Bloom field questions about rookie situations here (1 Viewer)

[Sigmund Bloom]

Everyone in IDP wants to know.  Do you think AJ Hawk will play WLB or SLB?

This is very important.  Ask DJ Williams.

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sorry SLB. But he should be a 3 down LB unlike DJ. DJ will be a stud again eventually, dont worry.
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Just a thought. Hawk could easily end up in the middle. There's been plenty of talk that Barnett is best suted to OLB.
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Abdul Hodge? He was born to the play tackle-to-tackle in the middle.

 

[msommer]

In my upcoming rookie draft (16 team, IDP, 4 year contracts, auction league, play 2DL, 3LB, 2DB. The defense generally produces 70-80% of the offense so not unimportant to get it right) I have the 5th pick (no need to advise on that, got that covered already) and #85 and #90.

Usually in our drafts this is where a lot of high bust potential/upside players end as well as DL and DB and sometimes sleepers at LB/WR. Since I am really well off at DB (what I would consider three good young prospects under contract already) I am looking more towards DL.

Mostly looking at 4-3 DE types who are flying under the radar as 2nd string and could produce as DL30-40 next year or 2008.

Would you have someone that fits that mold - or a few bust/potential/sleeper picks on other positions you like from closer to the bottom of the draft.

 

[msommer]

Oh yeah and thank you for volunteering to do this

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

In my upcoming rookie draft (16 team, IDP, 4 year contracts, auction league, play 2DL, 3LB, 2DB. The defense generally produces 70-80% of the offense so not unimportant to get it right) I have the 5th pick (no need to advise on that, got that covered already) and #85 and #90.

Usually in our drafts this is where a lot of high bust potential/upside players end as well as DL and DB and sometimes sleepers at LB/WR. Since I am really well off at DB (what I would consider three good young prospects under contract already) I am looking more towards DL.

Mostly looking at 4-3 DE types who are flying under the radar as 2nd string and could produce as DL30-40 next year or 2008.

Would you have someone that fits that mold - or a few bust/potential/sleeper picks on other positions you like from closer to the bottom of the draft.

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Mark Anderson could be in the rotation in Chicago if Michael Haynes gets his wish and moves on.James Wyche has one best first steps in the draft among pass rushers and could surprise as a sack artist. Brent Hawkins is also a ferocious rusher, but more a tweener - both in jacksonville

Dumervil(DEN) and Tapp(SEA) should be used as 3rd down rush specialist and could be decent fliers in sack weighted leagues.

Theres all kinds of UDFAs i like at the skill positions, they took a beating in the draft. Watch reports out of rookie minicamps closely to see who has the best chance of sticking.

 

[jgb95]

I'm sorry Bloom but do you really see AJ Hawk as SLB in GB.

Do you think they'll put him in coverage instead of attacking the Line of Scrimmage every down????

I figured getting their three best LB's on the field would be :

HAWK = WLB

HODGE = MLB

BARNETT = SLB

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

I'm sorry Bloom but do you really see AJ Hawk as SLB in GB.

Do you think they'll put him in coverage instead of attacking the Line of Scrimmage every down????

I figured getting their three best LB's on the field would be :

HAWK = WLB

HODGE = MLB

BARNETT = SLB

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Personally I think Barnett is better in the chase role, but Hawk would be awesome too. Hawk can play all three. Its just speculation at this point. His talent is overwhelming enough that I would still take him first among IDPs.

 

[jgb95]

FROM USATODAY:

Round 1/5 — A.J. Hawk, OLB, 6-1, 245, Ohio State

The Packers quickly resolved their most pressing of many needs when they held firm with their lofty position in the first round and landed a player many NFL personnel types feel is the defensive newcomer destined to provide the greatest impact right away. Hawk already has been given jersey No. 50 and handed the starting job on the weak side. An ordinary defense has the makings of becoming a fearsome unit with the athletic combination of Hawk and Nick Barnett fortifying the linebacker position.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

FROM USATODAY:

Round 1/5 — A.J. Hawk, OLB, 6-1, 245, Ohio State

The Packers quickly resolved their most pressing of many needs when they held firm with their lofty position in the first round and landed a player many NFL personnel types feel is the defensive newcomer destined to provide the greatest impact right away. Hawk already has been given jersey No. 50 and handed the starting job on the weak side. An ordinary defense has the makings of becoming a fearsome unit with the athletic combination of Hawk and Nick Barnett fortifying the linebacker position.

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, just seeing thompson's comments now. WAAAY too much to catch up.

 

[jgb95]

FROM USATODAY:

Round 1/5 — A.J. Hawk, OLB, 6-1, 245, Ohio State

The Packers quickly resolved their most pressing of many needs when they held firm with their lofty position in the first round and landed a player many NFL personnel types feel is the defensive newcomer destined to provide the greatest impact right away. Hawk already has been given jersey No. 50 and handed the starting job on the weak side. An ordinary defense has the makings of becoming a fearsome unit with the athletic combination of Hawk and Nick Barnett fortifying the linebacker position.

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, just seeing thompson's comments now. WAAAY too much to catch up.
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What do you mean? Can you link his comments here?

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

FROM USATODAY:

Round 1/5 — A.J. Hawk, OLB, 6-1, 245, Ohio State

The Packers quickly resolved their most pressing of many needs when they held firm with their lofty position in the first round and landed a player many NFL personnel types feel is the defensive newcomer destined to provide the greatest impact right away. Hawk already has been given jersey No. 50 and handed the starting job on the weak side. An ordinary defense has the makings of becoming a fearsome unit with the athletic combination of Hawk and Nick Barnett fortifying the linebacker position.

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, just seeing thompson's comments now. WAAAY too much to catch up.
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What do you mean? Can you link his comments here?
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ok now, google news has a blurb about thompson commenting on hawk, but when you drill down to the article, its not there...most are speculating WLB though.

 

[Iron_Far]

Assess the Calhoun situation please.

Wasn't high on his "talent" coming out, but LOVE the situation he's in right now w/ Martz.

TIA.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Assess the Calhoun situation please.

Wasn't high on his "talent" coming out, but LOVE the situation he's in right now w/ Martz.

TIA.

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New regime, everyone has to prove themselves all over again. he's a gamer and will push Kevin Jones in practice. Who knows, it may get a fire lit under Jones. Calhoun's excellent receiving skills do seem like a better fit for Martz. Definitely a sitch to watch, and a must draft if you own Jones.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Off to lunch. Ill try to answer some more questions this afternoon.

 

[The Dude]

Am I crazy to take Maroney at 1.01 over Bush? What level of confidence do you have in Bush being a better fantasy player?

 

[Slinger]

Am I crazy to take Maroney at 1.01 over Bush?  What level of confidence do you have in Bush being a better fantasy player?

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I'm no Bloom, but I would most definitely trade down to the 1.2 spot and get something else in return if you feel that Maroney is the best option for your team.

 

[Imedos]

FROM USATODAY:

Round 1/5 — A.J. Hawk, OLB, 6-1, 245, Ohio State

The Packers quickly resolved their most pressing of many needs when they held firm with their lofty position in the first round and landed a player many NFL personnel types feel is the defensive newcomer destined to provide the greatest impact right away. Hawk already has been given jersey No. 50 and handed the starting job on the weak side. An ordinary defense has the makings of becoming a fearsome unit with the athletic combination of Hawk and Nick Barnett fortifying the linebacker position.

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, just seeing thompson's comments now. WAAAY too much to catch up.
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What do you mean? Can you link his comments here?
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ok now, google news has a blurb about thompson commenting on hawk, but when you drill down to the article, its not there...most are speculating WLB though.

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I posted this earlier in the IDP forum:For now, second-year veteran Roy Manning is No. 1 on the Green Bay Packers' depth at strong-side linebacker, according to linebackers coach Winston Moss. The Packers also will start out with A.J. Hawk playing on the weak side and Nick Barnett remaining in the middle.

Obviously, the Packers believe A.J. Hawk can be a big-play linebacker or they wouldn't have drafted him No. 1. A linebacker can make plays in the running game by striking with force and causing fumbles, or by taking on blockers and chasing backs down for tackles for losses. And it was partly Hawk's toughness and explsoiveness that sold Ted Thompson on drafting him.

But defensive coordinator Bob Sanders said he thought Hawk also had the potential to make plays as a blitzer. "He looks like he has the speed, the toughness, the athleticism to be a good blitzer," said Sanders. There's less reason to think that Hawk will make plays in coverage. Linebackers coach Winston Moss said that probably will be the toughest transition for Hawk. He has little experience in man-to-man coverage.

http://www.jsonline.com/blog/?id=130

There was also a blurb in there that they were thinking about going to a nickel d on passing downs instead of dime(which the d coordinator seems to prefer) to get their best players on the field(Barnett and Hawk).

Of course this is all early, and even if he does play wlb or mlb this year, I think he will always be in danger of moving to SLB.

 

[tkrull]

Rank these:

Jay Cutler

Santonio Holmes

Chad Jackson

Sinorice Moss

Jerious Norwood

Brian Calhoun

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CutlerJackson

Holmes

Norwood

Calhoun

Moss

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Safety: 4 pts Interceptions: 3 pts

Fumble Recovery: 2 pts

Forced Fumble: 2 pts

Sack: 3 pt (1/2 sack = 1.5 pt)

Tackles: 1 pt

Assists: .5 pt

Passes Defended: 1 pt

Interception or Fumble Return Yard: .1 pt

Taking the above IDP scoring into account, throw Hawk, Simms, Greenway, Huff, and Mario into the mix.

Thanks.

 

[Jene Bramel]

FYI, Bloom's full article is now out of the can.

I started a new post, but you can find it here.

 

[Arnold. S]

Nice article Bloom, I see you still have Hawk ranked very high even though you said earlier in this thread that he'll probably be the SLB. If that's the case, is Barnett going to move to WLB and have Hodge play the middle? Roughly, what you think this is going to do to Barnett's numbers??

 

[msommer]

In my upcoming rookie draft (16 team, IDP, 4 year contracts, auction league, play 2DL, 3LB, 2DB. The defense generally produces 70-80% of the offense so not unimportant to get it right) I have the 5th pick (no need to advise on that, got that covered already) and #85 and #90.

Usually in our drafts this is where a lot of high bust potential/upside players end as well as DL and DB and sometimes sleepers at LB/WR. Since I am really well off at DB (what I would consider three good young prospects under contract already) I am looking more towards DL.

Mostly looking at 4-3 DE types who are flying under the radar as 2nd string and could produce as DL30-40 next year or 2008.

Would you have someone that fits that mold - or a few bust/potential/sleeper picks on other positions you like from closer to the bottom of the draft.

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Mark Anderson could be in the rotation in Chicago if Michael Haynes gets his wish and moves on.James Wyche has one best first steps in the draft among pass rushers and could surprise as a sack artist. Brent Hawkins is also a ferocious rusher, but more a tweener - both in jacksonville

Dumervil(DEN) and Tapp(SEA) should be used as 3rd down rush specialist and could be decent fliers in sack weighted leagues.

Theres all kinds of UDFAs i like at the skill positions, they took a beating in the draft. Watch reports out of rookie minicamps closely to see who has the best chance of sticking.

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Thanks and

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Nice article Bloom, I see you still have Hawk ranked very high even though you said earlier in this thread that he'll probably be the SLB.  If that's the case, is Barnett going to move to WLB and have Hodge play the middle?  Roughly, what you think this is going to do to Barnett's numbers??

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I see barnett dropping a little because he's not the only competent LB there.

 

[pretender]

In a league that scores heavy on IDP - You see Hawk even if he is SLB's numbers as being better than Simms or Greenway? Also do you see Mario as being an instant starter this season as well as the linebackers?

Thanks Bloom - outstanding job!

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

In a league that scores heavy on IDP - You see Hawk even if he is SLB's numbers as being better than Simms or Greenway? Also do  you see Mario as being an instant  starter this season as well as the linebackers?

Thanks Bloom - outstanding job!

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yes instant starter for all 4. Hawk's talent is a notch above the other 2 and I would still prefer him at SLB because he'll be a 3 down LB and get pass rush opps.

 

[pretender]

In a league that scores heavy on IDP - You see Hawk even if he is SLB's numbers as being better than Simms or Greenway? Also do  you see Mario as being an instant  starter this season as well as the linebackers?

Thanks Bloom - outstanding job!

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yes instant starter for all 4. Hawk's talent is a notch above the other 2 and I would still prefer him at SLB because he'll be a 3 down LB and get pass rush opps.
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How far off is D Jackson from the top 3 in talent and starting material? IN other words if Hawk and Greenway and Simms were gone - who would you pick next as far as a linebacker that could pay dividends this year?Thanks again

 

[jdoggydogg]

Great info, Bloom.

Maroney. I see Dillon's 2004 numbers and love that situation. Dallas and Indy were hot for him on draft day, that should tell you something.

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I am in an auction dynasty league, and since Bush might be too pricey, I will be targeting Addai, Maroney, and/or Williams. Now, you've seen a lot more of these guys than I have, but I am curious why you'd rank Maroney over Willams. If you look at their respective situations (Dillon=age, Foster=injuries), both have a chance to start sooner than later. And when Carolina has a healthy RB, they seem to prefer to run the ball a bit more than New England. Do you think that Williams has more inate talent than Maroney? If so, wouldn't that make Williams a better #2 pick?

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

In a league that scores heavy on IDP - You see Hawk even if he is SLB's numbers as being better than Simms or Greenway? Also do  you see Mario as being an instant  starter this season as well as the linebackers?

Thanks Bloom - outstanding job!

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yes instant starter for all 4. Hawk's talent is a notch above the other 2 and I would still prefer him at SLB because he'll be a 3 down LB and get pass rush opps.
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How far off is D Jackson from the top 3 in talent and starting material? IN other words if Hawk and Greenway and Simms were gone - who would you pick next as far as a linebacker that could pay dividends this year?Thanks again

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I have Jackson very close to those 3.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Great info, Bloom.

Maroney. I see Dillon's 2004 numbers and love that situation. Dallas and Indy were hot for him on draft day, that should tell you something.

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I am in an auction dynasty league, and since Bush might be too pricey, I will be targeting Addai, Maroney, and/or Williams. Now, you've seen a lot more of these guys than I have, but I am curious why you'd rank Maroney over Willams. If you look at their respective situations (Dillon=age, Foster=injuries), both have a chance to start sooner than later. And when Carolina has a healthy RB, they seem to prefer to run the ball a bit more than New England. Do you think that Williams has more inate talent than Maroney? If so, wouldn't that make Williams a better #2 pick?

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For strictly running the ball, I have them very close. Williams is a little more elusive, but I love Maroney's deceptive speed. Williams is the better receiver, but I think Maroney will surprise as a receiver once he develops.Situation I think Maroney is a lock to get the TD carries once he takes over, and Im not 100% sure about Williams getting them with Shelton lurking. I also think Maroney has the better shot of completely taking over and having a Caddy like impact this year. I agree that they are very, very close and you should be happy to get either.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Great info, Bloom.

Maroney. I see Dillon's 2004 numbers and love that situation. Dallas and Indy were hot for him on draft day, that should tell you something.

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I am in an auction dynasty league, and since Bush might be too pricey, I will be targeting Addai, Maroney, and/or Williams. Now, you've seen a lot more of these guys than I have, but I am curious why you'd rank Maroney over Willams. If you look at their respective situations (Dillon=age, Foster=injuries), both have a chance to start sooner than later. And when Carolina has a healthy RB, they seem to prefer to run the ball a bit more than New England. Do you think that Williams has more inate talent than Maroney? If so, wouldn't that make Williams a better #2 pick?

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For strictly running the ball, I have them very close. Williams is a little more elusive, but I love Maroney's deceptive speed. Williams is the better receiver, but I think Maroney will surprise as a receiver once he develops.Situation I think Maroney is a lock to get the TD carries once he takes over, and Im not 100% sure about Williams getting them with Shelton lurking. I also think Maroney has the better shot of completely taking over and having a Caddy like impact this year. I agree that they are very, very close and you should be happy to get either.

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Well said. Thanks

 

[TitusIII]

Dusty Dvorcek or Mike Ditka?

 

[Keg]

Everyone in IDP wants to know.  Do you think AJ Hawk will play WLB or SLB?

This is very important.  Ask DJ Williams.

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sorry SLB. But he should be a 3 down LB unlike DJ. DJ will be a stud again eventually, dont worry.
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Just a thought. Hawk could easily end up in the middle. There's been plenty of talk that Barnett is best suted to OLB.
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I'm sorry Bloom but do you really see AJ Hawk as SLB in GB.

Do you think they'll put him in coverage instead of attacking the Line of Scrimmage every down????

I figured getting their three best LB's on the field would be :

HAWK = WLB

HODGE = MLB

BARNETT = SLB

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here is some additional info...for those that may not know this Barnett played SLB his final 2 yrs at OregonLink for 2002 OS Depth Charts

OREGON STATE 2002 DEPTH CHART

Returning Starters in Bold

DEFENSE

DE  Noah Happe-Jr  Bill Swancutt-So

DT  Eric Manning-Sr  James Lee-Sr

DT  Dwan Edwards-Jr  Henry Anderson-Fr

DE  Dan Rothwell-Jr  Jayson Jean-Baptiste-Jr

SLB  Nick Barnett-Sr Jason Jacobs-Jr

MLB  Richard Seigler-Jr Jonathan Pollard-So

WLB  Erik Tuma-Sr  Seth Lacey-So

CB  Terrell Roberts-Sr  Aric Williams-So

CB  Dennis Weathersby-Sr  Jamaal Jackson-Fr

SS  Lawrence Turner-Jr  Shamon Jamerson-Jr

FS  Mitch Meeuwsen-So  Brandon Catenese-Jr

P  Carl Tobey-Jr John Millar-Jr

LINK on Barnett playing SLB

Notes: High school hurdler and weightlifter. Enrolled as a linebacker in 1999 but moved to safety and played in every game, primarily on special teams. Shifted to outside linebacker in 2000, played in every game and started five games at the "Will" LB spot. Started every game at "Sam" LB position in '01. Had 44 tackles, three tackles for loss and broke up one pass in 2000. Had 73-6 with two sacks, broke up four passes with one interception in '01. Started all 13 games in '02, making 121-201-6, two forced fumbles, seven passes broken up and one blocked kick. Had a strong Combine performance, with a 6.87 three-cone and 32 reps of 225. Also showed he was intent on playing linebacker by added considerable bulk since the end of the '02 season.

Per KFFL LINK

Packers | Hodge provides depth at linebacker; he has a shot to start

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 06:47:25 -0700

Lori Nickel, of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, reports the Green Bay Packers plan to start off using third-round draft pick LB Abdul Hodge at middle linebacker at minicamp next weekend. Hodge seems willing to move around if need be to get on the field. Packers' general manager Ted Thompson said he was impressed that Hodge never left the field at Iowa and said it was conceivable that he could be a starter, and not just a special teams guy, in 2006. "You never know how that's going to work out, we're going to play the best three linebackers," Thompson said. "It's conceivable, sure."

LINK

Green Bay - The Green Bay Packers turned three first-day draft choices and the trade of wide receiver Javon Walker into five selections Saturday and three more Sunday while at the same time fortifying some of the weakest areas on the roster.

Led by the quintessential collegiate linebacker, A.J. Hawk of Ohio State, the Packers drafted five players with no fewer than three years of starting experience and an average score of 24.8 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test, about five more than the league average.

"All five of those guys are what I consider, we as a group consider, real football guys," GM Ted Thompson said. "Tough guys. Smart guys. I told my scouts three months ago to remind me every 15 minutes that we need real football players and not to get caught up with 40 times."

"We trusted our board," coach Mike McCarthy said. "We peeled them right off."

Hawk, 6 feet 1 inches and 245 pounds, immediately was installed as the starting weak-side linebacker.

"I think he'll be an impact player," McCarthy said. "He's been consistent throughout his whole career. I think he's a complete football player."

In the second round, the Packers took Boise State left tackle Daryn Colledge (6-4½, 301) but probably will give him every chance to start as a rookie, most likely at left guard where Junius Coston had been the nominal No. 1 this spring.

Five selections later, the Packers used the No. 52 pick on wide receiver Greg Jennings (5-11, 198) of Western Michigan. With Walker having been traded to Denver for a second-round choice (No. 37), Jennings has the ability to push for one of the top three berths as a rookie.

Green Bay's two choices in the third round were middle linebacker Abdul Hodge (6-0 ½, 234) of Iowa and center Jason Spitz (6-3½, 313) of Louisville.

After staying put and taking Hawk at No. 5, the Packers traded their second-round pick (No. 36) to New England for a second-round choice (No. 52) and a third-round choice (No. 75). Using the trade value chart, they finished plus-60 on the transaction.

Then they sent the No. 37 pick and a fifth (No. 139) to Atlanta for the second-round choice (No. 47) used for Colledge, a third-round pick (No. 93) and a fifth-round pick (No. 148). They finished plus-41 on that transaction.

Thompson said the Packers would have taken Colledge at No. 36, and thus were pleased to find him still available at No. 47.

Later, they dealt the third-round pick (No. 93) to St. Louis for a fourth-round pick (No. 109) and a sixth-round selection (No. 183). They finished minus-45 on that deal.

Now the Packers will open his morning with six selections, including two in the fourth round, two in the fifth, one in the sixth and one in the seventh. Beginning the day, they had four second-day choices.

Trading down three times increased to 11 the number of times that Thompson has backed up in 6½ drafts for Seattle and Green Bay. He has not traded up once.

"I don't necessarily like to (trade down)," Thompson said. "I do it when I have a number of players available that I'd consider taking, that I know I can go back and get one of those players. I won't sacrifice a player to move down."

Hodge will start out backing up Nick Barnett in the middle. However, the Packers intend to play their best three linebackers, and if Roy Manning and former Brown Ben Taylor don't pan out on the strong side Hodge definitely will have a chance to start.

Spitz, a guard in college, will start off competing with Chris White for the backup center job behind Scott Wells.

The Packers went with Hawk over Maryland's Vernon Davis, a brilliant prospect at tight end, quarterbacks Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler and defensive back Michael Huff.

"There's not any category that I can think of that I'm worried about," Thompson said, referring to Hawk. "That doesn't mean he's a perfect player or anything like that. But I think the fans here are going to love this guy. He's all football."

The Houston Texans might have used the first pick in the draft on defensive end Mario Williams but the consensus of scouts in the league was that Hawk was the better player. A Journal Sentinel poll of 16 personnel people saw Hawk get 11 votes as the best defensive player in the draft compared to three for Williams and two for linebacker Ernie Sims.

Several scouts said Hawk clearly would prove to be a superior linebacker in the 4-1 dime defense than Nick Barnett, who played almost every snap for the last three seasons and was no better than adequate against run and pass. Now the Packers will have two linebackers with speed and can employ more 4-2 sets on passing downs, increasing their ability to stop the run.

Hawk started for three seasons, as did Jennings and Hodge. Colledge was a four-year starter at left tackle and Spitz started 3½ years at guard.

Their Wonderlic scores were 27 for Hawk, 30 for Colledge, 18 for Jennings, 22 for Hodge and 27 for Spitz.

"We want to make an impact with high-character individuals," offensive line coach Joe Philbin said.

According to scouts, Colledge fits well in the zone style of ground game that the Packers will switch to in '06. His initial success, however, will hinge on whether he is robust enough in the upper body to anchor against big defensive tackles.

"He's got very good lower-body strength," Philbin said. "He's got good bend. He's got a chance to play with leverage."

The program at Boise State has taken off in recent seasons so caliber of competition didn't bother the Packers.

"He has quickness, balance and he's athletic," Philbin said. "Plus, you've got to love his durability. And he loves the game of football."

Jennings also toiled in the lower levels of Division I-A but that didn't stop the Packers. In the Journal Sentinel poll of 20 personnel people, he tied for the fourth best wide receiver in the draft.

"I was very impressed with his yards after the catch," McCarthy said. "He knows what to do with the ball in his hands. He has a playmaker mentality."

McCarthy would prefer more height at wide receiver but it was a weak year at the position and the Packers had a desperate need after letting go of Walker.

"I think he's got the ability to become a starter," new wide receivers coach Jimmy Robinson said. "I felt he can come in and contribute early. He's quick and agile. He played extremely hard. He plays big, in my opinion. And he's a pretty good route-runner. He broke tackles and made guys miss."

Hodge started 37 games in the Big Ten, one fewer than Hawk, and was responsible for the same number of turnover plays with 12. Thompson said Hodge never left the field at Iowa.

"When we watched the film he can get the ball out," new linebackers coach Winston Moss said. "We talked about him being very undersized but he is a very competitive undersized."

Hodge played alongside Chad Greenway, an outside linebacker drafted in the first round by Minnesota.

"He tackled just as well as Greenway," Moss said.

Spitz was scheduled to move from guard to center in '05 but injuries elsewhere on the line prevented it.

"He uses his hands better than anyone in the draft," Philbin said. "He's smart and very tough. He has good functional strength and uses his hands to gain separation."

The trick is trying to sift thru all the information and samples we have to project what we THINK will or could happen because most of us have our Rook drafts so early...with that said...I think that

Barnett will stay at MLB

Hawk at WLB

Roy Manning or Ben Taylor at SLB(if these 2 guys flop then there could be a shake up)

but there is a possability that if HODGE shows he belongs on the field as one of the top 3 LBs then I think it would be possible to see the following:

Hodge at MLB

Hawk at WLB

Barnett at SLB

now the reason i see it possibly playing out that way is due to the fact that Barnett has always been considered a bit small for the MLB position and Hawk fits the WLB seek and destroy perfectly...i dont think anyone would disagree that Hodge is anything but a natural MLB...in the following notice the part i bolded...that also tells me that Hawk isnt going to play SLB...but we really wont know til we know

But defensive coordinator Bob Sanders said he thought Hawk also had the potential to make plays as a blitzer. "He looks like he has the speed, the toughness, the athleticism to be a good blitzer," said Sanders. There's less reason to think that Hawk will make plays in coverage. Linebackers coach Winston Moss said that probably will be the toughest transition for Hawk. He has little experience in man-to-man coverage.

http://www.jsonline.com/blog/?id=130

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[Sigmund Bloom]

GREAT post KEG. the next version of rookie 100 will be a lot better, please forgive me for not having the time to the complete research y'all deserve on the news from the few days after the draft due to getting all my draft coverage out there. There's a ton of stuff coming up for the magazine, but after that ill be hitting the news wires hard to follow rookie minicamps.

thanks everyone for the kind words.

 

[Tommy Collins]

Not the draft, but what are your thoughts of Martin Nance ending up in Buffalo?  They have a bunch of guys all fighting for spots with nobody standing out outside of Evans.  Does Nance have the ability to earn a spot and see some playing time?

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This question definitely interests me and hoping for your insight on the matter as well Bloom. I watched his highlight reel and the boy has some nice hands. They don't have much of a good possession receiver since they traded Moulds. Reed and Aiken aren't going to give us much production and Evans, Price, Parrish aren't what I would call a possession type receiver. I think he'll make the team, but his chances of starting?

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Not the draft, but what are your thoughts of Martin Nance ending up in Buffalo?  They have a bunch of guys all fighting for spots with nobody standing out outside of Evans.  Does Nance have the ability to earn a spot and see some playing time?

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This question definitely interests me and hoping for your insight on the matter as well Bloom. I watched his highlight reel and the boy has some nice hands. They don't have much of a good possession receiver since they traded Moulds. Reed and Aiken aren't going to give us much production and Evans, Price, Parrish aren't what I would call a possession type receiver. I think he'll make the team, but his chances of starting?
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You hit it. Nance certainly has the ability to earn a spot. The 2003 Nance would have definitely been a first day pick, and he was very productive only one year removed from a ACL tear. I dont know if he can start this year, but he can contribute as the only big WR on the roster (assuming he makes it).

 

[Christo]

Great info, Bloom.

Maroney. I see Dillon's 2004 numbers and love that situation. Dallas and Indy were hot for him on draft day, that should tell you something.

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I am in an auction dynasty league, and since Bush might be too pricey, I will be targeting Addai, Maroney, and/or Williams. Now, you've seen a lot more of these guys than I have, but I am curious why you'd rank Maroney over Willams. If you look at their respective situations (Dillon=age, Foster=injuries), both have a chance to start sooner than later. And when Carolina has a healthy RB, they seem to prefer to run the ball a bit more than New England. Do you think that Williams has more inate talent than Maroney? If so, wouldn't that make Williams a better #2 pick?

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For strictly running the ball, I have them very close. Williams is a little more elusive, but I love Maroney's deceptive speed. Williams is the better receiver, but I think Maroney will surprise as a receiver once he develops.Situation I think Maroney is a lock to get the TD carries once he takes over, and Im not 100% sure about Williams getting them with Shelton lurking. I also think Maroney has the better shot of completely taking over and having a Caddy like impact this year. I agree that they are very, very close and you should be happy to get either.

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That doesn't help a person with the 1.02. I demand that you guaranty which one of those two is the right one to choose.

 

[The Dude]

Am I crazy to take Maroney at 1.01 over Bush?  What level of confidence do you have in Bush being a better fantasy player?

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Can I et some thoughts on this? assume a trade down 1 spot won't happen.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Am I crazy to take Maroney at 1.01 over Bush?  What level of confidence do you have in Bush being a better fantasy player?

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Can I et some thoughts on this? assume a trade down 1 spot won't happen.
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I vote crazy.

 

[Christo]

Am I crazy to take Maroney at 1.01 over Bush?  What level of confidence do you have in Bush being a better fantasy player?

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Can I et some thoughts on this? assume a trade down 1 spot won't happen.
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I vote crazy.
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[-OZ-]

Am I crazy to take Maroney at 1.01 over Bush?  What level of confidence do you have in Bush being a better fantasy player?

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Can I et some thoughts on this? assume a trade down 1 spot won't happen.
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Then trade down 2 if you aren't drafting Bush.