HERD's NFL Mock Draft - After week 8 - (1 Viewer)

[BigSteelThrill]

When was the last time a college coach took a player - a good player - they knew from their college days? Titans (Chow) passed on Leinart...Butch Davis passed on Portis...Petrino passed on Mike Bush...happens ALL THE TIME.

Young was an order from above. Chow had no say. Butch Davis was never known for haveing a clue. Why would Petrino take damaged goods when there were other needs.Petrino takes Brohm. The Woodson hack goes later. He's awful. A guy that looks good in college but will be shredded in the NFL.

I disagree with everything bolded above.

At least you guys can agree on Butch Davis being an idiot.

William Green disagrees.

 

[Colin Dowling]

IMO, Hart, Rice, and Charles have very little chance of being taken in the first round since they likely won't stack up too well at the combine.

5 bucks says Charles has the fastest 40 time of anyone listed in this thread so far. He'll time as fast (or faster) then Reggie Bush did.

Reggie Bush was a superstar in college and an all-around workout warrior. In addition to running a 4.33 at his pro day he also had a 40.5" vertical and a huge 10'8" in the broad jump. He did 24 bench press reps of 225 pounds, which is on par with what the offensive linemen from USC did. Bush's combine numbers are among the best from any prospect at his position in the past 5-6 years. The guy is just a freak. If Charles can put up that kind of a workout then he could leap up the boards. He's definitely a guy who could make a late push, but I think he's probably closer to Tatum Bell than Reggie Bush.

It's very difficult for a RB to sneak into the first round of the draft. When you look at the guys who manage to go that high you generally notice that they fit at least two of the following three criteria:

1. Ideal RB build - Height between 5'9" and 6'1". Weight between 205-235 pounds.

2. Superstar in college - Major production at a division one school.

3. Elite combine numbers - 40 in the 4.3-4.5 seconds range. Broad jump of 10' or greater. Vertical leap of 35" or greater. Three cone time of 7.1 seconds or better.

The elite RB prospects like Lynch, Maroney, Peterson, KJ, LJ, and McGahee fit all of these criteria. Sometimes a guy will sneak in there if he fits only two of the criteria. Addai lacked top production. Benson lacked top workout numbers. Both guys still went in the first because they were very strong in the other two categories. But for the most part, only the RBs who fit all three of these requirements are locks for the first.

The reason I rank Stewart, Mendenhall, and McFadden as the cream of this class is because (in addition to looking the most impressive on the field) they're the guys who fit these criteria. All of them have first round size, statistics, and physical talent.

I didn't suggest Charles would go in Round 1, only that he would run extremely fast. As Michael Huff said before the Rose Bowl when asked if he knew anyone as fast as Reggie Bush, he replied, "Yeah me." When pressed if he'd ever played against anyone as fast as Reggie Bush, he replied, "I practice against Jamal every day." I think Charles goes in the mid-late 2nd.

i'll prempt this comment by stating i don't know jack about college really, but if Beck pans out what do you think Miami will do with the #1? trade down? who would you see being interested in that pick?

they'll take a guy like McFadden #1 overall, esp if Parcells is the GM..Ronnie Brown won't be ready until at LEAST mid-October 2008..

Miami isn't taking McFadden. With regard to Beck "panning out", why isnt' he playing yet?

 

[MooseCats]

I could see the Falcons trading up for the #1, even though there is no threat of St. Louis taking a QB. I could see Minny trading up, although it would cost a lot to get up that high. Chicago as well.

I hope the Rams don't pass on a QB like Ryan or Brohm. Bulger is over 30 now and he is an injury risk. They need a QB for the future. The top QB's in this years draft are too good to pass up. The O-line, when healthy is not that bad and they are young. They can pick a lineman in the 2nd round. They also need to start looking at WR's as well. Holt is getting older and Bruce is a grandpa. What are your thoughts?

 

[pantherclub]

I am pretty sure the Panthers will go either QB or safety or OL with their first pick. DL is not a high priority need right now. The Panthers need QB, safety, LB, OL and probably a RB and WR in this up coming draft. So they pretty much need everything except DL.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

If it's such a weak corner class, what round would you project Macho Harris from VT in if he came out early?

The corner class will not be weak if a few of the juniors declare.

 

[TheGreatest]

nice work as always herd.

Love the idea of Denver just continuing to throw picks at the pass rush - although they need a safety something fierce - so bad that free agency/trade might be the better answer..

It will just be unfair if NE can land someone like Dorsey - they'll be able to keep playing Seau and Bruschi into their 50s with those guys up front.

Denver made a mistake passing on all the safeties available last draft, all 4 of whom are better then Phillips.The NE/SF thing shows exactly why a team like the Patriots stays so good and a team like SF stinks over and over.

I disagree with that statement. Phillips is a stud. Next E. Reed type impact player in the NFL.

 

[Gatorman]

Miami isn't taking McFadden. With regard to Beck "panning out", why isnt' he playing yet?

Colin, you're kidding, right? Miami set out to bring beck along slowly. He was going to spend a year behind green yada yada yada. Right now, it is even money he starts after the bye, and the only reason he wouldn't is b/c Cam is worried about winning that first game.I could be way off here, but I think Miami is going in the right direction despite their record. The O line is looking better, and the offense is better than it has been since Feidler left. Hell, Jimmy Johnson went 1-15 before starting his run, and the Chargers were less than stellar before they got their crap together.Wayne would really have to be an idiot to make ANOTHER coaching change. I don't see a guy like Cower or Parcells making a difference in Miami in one year.McFadden may be the dumbest pick for Miami EVAH!. O and D line. Hopefully someone gets a big enough hard on for McFadden or one of the QBs that they give us some picks.

 

[smackdaddies]

29. Green Bay - Rashard Mendenhall - RB - UI - If you don't know Mendenhall, try here. TONS of forward lean. Great bowling ball size (5'10, 220) and acceleration.

After seeing RM kill my Badgers, I cant argue (of course the Badger D is not what it was)

My question is this - Doesnt Ill run a power game (pulling guard) and the Pack run a cut blocking scheme (aka Denver)?

How will RM style fit what the Packers need?

 

[PatrickT]

I don't know why people assume this. I've seen nothing to suggest that Petrino would bolt after one year. He'd kill any attempt at a future NFL job. Stick it out and fail, he'll always have the Vick fiasco as an excuse.As to number 2, obviously we have little Petrino draft history to base this on, but the best QB on the board is not always the best QB for your offense. I suspect that if they feel Brohm is dropping to a lower pick, they may trade down for more picks.

PEtrino has rapidly been losing control of the locker room. From Crumpler's comments to Hall's comments to the fact that they can't score, the Falcons coach is apparently highly impersonable and very cold. That works when you are winning (a la New England). Not when you stink. This discussion ha been in no fewer then 3 MMQB (King) and a number of other writers have weighed in as well. Re: Brohm. I don't know why people keep thinking that a relationship between a prior college coach and a player remains indefinitely. Petrino took the Atl job on January 7th of 2007. By the time of the draft, it will have been about 16 months since Petrino had any contact (much less coaching) with Brohm. By opening day of 2008, it would be more like 20 months. Could Brohm be good for Petrino's system? Sure. But there isn't much evidence to suggest Petrino's system is a good fit for the NFL. When was the last time a college coach took a player - a good player - they knew from their college days? Titans (Chow) passed on Leinart...Butch Davis passed on Portis...Petrino passed on Mike Bush...happens ALL THE TIME.

It's certainly a popular take, but there's a case to be made that he's taking over the locker room, and we're seeing dissent from players use to the relaxed, chummy, Mora era. There was an AJC article on it that I can't find right now. As to the inability to score, he's missing a lot of the personnel he needs to run his offense, mostly O-line and QB. Also, there are currently 3 Louisville players on the rosters and it was 4 prior to Renardo Foster going down. Seems like we've been through another as well. Not 100% sure, but I believe these were all Petrino pickups. So there's some precedent here.We'll see come '08, maybe you're right but I, personally, haven't seen or heard anything to suggest he'll bolt after this year.

 

[smackdaddies]

If Jack Ikegwuonu (db, WI) comes out this year, do you see him moving into the first round?

 

[ILoveMyLions]

Simply one of the posts I look forward to every year. As always Colin very nice midseason mock...couple things about the Lions...

One, why are we picking so low this year? It's nice not to be in the top ten for a change...

Two, without a doubt, their biggest need is CB. Even though some guys have stepped up and played well of late, Bryant and Wilson as starters will not get it done. If Reggie Smith declares from OU, I would think he'd get a look in round one. If he's there when the Lions pick, being that he can return punts as well, he should be considered.

Third, I agree that LB is another need, but something tells me that the Lions will address MLB in the offseason. I know it's hard to predict trades, but I could see the Lions going after Vilma from the Jets.

Finally, DE is a need as Edwards is likely let go next season. Francis and White are there, but they could use another on in the rotation for sure. I can't argue the pick, but their needs are likely in this order...CB, LB, OT and DE