As of RIGHT NOW before the 3rd rounder (1 Viewer)

[jgb95]

#1 McFadden (will catch the ball)

#2 Stewart (might carry the load in car w/ DW as the 3rd down back)

#3 Mendenhall (long term value)

#4 Matt Ryan (he might start soon!)

#5 Joe Flacco (doesn't have to beat out much)

#6 Keith Rivers (MLB!!!)

#7 Chris Long (for sack heavy leagues)

#8 Jerod Mayo (ILB in 3-4 has proven to be valuable of late)

#9

#10

#11

#12

will keep looking but this is tough so far

 

[ExaltedOne]

You have to consider Matt Forte as high as #4.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

#1 McFadden (will catch the ball)#2 Stewart (might carry the load in car w/ DW as the 3rd down back)#3 Mendenhall (long term value)#4 Matt Ryan (he might start soon!)#5 Joe Flacco (doesn't have to beat out much)#6 Keith Rivers (MLB!!!)#7 Chris Long (for sack heavy leagues)#8 Jerod Mayo (ILB in 3-4 has proven to be valuable of late)#9 #10#11#12will keep looking but this is tough so far

So Felix Jones was #4 before the draft today. He is drafted by the exact team most thought he would end up with. And now he drops out of the top 8? If anything he closed the gap on Stewart/Mendenhall and maybe passed them.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

1. RB McFadden

2. RB Mendenhall

3. RB Stewart

4. RB F.Jones

5. RB Forte

6. QB M.Ryan

7. RB Johnson

8. LB Rivers

9. WR J. Hardy

10. RB Rice

11. LB Lofton

12. LB Dizon

 

[KarmaPolice]

I think most people now will have Jones still at the 1.4 and Forte moving to the 1.5.

A couple of the WRs landed in decent spots- Hardy, Thomas, etc.. and they will be in the mix with Ryan for spots 1.6-1.8 right now.

 

[KarmaPolice]

1. RB McFadden2. RB Mendenhall3. RB Stewart4. RB F.Jones5. RB Forte6. QB M.Ryan7. RB Johnson8. LB Rivers9. WR J. Hardy10. RB Rice11. LB Lofton12. LB Dizon

No Mayo??

 

[massraider]

I'd take Henne over any defender.

And I think I'd take Forte over Jones, because I think Jones will always be RBBC, and I think Forte has a shot, just a shot, at being a workhorse.

 

[Couch Potato]

I've no friggin' clue.

RBBC almost everywhere.

Plus, what a weird WR mess that was, including two of the top WRs going to the same team (WAS) where Santana Moss already is WR1, and surprises like Avery and Simpson going early.

Plus two top TEs going to TE-solid teams in WAS and DAL.

Plus two of the QBs going where there are already young starters in GB and MIA. Not to mention that QB, unless you have a P Manning type, is not generally a worthwhile high rookie pick. High bust potential and the QB spot is easy to fill without burning a high pick.

Yuck.

 

[KarmaPolice]

1- McFadden

2 - Mendenhall

3 - Stewart

4- Rice

5- Forte

6 - Hardy

7 - Ryan

8 - Thomas

9 - D.Jackson

10- C.Johnson

11- Flacco

12- Rivers

That would be my list as of now. Of course a little could change tomorrow with a couple decent RB and WR options left out there for the 3rd round and beyond.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Yuck.

 

[millertyme1]

Yuck.

x 2DMC #1Mendenhall/Stewart 2-3 (with lesser value IMO)Forte/Jones 4-5Haven't really had the opportunity to digest anything beyond that yet.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

No Mayo??

no. Pats ILBs haven't been doing very well lately. possibly one of the worst places he could have landed. I may change my mind on him though. I do like him as a player.

 

[massraider]

I am eyeballing Kevin Smith, and to a lesser extent, Jamaal Charles in the 3rd.

if the Lions get one of them, that player goes in the top 6, IMO.

 

[JPeso]

I am eyeballing Kevin Smith, and to a lesser extent, Jamaal Charles in the 3rd.if the Lions get one of them, that player goes in the top 6, IMO.

If Charles is picked by the Lions, he leaps up my board, potentially in to the top 3. If Smith is picked by the Lions, he doesn't move up much for me.

 

[fsufan]

i have the 1.04 and will take jones if there. MB is on a 1 year deal at this point, you never know

 

[jgb95]

i own the 1.03

been scratching my head all day.

 

[rabidfireweasel]

i own the 1.03been scratching my head all day.

Why? I would think that whoever was 3 on your board would be who you take at 3.

 

[jgb95]

true but i need a starter here not a prospect for next year.

Need a stud and I will go IDP if it's the best thing for my team.

Trying to trade down right now.

 

[AKComic]

A few thoughts on those first 12 picks at this point:

- People are high on Forte because of opportunity, but I believe they may be undervaluing Chris Johnson just a bit; his situation is not as bad as it may look at the outset. Forte will be given a chance in training camp to beat out Benson, but as for Johnson, I believe he's almost a lock for the lion's share of carries in an RBBC. Will he be an every down back? No - but I think ol' FatDale's gonna take a bigger hit here than initially expected. If he was in a stronger offense, I'd look at White taking on an MBIII role, but for the Titans, I see him becoming more of a Moe-Williams-in-his-prime type of player; as for Johnson, his floor right now is Julius Jones, but with his speed and ability to give Young a solid target, his ceiling just might be more of a Brian Westbrook role.

- It's a rare draft that you see more than one LB go in the first 12 picks; this year, I'm not even seeing that. There'll be a run on 4-5 LBs in the 2nd, but in the first this year, it's all offense.

- Picks 1.2-1.4 took a hit today, but I'm loving the 1.6-1.8 range now - the backs that are likely to fall to this range now are the same ones you'd be able to get at 1.4-1.5, making them a stronger value, IMO.

- Ray Rice, we hardly knew ya.

- The WR situation is a MESS; the only positive I'm seeing is that the potential for long-term success is spread out over a LOT of guys right now. Earlier, I was loving Devin Thomas when he went to WAS - until they snagged Malcolm Kelly. Now, it'll be a hell of a training camp battle to see who gets that #2 spot, and who knows how that ends up. I'm sure I'll be dipping my toes in the WR pool like so many others, but the high 2nd round seems like the place where the water's warm right now...

 

[ADP]

#6 Keith Rivers (MLB!!!)#

I think Rivers lines up at WLB.....Thurman and Brooks will fight it out for the MLB spot.

 

[jgb95]

#6 Keith Rivers (MLB!!!)

#

I think Rivers lines up at WLB.....Thurman and Brooks will fight it out for the MLB spot.

River in the MiddleThe buzz is that in Rivers they may very well have their immediate starting middle linebacker for the next seven to 10 years, a position where Lewis needs his stability and leadership after suffering with eight different starters since he arrived in 2003.

It would also allow them to flank him with Brooks on the strong side and Odell Thurman at weak, two guys that haven't been able to get acclimated to the middle, Brooks because of injury and Thurman because of two one-year league suspensions.

But FitzGerald and new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer offered no clues where they would play Rivers and all the rest of the backers.

"We'll see," FitzGerald said and Zimmer said, "The best guys are going to play, it doesn't matter how young they are."

We've been down this road with the Bengals before, but this would seriously boost Rivers' value. Rivers has the cover skills and range to handle the middle and would project to a three down role. You'd think that moves Brooks to the strong side (or bench) and Thurman to the weak side -- if both play to their talents.

 

[Weiner Dog]

1.1 - DMC

1.2 - Stewart

1.3 - Mendenhall

1.4 - F Jones

1.5 - Forte

1.6 - Rivers

1.7 - Mayo

1.8 - C Johnson

1.9 - Ryan

1.10 - Long (sack-heavy league)

1.11 - Harvey (sack-heavy league)

1.12 - Flacco

 

[FUBAR]

- Ray Rice, we hardly knew ya.

Rice = the new Michael Turner. Only McGahee isn't LT.

 

[Blackjacks]

1- McFadden2 - Mendenhall3 - Stewart4- Rice5- Forte6 - Hardy7 - Ryan8 - Thomas9 - D.Jackson10- C.Johnson11- Flacco12- RiversThat would be my list as of now. Of course a little could change tomorrow with a couple decent RB and WR options left out there for the 3rd round and beyond.

No Felix Jones?????????????

 

[KarmaPolice]

1- McFadden2 - Mendenhall3 - Stewart4- Rice5- Forte6 - Hardy7 - Ryan8 - Thomas9 - D.Jackson10- C.Johnson11- Flacco12- RiversThat would be my list as of now. Of course a little could change tomorrow with a couple decent RB and WR options left out there for the 3rd round and beyond.

No Felix Jones?????????????

LOL. Typed Rice instead of Jones for some reason. Jones at 1.4, Rice at 1.7 and slide the idp guy off the board and into the 2nd round....

 

[FUBAR]

Assuming IDP league, where IDPs are actually worth taking in the low 1st, my top 30, in tiers:

TIER 1:

McFadden, Darren RB 6'2" 210 Arkansas Pick 4, Round 1(4) Oakland Raiders

Mendenhall, Rashard RB 5'11" 210 Illinois Pick 23, Round 1(23) Pittsburgh Steelers

Stewart, Jonathan RB 5'11" 235 Oregon Pick 13, Round 1(13) Carolina Panthers

TIER 2:

Jones, Felix RB 6'0" 200 Arkansas Pick 22, Round 1(22) Dallas Cowboys

Johnson, Chris RB 5'11" 197 East Carolina Pick 24, Round 1(24) Tennessee Titans

Ryan, Matt QB 6'5" 224 Boston College Pick 3, Round 1(3) Atlanta Falcons

TIER 3:

Forte, Matt RB 6'2" 222 Tulane Pick 13, Round 2(44) Chicago Bears

Avery, Donnie WR 5'11" 186 Houston Pick 2, Round 2(33) St. Louis Rams

Hardy, James WR 6'6" 220 Indiana Pick 10, Round 2(41) Buffalo Bills

Mayo, Jerod OLB 6'1" 242 Tennessee Pick 10, Round 1(10) New England Patriots

Rivers, Keith LB 6'3" 235 Southern Cal Pick 9, Round 1(9) Cincinnati Bengals

TIER 4:

Rice, Ray RB 5'8" 199 Rutgers Pick 24, Round 2(55) Baltimore Ravens

Flacco, Joe QB 6'7" 236 Delaware Pick 18, Round 1(18) Baltimore Ravens

Thomas, Devin WR 6'2" 215 Michigan State Pick 3, Round 2(34) Washington Redskins

Simpson, Jerome WR 6'2" 190 Coastal Carolina Pick 15, Round 2(46) Cincinnati Bengals

Jackson, DeSean WR 6'0" 178 California Pick 18, Round 2(49) Philadelphia Eagles

TIER 5:

Royal, Eddie WR 5'10" 184 Virginia Tech Pick 11, Round 2(42) Denver Broncos

Sweed, Limas WR 6'4" 212 Texas Pick 22, Round 2(53) Pittsburgh Steelers

Keller, Dustin TE 6'3" 242 Purdue Pick 30, Round 1(30) New York Jets

TIER 6:

Henne, Chad QB 6'2" 225 Michigan Pick 26, Round 2(57) Miami Dolphins

Phillips, Kenny FS 6'2" 208 Miami Pick 31, Round 1(31) New York Giants

Brohm, Brian QB 6'3" 227 Louisville Pick 25, Round 2(56) Green Bay Packers

Kelly, Malcolm WR 6'4" 218 Oklahoma Pick 20, Round 2(51) Washington Redskins

Nelson, Jordy WR 6'3" 217 Kansas State Pick 5, Round 2(36) Green Bay Packers

Long, Chris DE 6'4" 275 Virginia Pick 2, Round 1(2) St. Louis Rams

Dizon, Jordon OLB 6'0" 229 Colorado Pick 14, Round 2(45) Detroit Lions

Gholston, Vernon DE 6'4" 258 Ohio State Pick 6, Round 1(6) New York Jets

Lofton, Curtis LB 6'0" 238 Oklahoma Pick 6, Round 2(37) Atlanta Falcons

Harvey, Derrick DE 6'5" 252 Florida Pick 8, Round 1(8) Jacksonville Jaguars

McKelvin, Leodis CB 5'11" 190 Troy Pick 11, Round 1(11) Buffalo Bills

 

[teamroc]

1. McFadden, Darren RB 6'2" 210 Arkansas Pick 4, Round 1(4) Oakland Raiders

2. Forte, Matt RB 6'2" 222 Tulane Pick 13, Round 2(44) Chicago Bears

3. Stewart, Jonathan RB 5'11" 235 Oregon Pick 13, Round 1(13) Carolina Panthers

4. Mendenhall, Rashard RB 5'11" 210 Illinois Pick 23, Round 1(23) Pittsburgh Steelers

5. Jones, Felix RB 6'0" 200 Arkansas Pick 22, Round 1(22) Dallas Cowboys

6. Rice, Ray RB 5'8" 199 Rutgers Pick 24, Round 2(55) Baltimore Ravens

7. Johnson, Chris RB 5'11" 197 East Carolina Pick 24, Round 1(24) Tennessee Titans

8. Ryan, Matt QB 6'5" 224 Boston College Pick 3, Round 1(3) Atlanta Falcons

9. Jackson, DeSean WR 6'0" 178 California Pick 18, Round 2(49) Philadelphia Eagles

10. Kelly, Malcolm WR 6'4" 218 Oklahoma Pick 20, Round 2(51) Washington Redskins

11. Thomas, Devin WR 6'2" 215 Michigan State Pick 3, Round 2(34) Washington Redskins

12. Flacco, Joe QB 6'7" 236 Delaware Pick 18, Round 1(18) Baltimore Ravens

 

[Chachi]

Assuming IDP league, where IDPs are actually worth taking in the low 1st, my top 30, in tiers:TIER 1:McFadden, Darren RB 6'2" 210 Arkansas Pick 4, Round 1(4) Oakland RaidersMendenhall, Rashard RB 5'11" 210 Illinois Pick 23, Round 1(23) Pittsburgh SteelersStewart, Jonathan RB 5'11" 235 Oregon Pick 13, Round 1(13) Carolina PanthersTIER 2:Jones, Felix RB 6'0" 200 Arkansas Pick 22, Round 1(22) Dallas CowboysJohnson, Chris RB 5'11" 197 East Carolina Pick 24, Round 1(24) Tennessee TitansRyan, Matt QB 6'5" 224 Boston College Pick 3, Round 1(3) Atlanta FalconsTIER 3:Forte, Matt RB 6'2" 222 Tulane Pick 13, Round 2(44) Chicago BearsAvery, Donnie WR 5'11" 186 Houston Pick 2, Round 2(33) St. Louis RamsHardy, James WR 6'6" 220 Indiana Pick 10, Round 2(41) Buffalo BillsMayo, Jerod OLB 6'1" 242 Tennessee Pick 10, Round 1(10) New England PatriotsRivers, Keith LB 6'3" 235 Southern Cal Pick 9, Round 1(9) Cincinnati BengalsTIER 4:Rice, Ray RB 5'8" 199 Rutgers Pick 24, Round 2(55) Baltimore RavensFlacco, Joe QB 6'7" 236 Delaware Pick 18, Round 1(18) Baltimore RavensThomas, Devin WR 6'2" 215 Michigan State Pick 3, Round 2(34) Washington RedskinsSimpson, Jerome WR 6'2" 190 Coastal Carolina Pick 15, Round 2(46) Cincinnati BengalsJackson, DeSean WR 6'0" 178 California Pick 18, Round 2(49) Philadelphia EaglesTIER 5:Royal, Eddie WR 5'10" 184 Virginia Tech Pick 11, Round 2(42) Denver BroncosSweed, Limas WR 6'4" 212 Texas Pick 22, Round 2(53) Pittsburgh SteelersKeller, Dustin TE 6'3" 242 Purdue Pick 30, Round 1(30) New York JetsTIER 6:Henne, Chad QB 6'2" 225 Michigan Pick 26, Round 2(57) Miami DolphinsPhillips, Kenny FS 6'2" 208 Miami Pick 31, Round 1(31) New York GiantsBrohm, Brian QB 6'3" 227 Louisville Pick 25, Round 2(56) Green Bay PackersKelly, Malcolm WR 6'4" 218 Oklahoma Pick 20, Round 2(51) Washington RedskinsNelson, Jordy WR 6'3" 217 Kansas State Pick 5, Round 2(36) Green Bay PackersLong, Chris DE 6'4" 275 Virginia Pick 2, Round 1(2) St. Louis RamsDizon, Jordon OLB 6'0" 229 Colorado Pick 14, Round 2(45) Detroit LionsGholston, Vernon DE 6'4" 258 Ohio State Pick 6, Round 1(6) New York JetsLofton, Curtis LB 6'0" 238 Oklahoma Pick 6, Round 2(37) Atlanta FalconsHarvey, Derrick DE 6'5" 252 Florida Pick 8, Round 1(8) Jacksonville JaguarsMcKelvin, Leodis CB 5'11" 190 Troy Pick 11, Round 1(11) Buffalo Bills

EXCELLENT. I think we're the only guys here who like Matt Ryan over players like Ray Rice. Taking Rice over Ryan shows just how much RBS rule fantasy leagues. I would consider putting Ryan right up there after the big 4 RBs (Including Felix). Matt Forte is getting a huge bump for going to the worst rushing team in the league. What some don't realize is that Benson tied the other AP in ypc and Wolfe was even worse. I'm not defending Benson whatsoever but it wasn't all on the RB.

 

[Toomuchnv]

Assuming IDP league, where IDPs are actually worth taking in the low 1st, my top 30, in tiers:TIER 1:McFadden, Darren RB 6'2" 210 Arkansas Pick 4, Round 1(4) Oakland RaidersMendenhall, Rashard RB 5'11" 210 Illinois Pick 23, Round 1(23) Pittsburgh SteelersStewart, Jonathan RB 5'11" 235 Oregon Pick 13, Round 1(13) Carolina PanthersTIER 2:Jones, Felix RB 6'0" 200 Arkansas Pick 22, Round 1(22) Dallas CowboysJohnson, Chris RB 5'11" 197 East Carolina Pick 24, Round 1(24) Tennessee TitansRyan, Matt QB 6'5" 224 Boston College Pick 3, Round 1(3) Atlanta FalconsTIER 3:Forte, Matt RB 6'2" 222 Tulane Pick 13, Round 2(44) Chicago BearsAvery, Donnie WR 5'11" 186 Houston Pick 2, Round 2(33) St. Louis RamsHardy, James WR 6'6" 220 Indiana Pick 10, Round 2(41) Buffalo BillsMayo, Jerod OLB 6'1" 242 Tennessee Pick 10, Round 1(10) New England PatriotsRivers, Keith LB 6'3" 235 Southern Cal Pick 9, Round 1(9) Cincinnati BengalsTIER 4:Rice, Ray RB 5'8" 199 Rutgers Pick 24, Round 2(55) Baltimore RavensFlacco, Joe QB 6'7" 236 Delaware Pick 18, Round 1(18) Baltimore RavensThomas, Devin WR 6'2" 215 Michigan State Pick 3, Round 2(34) Washington RedskinsSimpson, Jerome WR 6'2" 190 Coastal Carolina Pick 15, Round 2(46) Cincinnati BengalsJackson, DeSean WR 6'0" 178 California Pick 18, Round 2(49) Philadelphia EaglesTIER 5:Royal, Eddie WR 5'10" 184 Virginia Tech Pick 11, Round 2(42) Denver BroncosSweed, Limas WR 6'4" 212 Texas Pick 22, Round 2(53) Pittsburgh SteelersKeller, Dustin TE 6'3" 242 Purdue Pick 30, Round 1(30) New York JetsTIER 6:Henne, Chad QB 6'2" 225 Michigan Pick 26, Round 2(57) Miami DolphinsPhillips, Kenny FS 6'2" 208 Miami Pick 31, Round 1(31) New York GiantsBrohm, Brian QB 6'3" 227 Louisville Pick 25, Round 2(56) Green Bay PackersKelly, Malcolm WR 6'4" 218 Oklahoma Pick 20, Round 2(51) Washington RedskinsNelson, Jordy WR 6'3" 217 Kansas State Pick 5, Round 2(36) Green Bay PackersLong, Chris DE 6'4" 275 Virginia Pick 2, Round 1(2) St. Louis RamsDizon, Jordon OLB 6'0" 229 Colorado Pick 14, Round 2(45) Detroit LionsGholston, Vernon DE 6'4" 258 Ohio State Pick 6, Round 1(6) New York JetsLofton, Curtis LB 6'0" 238 Oklahoma Pick 6, Round 2(37) Atlanta FalconsHarvey, Derrick DE 6'5" 252 Florida Pick 8, Round 1(8) Jacksonville JaguarsMcKelvin, Leodis CB 5'11" 190 Troy Pick 11, Round 1(11) Buffalo Bills

EXCELLENT. I think we're the only guys here who like Matt Ryan over players like Ray Rice. Taking Rice over Ryan shows just how much RBS rule fantasy leagues. I would consider putting Ryan right up there after the big 4 RBs (Including Felix). Matt Forte is getting a huge bump for going to the worst rushing team in the league. What some don't realize is that Benson tied the other AP in ypc and Wolfe was even worse. I'm not defending Benson whatsoever but it wasn't all on the RB.

 

[Maroney=Sped]

1. RB McFadden2. RB Mendenhall3. RB Stewart4. RB F.Jones5. RB Forte6. QB M.Ryan7. RB Johnson8. LB Rivers9. WR J. Hardy10. RB Rice11. LB Lofton12. LB Dizon

Why would Mendehall be ahead of Stewart? Is this based upon what teams drafted them, or is this based upon a talent assessment that you made prior to the draft?

 

[FreeBaGeL]

1. RB McFadden2. RB Mendenhall3. RB Stewart4. RB F.Jones5. RB Forte6. QB M.Ryan7. RB Johnson8. LB Rivers9. WR J. Hardy10. RB Rice11. LB Lofton12. LB Dizon

Why would Mendehall be ahead of Stewart? Is this based upon what teams drafted them, or is this based upon a talent assessment that you made prior to the draft?

I can't speak for Aaron, but I would've grabbed Mendenhall ahead of Stewart regardless of where they were drafted.

 

[Maroney=Sped]

1. RB McFadden

2. RB Mendenhall

3. RB Stewart

4. RB F.Jones

5. RB Forte

6. QB M.Ryan

7. RB Johnson

8. LB Rivers

9. WR J. Hardy

10. RB Rice

11. LB Lofton

12. LB Dizon

Why would Mendehall be ahead of Stewart? Is this based upon what teams drafted them, or is this based upon a talent assessment that you made prior to the draft?

I can't speak for Aaron, but I would've grabbed Mendenhall ahead of Stewart regardless of where they were drafted.

That's why I ask because I certainly like Mendenhall landing in Pittsburgh behind a two-time Pro-Bowler less than I like Stewart in Carolina behind Deangelo Williams.

 

[gregjcross]

1. McFadden, Darren RB 6'2" 210 Arkansas Pick 4, Round 1(4) Oakland Raiders2. Forte, Matt RB 6'2" 222 Tulane Pick 13, Round 2(44) Chicago Bears3. Stewart, Jonathan RB 5'11" 235 Oregon Pick 13, Round 1(13) Carolina Panthers4. Mendenhall, Rashard RB 5'11" 210 Illinois Pick 23, Round 1(23) Pittsburgh Steelers5. Jones, Felix RB 6'0" 200 Arkansas Pick 22, Round 1(22) Dallas Cowboys6. Rice, Ray RB 5'8" 199 Rutgers Pick 24, Round 2(55) Baltimore Ravens7. Johnson, Chris RB 5'11" 197 East Carolina Pick 24, Round 1(24) Tennessee Titans8. Ryan, Matt QB 6'5" 224 Boston College Pick 3, Round 1(3) Atlanta Falcons9. Jackson, DeSean WR 6'0" 178 California Pick 18, Round 2(49) Philadelphia Eagles10. Kelly, Malcolm WR 6'4" 218 Oklahoma Pick 20, Round 2(51) Washington Redskins11. Thomas, Devin WR 6'2" 215 Michigan State Pick 3, Round 2(34) Washington Redskins12. Flacco, Joe QB 6'7" 236 Delaware Pick 18, Round 1(18) Baltimore Ravens

Guys remember, Desean Jackson is 5'9 and 170lbs! he is NOT a top rated prospect unless your scoring gives double points for returns.

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

 

[ADP]

#6 Keith Rivers (MLB!!!)

#

I think Rivers lines up at WLB.....Thurman and Brooks will fight it out for the MLB spot.

River in the MiddleThe buzz is that in Rivers they may very well have their immediate starting middle linebacker for the next seven to 10 years, a position where Lewis needs his stability and leadership after suffering with eight different starters since he arrived in 2003.

It would also allow them to flank him with Brooks on the strong side and Odell Thurman at weak, two guys that haven't been able to get acclimated to the middle, Brooks because of injury and Thurman because of two one-year league suspensions.

But FitzGerald and new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer offered no clues where they would play Rivers and all the rest of the backers.

"We'll see," FitzGerald said and Zimmer said, "The best guys are going to play, it doesn't matter how young they are."

We've been down this road with the Bengals before, but this would seriously boost Rivers' value. Rivers has the cover skills and range to handle the middle and would project to a three down role. You'd think that moves Brooks to the strong side (or bench) and Thurman to the weak side -- if both play to their talents.

Thats all well and good. But I would be prepared for him to start at WLB this year. Thurman will get every shot to prove if he can be same player he was 2 years ago in the middle. Rivers fits better at Will and thats where I believe he will end up.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Why would Mendehall be ahead of Stewart? Is this based upon what teams drafted them, or is this based upon a talent assessment that you made prior to the draft?

I can't speak for Aaron, but I would've grabbed Mendenhall ahead of Stewart regardless of where they were drafted.

That's why I ask because I certainly like Mendenhall landing in Pittsburgh behind a two-time Pro-Bowler less than I like Stewart in Carolina behind Deangelo Williams.

Stewart is in the better situation for this year, but I like Mendenhall to wind up as the better back and believe he has the higher upside. Panthers don't exactly have a very impressive history of developing RBs with Deshaun Foster, Eric Shelton, and DeAngelo Williams all failing to live up to expectations. Steelers offense should be very potent for awhile and Mendenhall could take over feature back role within a couple years.

 

[kethnaab]

FWP is on the way out. Don't believe all the talk about Mendy backing him up. Mendy may not own 2008, but he will own 2009. The Steelers already had made several moves which let you know that FWP was not their idea of an answer. Despite his 2006 season, they let Dookie DAvenport get 2x as many red zone scores and they brought in Mewelde Moore to do 3rd down role.

Mendy can do what Dookie did, but a lot better, so he gets the red zone carries. He can also catch out of the backfield a lot better than FWP and he can block better as well.

That being said, consider this

1) Ben gets new coach and O-coord

2) Ben sets Steelers TD record

3) Ben gets $100mil contract

4) Ben asks for bigass WR to create mismatches in red zone

5) Steelers draft 6'4 Limas Sweed

aside from McNabb possibly playing 10-14 games this season, what other top-rated WR gets a QB the calibre of Ben? ESPECIALLY seeing as how Ben asked SPECIFICALLY for a WR like Sweed?

I see Sweed being undervalued going into this year's FF draft.

 

[FUBAR]

FWP is on the way out. Don't believe all the talk about Mendy backing him up. Mendy may not own 2008, but he will own 2009. The Steelers already had made several moves which let you know that FWP was not their idea of an answer. Despite his 2006 season, they let Dookie DAvenport get 2x as many red zone scores and they brought in Mewelde Moore to do 3rd down role.Mendy can do what Dookie did, but a lot better, so he gets the red zone carries. He can also catch out of the backfield a lot better than FWP and he can block better as well.That being said, consider this1) Ben gets new coach and O-coord2) Ben sets Steelers TD record3) Ben gets $100mil contract4) Ben asks for bigass WR to create mismatches in red zone5) Steelers draft 6'4 Limas Sweedaside from McNabb possibly playing 10-14 games this season, what other top-rated WR gets a QB the calibre of Ben? ESPECIALLY seeing as how Ben asked SPECIFICALLY for a WR like Sweed?I see Sweed being undervalued going into this year's FF draft.

HUSH YOU!