2007 DROY (1 Viewer)

[WhoDat]

Ok...

The local brain trust hit big on D. Ryans last year. LOTS o' forum regulars pegged this guy and his run to the DROY award.

The draft has just finished and rookie camps are just starting. However, you can never get going too early with predictions. So...

Rub your rabbit's foot...look into your crystal ball...consult the Magic 8 ball...throw some bones...read some tea leaves...eat a late night/early morning taco from a street vendor in Nuevo Laredo and check your gut...do whatever it is you do and let us know who and why.

Now, if things change, as they do, through camp or someone gets hurt before the season starts, feel free to make an addition.

7 of the last 10 winners have been LB. A DE has not won since Julius Peppers in 2002 but...

I think my early co favorites are J. Anderson or...my dark horse candidate...Q. Moses.

Speaking of Peppers, I see some of that in Anderson. More importantly, I like his story, which is speaking directly to his family life. He has a solid foundation and this should be all about business. He is mature beyond his years. That along with the problems the Falcons could have at DE will see Anderson on the field sooner than later. Between the lines I see a player that could develop into someone like Peppers. The operative word is like, as Peppers is currently a one of kind player at the DE position. I like the talent. I really like the situation but I am still up in the air about the coaching staff, which brings me to Moses.

There was a pretty good dialogue about Moses in the Shark Pool of all places prior to the draft. A year ago this time Moses was the #1 player according to BLESTO. The SEC saw him coming this year. There was talk of him being a player that might be lazy...out of position...a tweener....or all of the above. Equal parts Moses and UGA coaching staff faults. The talent is obviously there and the Raiders really swung for the fence. If Ryan can get Moses to perform and, more importantly put Moses in the right situation to succeed on the field all year...I agree he will do each...this kid could shock some folks. That team defense is going to be good to great on Sundays this year. Moses was the missing piece.

Honorable mention is E. Weddle. That guy is a football player and I really think he will spend equal time at CB, S and even LB. Should the Chargers have a year like last year and their defense is that much better I can see Weddle winning the award. He will have a higher perceived impact value on a playoff team with a number of wins.

Early Rookie Camp Race

Poz (Lord Helmet, massraider, Rudnicki)

Willis (Biabreakable, Magic Man, TecmoBeast)

J. Anderson (Bramel, Whodat)

Landry (tex, Beaumont)

J. Moss (The Man with No Name)

C. Johnson (CC)

Spencer (Bloom)

Adams (jqb95)

Meriweather (Construxboy)

Rouse (bcr8f)

Robinson (reg)

Waters (Kirby and his avatar)

Beason (Domination)

Timmons (ermeyer)

Weddle (Magic Desert Toads)

 

[The Man With No Name]

I'l take Jarvis Moss. On a playoff caliber team who will have the lead in many games will create pass rush opportunities in which he can excel. 10-15 sacks+ playoff team = DROY.

 

[WhoDat]

It looks like CC is about to break it down beyond scientific levels on someone.

 

[Chaos Commish]

I don't care much for Moss as a player, but the description of his situation is compelling. I can see Denver struggling with Cutler in his second season. In the end I doubt Moss is cut out for three down duty as a rookie. He needs to beef up and mature and foot races with Dumervil for the QB will be equally split, if not favoring Elvis.

I like Anderson in Atlanta, but he seems to be dependent on a healthy Abraham taking the pressure off of him. I read that he has a good first step in scouting reports, but I don't see it as NFL quality burst. Leg strength seems to be a concern too. He is great using his long arms and stride to fend of blocks while closing the gap on the QB, but a bunch of his sacks look like coverage sacks to me.

Weddle is my favorite player in the draft and Tomlinson better watch out because the kid can play RB.

I wish him the best and would not be surprised by anything he does. You can count on a few interceptions and forced fumbles and that's if all he does is cover punts. If you think it's tough to make interceptions covering punts, you don't know Eric Weddle. But DROY seems to favor DEs and LBs.

If a DB has as good a shot as Weddle or the unmentioned LaRon Landry, who has to be an early favorite, I offer a super sleeper. Daymeion Hughes, rookie cover 2 CB for the Indianapolis Colts. Rookie CBs are picked on. Indy forces teams to the air. Cover 2 schemes put CBs in position to make great plays. Hughes is very good against the run, and he is the best playmaking corner in this draft. He could be in position to have an amazing rookie season (wink wink IDPers). You don't pick on Daymeion Hughes. That's dumb.

But those LBs seem to have the edge in this competition, and as our most common IDP discussion debates, the highest scorer between Willis, Puz and Beason likely will walk away with the DRoY trophy.

But none of these guys are my prediction. Some of you know what's coming. I have been warning you. I love Quentin Moses and think he is a fine candidate as a sleeper. No doubt he has some fantastic athleticism, and when he turns on the jets few can block him. But I would call your attention to his teammate, the soon to be NFL legend nicknamed Big Bully.

Charles Johnson will be playing opposite Julius Peppers if he can beat out Rucker. It may take a few weeks, but it should be doable. Some think all the attention Moses got left Johnson free to destroy offensive game plans, but that was only early in the season. Check the game film and highlights. Georgia coaches were switching them from left to right and both were doubled about the same-- Moses more early in the season, Johnson more late. Moses was RDE early lining up over the best tackle, and Johnson took that job later. I think the coaches were concerned about Moses falling stock and tried to help him. Either that or Big Bully just earned the blindside pass rushing job by being better. They are both very good prospects. The truth is Moses would have about 7 more sacks if Johnson didn't beat him to the QB. Three of those plays were in the Chick Fill A Bowl. It was amazing watching the two of them destroy VTech's OL and race for the stats. Moses is good, just not better than Big Bully, who kept winning the race despite being the one double teamed in that game.

Against him is his age. He is just 20, practically the same as Okoye. He'll need maturity and a little time dealing with the full grown men in the NFL, but this is the guy coaches took off the field last summer because they couldn't install an offense with him beating on it. He may not have the timed speed as some of these others, but no position is harder to measure with drills, lifts, jumps and runs. They tell us very little in the end. How do you measure a man's ability to duck, lean, and limbo while hand fighting his way through, under or around an extremely violent and powerful 320 pound beast while turning a very sharp corner at full speed? Suggs and Burgess ran 4.8s like Moses and Johnson, and they are far better pass rushers than Moss, Adams, and Anderson, also like Moses and Johnson.

The bad news is for Peppers owners. Johnson may beat him to the QB like he did Moses.

Charles Johnson DROY, if not this year than next for sure.

 

[lord_helmet]

MLB BUF = good run for the money

 

[Chaos Commish]

It looks like CC is about to break it down beyond scientific levels on someone.

Hardly. I love the topic though! Seriously, I have been looking for another chance to pimp Johnson, but his age may hinder him as a rookie and the more seasoned characters like Willis, Moses, Adams, Weddle, Posluzney... they are probably the real favorites.

 

[massraider]

MLB BUF = good run for the money

Yep. Poz is my choice. If there was a 10 sack rook out there, I'd pick him, but I don't see it from this crew.If one of these rook safeties grabs 5-6 INTs, that'd be a good call, but tough to predict that.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Kudos in advance to whomever pegs the DROY this early. We didn't do this until well into training camp last year. WhoDat is getting feisty this year.

If you have to pick today, the smart money might be on a two horse race between Paul Posluszny and Laron Landry although at least one of those already mentioned will probably force his way into the discussion at some point. I've put the rookies on hold for a bit, but I still have some nagging doubts about Posluszny being able to handle the deep drops the Tampa-2 requires of its MLB. And there's nothing sexy about making a bunch of tackles without adding big plays, which Pos is at risk of this year. Landry could make plays all over the field, grab five or six picks in coverage and is capable of multiple defensive scores. But that's a lot of coulds and capables.

So...since going with an underdog seems to be all the rage in this thread so far and we'll no doubt have another thread to confirm or deny our first picks later this summer, I'll throw my early money behind Jamaal Anderson. Anderson is a lock to start at DE across from John Abraham in Week 1 and, with Abraham potentially drawing double teams away from him all season long, is very capable of putting a mid double digit sack season together. Linebackers may look like a safe bet, but consistent every down pass rushers (read: not Mark Anderson) have been the real locks over the past decade. Even the "LB" winners have been pass rushers -- Merriman, Suggs, KBell, PBoulware, even Ryans had five sacks last season.

With all the confidence I can muster in May:

Jamaal Anderson will be the 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Stone cold lock. Mushy lukewarm open gate.

 

[WhoDat]

Kudos in advance to whomever pegs the DROY this early. We didn't do this until well into training camp last year. WhoDat is getting feisty this year.

If you have to pick today, the smart money might be on a two horse race between Paul Posluszny and Laron Landry although at least one of those already mentioned will probably force his way into the discussion at some point. I've put the rookies on hold for a bit, but I still have some nagging doubts about Posluszny being able to handle the deep drops the Tampa-2 requires of its MLB. And there's nothing sexy about making a bunch of tackles without adding big plays, which Pos is at risk of this year. Landry could make plays all over the field, grab five or six picks in coverage and is capable of multiple defensive scores. But that's a lot of coulds and capables.

So...since going with an underdog seems to be all the rage in this thread so far and we'll no doubt have another thread to confirm or deny our first picks later this summer, I'll throw my early money behind Jamaal Anderson. Anderson is a lock to start at DE across from John Abraham in Week 1 and, with Abraham potentially drawing double teams away from him all season long, is very capable of putting a mid double digit sack season together. Linebackers may look like a safe bet, but consistent every down pass rushers (read: not Mark Anderson) have been the real locks over the past decade. Even the "LB" winners have been pass rushers -- Merriman, Suggs, KBell, PBoulware, even Ryans had five sacks last season.

With all the confidence I can muster in May:

Jamaal Anderson will be the 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Stone cold lock. Mushy lukewarm open gate.

Whodat sold his soul last year by trading away nearly all of his 2007 draft picks. Thus, I can be very free with my thoughts while rookie drafts are still happening. However, I am trying very hard to pick up the scraps...4th-6h rounders...in a Zealots draft right now. There is gold in those late rounds I tell you.I completely forgot about C. Johnson. Good call but I could see him stuck in a situational type deal most of the season. Think Bears last year with their 3 DE. Anderson had a GREAT year but not enough to get DROY.

Too many potential impact DE this year for a LB to win it. Sorry but I do not see Poz or Willis bringing it home. One of those kids...Moses or Anderson...will have a type season. Perhaps, it will be Johnson or Moss.

 

[Biabreakable]

I don't care much for Moss as a player, but the description of his situation is compelling. I can see Denver struggling with Cutler in his second season. In the end I doubt Moss is cut out for three down duty as a rookie. He needs to beef up and mature and foot races with Dumervil for the QB will be equally split, if not favoring Elvis.

I like Anderson in Atlanta, but he seems to be dependent on a healthy Abraham taking the pressure off of him. I read that he has a good first step in scouting reports, but I don't see it as NFL quality burst. Leg strength seems to be a concern too. He is great using his long arms and stride to fend of blocks while closing the gap on the QB, but a bunch of his sacks look like coverage sacks to me.

Weddle is my favorite player in the draft and Tomlinson better watch out because the kid can play RB.

I wish him the best and would not be surprised by anything he does. You can count on a few interceptions and forced fumbles and that's if all he does is cover punts. If you think it's tough to make interceptions covering punts, you don't know Eric Weddle. But DROY seems to favor DEs and LBs.

If a DB has as good a shot as Weddle or the unmentioned LaRon Landry, who has to be an early favorite, I offer a super sleeper. Daymeion Hughes, rookie cover 2 CB for the Indianapolis Colts. Rookie CBs are picked on. Indy forces teams to the air. Cover 2 schemes put CBs in position to make great plays. Hughes is very good against the run, and he is the best playmaking corner in this draft. He could be in position to have an amazing rookie season (wink wink IDPers). You don't pick on Daymeion Hughes. That's dumb.

But those LBs seem to have the edge in this competition, and as our most common IDP discussion debates, the highest scorer between Willis, Puz and Beason likely will walk away with the DRoY trophy.

But none of these guys are my prediction. Some of you know what's coming. I have been warning you. I love Quentin Moses and think he is a fine candidate as a sleeper. No doubt he has some fantastic athleticism, and when he turns on the jets few can block him. But I would call your attention to his teammate, the soon to be NFL legend nicknamed Big Bully.

Charles Johnson will be playing opposite Julius Peppers if he can beat out Rucker. It may take a few weeks, but it should be doable. Some think all the attention Moses got left Johnson free to destroy offensive game plans, but that was only early in the season. Check the game film and highlights. Georgia coaches were switching them from left to right and both were doubled about the same-- Moses more early in the season, Johnson more late. Moses was RDE early lining up over the best tackle, and Johnson took that job later. I think the coaches were concerned about Moses falling stock and tried to help him. Either that or Big Bully just earned the blindside pass rushing job by being better. They are both very good prospects. The truth is Moses would have about 7 more sacks if Johnson didn't beat him to the QB. Three of those plays were in the Chick Fill A Bowl. It was amazing watching the two of them destroy VTech's OL and race for the stats. Moses is good, just not better than Big Bully, who kept winning the race despite being the one double teamed in that game.

Against him is his age. He is just 20, practically the same as Okoye. He'll need maturity and a little time dealing with the full grown men in the NFL, but this is the guy coaches took off the field last summer because they couldn't install an offense with him beating on it. He may not have the timed speed as some of these others, but no position is harder to measure with drills, lifts, jumps and runs. They tell us very little in the end. How do you measure a man's ability to duck, lean, and limbo while hand fighting his way through, under or around an extremely violent and powerful 320 pound beast while turning a very sharp corner at full speed? Suggs and Burgess ran 4.8s like Moses and Johnson, and they are far better pass rushers than Moss, Adams, and Anderson, also like Moses and Johnson.

The bad news is for Peppers owners. Johnson may beat him to the QB like he did Moses.

Charles Johnson DROY, if not this year than next for sure.

Great post CC and a fun read. I really like Johnson also what a beast. And he is the only Dlineman to match the strength of Carriker in measured reps at workouts. 33 of them. I think I may get a bit too obsessed with this but strength like speed is somthing that is hard to teach. To be successful as a Dlineman you need to be able to hold your ground against the big uglies and not get worn down. Moses wishes he could rag doll Olinemen like Johnson at such a young age can and he hasn't grown into his old man strength yet.That being said Rucker is a very good player and wont give up his starting position easily. This compitition will be very good for the Panthers defense who got 2 players who can really help them be a dominant unit again as long as thier safety play is decent.

The other Panther here is Jon Beason who could be a good canidate for DROY if Dan Morgan cannot play.

But I have to go with Patrick Willis here who is going to be the center piece of a new and improved 49er defense and team that I see being on the rise. I cannot recall the last time I have seen a player with the combination of talent, charecter work eithic and performance that is Partick Willis. I see him being the player that Mike Singeltary worked so hard to be with even more god given ability. I think the 9ers will use him in a lot of different ways and he will make big plays along with a ton of tackles as they scheme the defense to allow Willis to take games over for them.

 

[jgb95]

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Let me be the first to add Anthony Spencer to the mix...

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

I'd consider Posluszny to be the favorite at this point, but I think Landry and Adams could make a big impact as well.

 

[jgb95]

If Gaines Adams is put in from day one in that Tampa 2 D I think he'll be very much in the mix!!!!

 

[Chaos Commish]

Let me be the first to add Anthony Spencer to the mix...

Did you see Charles Johnson's private workout #s? 4.68. So the strongest DE in the class is second fastest and only a 24 year old selected #4 overall is faster? Whew. Johnson isn't just faster and stronger than Spencer, he is quicker much meaner and a far better all around athlete. I vote for Timmons!

 

[Jene Bramel]

Let me be the first to add Anthony Spencer to the mix...

I vote for Timmons!

This is beginning to resemble Celebrity Death Match IDP style.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Let me be the first to add Anthony Spencer to the mix...

I vote for Timmons!

This is beginning to resemble Celebrity Death Match IDP style.

Lets hope our teams first round picks make us both look bad for doubting them.Leon Hall, on the other hand...

 

[Chaos Commish]

Let me be the first to add Anthony Spencer to the mix...

I vote for Timmons!

This is beginning to resemble Celebrity Death Match IDP style.

Lets hope our teams first round picks make us both look bad for doubting them.Leon Hall, on the other hand...

Ouch. Actually, I've been spending some time following Cowboy chatter, and while it is very much (dr)afterglow from the pick, I'm much more open to it. It was pointed out to me that Edwards was killing it at Minny but blown assignments cost him PT, while Ninkovich was about as impressive as any young rookie DE last preseason. Spencer is a real hard worker and one reasonably sourced rumor suggests he may replace Ware and Ware may replace Ellis. Bloom, no way I could follow a guy like Antwan Barnes from Florida International. What do you have on him? According to a depth chart I'm looking at he has pretty good shot at starting. Could end up all over the field like Thomas was?

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Bloom, no way I could follow a guy like Antwan Barnes from Florida International. What do you have on him? According to a depth chart I'm looking at he has pretty good shot at starting. Could end up all over the field like Thomas was?

He's right there with Timmons for quickest to the QB in the entire draft class. I watched him all week at Texas vs. the Nation and his closing speed on the QB and ability to get past the OT's outside shoulder before they were completely set was astounding. He put on an encore in the game, where I believe he had 2 or 3 sacks. He's going to have issues converting to LB, but I expect them to groom him to eventually push Jarret Johnson, who is slated to replace Adalius this year.It's going to take time for him to be comfortable in the role, but he's a very intriguing player. He should make a nice 3rd down pass rush specialist until he works out the kinks in the transition to LB. I really wanted the Steelers to take him in the 4th instead of Timmons in the 1st.

 

[bcr8f]

Rouse.

 

[WhoDat]

Rouse.

You joining the homer match or is that a serious call? Need quick ruling so I can edit the list.

 

[Magic Man]

Put me down for Willis!

 

[ConstruxBoy]

I'm going with Meriweather.

 

[tex]

I'll go with the top playmaker in this class--Laron Landry,

 

[Chaos Commish]

I'm going with Meriweather.

Good call.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

I'm going with Meriweather.

Good call.

Good team, check.Big hits/highlights likely, check.Replacing a great, under appreciated player that seldom got accolades (Harrison), check. People will be saying that Meriweather is a younger version of Harrison and that's exactly what the Pats have been missing the last couple of years. Not saying I agree, but those type of things are what wins these awards.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

I'm going with Meriweather.

Good call.

Good team, check.Big hits/highlights likely, check.Replacing a great, under appreciated player that seldom got accolades (Harrison), check. People will be saying that Meriweather is a younger version of Harrison and that's exactly what the Pats have been missing the last couple of years. Not saying I agree, but those type of things are what wins these awards.

I think Meriweather fits in much better at free safety, personally. I project him to play nickel back or replace Eugene Wilson early on, but maybe he moves to SS eventually.have the Pats said anything about their plans for him? Do you think Rodney Harrison is done?

 

[ConstruxBoy]

I'm going with Meriweather.

Good call.

Good team, check.Big hits/highlights likely, check.Replacing a great, under appreciated player that seldom got accolades (Harrison), check. People will be saying that Meriweather is a younger version of Harrison and that's exactly what the Pats have been missing the last couple of years. Not saying I agree, but those type of things are what wins these awards.

I think Meriweather fits in much better at free safety, personally. I project him to play nickel back or replace Eugene Wilson early on, but maybe he moves to SS eventually.have the Pats said anything about their plans for him? Do you think Rodney Harrison is done?

I haven't read their plans, but I do think Harrison has slipped the last couple of years and a player like Meriweather that can come in and bring some hitting and big plays back to that secondary would be noticed.

 

[reg]

Greenway.....

As far as Vikes, if Erasmus doesn't get back in time, Robison could be really good. Chili likes him and talks about his non-stop motor.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Just to elaborate a little bit more on my "theory", I think it helps to make a noticeable difference at a position as a rookie to get the accolades. So a NE DB that does well? That's different from the last couple of seasons when they had to play Troy Brown some and Harrison has slipped. Compare that to, say, a CAR DL doing well (Johnson), a BUF LB doing well (Posluszny) or a WAS DB doing well (Landry). It's been done before and is expected, so I think it's harder for those rookies to make an impact in the minds of the voters.

 

[lord_helmet]

Its way too early to write off Harrison, he's coming back with vengeance. One season only value pick

 

[Jene Bramel]

I'm going with Meriweather.

Good call.

Good team, check.Big hits/highlights likely, check.

Replacing a great, under appreciated player that seldom got accolades (Harrison), check.

People will be saying that Meriweather is a younger version of Harrison and that's exactly what the Pats have been missing the last couple of years. Not saying I agree, but those type of things are what wins these awards.

I think Meriweather fits in much better at free safety, personally. I project him to play nickel back or replace Eugene Wilson early on, but maybe he moves to SS eventually.have the Pats said anything about their plans for him? Do you think Rodney Harrison is done?

Agree. If anyone sees/reads/hears otherwise, it's big news. I don't see Meriweather as a Harrison/Rhodes/Jones type player. He's more of a Brodney Pool type FS talent.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

I'm going with Meriweather.

Good call.

Good team, check.Big hits/highlights likely, check.

Replacing a great, under appreciated player that seldom got accolades (Harrison), check.

People will be saying that Meriweather is a younger version of Harrison and that's exactly what the Pats have been missing the last couple of years. Not saying I agree, but those type of things are what wins these awards.

I think Meriweather fits in much better at free safety, personally. I project him to play nickel back or replace Eugene Wilson early on, but maybe he moves to SS eventually.have the Pats said anything about their plans for him? Do you think Rodney Harrison is done?

Agree. If anyone sees/reads/hears otherwise, it's big news. I don't see Meriweather as a Harrison/Rhodes/Jones type player. He's more of a Brodney Pool type FS talent.

You're probably right. I guess I should have been more clear that I didn't mean replacing Harrison in the lineup, but more replacing his presence in the defensive backfield. Even at FS he can do that to some degree.

 

[Kirby]

Anthony Waters

 

[Chaos Commish]

I'm going with Meriweather. :whoosh:

Good call.

Good team, check.Big hits/highlights likely, check.

Replacing a great, under appreciated player that seldom got accolades (Harrison), check.

People will be saying that Meriweather is a younger version of Harrison and that's exactly what the Pats have been missing the last couple of years. Not saying I agree, but those type of things are what wins these awards.

I think Meriweather fits in much better at free safety, personally. I project him to play nickel back or replace Eugene Wilson early on, but maybe he moves to SS eventually.have the Pats said anything about their plans for him? Do you think Rodney Harrison is done?

Agree. If anyone sees/reads/hears otherwise, it's big news. I don't see Meriweather as a Harrison/Rhodes/Jones type player. He's more of a Brodney Pool type FS talent.

You're probably right. I guess I should have been more clear that I didn't mean replacing Harrison in the lineup, but more replacing his presence in the defensive backfield. Even at FS he can do that to some degree.

When I said Meriweather was a good pick, I was not thinking SS or IDP value. I thought this was about rookie of the year. Meriweather is an Ed Reed type of talent. Brodney Pool? He's a big slow dude compared to Meriweather, who is just 5-11 and little over 190. Meriweather is one of those guys who is just always around the football... like Weddle. Jene, maybe you can help me here, but I had the feeling the Pats use both safeties fairly interchangeably, right?

 

[Beaumont]

I'll go with the top playmaker in this class--Laron Landry,

I'm all in on this one ...

 

[Jene Bramel]

When I said Meriweather was a good pick, I was not thinking SS or IDP value. I thought this was about rookie of the year. Meriweather is an Ed Reed type of talent. Brodney Pool? He's a big slow dude compared to Meriweather, who is just 5-11 and little over 190. Meriweather is one of those guys who is just always around the football... like Weddle.

Jene, maybe you can help me here, but I had the feeling the Pats use both safeties fairly interchangeably, right?

Pool and Meriweather are similar in skill set to me. Both better in coverage, and more likely to make an impact against a slot receiver than in racking up tackles in run support. Not to say that they won't come up and wrap up a guy, but I'm not particularly scared of either as a physical presence. I like them both as players -- a lot -- but I can't get excited about either's IDP value in their respective positions.The Pats are impossible to figure out for the most part because Belichick's hybrid is a true hybrid. They'll do anything or everything against anyone at anytime if Belichick wills it to be so.

But it appears to me that there are three very defined roles on a Belichick coached team. One, there has to be a nose tackle. The ends can be 4-3 guys or end/tackle tweeners, but there has to be a NT. Two, one of the ILBs has to understand the ins and outs of the entire front seven. I haven't seen that carry over to the Browns and Jets yet, but Mangini hinted all year long that Vilma was struggling to learn that role. The OLB and other ILB can be any old guy if necessary. And third, the SS is the quarterback of the defense. Belichick has said many times that it would take a while to groom a guy to play that role. The player has to be good in coverage, has to know exactly when to be a presence in run support, and will get used in pass rush routinely. It took Sean Jones three off-seasons (one in the playbook recovering from the ACL, one as a backup, and last camp in competition) before he fully grasped the role and exploded. There were many reports from the Browns about the learning curve he faced being steeper than the typical SS.

The Pats may have used their safeties interchangeably in recent seasons while Harrison was injured. But when the team is in the 3-4, which Belichick prefers as the base front, the SS is usually an in-the-box player. I think Meriweather could fill that role -- Belichick himself referred to him as smart, physical for his size and versatile -- which is why I'm so interested in seeing any news about it. So far, though, it's mostly been speculated that he'll play that slot corner/cover safety role that Eugene Wilson had a little success with a while back.

 

[redman]

I'll go with the top playmaker in this class--Laron Landry,

I'm all in on this one ...

If sportswriters vote on this award, you can forget about Landry or any other Redskins player getting it unless he looks like King Kong out there. The team's relationship with the media downright sucks.

 

[erymer]

I'm going with Timmons. with his speed and the way Pittsburgh traditionally uses LB's to the best of their ability. I really see him giving QB's in the AFC north nightmares. He did not get alot of attention with guys like Willis and Pos in the draft class, but I think he will perform very well.

 

[TecmoBeast]

chalk me up for Willis... he'll outperform Brandon Moore's late season surge and get some sacks too

 

[Domination]

I am going to say that Morgan can't stay healthy and the other LBs aren't that good. So I go with.....

Jon Beason

Miami is money for defensive players.

 

[bcr8f]

I'll go with the top playmaker in this class--Laron Landry,

I'm all in on this one ...

He's a better bet as safeties go but I had to go with the home team. Rouse could start so anything could happen.

 

[Toads]

So much talk about Rouse and rightfully so. Merriweather, too....well deserved.

I'll back Weddle who'll start day #1 and have to defend a lot of passes from teams playing catch-up against a great pass rush.....dying duck interceptions for the center fielder.

 

[WhoDat]

Ok, I have been busy...REALLY busy this spring/summer...but I got this going a couple months back. I just caught Gator's thread.

Tick...Bramel...can one of you guys merge the threads and let Gator have access?

 

[Jene Bramel]

Ok, I have been busy...REALLY busy this spring/summer...but I got this going a couple months back. I just caught Gator's thread. Tick...Bramel...can one of you guys merge the threads and let Gator have access?

I put a link to this one early in the newer one. I'll just edit the times in the thread titles for comparison's sake.

 

[The Gator]

Cool, sorry I missed this one and added another.

 

[Rozelle]

I'm gonna have to go with Jamaal Anderson

 

[slickwillie]

another vote for boilermaker anthony spencer

 

[ninerfanatic492000]

i know he got a late start but Revis can be the guy the jets sorely need. i may be in the minority but i think he's the best playmaker of the rookie DB's(not Landry). i always saw Landry as the terrific athlete that made the plays he was designed to make using his great athleticism, but not the great playmaker by himself individually like Revis. i know i will get flamed for saying this but i see Landry as a pumped up Adam Archuleta. He will be incredibly effective while schemed properly. let the flaming begin

 

[onionsack]

So much talk about Rouse and rightfully so. Merriweather, too....well deserved.

I'll back Weddle who'll start day #1 and have to defend a lot of passes from teams playing catch-up against a great pass rush.....dying duck interceptions for the center fielder.

:(

Not looking like he's going to be starting from day one at this point. Just a FYI.

Coach Norv Turner indicated that Clinton Hart has beaten out rookie Eric Weddle for the starting strong safety job.

"I like the way Clinton Hart is playing so that kind of answers the question," Turner said.