2008 Rookie Draft (1 Viewer)

[J Andersson]

Unfortunately, Laurinaitis is the only LB who was projected in the top 15 of the draft.Everyone else (Connor, Rivers, Lofton, Highsmith, etc.) is projected late 1st to early 2nd round at the earliest. Looks like a thin year for IDP help.

Apparently Keith Rivers have really impressed scouts with his performance so far at the Senior Bowl. He's been the best LB by far is what I've heard (while Dan Connor and Phillip Wheeler also have turned in good performances so far).This is a very good sign of things to come for Rivers as lately both Patrick Willis and DeMeco Ryans made themselves known through very sold Senior Bowl weeks.However, this may be a weaker LB class than we've seen in some time no matter what. Next year we'll see Laurinaitis (whom imo may be a bit overrated) and Maualuga (he will be great) head the class it appears at this point.

 

[J Giles Band]

Was hoping there would be some posts with guys impressions after the Senior Bowl yesterday... oh well.

I only got to watch about half the game, but here were mine in that limited time:

The defensive linemen (Sedrick Ellis & Lawrence Jackson) looked better than the LBers. Ellis, in particular, dominated the action I saw. It was obvious why he is considered a top 10 pick and most of the guys he was going against are 2nd day picks.

Ellis and Jackson each had sacks and were getting consistent penetration.

Connor had one great hit I saw and was in on a number of tackles (true to his history). Despite all the love Rivers got in the practices this week, I didn't see him in on a single play (again - I didn't see the entire game - so I'm interested to hear what anyone else saw).

Saw Terrell Thomas help break up a pass, but he was out of position and not prepared to make the hit on the WR had he caught the ball. Looked like a footwork issue to me.

Lastly (I know this isn't an IDP issue), the QB's looked horrible to me (which helped the defensive players). Not a fan of any of them at the Senior Bowl. Outside of Ryan (who I'm not in love with either), I don't think there is a single 1st round pick at QB (unless someone takes a flier on Brohm). I wouldn't want to be looking for QB help in the draft this year.

Interested to hear others impressions...

 

[J Andersson]

Connor had one great hit I saw and was in on a number of tackles (true to his history). Despite all the love Rivers got in the practices this week, I didn't see him in on a single play (again - I didn't see the entire game - so I'm interested to hear what anyone else saw).Lastly (I know this isn't an IDP issue), the QB's looked horrible to me (which helped the defensive players). Not a fan of any of them at the Senior Bowl. Outside of Ryan (who I'm not in love with either), I don't think there is a single 1st round pick at QB (unless someone takes a flier on Brohm). I wouldn't want to be looking for QB help in the draft this year.

Ellis apeared every bit as good as Dorsey and I'm not sure I view Dorsey as better. For FF purposes I think I prefer Ellis in fact although both might have marginal value.I'm also a little bit worried about Keith Rivers tendencies to disappear in games. He didn't dominate many games this season while at USC either (where Maualuga appeared a lot more active). However, to me it appeared Rivers was in on many plays although none spectacular (and Matt Forte just ran over him on one play). I didn't see much of Phillip Wheeler, the other LB that got a lot of hype throughout the week, however. Wheeler might be a workout warrior and very good at practices but are the in-game instincts right?I did like that Rodgers-Cromartie kid at CB.And while this is the IDP forum I have to agree that you can't help but notice that the QBs look awful. I also happen to think the ones not here (Brohm and Ryan) are way overrated as it is. Plenty of teams will get burned picking QBs in this draft. RB class is awful as well if it was coming down to the Seniors (thankfully they are helped out by a great junior class), saw some interesting WRs (Lavell Hawkins, Donnie Avery, Andre Caldwell) that could be steals in the 2nd or 3rd round. Like that Chris Williams kid out of Vanderbilt as well (OT).

 

[J Giles Band]

 

[Warpig]

Connor had one great hit I saw and was in on a number of tackles (true to his history). Despite all the love Rivers got in the practices this week, I didn't see him in on a single play (again - I didn't see the entire game - so I'm interested to hear what anyone else saw).Lastly (I know this isn't an IDP issue), the QB's looked horrible to me (which helped the defensive players). Not a fan of any of them at the Senior Bowl. Outside of Ryan (who I'm not in love with either), I don't think there is a single 1st round pick at QB (unless someone takes a flier on Brohm). I wouldn't want to be looking for QB help in the draft this year.

Ellis apeared every bit as good as Dorsey and I'm not sure I view Dorsey as better. For FF purposes I think I prefer Ellis in fact although both might have marginal value.I'm also a little bit worried about Keith Rivers tendencies to disappear in games. He didn't dominate many games this season while at USC either (where Maualuga appeared a lot more active). However, to me it appeared Rivers was in on many plays although none spectacular (and Matt Forte just ran over him on one play). I didn't see much of Phillip Wheeler, the other LB that got a lot of hype throughout the week, however. Wheeler might be a workout warrior and very good at practices but are the in-game instincts right?I did like that Rodgers-Cromartie kid at CB.And while this is the IDP forum I have to agree that you can't help but notice that the QBs look awful. I also happen to think the ones not here (Brohm and Ryan) are way overrated as it is. Plenty of teams will get burned picking QBs in this draft. RB class is awful as well if it was coming down to the Seniors (thankfully they are helped out by a great junior class), saw some interesting WRs (Lavell Hawkins, Donnie Avery, Andre Caldwell) that could be steals in the 2nd or 3rd round. Like that Chris Williams kid out of Vanderbilt as well (OT).

Weird...this is almost exactly what I said in the Senior bowl forum that is tacked to the top of the page.I agree that Ellis may be the better of he and Dorsey. DRC is a playmaker and displayed the willingness to make fundamental tackles as well. What has me concerned is that they said he has been training with Deion Sanders...and everyone knows Deion did not like the physical part of football.I was totally unimpressed with the LB play across the board. I did see Rivers all over the field but he didn't make any plays that stood out. Dizon may have been the best LB in the game. He was all over the place too but just nothing that stood out.Connor and Rivers both got ran over at certain times in the game. Lavell Hawkins is shooting up draft boards and should be taken ahead of Adarius Bowman.The QB's in this class are putrid...I mean really...like what your car would smell like if you puked in it and left the windows up in 100 degree heat over the weekend! Unfortunately teams will draft them higher than warranted because they'll think they can be corrected or coached...good luck with that!Deep class of Rb's this year but only because, as you said, the underclassmen that are in the mix. Though I do believe that Forte and Choice will be solid later round picks.This is a great year to trade those overhyped first round picks for more proven veterans if you can get anyone to bite.

 

[J Andersson]

Weird...this is almost exactly what I said in the Senior bowl forum that is tacked to the top of the page.

That's probably because we're equally brilliant wouldn't you say?

 

[J Giles Band]

Regarding our discussion on the lack of quality LB play... I recently read that an opposing Pac 10 coach said the USC defensive lineman were even better than advertised and the USC linebackers were overrated. He insisted that their DL constantly covered the mistakes of their LB's.

At this point, this appears to be accurate.

 

[Barry Jive and The Uptown Five]

I'm also a little bit worried about Keith Rivers tendencies to disappear in games. He didn't dominate many games this season while at USC either (where Maualuga appeared a lot more active). However, to me it appeared Rivers was in on many plays although none spectacular (and Matt Forte just ran over him on one play). I didn't see much of Phillip Wheeler, the other LB that got a lot of hype throughout the week, however. Wheeler might be a workout warrior and very good at practices but are the in-game instincts right?

I don't know if you got a chance to see GT play this year, but I think his game films fantastic pad speed & instincts. The guy was always making impact plays, sack, INT, FF, FR, whatever.Heading into the draft season, work-out warrior is definitely not a term I would associate with Wheeler. I thought he was going to be a tad on the small side, maybe. But his SR Bowl weigh-in revealed 6'2 1/4" & 245 lbs. That'll do.

 

[Jene Bramel]

This is easily one of the best threads of the last 12 months. Thanks everyone.

 

[J Giles Band]

Jene - your point about the off season discussion being every bit as interesting as the in season discussion certainly has merit.

Good stuff

 

[Rozelle]

Missed all of the Senior Bowl coverage, forgot to set the DVR.

Anyone know if/when NFL network will re-air.

 

[redman]

Regarding our discussion on the lack of quality LB play... I recently read that an opposing Pac 10 coach said the USC defensive lineman were even better than advertised and the USC linebackers were overrated. He insisted that their DL constantly covered the mistakes of their LB's.At this point, this appears to be accurate.

Interesting. I could certainly buy that as being plausible given how dominant that defensive line was, although I do think Maualuga is the real deal - it's a moot point this year because he stayed in school. Rivers may be a guy to watch in that regard though.

 

[J Andersson]

I don't know if you got a chance to see GT play this year, but I think his game films fantastic pad speed & instincts. The guy was always making impact plays, sack, INT, FF, FR, whatever.

True, I didn't really see a lot of him just an odd game or two - hence the question mark. I would think a player of Phillip Wheeler's size and speed might be projected higher (given the state of this year's LB group and that this has the looks of a weak class overall). The reason why he's not might be because he's a talent with raw skills - that's was my main concern (and the Senior Bowl didn't lead me anywhere else). However, you're saying he's not and thus underrated as a pro prospect?Might he be compared in any way to Oakland's Thomas Howard perhaps?

 

[J Giles Band]

Anyone know the dates of the NFL scouting combine?

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Anyone know the dates of the NFL scouting combine?

Web Feb 20 - Tue Feb 26

 

[coolnerd]

This is easily one of the best threads of the last 12 months. Thanks everyone.

concur

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Funny... that's pretty much what was said last year about Connor succeeding Poz. If I'm not mistaken Poz broke the tackle record and Connor broke the tackle record this year. If Lee breaks it, that'll make 3 years in a row it has been broken.Makes me wonder when they started tracking tackles there...Regardless, that's a heckuva a string of LB's. Guess that's why they call it LB U?

Ok...who is the better LB? Dan Connor or James Laurenaitis? I've already said I'm not impressed with the Safety impersonating a LB Laurenaitis...but I haven't seen a single Penn game to see what Connor offers.

I'm in much the same boat Warpig. The only time I watched Laurenaitis was in their bowl game this year. He was in on a ton of tackles, but as previously mentioned it was almost always 5-10 yards down the field. Can't recall a single play where he stuffed a guy at the line of scrimmage. He did almost keep Hester out of the end zone on that goal line play (and I actually thought he stopped him short).All that said, I did not come away thinking of Laurenaitis as a physical LB. Good sideline-to-sideline to speed for sure. But not a run stuffer.I watched Connor a couple times during the regular season and he struck me as the type of guy who is always in the right place at the right time. Maybe not as big or fast as the ideal NFL MLB and will likely not test as well as a Patrick Willis which may hurt his draft stock. But a guy along the lines of Poszluzny, Zach Thomas or Spielman at MLB. Great nose for the ball and incredibly productive. Every game I saw he had around 15 tackles or more.

So other people are seeing the same things I saw in Laurenaitis too. Good. I just think he grades out to be a better safety at the NFL level than an LB. No run stuffing ability or block shedding abilities. But he seems to be able to read the ball while it's in the air or break on routes (shown by his nice INT numbers). Maybe he could be a productive guy if he lands in a cushy Tampa 2 style defense ala Cato June...but we'd have to see who drafts him obviously.I'm anxious to learn more about Connor now. I like guys that are run-stuffers and have the ability to shoot a gap and either stop the ball carrier in the back field or atleast have the athleticism to run him down for minimal gain if the play is away.

I'm biased as a Penn State grad but I think Connor is a better LB than Laurenaitis, although Laurenaitis could certainly become a better fantasy option depending on the team and scheme. But he was pretty overrated this season based on his name and his Sophomore season.

 

[J Giles Band]

Anyone know the dates of the NFL scouting combine?

Web Feb 20 - Tue Feb 26

Thanks

 

[J Giles Band]

Looking forward to feedback from the combine...

 

[crazy gadget]

 

[Warpig]

I'm disappointed that they didn't show the LB drills with the Dummies and how they fight through traffic.

However, the two LB's that caught my eye were Gary Guyton and Wesley Woodyard. While watching Guyton and Woodyard in their backpedal and lateral movement, they seemed the most fluid and seemed like it took the least amount of effort as compared to some of the other LB's. Guyton and Woodyard also put up good 40 numbers if I'm not mistaken.

I haven't seen much of Guyton, but Woodyard is the one that stood out to me the most in the Senior bowl, so I had already been keeping an eye out for him.

On a side note, Chris Long was very fluid in his backpedal and change of direction ability too. He was one of the few guys that kept his butt low and had good forward body lean and was able to change direction with fluidity (I didn't see Gholston).