Arthur Blank wants Calvin (1 Viewer)

[pinda]

Calvin Johnson-WR- Player Apr. 25 - 6:56 pm et

SI.com's Don Banks reports that owner Arthur Blank has "pretty much ordered" GM Rich McKay to trade up for Calvin Johnson.

The Falcons have always made the most sense as a trading partner for Detroit because of their maverick owner, stockpile of draft picks, and local connection. Still, this is just another predraft rumor. It's just one that makes sense.

Source: SI.com

http://www.rotoworld.com/Content/playerpag...NFL&id=4153

 

[bostonfred]

I'm as big a Vick fan as you'll find here, but this would be really stupid.

 

[Bojang0301]

Calvin Johnson-WR- Player Apr. 25 - 6:56 pm et

SI.com's Don Banks reports that owner Arthur Blank has "pretty much ordered" GM Rich McKay to trade up for Calvin Johnson.

The Falcons have always made the most sense as a trading partner for Detroit because of their maverick owner, stockpile of draft picks, and local connection. Still, this is just another predraft rumor. It's just one that makes sense.

Source: SI.com

http://www.rotoworld.com/Content/playerpag...NFL&id=4153

So explain how Matt Millen gets crap for his trio of BMW, Rogers and Roy Williams but ATL doesnt for Roddy White, Mike Jenkins and Peerless Price.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Calvin Johnson-WR- Player Apr. 25 - 6:56 pm et

SI.com's Don Banks reports that owner Arthur Blank has "pretty much ordered" GM Rich McKay to trade up for Calvin Johnson.

The Falcons have always made the most sense as a trading partner for Detroit because of their maverick owner, stockpile of draft picks, and local connection. Still, this is just another predraft rumor. It's just one that makes sense.

Source: SI.com

http://www.rotoworld.com/Content/playerpag...NFL&id=4153

So explain how Matt Millen gets crap for his trio of BMW, Rogers and Roy Williams but ATL doesnt for Roddy White, Mike Jenkins and Peerless Price.

Look at where they were drafted and you'll have your answer.

 

[chris1969]

Calvin Johnson-WR- Player Apr. 25 - 6:56 pm et

SI.com's Don Banks reports that owner Arthur Blank has "pretty much ordered" GM Rich McKay to trade up for Calvin Johnson.

The Falcons have always made the most sense as a trading partner for Detroit because of their maverick owner, stockpile of draft picks, and local connection. Still, this is just another predraft rumor. It's just one that makes sense.

Source: SI.com

http://www.rotoworld.com/Content/playerpag...NFL&id=4153

So explain how Matt Millen gets crap for his trio of BMW, Rogers and Roy Williams but ATL doesnt for Roddy White, Mike Jenkins and Peerless Price.

Look at where they were drafted and you'll have your answer.

 

[pinda]

Calvin Johnson-WR- Player Apr. 25 - 6:56 pm et

SI.com's Don Banks reports that owner Arthur Blank has "pretty much ordered" GM Rich McKay to trade up for Calvin Johnson.

The Falcons have always made the most sense as a trading partner for Detroit because of their maverick owner, stockpile of draft picks, and local connection. Still, this is just another predraft rumor. It's just one that makes sense.

Source: SI.com

http://www.rotoworld.com/Content/playerpag...NFL&id=4153

So explain how Matt Millen gets crap for his trio of BMW, Rogers and Roy Williams but ATL doesnt for Roddy White, Mike Jenkins and Peerless Price.

Look at where they were drafted and you'll have your answer.

agree that the place they are drafted is important, however what also should be noted is that Roy is the only one that has panned outI think most people can let go of the Rogers and Roy picks, it's the Mike Williams pick that annoys most people. 3rd straight WR when he could have had somebody like Demarcus Ware, Merriman, etc. which was a bigger need.

 

[Holy Schneikes]

Calvin Johnson-WR- Player Apr. 25 - 6:56 pm et

SI.com's Don Banks reports that owner Arthur Blank has "pretty much ordered" GM Rich McKay to trade up for Calvin Johnson.

The Falcons have always made the most sense as a trading partner for Detroit because of their maverick owner, stockpile of draft picks, and local connection. Still, this is just another predraft rumor. It's just one that makes sense.

Source: SI.com

http://www.rotoworld.com/Content/playerpag...NFL&id=4153

So explain how Matt Millen gets crap for his trio of BMW, Rogers and Roy Williams but ATL doesnt for Roddy White, Mike Jenkins and Peerless Price.

1.23, 1.27, and 1.29 is a LITTLE different than 1.2, 1.7 and 1.10.Price was a terrible move, but the other two, while moderate disappointments, don't come close to the suckitude of Rogers and BMW.

 

[Colin Dowling]

It does make sense. Detroit could still get a great defensive player in Round 1 and the surplus of picks would fill in many holes.

Conversely, Atlanta is not a bad team. They just need a couple talented players to be a perenial 10 win team.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

I'm as big a Vick fan as you'll find here, but this would be really stupid.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

It would definitely create the buzz that the Texans missed out on when they didn't take Vince Young. Calvin becoming a Falcon would create a new sense of excitement around the team. If they can pull this off by giving up the 2 2nds that Houston sent over for Schaub, it will be a master stroke.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Calvin Johnson-WR- Player Apr. 25 - 6:56 pm et

SI.com's Don Banks reports that owner Arthur Blank has "pretty much ordered" GM Rich McKay to trade up for Calvin Johnson.

The Falcons have always made the most sense as a trading partner for Detroit because of their maverick owner, stockpile of draft picks, and local connection. Still, this is just another predraft rumor. It's just one that makes sense.

Source: SI.com

http://www.rotoworld.com/Content/playerpag...NFL&id=4153

So explain how Matt Millen gets crap for his trio of BMW, Rogers and Roy Williams but ATL doesnt for Roddy White, Mike Jenkins and Peerless Price.

Look at where they were drafted and you'll have your answer.

Roy Williams was a good draft pick.Charles Rogers was Calvin Johnson before Calvin Johnson. He set the NCAA record for consecutive games with a TD. He was an absolute monster in college. And both the Big 10 and MSU had pretty good WR pedigrees. He was as can't miss a WR prospect as there was.

Mike Williams was also a stud. After the draft, everyone thought Williams at 10 was a steal. And he was taken after the Lions realized Rogers was a sunk cost.

You can rip on Millen for a lot of things. But none of those three WR picks were anything but good at the time.

 

[Chase Stuart]

It would definitely create the buzz that the Texans missed out on when they didn't take Vince Young. Calvin becoming a Falcon would create a new sense of excitement around the team. If they can pull this off by giving up the 2 2nds that Houston send over for Schaub, it will be a master stroke.

 

[jurb26]

I'm sure he does want him. Better yet, Atl actually has a play for him. I originally had them trading up to 3 to grab CJ, but that isn't looking like a probable place to get him now. I think they need to move up to at least 2 but will still try and keep him near Peachtree.

 

[FavreCo]

Get in line Blank.

 

[FavreCo]

It would definitely create the buzz that the Texans missed out on when they didn't take Vince Young. Calvin becoming a Falcon would create a new sense of excitement around the team. If they can pull this off by giving up the 2 2nds that Houston sent over for Schaub, it will be a master stroke.

It would also be put up or shut up time for Vick. If he fails to get CJ the ball 80+ times, there can only be one person to blame.

 

[chris1969]

If TB doesn't trade up then ATL could pull that trade off with Cleveland. Detroit wouldn't make it though, because they couldn't get Adams.

 

[Holy Schneikes]

Calvin Johnson-WR- Player Apr. 25 - 6:56 pm et

SI.com's Don Banks reports that owner Arthur Blank has "pretty much ordered" GM Rich McKay to trade up for Calvin Johnson.

The Falcons have always made the most sense as a trading partner for Detroit because of their maverick owner, stockpile of draft picks, and local connection. Still, this is just another predraft rumor. It's just one that makes sense.

Source: SI.com

http://www.rotoworld.com/Content/playerpag...NFL&id=4153

So explain how Matt Millen gets crap for his trio of BMW, Rogers and Roy Williams but ATL doesnt for Roddy White, Mike Jenkins and Peerless Price.

Look at where they were drafted and you'll have your answer.

Roy Williams was a good draft pick.Charles Rogers was Calvin Johnson before Calvin Johnson. He set the NCAA record for consecutive games with a TD. He was an absolute monster in college. And both the Big 10 and MSU had pretty good WR pedigrees. He was as can't miss a WR prospect as there was.

Mike Williams was also a stud. After the draft, everyone thought Williams at 10 was a steal. And he was taken after the Lions realized Rogers was a sunk cost.

You can rip on Millen for a lot of things. But none of those three WR picks were anything but good at the time.

Agree that Williams was a good pick.But Charles Rogers was NOT Calvin Johnson. Yes, he dominated college, but he had some well-known and pretty heavy baggage. Because of that, he was NOT as "can't miss" as there was. He had a very high ceiling (which is why he was drafted where he was drafted), but the risk was there too. Not a horrible pick without the hindsight, but a bust is a bust. Even if you just consider that Andre Johnson was available, Millen just whiffed.

Mike Williams was a college stud too, but was NOT a steal by any stretch. Some folks loved him, but most "experts" (and a lot of non-experts like myself) thought it was a terrible pick, even at the time. There were a LOT of guys predicting he wouldn't reproduce his college success at the NFL level. Combine that with the fact that the Lions had much bigger needs, and it was complete botch of a pick. I can't comprehend defending that pick.

 

[Michael Fox Fan]

It would definitely create the buzz that the Texans missed out on when they didn't take Vince Young. Calvin becoming a Falcon would create a new sense of excitement around the team. If they can pull this off by giving up the 2 2nds that Houston sent over for Schaub, it will be a master stroke.

It would also be put up or shut up time for Vick. If he fails to get CJ the ball 80+ times, there can only be one person to blame.

Yep, this would be Arthur Blank telling Vick that it's "put up or shut up time". Honestly, I think Vick is one of the few NFL starting QBs who could make Calvin Johnson look average.

 

[FavreCo]

Yep, this would be Arthur Blank telling Vick that it's "put up or shut up time".

Honestly, I think Vick is one of the few NFL starting QBs who could make Calvin Johnson look average.

I am in total agreement.

 

[ILoveMyLions]

I think if the Lions make a move, it will be down to 8 with ATL. TB is going to be stubborn and will lose out on CJ. The Lions will take him or move down to 8 and the Falcons will take him. I still maintain, depsite all the talk of them taking Adams, that they covet Willis. Moving down to 8 for multiple picks is where I think they end up and Willis will be the starting MLB day one...

 

[Romulan]

The Bucs dont need C. Johnson, they will NOT move up. They will stay put and get a good player they need either LT or DE.

 

[Capella]

If the Bucs want him, they'll get him. They have better picks to offer...unless Atlanta offers up something crazy like a #1 next year as well.

I don't think Tampa is going to do that though. I think they are content to go with Thomas or help on the dline.

 

[Obie Wan]

It would definitely create the buzz that the Texans missed out on when they didn't take Vince Young. Calvin becoming a Falcon would create a new sense of excitement around the team. If they can pull this off by giving up the 2 2nds that Houston sent over for Schaub, it will be a master stroke.

It would also be put up or shut up time for Vick. If he fails to get CJ the ball 80+ times, there can only be one person to blame.

Yep, this would be Arthur Blank telling Vick that it's "put up or shut up time". Honestly, I think Vick is one of the few NFL starting QBs who could make Calvin Johnson look average.

It will only be for a year until Brian Brohm takes over.

 

[chris1969]

If the Bucs want him, they'll get him. They have better picks to offer...unless Atlanta offers up something crazy like a #1 next year as well.I don't think Tampa is going to do that though. I think they are content to go with Thomas or help on the dline.

EXACTLY! They know if Detroit doesn't trade down then Cleveland will and they'd be happy to get Thomas.

 

[Giggity]

Yep, this would be Arthur Blank telling Vick that it's "put up or shut up time".

Honestly, I think Vick is one of the few NFL starting QBs who could make Calvin Johnson look average.

I am in total agreement.

You mean how Reggie Ball made him look?Reggie Ball was a GARBAGE QB, and CJ2 still looked great.

Vick was a great college QB. Lead his team to a national championship game, and almost single handedly beat FSU. If anything, Vick is a monster upgrade over anyone who's ever thrown the ball to Calvin. So if Calvin can look great with Ball, he's going to look like Jerry Rice with Vick.

And I seem to remember assloads of dropped passes last year. If White/Jenkins weren't complete and utter busts (running a garbage offense by Knapp) one of them would have had 8-10 TDs easy. If nothing else, Vick throws a good deep ball and has a cannon arm. And the new offensive wizard kicked Schaub out of town pretty quick. So I'd wager a few NFL teams would welcome Vick as a QB. He's won more playoff games then Brees/LT combined, put the Falcons on the map, and probably doubled the value of the franchise.

So I'm not sure Calvin is too worried.

 

[TheFanatic]

In my main dynasty league I have the 2nd and 3rd picks. These are lottery picks. I could wind up woth the 3 and the 4 if the 4th pick wins the lottery and moves to the 1st overall.

CJ was going to be on the radar big time depending on where he goes. If he goes to Atlanta, he's not on the radar anymore. I just don't take the guy.

I also have my original pick which is 7 and I may consider him there if he went to Atlanta, but that would be knowing full well that the guy will ride my bench for at least a year....

Atlanta.....Where WR's go to die.....

 

[TheDirtyWord]

As a Falcon fan, I would be disappointed in this move on two accounts:

1) Believe it or not, the Falcons have much greeater needs than WR.

2) It would prove to me that Blank was more interested in selling tickets than winning.

Rumor has it that the waiting list the Falcons have so proudly hoisted as some type of consolation Lombardi Trophy has been whittled down next to nothing. Within a year, you could start to see a bunch of empty seats again because the Falcons have by far led the league in percentage ticket price increases over the past 4 seasons. Factor that in with:

1) 2 consecutive disappointing seasons with a 3rd very plausible.

2) Wavering confidence in the supposed key building block of the franchise (Vick)

...and it's not hard to see that the bloom is starting to come off the Falcons rose, and Blank's in particular.

While I'm not willing to lend credence to this report yet, if it does indeed become a reality - it would be conclusive proof to me that Blank is more concerned with style over substance, no matter how good a marketeer he claims to be. Johnson has 'gate value' in Atlanta moreso than in any other city (obviously because he played at Georgia Tech). But Atlanta/Georgia in particular remembers and reveres it's college stars and Blank figures that at worst, he can build the face of the franchise around Johnson if Vick continues to stagnate and around both if he develops.

All while the Falcons have difficulty stopping Wake Forest while on defense...

 

[FBGPoker]

Atlanta.....Where WR's go to die.....

Name one WR who played in Atlanta during the Vick era and then went on to another team and showed they were a legit NFL talent.He's had horrible WR's to throw to who consistantly drop passes. Jenkins and White are both decent, but neither is a #1 WR.Not saying Vick is a great passer at all, but he's not as bad as his WR's make him look.

 

[Demons]

Atlanta seems like the smartest bet here, for a tradeup. The problem is that it will have to be to #1.

I wouldn't cough up the coin normally to move up to #1, if I were the guy writing the checks, but there is too much value-added getting Johnson. He will make your big-time investment in Vick closer to being worthwhile, and his solid character will hopefully offset Mr. Waterbottle. He is also the local hero. It just seems like Atlanta gets more from having Johnson than most teams would.

 

[dparker713]

Calvin Johnson-WR- Player Apr. 25 - 6:56 pm et

SI.com's Don Banks reports that owner Arthur Blank has "pretty much ordered" GM Rich McKay to trade up for Calvin Johnson.

The Falcons have always made the most sense as a trading partner for Detroit because of their maverick owner, stockpile of draft picks, and local connection. Still, this is just another predraft rumor. It's just one that makes sense.

Source: SI.com

http://www.rotoworld.com/Content/playerpag...NFL&id=4153

So explain how Matt Millen gets crap for his trio of BMW, Rogers and Roy Williams but ATL doesnt for Roddy White, Mike Jenkins and Peerless Price.

Look at where they were drafted and you'll have your answer.

Roy Williams was a good draft pick.Charles Rogers was Calvin Johnson before Calvin Johnson. He set the NCAA record for consecutive games with a TD. He was an absolute monster in college. And both the Big 10 and MSU had pretty good WR pedigrees. He was as can't miss a WR prospect as there was.

Mike Williams was also a stud. After the draft, everyone thought Williams at 10 was a steal. And he was taken after the Lions realized Rogers was a sunk cost.

You can rip on Millen for a lot of things. But none of those three WR picks were anything but good at the time.

Charles Rogers was very higly rated, but he wasn't Calvin Johnson. He was 20 pounds lighter and several teams had him as the second rated WR on their boards behind AJ. And while Kiper thought Mike Williams was a stud, a lot of other people did not. Before he had to sit out that year, he was extremely highly rated. Then he showed up overweight for workouts and did not impress. He wasn't even on some teams boards because of those red flags.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Charles Rogers was Calvin Johnson before Calvin Johnson.

If character counts for zero. In fact, however, it is very important.

 

[Chase Stuart]

2003 Draft Review, Detroit Lions

By Bryan McGovern, NFL Editor(Sports Network) - The Lions fended off the temptation to trade out of thesecond pick because of potential contract problems with the representativesfor Charles Rogers. Several teams, including New England, attempted to tradeup to Detroit's slot in the hunt for DT Dewayne Robertson. Rogers, whoaveraged 21 yards per catch in college, can become a star in Steve Mariucci'soffense. Matt Millen is building this franchise piece by piece. A year afterdrafting franchise QB Joey Harrington, the Lions added a receiver who shouldbe their most dynamic offensive force since Barry Sanders. Millen made thebest value pick of the second round when he scooped up free-falling OLB BossBailey with the 34th overall selection. There are always a bunch of qualityplayers who fall out of the first round, and the teams that own high second-round selections usually benefit from all of the first-round reaches. Bailey,who could have gone as high as 12th overall to St. Louis, has the ability tostart for the Lions as a rookie. The Georgia product has great speed and rangethat enables him to make plays from sideline to sideline. Bailey can drop backin coverage or rush the passer. Detroit made another outstanding selection inthe third round -- DE Cory Redding. The former Texas standout is quick off theline and possesses the size and strength to stop the run. He needs to improvehis pass-rushing technique, but the ability is there. There was a bunch ofsolid running backs available at the start of day two. The Lions chose to gowith Kentucky's Artose Pinner, who is a tough runner with tackle-breakingability. He won't unseat veteran James Stewart, but Pinner could get somecarries in short-yardage situations. Millen took a pair of players who comefrom great football bloodlines. Bailey is the younger brother of Washington CBChamp Bailey, while fifth-rounder Terrence Holt is the brother of St. Louis WRTorry Holt. The younger Holt doesn't have blazing speed and probably is twoyears from playing consistently in the defensive backfield, but the NC Stateproduct was a great special-teams player and kick blocker in college. OLBJames Davis, who has 4.7 speed, will provide depth at the position. Millentook a WR in both the sixth and seventh rounds. Sixth-rounder David Kircuscould be a real steal. The Lions love his athletic ability and sure hands. Theteam views Travis Anglin as a potential slot receiver. Ben Johnson has theability to be a solid right tackle, but he needs some good coaching in thepass-blocking area. CB Blue Adams is a sleeper candidate because of his solidcover skills. FB Brandon Drumm should make the roster as a backup. Millen madea wise move when he fired Marty Mornhinweg in favor of Mariucci. Good movescome in bunches. The momentum from the coaching change carried over into thedraft.2003 Draft Picks: (1st round-2nd overall) WR-Charles Rogers, Michigan State2-34) OLB-Boss Bailey, Georgia; (3-66) DE-Cory Redding, Texas; (4-99) RB-Artose Pinner, Kentucky; (5-137) S-Terrence Holt, NC State; (5-144) LB-JamesDavis, West Virginia; (6-175) WR-David Kircus, Grand Valley State; (7-216) OT-Ben Johnson, Wisconsin; (7-220) CB-Blue Adams, Cincinnati; (7-236) FB-BrandonDrumm, Colorado; (7-260) WR-Travis Anglin, Memphis.Overall Draft Grade: A

 

[Chase Stuart]

Charles Rogers was Calvin Johnson before Calvin Johnson.

If character counts for zero. In fact, however, it is very important.

ROUND 1, PICK 2:Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan St. 6-2, 202. Size and speed has scouts comparing him to the Minnesota Vikings Randy Moss, but without the off-the-field baggage. Consensus All-American and All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Charles Rogers was Calvin Johnson before Calvin Johnson.

If character counts for zero. In fact, however, it is very important.

ROUND 1, PICK 2:Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan St. 6-2, 202. Size and speed has scouts comparing him to the Minnesota Vikings Randy Moss, but without the off-the-field baggage. Consensus All-American and All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection.

He was widely rumored to be a coke-head at Michigan State, and he failed the drug test at the combine.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Charles Rogers, Michigan State (1): 6-2 1/2, 202, 4.33Possibly the best player in the draft; gone by the third pick.Andre Johnson, Miami (1): 6-2, 230, 4.36The next Terrell Owens, maybe without baggage; hands are average-plus.NEXT RUNGKelley Washington, Tennessee (1): 6-2 1/2, 223, 4.42A brilliant talent whose downsides are neck injury and attitude questions.Taylor Jacobs, Florida (1): 6-0 1/2, 207, 4.37Great speed with experience in passing offense; good character guy, too.Bryant Johnson, Penn State (1-2): 6-2 1/2, 214, 4.37Nice size-speed package with talents to be complementary receiver.RISINGTyrone Calico, Middle Tenn. St. (2): 6-4, 222, 4.34Workouts helped this raw talent; pretty much a "go fetch" long-ball threat at this point.Kevin Curtis, Utah State (3): 5-11, 186, 4.43Another who benefited from off-season workouts; overaged due to Mormon mission.Bethel Johnson, Texas A&M (4-5): 5-11, 201, 4.27Maybe fastest of them all; like Calico and Curtis, work in progress as receiver.MAINTAININGBrandon Lloyd, Illinois (2-3): 6-0, 188, 4.54Terrific hands, decent speed, needs bulk; came back from broken ankle in 2002.Anquan Boldin, Florida State (3): 6-0 1/2, 216, 4.54Onetime QB with good hands and run-after-catch ability, but so-so speed.Doug Gabriel, Central Fla. (4): 6-2, 213 , 4.50Onetime Miami recruit has great physique, but drops too many passes.FALLINGTalman Gardner, Florida State (6): 6-0 1/2, 209, 4.38Charged April 7 with marijuana possession and having a concealed and loaded handgun.

There are many quotes of Rogers being compared to Randy Moss, or labeled an elite prospect, or a "can't miss" player.He got hurt. I don't see how that's Millen's fault. He was a dominant college player. He deserved to be the 2nd pick in the draft. Anything else is just revisionist history, IMO.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Charles Rogers was Calvin Johnson before Calvin Johnson.

If character counts for zero. In fact, however, it is very important.

ROUND 1, PICK 2:Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan St. 6-2, 202. Size and speed has scouts comparing him to the Minnesota Vikings Randy Moss, but without the off-the-field baggage. Consensus All-American and All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection.

He was widely rumored to be a coke-head at Michigan State, and he failed the drug test at the combine.

Well he tested positive for a masking agent. That's not the same thing. Lots of people thought it meant nothing, because it could have meant he had drank too much water. IIRC, Calvin Johnson smokes pot. I don't think that's dropping his stock, either.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

Calvin Johnson-WR- Player Apr. 25 - 6:56 pm et

SI.com's Don Banks reports that owner Arthur Blank has "pretty much ordered" GM Rich McKay to trade up for Calvin Johnson.

The Falcons have always made the most sense as a trading partner for Detroit because of their maverick owner, stockpile of draft picks, and local connection. Still, this is just another predraft rumor. It's just one that makes sense.

Source: SI.com

http://www.rotoworld.com/Content/playerpag...NFL&id=4153

So explain how Matt Millen gets crap for his trio of BMW, Rogers and Roy Williams but ATL doesnt for Roddy White, Mike Jenkins and Peerless Price.

Look at where they were drafted and you'll have your answer.

Roy Williams was a good draft pick.Charles Rogers was Calvin Johnson before Calvin Johnson. He set the NCAA record for consecutive games with a TD. He was an absolute monster in college. And both the Big 10 and MSU had pretty good WR pedigrees. He was as can't miss a WR prospect as there was.

Mike Williams was also a stud. After the draft, everyone thought Williams at 10 was a steal. And he was taken after the Lions realized Rogers was a sunk cost.

You can rip on Millen for a lot of things. But none of those three WR picks were anything but good at the time.

Agree that Williams was a good pick.But Charles Rogers was NOT Calvin Johnson. Yes, he dominated college, but he had some well-known and pretty heavy baggage. Because of that, he was NOT as "can't miss" as there was. He had a very high ceiling (which is why he was drafted where he was drafted), but the risk was there too. Not a horrible pick without the hindsight, but a bust is a bust. Even if you just consider that Andre Johnson was available, Millen just whiffed.

Mike Williams was a college stud too, but was NOT a steal by any stretch. Some folks loved him, but most "experts" (and a lot of non-experts like myself) thought it was a terrible pick, even at the time. There were a LOT of guys predicting he wouldn't reproduce his college success at the NFL level. Combine that with the fact that the Lions had much bigger needs, and it was complete botch of a pick. I can't comprehend defending that pick.

Not why he was a bust. He was a bust because he got hurt. There is no way Millen could have seen that coming.

 

[Chase Stuart]

http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/rogers_charles

Positives: Has a well-proportioned, muscular frame with tight skin, low body fat, good arm length, tight bubble and nicely developed legs and thighs … Has outstanding quickness in and out of his cuts … Stays active with his hands to escape the jam and is very fluid getting into his routes … Has the ability to easily find the open area and the instincts to know where the pursuit is coming from … Uses his superb acceleration to separate, and while known as a deep threat, he is also effective on underneath routes … Will catch with his hands outside his framework and shows excellent concentration going over the middle … Does a fine job of tracking and locating the ball, using his speed well to stretch the defense … Shows good hip swerve, wiggle and juking moves to make the initial tackler miss … Has the long arms and strength needed to hold up vs. press coverage … Shows great depth in his routes and can sneak up on a defender and separate with his vertical speed … Not shy combating for the ball and will work hard to take the pigskin away from the defender … Has above-average body control to adjust when making over-the-shoulder grabs … Very hard to contain after the catch.

Negatives: Drops his hands a bit when breaking patterns … While he maintains eye contact on the ball, his concentration will wander when he is not involved in the play … Will get in the way of defenders, but will not over-exert himself when called upon to block.

CAREER NOTES

One of the finest athletes to ever wear a Spartans uniform … Consummate team player who is a sensational home-run threat bursting down the sidelines … Emotional leader who can handle hard coaching; he could be the ruler that future pro receivers are measured against … The tireless worker finished his career with 135 receptions for 2,821 yards (20.9 avg.) and 27 touchdowns in only 24 games as a Spartan

 

[Spartans Rule]

Well he tested positive for a masking agent. That's not the same thing. Lots of people thought it meant nothing, because it could have meant he had drank too much water. IIRC, Calvin Johnson smokes pot. I don't think that's dropping his stock, either.

Hindsight's 20/20. If I were to claim right now that Calvin Johnson is an enormous character risk, I'd probably be laughed out of the thread. If he turns out to be one, everyone and their brother will look back at the pot comment and say that the writing was on the wall.Rogers was not viewed as a risk at the time anymore than Johnson is now.

 

[dparker713]

Charles Rogers, Michigan State (1): 6-2 1/2, 202, 4.33

Possibly the best player in the draft; gone by the third pick.

There are many quotes of Rogers being compared to Randy Moss, or labeled an elite prospect, or a "can't miss" player.He got hurt. I don't see how that's Millen's fault. He was a dominant college player. He deserved to be the 2nd pick in the draft. Anything else is just revisionist history, IMO.

This is where your argument doesn't hold. CJ is the best player in the draft. I don't think I've heard a single person claim otherwise. Carson Palmer, AJ, Dewayne Robertson and even Terrence Newman were all discussed in the same tier as Rogers. Hey, I still think it was a good pick, despite the injuries. But thats not the same as him being head and shoulders above everyone else in the draft.

ETA - the Ravens had Terrell Suggs at the top of their board and he was drafted 10th.

 

[BGP]

Calvin Johnson-WR- Player Apr. 25 - 6:56 pm et

SI.com's Don Banks reports that owner Arthur Blank has "pretty much ordered" GM Rich McKay to trade up for Calvin Johnson.

The Falcons have always made the most sense as a trading partner for Detroit because of their maverick owner, stockpile of draft picks, and local connection. Still, this is just another predraft rumor. It's just one that makes sense.

Source: SI.com

http://www.rotoworld.com/Content/playerpag...NFL&id=4153

So explain how Matt Millen gets crap for his trio of BMW, Rogers and Roy Williams but ATL doesnt for Roddy White, Mike Jenkins and Peerless Price.

Look at where they were drafted and you'll have your answer.

Roy Williams was a good draft pick.Charles Rogers was Calvin Johnson before Calvin Johnson. He set the NCAA record for consecutive games with a TD. He was an absolute monster in college. And both the Big 10 and MSU had pretty good WR pedigrees. He was as can't miss a WR prospect as there was.

Mike Williams was also a stud. After the draft, everyone thought Williams at 10 was a steal. And he was taken after the Lions realized Rogers was a sunk cost.

You can rip on Millen for a lot of things. But none of those three WR picks were anything but good at the time.

Yah a lot of people didn't really diagree with the Browns choices in the first round either. Tim Couch, Courtney Brown, Gerard Warren, William Green, people weren't widely singling those picks out as busts.

 

[delusional]

That would be alot of money into two players.

1 is a QB who can't get the ball to his WRs and the other is the next coming of Christ at the WR position.

Interesting

 

[benbadman]

Calvin Johnson-WR- Player Apr. 25 - 6:56 pm et

SI.com's Don Banks reports that owner Arthur Blank has "pretty much ordered" GM Rich McKay to trade up for Calvin Johnson.

The Falcons have always made the most sense as a trading partner for Detroit because of their maverick owner, stockpile of draft picks, and local connection. Still, this is just another predraft rumor. It's just one that makes sense.

Source: SI.com

http://www.rotoworld.com/Content/playerpag...NFL&id=4153

As a Falcons homer, I have mixed feelings about this trade. In '06 our receivers (even Crumpler) dropped at least a half dozen TD passes from Vick that should have been routine catches for an NFL receiver. That said, the Falcons were a middle of the road team because of their porous defense, and the Falcons red zone offense troubles were due to an ineffective running game inside the 20 (since we traded TJ Duckett for a WR we cut already). I have a feeling that the Falcons might pull the trigger and get CJ, and he definitely improves the team, but in the process if we give up our two 2nds. I'd rather take the 8 pick (maybe Laron Landry, or Levi Brown?) and keep the two early 2nds (get a WR and another D player?). I also have a sneaking suspicion the Falcons will reach on Michael Bush b/c of Petrino.

Heaven forbid, the immaculate Calvin Johnson hit a rookie wall and get injured, leaving the Falcons really under-manned. The Falcons have a talent shortage in so many starting positions, and I really think it would be a mistake to take 1 player over a top5 talent at #8 and then two players in the 25-40 range with those 2nd round picks. If I'm the Falcons, and Landry is off the board at 8, I'm looking at adding two OL, and either taking Thomas or Brown, or possibly trading down in round1. Add two blue chip lineman--it's a sensible thing to do, not sexy like a skill position player, but the Falcons do perenially have the top rushing offense in the NFL, and the secret is they are doing it with a middle-class offensive line. Mr. Blank, let Rich McKay do his job, and please give me some Pro Bowl linemen.

Let Joe Horn mentor Jenkins & White, and hopefully they can play up to their potential. This draft class is very WR-deep, and a solid prospect would be available early round 2 as well (Steve Smith, Sidney Rice,etc).

 

[-OZ-]

Charles Rogers, Michigan State (1): 6-2 1/2, 202, 4.33

Possibly the best player in the draft; gone by the third pick.

There are many quotes of Rogers being compared to Randy Moss, or labeled an elite prospect, or a "can't miss" player.He got hurt. I don't see how that's Millen's fault. He was a dominant college player. He deserved to be the 2nd pick in the draft. Anything else is just revisionist history, IMO.

This is where your argument doesn't hold. CJ is the best player in the draft. I don't think I've heard a single person claim otherwise. Carson Palmer, AJ, Dewayne Robertson and even Terrence Newman were all discussed in the same tier as Rogers. Hey, I still think it was a good pick, despite the injuries. But thats not the same as him being head and shoulders above everyone else in the draft.

ETA - the Ravens had Terrell Suggs at the top of their board and he was drafted 10th.

You may not have heard it, but Peterson has been called the best player in the draft by a few "experts" on the radio. Nobody else comes close to those 2 this year.

 

[Fiddles]

It would definitely create the buzz that the Texans missed out on when they didn't take Vince Young. Calvin becoming a Falcon would create a new sense of excitement around the team. If they can pull this off by giving up the 2 2nds that Houston sent over for Schaub, it will be a master stroke.

and then what do they do for a pass rush?

 

[Arm Chair Express]

Charles Rogers was Calvin Johnson before Calvin Johnson.

If character counts for zero. In fact, however, it is very important.

ROUND 1, PICK 2:Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan St. 6-2, 202. Size and speed has scouts comparing him to the Minnesota Vikings Randy Moss, but without the off-the-field baggage. Consensus All-American and All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection.

He was widely rumored to be a coke-head at Michigan State, and he failed the drug test at the combine.

Well he tested positive for a masking agent. That's not the same thing. Lots of people thought it meant nothing, because it could have meant he had drank too much water. IIRC, Calvin Johnson smokes pot. I don't think that's dropping his stock, either.

That's what Rogers was doing too. I haven't seen anything about coke. He went to high school in my home town and the word out there was he was a pot head in high school also. The only difference is he didn't admit to it. Big deal, you either smoke it or you don't and there are no sure things in the NFL.

 

[grind]

Calvin Johnson-WR- Player Apr. 25 - 6:56 pm et

SI.com's Don Banks reports that owner Arthur Blank has "pretty much ordered" GM Rich McKay to trade up for Calvin Johnson.

The Falcons have always made the most sense as a trading partner for Detroit because of their maverick owner, stockpile of draft picks, and local connection. Still, this is just another predraft rumor. It's just one that makes sense.

Source: SI.com

http://www.rotoworld.com/Content/playerpag...NFL&id=4153

So explain how Matt Millen gets crap for his trio of BMW, Rogers and Roy Williams but ATL doesnt for Roddy White, Mike Jenkins and Peerless Price.

Look at where they were drafted and you'll have your answer.

Roy Williams was a good draft pick.Charles Rogers was Calvin Johnson before Calvin Johnson. He set the NCAA record for consecutive games with a TD. He was an absolute monster in college. And both the Big 10 and MSU had pretty good WR pedigrees. He was as can't miss a WR prospect as there was.

Mike Williams was also a stud. After the draft, everyone thought Williams at 10 was a steal. And he was taken after the Lions realized Rogers was a sunk cost.

You can rip on Millen for a lot of things. But none of those three WR picks were anything but good at the time.

Charles Rogers failed a drug test at the NFL combine. The test is no surprise to anyone. The fact that he couldn't put down the pot pipe long enough to pass a known test tells a lot about his character. Drafting him was plain dumb

 

[grind]

I think if the Lions make a move, it will be down to 8 with ATL. TB is going to be stubborn and will lose out on CJ. The Lions will take him or move down to 8 and the Falcons will take him. I still maintain, depsite all the talk of them taking Adams, that they covet Willis. Moving down to 8 for multiple picks is where I think they end up and Willis will be the starting MLB day one...

Exactly. The Lions should tell the Bucs to shove it unless they come HUGE and work with Atlanta. In theory, Atlanta would have to give up more to move from #8 to #2 and the Lions would be able to get Willis, who I think would be their best pick. In the event teams try to low ball them for the #2 overall, the Lions should take Calvin. Simple as that.

 

[grind]

Charles Rogers was Calvin Johnson before Calvin Johnson.

If character counts for zero. In fact, however, it is very important.

ROUND 1, PICK 2:Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan St. 6-2, 202. Size and speed has scouts comparing him to the Minnesota Vikings Randy Moss, but without the off-the-field baggage. Consensus All-American and All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection.

He was widely rumored to be a coke-head at Michigan State, and he failed the drug test at the combine.

Well he tested positive for a masking agent. That's not the same thing. Lots of people thought it meant nothing, because it could have meant he had drank too much water. IIRC, Calvin Johnson smokes pot. I don't think that's dropping his stock, either.

Wow. Talk about denial. People don't generally consume masking agents on a day-to-day basis. They have a purpose and generally are taken for that purpose. In addition, why don't you leave your computer and go drink two gallons of water in the next half hour. People don't do this unless it is necessary and serves a purpose. Come on. Take the Roger's blinders off. He point blank couldn't put down the pot pipe for a few weeks in order to pass a drug test he knew he was going to have to take. A test the quite possibly could be worth millions of $$$$$$$'s. That is sad.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Calvin Johnson-WR- Player Apr. 25 - 6:56 pm et

SI.com's Don Banks reports that owner Arthur Blank has "pretty much ordered" GM Rich McKay to trade up for Calvin Johnson.

The Falcons have always made the most sense as a trading partner for Detroit because of their maverick owner, stockpile of draft picks, and local connection. Still, this is just another predraft rumor. It's just one that makes sense.

Source: SI.com

http://www.rotoworld.com/Content/playerpag...NFL&id=4153

So explain how Matt Millen gets crap for his trio of BMW, Rogers and Roy Williams but ATL doesnt for Roddy White, Mike Jenkins and Peerless Price.

Look at where they were drafted and you'll have your answer.

Charles Rogers was Calvin Johnson before Calvin Johnson.

That's the most ridiculous statement ever made on this website.