Jake Long (1 Viewer)

[Chase Stuart]

The NFL and AFL had their first common draft in 1967, making this year the 42nd draft in modern professional football history.

Jake Long becomes the third offensive lineman selected with the first pick, joining Orlando Pace and Ron Yary (HOF). Each made 7 Pro Bowls.

Fifteen lineman have now been drafted first overall, with twelve of them being defensive players.

Exactly two-thirds of the number one draft picks have been offensive players.

Long becomes the eighth player from the Big 10 to be drafted first overall, joining Courtney Brown, Pace, Ki-Jana Carter, Dan Wilkinson, Jeff George, Tom Cousineau and Bubba Smith.

Long becomes the first Michigan Wolverine ever selected with the number one overall pick.

Long becomes the 38th 37th first draft pick selected from a current BCS school. Alex Smith (Utah), David Carr (Fresno State), Ed "Too Tall" Jones (Tennessee State), John Matuszak (Tampa) and and Terry Bradshaw (Louisiana Tech) were all drafted from current non-BCS schools or non-Division 1 schools (Jones, Matuszak).

Long joins Bubba Smith and Orlando Pace in a tie for the third tallest player ever picked first overall. Ed "Too Tall" Jones was the tallest first pick ever at 6'9, and John Matuszak ranks second at six feet, eight inches. Ki-Jana Carter, 5'10, was the shortest top selection ever.

Long is also the third heaviest player ever (315 lbs) drafted first overall, behind Dan Wilkinson (335) and Orlando Pace (325). Irving Fryar was the lightest first pick, weighing just 200 pounds.

Long is also the first native Michigander selected at the top of the draft. Washington, Texas and Ohio have each had four top picks, while California leads the country with six sons selected first (Palmer, Aikman, Keyshawn Johnson, Plunkett, David Carr and O.J. Simpson).

Long is the tenth oldest player selected first overall. Billy Simms was the oldest, as he turned 25 in September of his rookie season. Mike Vick was the youngest, and both he and Alex Smith were just 20 years old when drafted.

Edits in strike-through and bold.

 

[Phlash]

I love it, very interesting stuff here.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Additionally,

According to the current breakdown of schools, the ACC and the Big 12 have five number one picks, the Big 10 has eight, the SEC has seven, and the Pac-10 has eleven. Notre Dame has one (Walt Patulski), and the Big East has zero. Mike Vick was selected first overall when Virginia Tech was in the Big East, but VT is now in the current ACC. The current WAC has two (Carr, Bradshaw) and the current Mountain West has one (Alex Smith). USC has the most number one picks, with five.

Long is the 14th player selected by an AFC East team with the first pick. The Bills have four (Bruce Smith, Cousineau, Patulski and Simpson), the Baltimore Colts have one (Elway; the Colts were not in the AFC East when Bubba Smith was selected), the Indianapolis Colts have three (Manning, George and Emtman), the Jets have one (Keyshawn) and the Patriots have four (Drew Bledsoe, Irving Fryar, Kenneth Sims and Jim Plunkett). This is the first number one pick by Miami.

 

[FUBAR]

Long becomes the eighth player from the Big 10 to be drafted first overall, joining Courtney Brown, Pace, Ki-Jana Carter, Dan Wilkinson, Jeff George, Tom Cousineau and Bubba Smith.

Great company.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Long becomes the eighth player from the Big 10 to be drafted first overall, joining Courtney Brown, Pace, Ki-Jana Carter, Dan Wilkinson, Jeff George, Tom Cousineau and Bubba Smith.

Great company.

Smith and Pace were elite players. Wilkinson and George turned in pretty good careers; they started over 300 games combined. Brown and Carter suffered injury issues, and Cousineau was at least decent. Not a great group, but not awful, either.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Long becomes the eighth player from the Big 10 to be drafted first overall, joining Courtney Brown, Pace, Ki-Jana Carter, Dan Wilkinson, Jeff George, Tom Cousineau and Bubba Smith.

Great company.

Smith and Pace were elite players. Wilkinson and George turned in pretty good careers; they started over 300 games combined. Brown and Carter suffered injury issues, and Cousineau was at least decent. Not a great group, but not awful, either.

For comparison's purposes, the current SEC:JaMarcus - Eli Manning - ; won a SB, no Pro Bowls, has largely been average. Ring goes a very long way in some eyes, though.Tim Couch = bustPeyton Manning Aundray Bruce = decentBo Jackson = great for a couple yearsGeorge Rogers = pretty good for awhileI'd say the SEC has a small edge, but not a large one.

 

[jurb26]

Eli Manning - ; won a SB, no Pro Bowls, has largely been average. Ring goes a very long way in some eyes, though.

I'd say it goes a long way in everyones eyes that are not preoccupied with fantasy stats rather than on field accomplishments. It's not like this guy was just playing the role of Dilfer out there.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Eli Manning - ; won a SB, no Pro Bowls, has largely been average. Ring goes a very long way in some eyes, though.

I'd say it goes a long way in everyones eyes that are not preoccupied with fantasy stats rather than on field accomplishments. It's not like this guy was just playing the role of Dilfer out there.

Eli as a fantasy QB >> Eli as an NFL QB, for most of his career.

 

[jurb26]

Eli Manning - ; won a SB, no Pro Bowls, has largely been average. Ring goes a very long way in some eyes, though.

I'd say it goes a long way in everyones eyes that are not preoccupied with fantasy stats rather than on field accomplishments. It's not like this guy was just playing the role of Dilfer out there.

Eli as a fantasy QB >> Eli as an NFL QB, for most of his career.

I don't know about that. I haven't spent a great deal of time watching Eli play, but for a young QB who was thrown right into the fire I don't think 55% completion and 77 TDs to 64 INTS is anything to sneeze at. His play in last years playoffs was nothing short of impressive.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Eli Manning - ; won a SB, no Pro Bowls, has largely been average. Ring goes a very long way in some eyes, though.

I'd say it goes a long way in everyones eyes that are not preoccupied with fantasy stats rather than on field accomplishments. It's not like this guy was just playing the role of Dilfer out there.

Eli as a fantasy QB >> Eli as an NFL QB, for most of his career.

I don't know about that. I haven't spent a great deal of time watching Eli play, but for a young QB who was thrown right into the fire I don't think 55% completion and 77 TDs to 64 INTS is anything to sneeze at. His play in last years playoffs was nothing short of impressive.

Eli ranked 5th, 10th and 13th in fantasy points in '05, '06 and '07. He was below the league average in adjusted yards per pass attempt (yards per pass attempt adjusted for TDs and INTs) and net adjusted yards per pass attempt (adjusted yards per pass attempt, with sacks and sack yardage lost data included) in both 2006 and 2007. He was slightly above average in those two categories in '05, but he was not one of the five best QBs in the NFL that season. I think he's been a better fantasy QB than regular QB each of the past three seasons. Manning also benefited from an easy schedule in 2006 and a really easy schedule in 2005 (his one strong statistical season). While I haven't run the SOS numbers for 2007, I'd suspect that Manning finally had a harder than average schedule, which would be a point in his favor. But that's just a guess.Regardless, I think it's pretty obvious to people that have been watching him the past three seasons that he was a better fantasy QB than NFL QB in 2005, 2006 and the 2007 regular season. Don't forget that last year Manning ranked 7th in pass attempts, but 1st in interceptions.

 

[FUBAR]

Long becomes the eighth player from the Big 10 to be drafted first overall, joining Courtney Brown, Pace, Ki-Jana Carter, Dan Wilkinson, Jeff George, Tom Cousineau and Bubba Smith.

Great company.

Smith and Pace were elite players. Wilkinson and George turned in pretty good careers; they started over 300 games combined. Brown and Carter suffered injury issues, and Cousineau was at least decent. Not a great group, but not awful, either.

For comparison's purposes, the current SEC:JaMarcus -

Eli Manning - ; won a SB, no Pro Bowls, has largely been average. Ring goes a very long way in some eyes, though.

Tim Couch = bust

Peyton Manning

Aundray Bruce = decent

Bo Jackson = great for a couple years

George Rogers = pretty good for awhile

I'd say the SEC has a small edge, but not a large one.

It bears mentioning that the Bucs still blew that pick. You're right though, it's a solid group. My head was wrapped in FF, where none of them made an impact, and I was thinking recent Pace, not prime Pace.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Long becomes the eighth player from the Big 10 to be drafted first overall, joining Courtney Brown, Pace, Ki-Jana Carter, Dan Wilkinson, Jeff George, Tom Cousineau and Bubba Smith.

Great company.

Smith and Pace were elite players. Wilkinson and George turned in pretty good careers; they started over 300 games combined. Brown and Carter suffered injury issues, and Cousineau was at least decent. Not a great group, but not awful, either.

For comparison's purposes, the current SEC:JaMarcus -

Eli Manning - ; won a SB, no Pro Bowls, has largely been average. Ring goes a very long way in some eyes, though.

Tim Couch = bust

Peyton Manning

Aundray Bruce = decent

Bo Jackson = great for a couple years

George Rogers = pretty good for awhile

I'd say the SEC has a small edge, but not a large one.

It bears mentioning that the Bucs still blew that pick. You're right though, it's a solid group. My head was wrapped in FF, where none of them made an impact, and I was thinking recent Pace, not prime Pace.

 

[Despyzer]

Eli Manning - ; won a SB, no Pro Bowls, has largely been average. Ring goes a very long way in some eyes, though.

I'd say it goes a long way in everyones eyes that are not preoccupied with fantasy stats rather than on field accomplishments. It's not like this guy was just playing the role of Dilfer out there.

If not for a fluky pass to David Tyree, I doubt many people would consider Eli to be much more than an average QB. Some people just base their opinions on highlight reels though.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Eli Manning - ; won a SB, no Pro Bowls, has largely been average. Ring goes a very long way in some eyes, though.

I'd say it goes a long way in everyones eyes that are not preoccupied with fantasy stats rather than on field accomplishments. It's not like this guy was just playing the role of Dilfer out there.

If not for a fluky pass to David Tyree, I doubt many people would consider Eli to be much more than an average QB. Some people just base their opinions on highlight reels though.

Agreed. He'd be Jake Delhomme, without the impressive Super Bowl performance (or brother).

 

[jurb26]

Eli Manning - ; won a SB, no Pro Bowls, has largely been average. Ring goes a very long way in some eyes, though.

I'd say it goes a long way in everyones eyes that are not preoccupied with fantasy stats rather than on field accomplishments. It's not like this guy was just playing the role of Dilfer out there.

If not for a fluky pass to David Tyree, I doubt many people would consider Eli to be much more than an average QB. Some people just base their opinions on highlight reels though.

Agreed. He'd be Jake Delhomme, without the impressive Super Bowl performance (or brother).

I thought Eli played extremely well all playoffs and that was really one of the 1st chances I got to really watch him play closely. You can't just take away that play because you think it is "fluky" too. Heck, I don't even see how you could call it that. The guy showed great poise, field awareness and grit on that play. Even still, if you are dead set on taking it away he finished the post-season with 854 yds passing, over a 60% completion rate, 6:1 TDs vs Ints, a 95.7 QB rating and best of all a Super Bowl Champ. It was far more than just an impressive Super Bowl performance. It was a series of consecutively impressive performances at the most critical time of all. Moreover, had they lost to NE I would hardly say that greatly tarnished how he performed throughout that post-season run. Hell, nobody (myself included) gave them a serious chance at beating NE. NE my have been the best team of this generation and where 17-0. There really would have been no shame in loosing that game IMO.

 

[Despyzer]

It was far more than just an impressive Super Bowl performance.

If you actually watched the game, I'm not sure how you could even call it that. Eli's passes were pretty sloppy, and there were several balls that should have, by all rights, been picked off because they were thrown so poorly. The fact that DBs didn't come up with them or WRs bailed him out did not make it an impressive display at all... unless you are just looking at numbers.

 

[Liquid Tension]

Eli Manning - ; won a SB, no Pro Bowls, has largely been average. Ring goes a very long way in some eyes, though.

I'd say it goes a long way in everyones eyes that are not preoccupied with fantasy stats rather than on field accomplishments. It's not like this guy was just playing the role of Dilfer out there.

If not for a fluky pass to David Tyree, I doubt many people would consider Eli to be much more than an average QB. Some people just base their opinions on highlight reels though.

Before the playoffs Eli was an above average QB. He is a little bit better than that right now but not top 5 like some people have said.

 

[Liquid Tension]

It was far more than just an impressive Super Bowl performance.

If you actually watched the game, I'm not sure how you could even call it that. Eli's passes were pretty sloppy, and there were several balls that should have, by all rights, been picked off because they were thrown so poorly. The fact that DBs didn't come up with them or WRs bailed him out did not make it an impressive display at all... unless you are just looking at numbers.

I am assuming you are talking about the so called dropped INT from Samuel...I have watched that play in slo mo and and that would have been a heck of a INT. He was fully stretched out above his head and had to worry about staying in bounds (In his mind as he did have room). He couldn't really reach it to get his full hand on the ball.Eli, also made some very good throws in the game and made some good non throws when it wasn't there. He played well, but not great.

 

[Maroney=Sped]

Pac-10 is stout here:

Ron Yary (HoF)

OJ Simpson (HoF)

Jim Plunkett (multiple Super Bowl winner)

Steve Bartkowski (multiple Pro Bowler)

Ricky Bell (bust due to heart problems)

John Elway (HoF)

Troy Aikman (HoF)

Steve Emtman (bust due to knee injuries)

Drew Bledsoe (multiple Pro Bowler)

Keyshawn Johnson (multiple Pro Bowler)

Carson Palmer (multiple Pro Bowler)

 

[jurb26]

It was far more than just an impressive Super Bowl performance.

If you actually watched the game, I'm not sure how you could even call it that. Eli's passes were pretty sloppy, and there were several balls that should have, by all rights, been picked off because they were thrown so poorly. The fact that DBs didn't come up with them or WRs bailed him out did not make it an impressive display at all... unless you are just looking at numbers.

You've got to be kidding me. That play to Tyree was made 1st and foremost by Eli. His LT was beat horribly off the edge, forced Eli up in the pocket, nearly sacked him but Eli slipped it, then Eli slipped another near sack spun out of harms way all the while having the sense to keep his eyes down field spot the hole in the coverage and deliver a great pass while 2 more rushers approached him. Your damn right his WR better have made the catch after all of that. You know it is possible for more than 1 player to make a great play during a single down.Sure Samuel could have picked that one pass. It would have been a difficult pick, but still one I would expect an player of his caliber to make. Regardless Eli played well. He played well all playoffs. For as often as the guy gets bashed you would think people in the "shark pool" would have the sense about them to acknowledge when he plays well. I've not heard anyone say he is a top 5 QB and I certainly wouldn't say that.