. What they really are doing is gathering invaluable information by watching how players prepare. They take notes on how the player warms up, what he does in between plays, and how his practice effort level compares to the effort level of his teammates.

*Talking to people who know the player.

The key here is discerning whether or not you are getting snowed. Having solid, long standing relationships with sources at the school—assistant coaches, strength coaches and support staff--is critical.

It is not unusual for college coaches to be so fed up with a player that they tell NFL teams to stay away. It happened with at least one offensive lineman this year.

One general manager said in recent weeks, his scouts went back to check on some prospects and spent up to three days in players’ college towns talking with everyone from teachers to townies.

*Psychological testing.

Every NFL team does it in some manner, as do many corporate employers. The tests provide pieces of information about what might make players tick and how they tick.

*Player interviews.

These can be tricky, especially the 15 minute combine interviews. One scout said Coples explained away his lack of intensity by saying he understands the concerns and he’ll get better.

“The players all tell you the same thing,” the personnel director said.”They are well coached. You really can’t tell about passion during an interview. Sometimes, a guy might love the game but it might not come across. Maybe he’s exhausted. Maybe he’s not a good communicator.”

But one team’s national scout said he has learned a lot about players’ makeups during interviews at the team facility, or perhaps when having dinner with the player. “When you have an extended period of time with a player, that’s when you can get inside his head,” he said.

*Understanding the program.

Coples is not the only Tar Heel whose intensity has been questioned. Some believe players from North Carolina and Texas, for instance, are allowed to underachieve. Sometimes, a change of environment and a more demanding program can be good for a player who has not really been challenged.

If an NFL team identifies an underachiever from a program like Alabama, Louisiana State or Oklahoma, that would be alarming. Those programs don’t put up with slackers.

Why does this matter? The list of great NFL players who are not driven is a short one.

General managers who take unreasonable gambles on pooches often end up joining them in the dog house.

Things I Didn’t Used To Know

*Both the Browns and Dolphins have expressed interest in moving up in the draft. The reason could be quarterback Ryan Tannehill. The only team for the Browns to deal with is the Vikings, though the Dolphins could move up with several partners. The Vikings seem more likely to deal with the Browns than the Dolphins. If they move down one spot, they still are guaranteed of getting either cornerback Morris Claiborne or left tackle Matt Kalil.

*Brandon Weeden is starting to look like a key player in the draft. A good chance now exists the QB is going to be selected in the later stages of the first round, and it seems likely teams will try to jockey for position to get Weeden. If the Browns don’t select Tannehill early, they could take him with the 22nd pick. Or another team could try to jump the Browns by moving up from the early second round. The Browns also could try to move down in the late 20s to take Weeden.

*The Jaguars appear to be interested in moving down from the seventh spot in the draft, based on scuttlebutt. And that makes sense because most football men will tell you there are five elite players in the draft (six if you count Tannehill). As a result, the Jaguars’ pick may be difficult to move. If the Jags can move down a few spots, they could still get a quality player such as cornerback Stephon Gilmore or Michael Floyd.

WilliamsGregg Williams is suspended, but he still can talk with one person he worked with in St. Louis.

*Just as Sean Payton is prohibited from speaking with NFL employees during his suspension, so is Gregg Williams. But the league is making one notable exception for Williams. He is permitted to talk with his son Blake, who went with his father from New Orleans to St. Louis to be the Rams’ linebackers coach. One rule: father is expected to steer clear of discussing football business with son, per a league source.

*The Jets have been trying to clear some cap room by trading some lower level players so they have maneuverability around the draft. Don’t be surprised to see them trade a player or two.

My Sunday Best: Most Productive Pass Rushers

If players were drafted solely on college production, they would come off the board in an entirely different order. Through STATS’ Ice system, here is a look at how the top pass rushers would rank if pass rush production were the only measure. Ice is a player evaluation system being used by NFL teams in preparation for the draft. The number each player is rated by is the total of his sacks, knockdowns and hurries in 2011.

1. Whitney Mercilus, Illinois—43.5 (16 sacks, 19.5 knockdowns, eight hurries). Little known fact: a lot of his pass rush production came as an interior rusher.

2. Melvin Ingram, South Carolina—35.5 (10 sacks, 15 knockdowns, 10.5 hurries). He did not get his production solely as an edge rusher either. Ingram rushed from all over, and was very effective inside. The fact that he had this much production against SEC competition is particularly impressive.

3. Andre Branch, Clemson—32 (9.5 sacks, 16 knockdowns, 6.5 hurries). It’s all about speed and edge rush with Branch.

4. Nick Perry, Southern Cal—30.5 (9.5 sacks, 14.5 knockdowns, 6.5 hurries). Perry got his production by using a combination of athleticism and power, and he also was very good with his hands.

5. Courtney Upshaw, Alabama—29 (9.5 sacks, 16.5 knockdowns, 3 hurries). He isn’t the same kind of fast twitch player Mercilus is, but he gets to the quarterback with instinct, technique and determination.

6. Quinton Coples, North Carolina—26.5 (7.5 sacks, 13.5 knockdowns, 5.5
hurries). He can get to the quarterback almost any way he wants to. When he wants to.

7. Bruce Irvin, West Virginia—25.5 (8 sacks, 12 knockdowns, 5.5 hurries). Irvin just pins his ears back and goes. There is nothing fancy about his pass rush.

8. Shea McClellin, Boise State—25 (8 sacks, 14 knockdowns, 3 hurries). He probably is the least athletic and least powerful of the elite pass rushers in the draft, but McClellin outworks his opponent. He switched between hand down and hand up effectively.

9. Chandler Jones, Syracuse—14.5 (4.5 sacks, 8 knockdowns, 2.5 hurries). His production was limited because he was injured and missed five games. Jones is not a great edge rusher and he sometimes struggles to finish plays. He is tenacious.

Scout Talk: Motor Issues

I asked a group of NFL talent evaluators which players are being labeled potential low motor guys. These are some of the players who have been dinged for lack of effort or commitment in various draft meetings.

Mike Adams, Ohio State OT. He was an inconsistent performer despite his considerable talent, and scouts question how hard he works and how aggressively he plays. One said he does not appear to pay much attention to the finer points of technique. The issue could cost Adams a spot in the first round.

Quinton Coples, North Carolina DE. With a lackadaisical play demeanor, Coples gives his team just a fraction of his ability.

GlennICONCordy Glenn has the potential for greatness -- if he wants it badly enough.

Cordy Glenn, Georgia OL. He may be the most gifted blocker in the draft, but he is an inconsistent player. “He floats through games, and then he can look like Super Man at times,” one college scouting director said. Added a personnel director, “I question his aggression, his finish and his conditioning.”

Cam Johnson, Virginia DE. The term “underachiever” frequently is used to describe Johnson. One front office man said Johnson is an “all star game wonder who doesn’t’ work hard.” Another said he is “not a great competitor.”

Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State OT. “He can be as good as he wants to be, but he is inconsistent in all phases,” a personnel director said. Osemele also carries the underachiever label.

Nick Perry, Southern Cal DE. Scouts believe Perry could play harder. One called him an underachiever. There are concerns about his conditioning. “His get-off can be lethargic,” one general manager said.

Dontari Poe, Memphis DT. Effort is in the eye of the beholder with Poe. A number of area scouts have the impression he was lazy. But not everyone is in agreement that Poe doesn’t play hard. Some front office men I have spoken with said they believe he wasn’t always productive because he played too many snaps.

Rueben Randle, Louisiana State WR. “He is a bit of an underachiever who does not play with urgency,” a player personnel director said. A college director said Randle loafs on some plays he is involved with, and he doesn’t show consistent effort in blocking. Many believe he is a tough player, however.

Devon Still, Penn State DT. The encouraging thing is he seemed to step up against better competition, but scouts say his motor runs hot and cold. “He can dominate, but he usually dominates two to four plays a game,” a general manager said.

Billy Winn, Boise State DT. He actually improved his effort level in 2011, but he still has the knock on him. “He leaves a lot to be desired,” a college director said. “He will drive a defensive line coach nuts.”

Hot Reads

*One hundred years from now, the name “Cromartie” may be more common than the names “Smith” or “Jones.”

*If it is true that RGIII has a “selfish streak,” that will make him very much like many of his new teammates, no matter who drafts him.

*If the Lions only drafted players who never smoked marijuana, they might not be able to fill out a 43-man roster.

*Now Jenny McCarthy knows what Aaron Rodgers feels like, being chased by Brian Urlacher.

*Did it ever occur to anyone that there was a good reason the Steelers stopped wearing these uniforms?

Dan Pompei covers pro football for the Chicago Tribune. Follow him at Twitter@danpompei
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He's the only guy saying the Browns are thinking about trading up. Everyone else has us trying to trade down.

I'm not buying it.

Got a great laugh out of his dig at Cromartie, though.

Heckert is doing an admirable job throwing people of the trail of the Browns and Tannehill.

I really hope Miami doesn't jump us. Falling to 8 is going to cost at least a 2013 1st rounder and probably more.

I think the Vikings stay. Make the obvious pick in Kalil. And we draft Tannehill.

Or we don't draft Tannehill.

I've never been so sure of something completely out of my control and may not happen in my entire life!

I don't see how anyone can be sure of anything at this point. There are two things I know about this draft. Luck is going one, RGIII is going two.

"Have never viewed Wright as a 1st rounder. I've viewed him as a slot guy since day one, nothing more. If he goes in the 1st round, that team will regret it badly."

I'd say Wes Welker is "just" a slot guy. If Wright is even close to his talent level I'd say he would be worth a late 1. I would trade you one "deep threat" Braylon Edwards we took at 3 anytime.

Whoever we take, I want HEART and desire, it can't be measured but I know it when I see it it and when I DON'T.

Anyone else think Coples is the next Vernon Gholston?

I wouldnt take him until mid 2nd but he will play in the NFL for a good while as a pass rushing DT/run stuffing LDE.

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I really hope Miami doesn't jump us.

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I pray for that to happen.

Let the Fish hit the panic button and reach. In the meantime, the Browns have a greater choice between low-risk, high-ceiling and floor players.

If I'm asking, I'd hope for Miami to jump to three so that we have a shot at trading down a spot or two, get another 1st or 2nd rounder, and still get an elite player...

Quote:

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Whoever we take, I want HEART and desire, it can't be measured but I know it when I see it it and when I DON'T.

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I don't wanna give you a heart palpitation, but heart and desire are two of the questions surrounding Wright. He showed up to the biggest job interview he's ever going to have his entire life out of shape. He measured on the flabby side (relatively speaking) and on the not-so-strong side, struggling to push up the bar on the bench.

It's just like the point McCoy has been helping me make for the past two seasons: You better show an elite skill or two if you're going to measure in on the smallish side and hope to make it in the NFL.

I'm not saying Wright is going to bust, but I am saying he's a bigger risk than the Mockers are pushing. I'm actually of the opinion that RG3 made him, and I believe the video footage backs that up.

I have other guys I'd take over him...

Quote:

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Miami trading up to 3 for Tannehill is best-case scenario for the Browns.

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I wouldn't mind Miami trading up to 4, and giving us the same deal we got from the Falcons last year

2012 NFL Draft: Stanford OT Jonathan Martin confident he can excel at next level

By Nate Ulrich
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published: April 22, 2012 - 11:37 PM | Updated: April 23, 2012 - 11:32 AM


2012 NFL Draft: Exploring the Browns’ need at right tackle
NFL Draft information

Not long after Mike Bloomgren left the New York Jets last year to become Stanford’s run game coordinator and offensive line coach, anxiety hit him.

“You take the job and all you think about is, ‘Dang, I really don’t want to get the No. 1 pick in the draft hit,’ ” Bloomgren said in a recent phone interview. “I’m talking about Andrew Luck, of course.”

Once Bloomgren saw offensive left tackle Jonathan Martin, the man charged with protecting Luck’s blindside, his worries subsided.

“After we went through our first practice, and I realized how talented [Martin] was, I slept a lot better,” Bloomgren said. “He dominated opponents and played a smart caliber of football.

“He looked like an NFL player last spring. When I saw his movement, his punch and just the way he finished plays, that’s what got me excited. It really made me realize we had something special.”

Martin protected the quarterback 99.74 percent of the time last season, allowing just one sack in 386 passing attempts. He graded out at 96 percent for his overall blocking assignments.

The 6-foot-5, 312-pound Martin, otherwise known as “Moose,” is projected to be a first-round pick Thursday night in the NFL Draft. The Browns are in the market for a starting right tackle, and Martin would be a logical candidate for General Manager Tom Heckert to target with the team’s second pick of the first round (No. 22 overall).

The Browns have hosted Martin for a visit along with several other offensive tackles, including Southern California’s Matt Kalil, Ohio State’s Mike Adams and California’s Mitchell Schwartz. They also have conducted private workouts with Kalil, Georgia’s Cordy Glenn, Midwestern State’s Amini Silatolu and Oklahoma’s Donald Stephenson.

Kalil is the top-rated offensive lineman in the draft, and he could be picked as early as third overall. However, Martin wasn’t shy about touting himself as the best tackle in the draft at the NFL Scouting Combine.

“As a competitor, you’ve got to think you’re the best,” Martin said. “Matt’s a tremendous player, but I think I’m better than he is. I believe in myself as a player. It’s nothing cocky about it. It’s just how I approach my game when I’m preparing for an event like this. I’m an athletic tackle, I’m smart, I don’t make many mistakes, and that’s helped me a lot the last couple years.”

Although Martin stood out in college, some doubt he’ll be a force right away in the NFL, if at all. Perhaps his lack of ideal strength is the most common criticism. He said food poisoning kept him from working out at the combine in February. Last month during his pro day, he bench-pressed 225 pounds 20 times, an unimpressive amount for a prospect his size.

“I don’t think he has left tackle feet, and I don’t think he has right tackle power,” Pro Football Weekly draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki said during a conference call. “So when you boil it down, coming into the league next year, I think he’s an ideal swing backup, your third tackle. To me, the value on that position is really in the fourth round. That’s where you’d like to get a player like that, [but] because of the need for a tackle, I think there’s a good chance he’ll get looks in the second round. It wouldn’t even surprise me if he were drafted late in the first, given the run on that position every year.

“In another year, he could be OK. I think he’s gotta redshirt in the NFL essentially and really buy into a strength program and get a lot stronger. He wasn’t ready to come out [of college], and it could prove to be the right decision for where he’s gonna get drafted. But I think when you’re talking about matching up against [the elite defensive linemen] of the NFL, he’s gonna have a very difficult time handling that type of physicality.”

Bloomgren, a former assistant offensive coordinator for the Jets, believes Martin’s chances of successfully moving to right tackle depend on the scheme he’ll play in.

“The only thing I question about him playing right tackle is simply his overall mass at this point,” Bloomgren said. “He’s a guy that’s gonna weight 310 pounds, but he’s not gonna be a Flozell Adams or Damien Woody like we had in New York, who’s 350 pounds and still moves real well. He’s just never gonna be that big of a guy.

“Can he do it at right tackle? I’m never gonna bet against Jonathan Martin. I won’t do it. I think he can do anything he puts his mind to. But it depends on what you’re looking for, too. I don’t know what [Browns offensive line coach George] Warhop wants there. Maybe he wants a guy that can move and pull out in space and do some of those things … the schemes that I remember coach Warhop doing. Maybe he does want that, so maybe that is a good fit.”

Martin is confident he would be able to make a smooth transition to the other side of the line.

“I think I can play any position,” he said. “Wherever a coach wants me, I’ll be ready to play. I’ve had a couple calls about playing right tackle, but I’m open to anything.”

He certainly wouldn’t have any trouble learning a new position.

Martin, who hopes to attend law school after his football career, comes from a long family line of Harvard graduates, including both of his parents. The prestigious Ivy League school courted Martin coming out of high school, but he chose Stanford because he wanted to play at college football’s highest level.

“I think his intelligence definitely translates to football,” Bloomgren said. “He’s a guy that was always seeing things in his stance and communicating them for us on the sideline. He’s a phenomenal student of the game.” web page

Boise State running back Doug Martin working his way up draft boards
Published: Sunday, April 22, 2012, 10:18 PM Updated: Monday, April 23, 2012, 8:00 AM
Jodie Valade, The Plain Dealer By Jodie Valade, The Plain Dealer




Playing on a team that is not part of the BCS conglomeration, playing alongside a Heisman Trophy candidate, sometimes it's possible to be overlooked.

And sometimes, despite all that, it's possible to be compared to a Hall of Famer.

Meet Doug Martin. He is the Boise State running back overshadowed by teammate Kellen Moore, as the Broncos quarterback won more college games than any other in NCAA history.

And meet Martin, the next Emmitt Smith.

"Trust me, he's a world away at this point," Boise State running backs coach Keith Bhonapha said of the comparison to Smith. "But he can run inside the tackles, he can take a pounding, he can make a guy miss tackles."

Bhonapha spent four years watching Martin play for Boise State, watched the 5-9, 223-pound player develop from a kid who only picked up football in high school to a running back who ran for 1,200 yards each of his past two seasons for the Broncos.

More often than Smith, draft pundits have compared Martin to Baltimore's Ray Rice -- a steady, straight-ahead runner who can consistently pile up yards. Martin is projected to go late in the first round or early in the second round of the NFL Draft, and has moved up in the estimation of some to become the second-best running back in the draft.

And the Browns, eager for depth at tailback, are looking hard.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Martin bench-pressed 225 pounds 28 times, tops among running backs, though his time of 4.55 seconds in the 40-yard dash was less spectacular.

"He's a lot faster than what a 40-yard [time] will show you," Bhonapha said. "I think Doug has more of a game speed. He's a guy who will be running the same speed in the fourth quarter as he was in the first quarter."

Martin's durability and endurance come from hard work in the weight room and on the practice field. Boise State teammates began calling him "Muscle Hamster" because of his remarkable strength -- paired with his chubby cheeks.

"He is hands-down probably one of the hardest working guys in practice, in the weight room and on the field, and I think that's the reason he's the way he is," Bhonapha said. "There's no such thing as half-speed with him. It's a genuine thing, it's not like he's trying to prove anything to the weight coach or anyone on the field. That's just the way he is. He's a full-throttle, full-go, as-hard-as-I-can-go guy."

At Boise State, he had 3,430 yards rushing in his career -- in an offense that focused more on Moore's passing abilities.

Martin's versatility was evident his sophomore season when he agreed to switch to the secondary as a nickel back when there was a logjam at tailback. He never actually played the position, returning to running back before games began, but his sacrifice was noticed.

"I didn't really want to do it, but I did it for the team," Martin told CBS Sports in an interview last season. "Deep down, though, I still wanted to be a running back. I thought it was never going to come."

Martin's time at tailback finally came, and he showed how durable he could be for Boise State.

Now, he's just trying to show the rest of the world.

"Coming from a small school like Boise, not really recognized as big as the Alabamas and LSUs, I just want to show I can play with these guys," Martin said in an interview last season. "I feel like I can. I know I can."
web page

Rams' Jackson unhappy with current deal, wants new contract

Michael Lombardi

Published: April 23, 2012 at 10:31 PM

St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson is unhappy with his contract and would like to renegotiate it, a league source said Monday.

Jackson signed a six-year, $44.8 million deal in 2008 and is scheduled to receive $7 million in base salary in 2012 and 2013.

Given Jackson's dissatisfaction, it might make sense for the Rams to try to select a running back, such as Alabama's Trent Richardson, in this week's NFL draft. The Rams currently have the No. 6 overall pick but could try to trade up for Richardson, whom some link to the Cleveland Browns (No. 4) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 5).

Jackson said in a recent interview with KFXX-AM in Portland (via SportsRadioInterviews.com ) that while he knows the Rams will draft the "best available" player, he'd like to see the team add a receiver who can stretch the field.

"Me personally, I think that's the way we should go in the first round ... adding some more tools and talent around (quarterback) Sam (Bradford) so he can definitely show his ability to be an elite quarterback," Jackson said.

Jackson told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch last week that he isn't concerned about the chance the Rams could draft a running back.

"The Rams are going to do what's best for the Rams," Jackson said. "I understand that. It's a business."

Jackson, 28, rushed for 1,145 yards and five touchdowns last season, his eighth in the NFL. The Rams made Jackson the 24th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, and he went on to make the Pro Bowl three times. He has 9,093 rushing yards and 52 touchdowns in his career.

Follow Michael Lombardi on Twitter @michaelombardi .

crazy how players are getting in on the smokescreens this year with SJAX and Ronde Barber.

Second round of 2012 NFL Draft, like 2011's, is place teams get max value

By Pat Kirwan | NFL Insider

Will Brandon Weeden be this year's Andy Dalton? At least one OC really likes him. (Getty Images)
Whether it's moving out of the bottom half of the first round into the second round or moving up into the second round from the top of the third, it once again looks like a good move to get into Round 2.


Last season, the 32 players from the second round made 163 starts -- especially impressive when you consider Mickel Leshoure, Bruce Carter, Marvin Austin couldn't get on the field because of to injuries. Every team in the league would love to find an Andy Dalton in the 2012 second round. And he may just be there.

Granted A.J. Green and Julio Jones were outstanding rookie receivers from the first round. But second-round receivers Randall Cobb, Titus Young, Torrey Smith and Greg Little and tight ends Lance Kendricks and Kyle Rudolph combined for 238 receptions. Can 2012 beat that kind of production?

When it came to second round pass rushers, Brooks Reed, Jabaal Sheard, Akeem Ayers, Da'Quan Bowers, and Stephen Paea collected 20 sacks.

The point is last year's second round was darn good in many areas and it is looking more and more like 2012 will yield more of the same.

Projected second-round prospects include QB Brandon Weeden, who could be this year's Andy Dalton. He may old by normal draft standards but one offensive coordinator told me, "Just take him and let him go."

Running backs Lamar Miller, Doug Martin, Chris Polk, Isaiah Pead, and David Wilson should all go in in the second and there is at least one 1,000 yard rusher as a rookie in the group. The coaches' favorite seems to be Miller.

Wide receiver is a deep position, too. Stephen Hill, Alshon Jeffery, Reuben Randle, Chris Givens and Mohamed Sanu should combine with tight end Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener to beat the 238 receptions the second round pass catchers produced last season. At least one from that group will be more productive than a first round receiver like Michael Floyd, according to one GM I spoke with this week.

The first round will take most of the quality pass rushers. But mark my words: Vinnie Curry, Jared Crick and Bruce Irvin will go in the second round and get after quarterbacks like first-rounders.

Figure at least two full time starting offensive linemen in the second round from the group that includes Bobbie Massie, Amini Silatolu, Kevin Zeitler, and Peter Konz. If Mike Adams drops to the second round, then it's a lock that round will produce two starters.

As for linebackers, Luke Kuechly deservedly is the first-round headliner, but the second round should see Donta Hightower, LaVonte David, Mykal Kendricks and Zach Brown come off the board and at least one guy from that group will record 100 tackles next season.

Consequently, once again, 2012 second round picks as the place to be for great value at the right price. Smart teams are going to try and get at least two picks in this round. web page

j/c... I hope the HD picture is good enough to see Jeff Fisher sweat when pick 6 rolls around and Luck, Griffin, Kalil, Blackmon, and Claiborne have all been picked and he's waiting for the phone to ring. I'd love to see the Jags turn the card in on Floyd as the Rams are calling people trying desperately to hammer out a trade-down.

Had a dream that we traded for SJAX and moved to 6.

Went:

Tannehill
Mercilus
David
Sanu - trade up
Schwartz - trade up

It was a happy dream.

did you eat an infrared-cooked steak right before you went to sleep?

http://newsok.com/nfl-draft-those-compla...ine_osu-cowboys

NFL Draft: Those complaining about Brandon Weeden's age should remember Roger Staubach

Brandon Weeden will be drafted this week later than he would have been had savvy pro scouts not discovered that Weeden was born in 1983 and is older than Ryan Braun, Kendrick Perkins and D'Juan Woods.

Weeden is 28 years old and yet to join an NFL team, which drops him down the draft list and lands him in mighty good company. Roger Staubach was 27 before he joined the men who wear the star.

In 1964, the Dallas Cowboys used a 10th-round draft pick to take Staubach, a Heisman Trophy winner who faced a five-year commitment with the U.S. Navy, for whose academy he starred as a collegian.

That pick actually was the 129th overall, so it would be late fourth round these days. And it turned out OK for the Cowboys, provided you're fine with two Super Bowl titles, 11 playoff victories and a Hall of Fame career, which Staubach delivered even though he had made just four NFL starts by age 29.

Can Weeden take comfort in knowing Staubach's path?

Yes, says the only man with direct links to both. Gil Brandt was the Cowboys' vice president of player personnel from their birth in 1960 through Jerry Jones' purchase of the franchise in 1989. Brandt was the primary talent scout and formed the trinity with Tex Schramm and Tom Landry.

....

NFL Draft: Those complaining about Brandon Weeden's age should remember Roger Staubach

Weren't they rivals in highschool?

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10th round pick for Stabach doesn't compare to some of the places where people are discussing weeden.., 22, 37 or perhaps a little lower in the 2nd.

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From the article you replied to:

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That pick actually was the 129th overall, so it would be late fourth round these days.

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10th round pick for Stabach doesn't compare to some of the places where people are discussing weeden.., 22, 37 or perhaps a little lower in the 2nd.

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Yes he was selected with a pick that would be a 4th round pick today and IIRC he was Drafted with a remaining commitment to fulfill first.

It's Not uncommon for those who played for Army or Navy. It's not like selecting a player who could play for you in the year you drafted them.
Big, big difference, but then the rest is history, with a HOF career starting at age 27.

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NFL Draft: Those complaining about Brandon Weeden's age should remember Roger Staubach

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I was gonna make a quip about remembering things as old as dirt when making a point, then I realized that Gil Brandt had a name in this, which pretty much falls in line with the line...as old as dirt.

Seriously, how many people on this board were even born when Staubach retired?

Of course it's a OklaHomer article. I shouldn't expect any different.

Tannehill is lucky. Weeden seems to be my new target.

I remember then Cowboys under Jimmy Johnson, and they went after what they thought were 3 key positions on offense .... the QB, the RB,and the game-breaker WR.

They, obviously, wound up with Aikman, Smith, and Irvin.

We have a chance to get one of this type of player in this draft in Richardson. I don't see Blackmon as an Irvin type player, or even close. I think that he will be a very good receiver, but I don't think that he'll be an elite type player.

I think that we need someone to compete with McCoy, and to replace him if he has a repeat of last year's debacle.

I don't know that there is a receiver in this draft who can match Irvin ..... but there are several who could be an upgrade to our WR corps. I would look for one in the late 1st or in the 2nd round.

I fully expect that we will try to move back into the 2nd round again, so we could wind up with 2 first round picks, and 2 second round picks. This would be 4 day 1 starters, or, at least, 3 day 1 starters and a QB who will compete for the starting position.