2008 NFL Draft

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141

[quote]Padilla7921 wrote:
tGunslinger wrote:
Kentwan Balmer? Who?

Balmer was the 3rd ranked DT behind Dorsey and Ellis. That’s a good pick by them, considering that they’re revamping their entire defense this offseason.
…
[/quote]

I heard that he was rated really high as DT, but my issue is why was he rated that high?

I watch enough college football that if you’re playing for a BCS conference team, and you’re productive enough to warrant a 1st round pick, then I’ve heard of you. Even the OL, because I love watching OL play. Frankly, if you’re playing for a BCS college and I’ve never even heard of you, you most likely weren’t productive enough on the field to warrant a 1st round pick.

…I’d never heard of Kentwan Balmer before draft season started up a few weeks ago. Given the NFL performances of similar players (1st round BCS guys that I’ve never heard of), I’m not holding out much hope that Balmer is going to do much for SF.

I do think Rachal was a pretty decent pickup. Solid player (that I had heard of!) for a big-time program equals thumbs-up.

Plus, I think SF needs all the linemen they can get, so I guess if they’re going to make a “dumb” pick, at least they’re rolling the dice on a DT rather than a WR or CB.

  • I don’t follow the Steelers closely enough to know what their weaknesses were, but I really like the Sweed and Mendenhall picks. I think Sweed was a steal that low in the draft. He was a strong player at Texas.

  • My thoughts are similar to Tedro’s re: Brohm. GB might’ve been better served strengthening another position, but Brohm’s a great value pick that low in the draft. Last year, he would’ve been a Top 5 Franchise Messiah if he had come out; getting him at the bottom of the 2nd round is a great value.

Plus, it’s always nice to have plenty of options at QB, which GB now has.

  • I’m not a huge fan of Felix Jones. I think Dallas could’ve done better considering who was still on the board.

Statistically speaking, the bench press test is the best measure of future NFL performance for RB’s (it defies common sense, I know, but that’s just how the numbers break down), and Jones stunk at the bench.

I suppose he is similar to Julius Jones, though.

142

[quote]tGunslinger wrote:

Statistically speaking, the bench press test is the best measure of future NFL performance for RB’s (it defies common sense, I know, but that’s just how the numbers break down), and Jones stunk at the bench.

I suppose he is similar to Julius Jones, though. [/quote]

So did McFadden, for that matter, if I recall correctly. I love how Washington is snatching up pass catchers like they’re going out of style. Okay, we get it, you need some receivers!

143

[quote]ericbyrnesjr wrote:
my steelers absolutely dominated this draft. parker and mendenhall in the shotgun 2RB set? ward, holmes and sweed out wide?[/quote]

My thoughts exactly. As I said page ago, I really think Mendenhall was the best back in this draft. He absolutely slashed USC and you’ll notice that USC’s defense had quite a few new and future NFL players on it.

144

[quote]ericbyrnesjr wrote:
for sure. i couldn’t understand what the bucs were doing. jackson is pretty good, but honestly…WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO PICK ANOTHER QB? they have like six, plus plummer’s rights still! but since they’re looking QB anyways, they should have realized that the packers were not only looking at brohm at 56, they were looking at him at 30. jesus.[/quote]

No, I wanted them to pick a QB in the second round, we need one. I knew they were going for it when they traded down. Our QBs are old, and they’ve given up on Chris Simms (who I thought was the future, but like I said, they gave up on him). Plummer is old and isn’t coming out of retirement. Garcia is old and isn’t getting any better. Henne or Brohm were sorely needed, and Green Bay completely ruined our plans. Awesome.

145

My team is the saints ant they should have made the trade and got shockey. Unless they did since I left, but I dont think so. There offense would be amazing with Shockey at tight end.

146

[quote]ericbyrnesjr wrote:
a) talib is better than you think.[/quote]

No he’s not. Look at all of his highlight videos that ESPN and NFL Network have been throwing around. He’s nothing more than a glorified opportunist. His interceptions have come off of bad throws and receivers falling down. Look at this video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=UDfol6147fk His best play (from 25s to 30s) is an interception in the endzone where the ball was underthrown and the WR failed to come back for it (not like he could though). He’s a good player, but horribly overrated. Also, his best plays came against FIU. FIU! They’re a joke here in Florida! FIU!

You’re right, Smith isn’t the best RB in the Draft. Mendenhall is. However, Smith is better than Chris Johnson and Matt Forte, two other C-USA RBs that were taken ahead of him. And no, Chris Johnson is not a 1st Round pick. He’s not a 2nd Round pick. He’s, at best, a 3rd. Matt Forte is a solid back, but nowhere near better than Smith.

Smith put up numbers against real defenses, like NC State and Texas (he torched Texas). Johnson is fast, and that’s about it. He had a great combine, yes, but let’s not forget, he ran track in high school. That’ll teach ANYONE how to run faster on a track. Kevin Smith has better vision, better cutback ability, better power, and better football speed. What counts? The track or the gridiron?

Like I said, Forte is good. Not better than Smith, and not what the Bears needed. Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton. And they take a RB? Forte wasn’t even the best. Rice was on the board, and of course, Smith. However, more importantly, Chad Henne was present, as well as Brian Brohm, both of which will be successful if things work out (Henne moreso because the Packers fucked Brohm up big time). So, again, no, the Bears did horribly.

Steelers did great so far. They need lineman and DBs (a safety, really). They should take Tommy Z from Notre Dame. He’s fallen under the radar thanks to their ineptitude.

147

[quote]tGunslinger wrote:
I heard that he was rated really high as DT, but my issue is why was he rated that high? …I’d never heard of Kentwan Balmer before draft season started up a few weeks ago.[/quote]

Balmer is a good player, and definitely the best pick for the Niners. If he wasn’t taken there, he would’ve been snatched up early in the second round before they’d have another shot against him. I like the pick there. The 49ers now have a brand new DL, pretty much. I love it. Games are won and lost in the trenches, and Balmer+Smith (DE from Cincy) are going to wonderfully wage trench warfare against opposing OLs.

I’m so glad people give credit to linemen! But Balmer wasn’t a dumb pick by any means of the imagination, trust me.

Agreed 100%. Best RB, best WR. Mad props to Mike Tomlin.

No it’s not. You want one solid starting QB and two capable backups. Having two capable starters is a mess waiting to happen. Now Rodgers has to second guess everything he does instead of leading. This is a horrible move by Green Bay, they did their QB (who WILL be A-Rod…lol @ nickname) a horrible disservice

I don’t know who benefitted off of the other more, Mc-Destined-For-Failure or Jones. I don’t like either of them, to be honest.

[Not meant to sound dicky, don’t take this the wrong way] Can you show me these statistics? Yes, upper body strength is necessary (it’s football, duh), but lower body strength is far more important. Look at all the great RBs in the league. They all can POWER through defenders using their legs by keeping them moving. Adrian Peterson, Marion Barber, Tomlinson (yes, he has power), Larry Johnson, Steven Jackson, etc. They’re playmakers that all have good upper body strength, but their lower body strength is what separates them from the play-fakers.

148

As a long-time Packers fan, I’ve been pretty use to off-season inactivity and terrible drafts. This year, however, has already set pace for their worst draft ever, (although last year was pretty bad.) A fucking receiver from Kansas St. when we already have a plethora of good receivers. A cornerback when Brandon Flowers was available at the #30 pick. And lastly, a fucking quarterback after they’re supposedly trying to instill confidence in their first-round quarterback pick four years ago? Give me a break, Ted Thompson.

As for other topics, I think that Padilla is 100% correct about Darren McFadden. He comes down too easily with simple arm tackles, and isn’t very strong in terms of up-the-middle play. People keep talking about his ‘pure speed,’ but last time I checked, Reggie Bush isn’t doing too hot in the NFL with his ‘pure speed,’ is he? Felix Jones was a STEAL for the Cowboys, he’s definitely going to be a better, more productive, and more consistant professional player, especially right next to Marion Barber.

One last random thought, but the Lions got a steal with Jordon Dizon, one of the most underrated defensive players in the draft this year. I watched him play this year, and granted, it WAS the [overrated as fuck] Big XII, but the dude flies around the field.

149

[quote]SSC wrote:

As for other topics, I think that Padilla is 100% correct about Darren McFadden. He comes down too easily with simple arm tackles, and isn’t very strong in terms of up-the-middle play. People keep talking about his ‘pure speed,’ but last time I checked, Reggie Bush isn’t doing too hot in the NFL with his ‘pure speed,’ is he? Felix Jones was a STEAL for the Cowboys, he’s definitely going to be a better, more productive, and more consistant professional player, especially right next to Marion Barber.

[/quote]

Agreed but I hope I am wrong.

Its hard to be a Raiders fan sometimes

Did they even have another 1st day pick?

150

I absolutely cannot believe the Bears didn’t take Brohm. I mean it’s like they’re trying to come up with ways to suck ass.

I also cannot believe the Titans are content to have Roydell Williams as their number one receiver. Vince Young is officially screwed.

151

[quote]Kalle wrote:
SSC wrote:

As for other topics, I think that Padilla is 100% correct about Darren McFadden. He comes down too easily with simple arm tackles, and isn’t very strong in terms of up-the-middle play. People keep talking about his ‘pure speed,’ but last time I checked, Reggie Bush isn’t doing too hot in the NFL with his ‘pure speed,’ is he? Felix Jones was a STEAL for the Cowboys, he’s definitely going to be a better, more productive, and more consistant professional player, especially right next to Marion Barber.

Agreed but I hope I am wrong.

Its hard to be a Raiders fan sometimes

Did they even have another 1st day pick?[/quote]

Nope, they were one-and-done today with Mr. McFadden. I really think they should have waited for a later pick for a running back, they DO have Fargas, who’s starting to come into his own. Lamont Jordan, if he’s still there, is a decent 3-4 yard back when called upon, too. There are far more needs for the Raiders than a running back. That’s just Al Davis being an old, senile croak though.

152

[quote]SSC wrote:
Kalle wrote:
SSC wrote:

As for other topics, I think that Padilla is 100% correct about Darren McFadden. He comes down too easily with simple arm tackles, and isn’t very strong in terms of up-the-middle play. People keep talking about his ‘pure speed,’ but last time I checked, Reggie Bush isn’t doing too hot in the NFL with his ‘pure speed,’ is he? Felix Jones was a STEAL for the Cowboys, he’s definitely going to be a better, more productive, and more consistant professional player, especially right next to Marion Barber.

Agreed but I hope I am wrong.

Its hard to be a Raiders fan sometimes

Did they even have another 1st day pick?

Nope, they were one-and-done today with Mr. McFadden. I really think they should have waited for a later pick for a running back, they DO have Fargas, who’s starting to come into his own. Lamont Jordan, if he’s still there, is a decent 3-4 yard back when called upon, too. There are far more needs for the Raiders than a running back. That’s just Al Davis being an old, senile croak though.[/quote]

And a maybe healthy but I reports say unimpressive Micheal Bush…

But yea Al Davis was concerned with one thing.

4.27 40

I went and watched a bunch of DMac highlight reels and everyone of them it is him just using his speed to go through big holes. not shrugging off any players, not being elusive, just very very fast…

Oh well…

153

[quote]SSC wrote:
Nope, they were one-and-done today with Mr. McFadden. I really think they should have waited for a later pick for a running back, they DO have Fargas, who’s starting to come into his own. Lamont Jordan, if he’s still there, is a decent 3-4 yard back when called upon, too. There are far more needs for the Raiders than a running back. That’s just Al Davis being an old, senile croak though.[/quote]

Look, the Raiders suck. Al Davis needs to sell tickets, and the ignorant masses believe McFadden will do that. And he will, unfortunately. Between 300lb Jamarcus “Russell Stover Candy Factory” and Darren McFattened Wallet, it’s going to be an offense of ineptitude. Sure, I think McFadden will make some plays but look at his divisional competition. Kansas City’s defense is about as good as my high school’s and the Broncos can’t seem to keep the ball out of the endzone, despite them having arguably one of the best D backfields in the league. McFadden will get torn up by the Chargers, but the media will write that off. Who do the Raiders have at WR? Curry? Not bad, but he’s a 3rd at best.

Davis wasted money on DeAngelo Hall. Trust me, he’s glorified. He didn’t have much competition here in the NFC South. He had chances to ball up against 36-year-old Joey Galloway and 31yo Ike Hilliard. Oh, wait, he didn’t…Garcia and the overrated Bucs offense torched him.

I used to like the Raiders as my AFC team and would root for them very often, but I refuse to support the team who selected Robert Gallery solely because he ran a fast 40 time. I love linemen, but he’s a disgrace, though I hear he IS doing good at LG, right?

154

[quote]Padilla7921 wrote:
SSC wrote:
Nope, they were one-and-done today with Mr. McFadden. I really think they should have waited for a later pick for a running back, they DO have Fargas, who’s starting to come into his own. Lamont Jordan, if he’s still there, is a decent 3-4 yard back when called upon, too. There are far more needs for the Raiders than a running back. That’s just Al Davis being an old, senile croak though.

Look, the Raiders suck. Al Davis needs to sell tickets, and the ignorant masses believe McFadden will do that. And he will, unfortunately. Between 300lb Jamarcus “Russell Stover Candy Factory” and Darren McFattened Wallet, it’s going to be an offense of ineptitude. Sure, I think McFadden will make some plays but look at his divisional competition. Kansas City’s defense is about as good as my high school’s and the Broncos can’t seem to keep the ball out of the endzone, despite them having arguably one of the best D backfields in the league. McFadden will get torn up by the Chargers, but the media will write that off. Who do the Raiders have at WR? Curry? Not bad, but he’s a 3rd at best.

Davis wasted money on DeAngelo Hall. Trust me, he’s glorified. He didn’t have much competition here in the NFC South. He had chances to ball up against 36-year-old Joey Galloway and 31yo Ike Hilliard. Oh, wait, he didn’t…Garcia and the overrated Bucs offense torched him.

I used to like the Raiders as my AFC team and would root for them very often, but I refuse to support the team who selected Robert Gallery solely because he ran a fast 40 time. I love linemen, but he’s a disgrace, though I hear he IS doing good at LG, right?[/quote]

Yeah, you’re right. I guess that the Black Hole has gotten smaller and smaller as the years have gone by since the 2003 Super Bowl. I’ll say Kansas City actually had a decent defense last year, but their decision to trade a proved veteran (Jared Allen) for what I think was an extremely overrated player (Glenn Dorsey.) Speaking of, as a Gators fan, I just didn’t see what the big fuss about GD was. Defensive tackles should, as far as I’m concerned, never be taken within the top-16 picks in the draft. They’re just not worth the big money, and statistics pretty much prove that they have more of a dynamic effect on defenses, rather than a big, show-stopping role.

I agree with what you say about Hall, too. Okay, sweet, he’s really fast. Other than that, you’re right, he DID get torched all the time by extremely average receivers on extremely average teams. See = Tampa Bay and Carolina.

As for Robert Gallery, I suppose he started coming into his own a little bit, but he looks enough like a viking that he probably scares the bejeezus out of some people, so that could a potential upside? But really, Al Davis has got to be at least 130 years old by now.

155

As long as Al Davis runs your team, you’ll have problems.

In other news, the Giants took Mario Manningham (WR, Michigan), Kevin Smith went to the Lions (oh great), and the Bucs blew another pick.

156

[quote]Padilla7921 wrote:
As long as Al Davis runs your team, you’ll have problems.

In other news, the Giants took Mario Manningham (WR, Michigan), Kevin Smith went to the Lions (oh great), and the Bucs blew another pick.[/quote]

Ha ha. I thought about you when I saw Smith go to the Lions. Poor guy, he deserved better.

157

I hate the steelers so it pains me to say that they’re going to look good next year.

I do not understand New England’s choices.

PS: NFL.com has a great setup for seeing which teams needs are and what they took, and a small blurb about each of the players they take.

158

Damn, KC is having a good draft. In addition to cleaning up on Day 1, they get Charles and Morgan today. The Chiefs have instantly gotten more athletic and dangerous.

I’m still trying to figure out how I feel about the Vikings taking Booty.

159

[quote]SSC wrote:
as a Gators fan, I just didn’t see what the big fuss about GD was. Defensive tackles should, as far as I’m concerned, never be taken within the top-16 picks in the draft. They’re just not worth the big money, and statistics pretty much prove that they have more of a dynamic effect on defenses, rather than a big, show-stopping role.[/quote]

Did you miss that month this last season that Dorsey spent as a Heisman front-runner? Playing against the biggest, best lineman in college football, he was the very definition of a “show-stopper.” A good NFL DT, which he will be, is worth top 10 money no doubt.

The Raiders screwed up royally by taking McFadden over him. Being in northern California, I follow the Raiders every fall and it depresses me even though I’m not a fan. I really can’t say that they’ve taken a single step forward towards rebuilding in the last 5 years.

Russell was a stupid pick. McFadden was a stupid pick. Hall was a stupid pick-up, and their cap is gonna be fucked for another 5 years.

The Raiders are the best example of how the rookie salary structure screws bad teams. They’ve already spent too much money on bad top 10 picks to adequately pay for a team. The way they’ll play (awful and painful to the eyes) only sets them up for another top 10 pick next year, and the cycle of suckitude will continue forever.

160

[quote]Dirty_Bulk wrote:
SSC wrote:
as a Gators fan, I just didn’t see what the big fuss about GD was. Defensive tackles should, as far as I’m concerned, never be taken within the top-16 picks in the draft. They’re just not worth the big money, and statistics pretty much prove that they have more of a dynamic effect on defenses, rather than a big, show-stopping role.

Did you miss that month this last season that Dorsey spent as a Heisman front-runner? Playing against the biggest, best lineman in college football, he was the very definition of a “show-stopper.” A good NFL DT, which he will be, is worth top 10 money no doubt.

The Raiders screwed up royally by taking McFadden over him. Being in northern California, I follow the Raiders every fall and it depresses me even though I’m not a fan. I really can’t say that they’ve taken a single step forward towards rebuilding in the last 5 years. Russell was a stupid pick. McFadden was a stupid pick. Hall was a stupid pick-up, and their cap is gonna be fucked for another 5 years.

The Raiders are the best example of how the rookie salary structure screws bad teams. They’ve already spent too much money on bad top 10 picks to adequately pay for a team. The way they’ll play (awful and painful to the eyes) only sets them up for another top 10 pick next year, and the cycle of suckitude will continue forever.[/quote]

Your post almost made me cry.

Don’t forgot Robert Gallery at #2!

it seems every year they draft the wrong player than the next year draft the position they should have the year before.

They should have picked Leinart over Huff (not so sure on this)

Last year they should have picked Peterson, I knew they weren’t going to but I was still angry when they didn’t.

than in following years they draft Russel Stover (Love the nickname Padilla) and Mcfadden.

I can go to damn near every home game with good seats for free but its just a waste of a good Sunday…