Sammy Watkins was destined to be a Raider.

Yeah, I'm just playing off stereotypes. It's laughable to see everyone pan the Russell pick all these years later because he was "can't miss" after that Sugar Bowl. I remember reading about how awesome Gallery was in either SI or ESPN the Mag.

tkihshbt wrote:

Yeah, I'm just playing off stereotypes. It's laughable to see everyone pan the Russell pick all these years later because he was "can't miss" after that Sugar Bowl. I remember reading about how awesome Gallery was in either SI or ESPN the Mag.

I've been convinced these guys are just throwing darts ever since Paul Zimmerman said he thought he Dolphins wasted a pick on Dan Marino. And the genuflecting at the altar of Belichick is ridicuous. Here's a list of Happy Bill's first round picks since he's been in control of the Patriots:
2001: Richard Seymour (6)
2002: Daniel Graham (21)
2003: Ty Warren (13)
2004: Vince Wilfork (21); Benjamin Watson (32)
2005: Logan Mankins (32)
2006: Laurence Maroney (21)
2007: Brandon Meriweather (24)
2008: Jerod Mayo (10)
2010: Devin McCourty (27)
2011: Nate Solder (17)
2012: Chandler Jones (21); Dont'a Hightower (25)

Granted, Belichick is usually picking later in the first round, but there are almost as many misses as hits in there. Seymour, Wilfork, Mayo and Mankins were or are All-Pro players, Solder is very good and the two picks in 2012 have played pretty well, but the two tight ends were only marginal players, Warren didn't give them much, Meriweather was bust, and Maroney was a huge bust. McCourty starts, but at safety and not corner because he can't cover a wide receiver.
Not that the draft is all about the first round, but there's a lot of "If Belichick made the pick, it must be a good one" herd mentality that just isn't true.
 

forsberg_us wrote:

My dream scenario for the Rams (assuming they can't trade down) is Watkins at 2 and Aaron Donald at 13. But I fully expect them to take an o-lineman and d-back. I think the Manziel talk is all smoke and mirrors.

I'll go on record right now--I have a bad feeling Greg Robinson = Jason Smith. If I'm taking a tackle at #2, I'm not taking one who still needs to be taught to pass block. Give me the safer pick in Jake Matthews.

 
Yeah, I'm not high on Robinson either. I don't know if he = Jason Smith, but I'm wary of guys who are suddenly talked about as top picks because they flashed big on nationally televised games.

"artie fufkin" wrote:

Not that the draft is all about the first round, but there's a lot of "If Belichick made the pick, it must be a good one" herd mentality that just isn't true.

There's also a lot of "Belichick is a defensive genius" herd mentality that isn't true. One thing is certain: the Patriots will draft a corner back and someone will talk about how "Belichick does it again! He turned a first round pick into two thirds! What value!

If you're watching the ESPN version of the draft, it's become the Johnny Football Watch.

Last edited by artie_fufkin (5/08/2014 8:21 pm)

Why is Ray Lewis on this panel?

"I still would've preferred Matthews. That guy is going to be rock solid in this league for 10 years."

Every clip they showed of Matthews last night, he was either putting someone on his arse on a run block or easily keeping a pass rusher from getting to Manziel.
The other guy who impressed me on video was Watkins. 

I'm still not convinced the Rams aren't going to another city in the not too distant future.

I was a bit surprised to see Marquis Lee still sitting undrafted....

tkihshbt wrote:

forsberg_us wrote:

Got half of my dream scenario. I can live with that. The Rams d-line is scary good.

 
Unfortunately, they still can't score any points. In a way it's probably good that they didn't draft Watkins, because I would hate seeing someone with all that potential wasted by Brian Schottenheimer.

I still would've preferred Matthews. That guy is going to be rock solid in this league for 10 years.

Understand what you're saying but (and I didn't realize this), they averaged 23 points per game over the last 8 games of the season.  There were a couple of clunkers in there for sure, but 23 points should be enough to win more games than they lose with the defense they're assembling.

Personally, if I'm the Rams I take best player available with every remaining pick.  They aren't winning the Super Bowl this season.  They just need to stock pile talent, regardless of position.

I'm not convinced the Raiders got any better. Maybe Derek Carr will work out. I suppose grabbing a QB in the second round is worth a shot at breaking the cycle of lousy quarterbacks over the last decade-plus.

I'm concerned about the competition Mack played against in college. He looked great against Michigan, but anyone can have one good game. 
Carr will get about one half of the first game before people start calling for him to start. 
They're so much worse than any of the other teams in the divison, they should drop down to the California Penal League for a year or two and then come back to the NFL.
And then I found out this week the Broncos signed DeMarcus Ware. Where are they getting all this salary cap room? It's not like Pat Bowlen has ever tried to play fast and loose with the salary cap.

Last edited by artie_fufkin (5/11/2014 10:56 pm)

forsberg_us wrote:

Final tally from the RGIII trade

Greg Robinson
Alec Ogletree
Stedman Bailey
Zac Stacy
Michael Brockers
Janoris Jenkins
Isaiah Pead
Rokevious Watkins

5 starters, 2 bench players and 1 guy they cut for being lazy. I think the trade worked out OK.

I think so, too, though Pead and Watkins are disappointments. But it's impossible to strike on everyone.