Comments on: Four Downs – Building a Winner through The Draft

By: The White Tiger

The White Tiger — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:31:28 +0000

I would have thought that the use of our own draft picks could be used to lure a new coach and staff – but because we didn’t – I have resigned myself to the reality that this staff is committed to.

That effects this discussion in this way: We still don’t know if Raheem likes a hybrid, because that’s all he could run from this roster – or if he wants to run a more traditional “Sapp-like” 4-3 that utilizes a one-gap penetrator at UT/DT?

Since the type of defense isn’t truly known – we don’t really know what Raheem Morris values – and even IF he values either of the two DT’s at the top of the draft.

I think with all the talent in THIS draft you cannot consider trading down from the 3rd pick. It is not a gift bestowed on teams to dispose of as they see fit – it is an order from the league to improve the talent of your team.

I understand many think Tyson Alualu is a great pick – but I don’t see how all the experts could miss on calculating his talent. He is currently not considered a 1st round talent – so he’s not considered to be as ready to play in the NFL. How then, could he offer value to us?

You trade down when you’re building bench strength and need depth – not when you need to build a group of starters. Only strong teams should have the ability to trade their high picks – especially if the weaker team is only trading down to escape the financial impact of their poor play. I guess though that it would prove the old saying: Their’s a sucker born every minute.

After all – wasn’t Ryan Leaf better than Peyton Manning?

By: John

John — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:21:22 +0000

Very good. I like the formula and the facts to back it up.
One thing I am weighing heavy for this upcoming draft is all teams realize the talent pool will be thin in the 2011 draft. Therefore, trade bait of 2011 draft picks should be very high. For instance the Bucs GM and Rams GM can both easily get what they want, the BUCS get SUH and the Rams get a QB with the #3 overall pick and either Bucs 2nd rnd (3 or 11) pick or 1st/2nd rnd pick in 2011. The use of 2011 draft picks should definately help mortgage many coaching staffs future, especially the Bucs.
I expect the use of current and/or future draft picks to be used to move down into the later picks of the 1st round to pick up TYSON ALUALU, a DE/DT, or a top LB/CB

By: Roland Johnson

Roland Johnson — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 07:25:28 +0000

I actually think that if you look further back with you analysis you will see that the Bengals in 2002 drafted LT Levi Jones the year before they drafted Carson Palmer. On aside note the Ravens used the supplemental draft to select the behemoth LT Jared Gaither the year before selecting Flacco.

It’s very interesting that when looking back at history, you can gain some type of base line to study and use as a predictor of the future.

However, it does lend credence to your theory that teams either draft a potential franchise quarterback or left tackle in the same year or a year a part from one another.

Based off of the data supplied, a valid argument could be made that the Rams could be targeting a QB, the Lions could be targeting a LT and the Jaguars could be targeting a quarterback.

Which leaves two teams the Redskins and the Bills who both had coaching changes needing both franchise pieces at this stage.

It will be very interesting to see if the theory holds up.

As far as teams passing on Suh there are three factors that might see McCoy drafted a head of Suh. They are Suh’s age, he injury history and the fact some might feel the McCoy’s ceiling is higher.