Where will McFadden go next year? (1 Viewer)

[Bracie Smathers]

The Browns are improved. Their is no factual basis to suggest the pick they traded to attain Quinn will be a top five pick or higher next year but I'd love to hear anyone who feels they have objective factual evidence to the contrary.

1) They play in a division with Steelers, Bengals, & Ravens and will be lucky to get 1 win total vs those teams.2) There is a reason they have been drafting at the top of the draft for the last 3 years.

3) There is NO factual basis to suggest they will be better next year, only speculation on your part as to how the new players they brought in will fit into the browns scheme (or lack there of).

4) The only factual evidence around is to look at what they have done the last couple of years (Absolutley nothing). Plenty of teams bring in new players, not many make huge improvements over the last years records.

5) Derek Anderson is said to be looking the best of your QBs in camp

This was a weak Draft and the Browns traded their #1 next year for Brady Quinn. Not a good move IMO. He won't improve the Browns this year. If they really wanted a QB they should have waited till next years draft. Much more tallent at that position next year.

As for McFadden. Guy will be a stud and I would not be suprissed if they Cowboys made a run at him.

1. The AFCN was gifted the injuries that Cleveland was wrought with which they did not have to deal with or overcome last season. Your logic is that Cleveland is bad and the other teams in the division are good because YOU say so. The Ravens won six more games last year when McNair took over at QB. If he goes down they've got Kyle Boller at QB. The Steelers lost their HOF HC and Pro Bowl OLB and they've got vets pissed off at the changes to the point their ALL-PRO OG Fanneca says this is his last season. The Steelers did nothing in the draft other than fill holes that they created and the guy they got to take over for Porter hasn't been able to practice because he's got a groin pull. The Bengals have had thier 11th or twelfth arrest of this off-season yesterday and will have two suspensions going heading into this season. That team is far from under the control of the coaching staff.

Last year was the first time EVER that Cleveland failed to win one game within its division so if you want to base things off of past performance then write in minimum one automatic win and past stats prove minimum two victories within the division. I don't base projected wins on past performance but I do use baseline equilibrium of past performance as a starting point to judge where a team is now from a point in time. Two years ago when the Steelers won the Super Bowl and when the Bengals had the best record in the division and when the Browns won six games, two inside the AFCN, with KWII out all year on IR and with Braylon only managing one start his rookie season, and lacking the improvements along the offensive line and lacking the revamped defensive personnel to fit the scheme installed the Browns won six games. Their is NO QUESTION that the Browns are better than the team Romeo/Savage inherited at this time two years ago.

2. Past poor performance had a basis in fact. Funny how fact dictates performance and when facts change so does performance. See above on how the Browns have changed the personnel of the team.

3. You say the Browns will not be better and provided no fact to back that claim. See the discourse of the upgraded personnel, err that would be the facts of upgraded personnel in case you missed it.

4. Yes, YOU SAY that the Browns have done nothing. YOUR OPINION. LMFAO. I've shown the improvements kid.

5. Derek Anderson has looked the best in camp and that is why Quinn was drafted. DA has shown an improvement over Frye. Their was no other option other than Frye last year so DA is an improvement and is the best looking QB in camp at this time. If Quinn holds out then Brady will have no shot to start early this year and Anderson should start the season. I don't put much stock in Frye or Anderson blowing up yet considering the poor play of Frye last year it wouldn't take much to improve the QB play so their is an improvement over the Browns QB position of last year and that is based in FACT of having more talent/competition than last year.

Also I've seen next year's crop of QBs and they are not better than Quinn, um that is MY OPINION and I hold MY OPINION higher than someone you who hasn't brought one fact to the table but only has his ill-informed opinion. Also the Ravens play in the same division as Cleveland and they were working the phone lines to move up to draft Brady Quinn. The Browns have to square off against two of the best young QBs in the league in Carson Palmer and Big Ben. If the Browns had not made the move to get Quinn then the Ravens would have him today. Cleveland would be have been lambasted if Baltimore had acquired Quinn and they were left only with Frye/Anderson as their only QB options especially if they could have made a move to land him and then had to wait till next year not knowing if they even could get a QB.

If Cleveland were to hold out in order to try and draft a QB next year:

- their is no guarantee that they would be able to land one.

- their is no guarantee that any QB available next year will be better than Quinn and from what I have seen none have shown they are better than Quinn.

- their is no guarantee that if Cleveland did become infatuated with a QB that they could move up to land the guy they want much like them inquiring about JaMarcus Russell this year and finding the asking price prohibitive.

- the contract price in terms of a top three QB compared with a QB taken with the 22nd pick is about $50 MILLION difference so the risk/price paid out to take a flyer on Quinn is far less expensive than a top drafted QB.

The most telling aspect of the Quinn story was when Savage let slip that he would never have made the move to trade for Quinn without getting the blind side protector Joe Thomas. Savage also mentioned the skill positions, Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow Junior, so the acquisition was not just about getting Brady Quinn in a vacum. Not many young QBs coming into the league have that sort of supporting cast coming into the league and who will grow with him. Tim Couch certainly didn't have the talent of Quinn and he most cetainly lacked that sort of supporting cast and he got the Browns to the playoffs by his third season. Couch had such stalwarts as, Irv Smith at TE, Darrin Cheverinni at WR, and Orlando Brown at OT, not to mention Karrim Abdul Jabbar at RB and a host of other forgettable's.

Cleveland is a better team than last year. The improvements made in the team will elicit a better W/L record. If that pisses off Dallas fans then I really don't care. If others are ignorant of the improvements and get caught by suprise then so much the better. But you didn't bring one fact to the discussion and trust me, you haven't got a clue about the Browns or what they have done especially when you say they haven't done ANYTHING over the last few years. What a joke.

 

[rzrback77]

I read all through this thread. Predicting which team will draft McFadden is just plain silly. Especially since he will stay at Arkansas so that he can graduate like he promised his momma and won't be drafted till 09.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Bracie Smathers

Its reasonable to project that they'll finish at 7-9

BROWNS SCHEDULESep 9 Pittsburgh 1:00pm Sep 16 Cincinnati 1:00pm Sep 23 @Oakland 4:05pm Sep 30 Baltimore 1:00pm Oct 7 @New England 1:00pm Oct 14 Miami 1:00pm Week 7 BYE Oct 28 @St. Louis 1:00pm Nov 4 Seattle 4:05pm Nov 11 @Pittsburgh 1:00pm Nov 18 @Baltimore 1:00pm Nov 25 Houston 1:00pm Dec 2 @Arizona 4:05pm Dec 9 @N.Y. Jets 4:15pm Dec 16 Buffalo 1:00pm Dec 23 @Cincinnati 1:00pm Dec 30 San Francisco 1:00pm Please show me your 7 wins

 

[benbadman]

I'm interested in what you guys think about where DMac will end up next year. I read in another thread that someone anticipates him to not only go to Dallas,... but start there. Is it possible for him to go to Cleveland or maybe Tennessee? What is you guys thoughts on this?

how can he go to Cleveland?? cleveland gave up their '08 first rounder (definitely a top10 pick, probably top5 lol) to move up and get Brady Quinn

 

[Burning Sensation]

Bracie Smathers

Its reasonable to project that they'll finish at 7-9

BROWNS SCHEDULE

Sep 9 Pittsburgh 1:00pm

Sep 16 Cincinnati 1:00pm

Sep 23 @Oakland 4:05pm

Sep 30 Baltimore 1:00pm

Oct 7 @New England 1:00pm

Oct 14 Miami 1:00pm

Week 7 BYE

Oct 28 @St. Louis 1:00pm

Nov 4 Seattle 4:05pm

Nov 11 @Pittsburgh 1:00pm

Nov 18 @Baltimore 1:00pm

Nov 25 Houston 1:00pm

Dec 2 @Arizona 4:05pm

Dec 9 @N.Y. Jets 4:15pm

Dec 16 Buffalo 1:00pm

Dec 23 @Cincinnati 1:00pm

Dec 30 San Francisco 1:00pm

Please show me your 7 wins

I count 8

 

[oukurt]

Does this awesome RB remind anybody of the powerful Earl Campbell? I'd like a good "you tube" visual of this guy.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1FCfZoPGEFAhttp://youtube.com/watch?v=6ofdva1wAaU

Impressive. Then only thing not impressive is the the spelling of Heisman (Heismen) at the beginning and end of the first video.

 

[Colin Dowling]

Have to chime in - this speculation is ridiculous. It's too early to guess where he goes and too early to guess who takes him. If we're going to play this game, let's keep on going (why not!)1. Atlanta - trades up for Brian Brohm - WHY NOT?2. Minnesota- Eric Ainge - WHY NOT?3. Jacksonville - Andre Woodson - Sure thing, WHY NOT? and on and on and on and on...Seriously, doesn't it seem at least a little silly to say, "Jerry Jones is from Arkansas... I bet he moves heaven and earth to get McFadden!" especially when he has two decent RBs on the roster now?

A little silly? Maybe. But I think it has some purpose. In most years, you have on one hand a list of very good players who may become top 5 picks and on the other hand a list of 5 or so very poor teams. Seldom do the two lists come together until after the season. However, if you have a tiny, reasonable idea that maybe, maybe a decent team could trade up for one of those top 5 picks, doesn't that make him more valuable in keeper leagues in which you can draft college players? Let's say that you think that the two worst teams next year with some RB need will be OAK and CLE (Bracie, please just suspend belief for me man). And the two best RBs will be McFadden and Slaton. And you want to draft one. Doesn't it help to know that one of those two might get drafted by a decent team trading up? If all things are equal, wouldn't you draft that player over the other player? I think that very slight informational differences like this can make a pretty big difference in a fantasy league.

It certainly makes a selection of a college player at this point "feel better", but I'm not sure it means much in terms of how their career's could end up. Players that go so high in the draft, especially running backs, are almost always given lots of chances and the benefit of the doubt at almost every turn in an effort to get them to stud level in the NFL. And in most cases, that is exactly what happens. Most folks debated endlessly about who was the best bet of Ronnie Brown, Carnell WIlliams, and Cedric Benson and factored team in to the discussion. Now, two years later, I'm not sure anyone can say with any confidence that Benson on the Dolphins or Brown on the Bucs would look all that much different in the box score.Bottom line: like Benson, Brown, Williams, Bush, Peterson, Lynch, etc...Rbs selected in the first round, particularly the high first round, are worth rostering for 3-4 years regardless of their situation. If you have a chance to add McFadden or SLaton or any prospect rated so highly in a college draft, you most certainly shouldn't pass on them out of fear they'll end up in Oakland...

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Have to chime in - this speculation is ridiculous. It's too early to guess where he goes and too early to guess who takes him. If we're going to play this game, let's keep on going (why not!)1. Atlanta - trades up for Brian Brohm - WHY NOT?2. Minnesota- Eric Ainge - WHY NOT?3. Jacksonville - Andre Woodson - Sure thing, WHY NOT? and on and on and on and on...Seriously, doesn't it seem at least a little silly to say, "Jerry Jones is from Arkansas... I bet he moves heaven and earth to get McFadden!" especially when he has two decent RBs on the roster now?

A little silly? Maybe. But I think it has some purpose. In most years, you have on one hand a list of very good players who may become top 5 picks and on the other hand a list of 5 or so very poor teams. Seldom do the two lists come together until after the season. However, if you have a tiny, reasonable idea that maybe, maybe a decent team could trade up for one of those top 5 picks, doesn't that make him more valuable in keeper leagues in which you can draft college players? Let's say that you think that the two worst teams next year with some RB need will be OAK and CLE (Bracie, please just suspend belief for me man). And the two best RBs will be McFadden and Slaton. And you want to draft one. Doesn't it help to know that one of those two might get drafted by a decent team trading up? If all things are equal, wouldn't you draft that player over the other player? I think that very slight informational differences like this can make a pretty big difference in a fantasy league.

It certainly makes a selection of a college player at this point "feel better", but I'm not sure it means much in terms of how their career's could end up. Players that go so high in the draft, especially running backs, are almost always given lots of chances and the benefit of the doubt at almost every turn in an effort to get them to stud level in the NFL. And in most cases, that is exactly what happens. Most folks debated endlessly about who was the best bet of Ronnie Brown, Carnell WIlliams, and Cedric Benson and factored team in to the discussion. Now, two years later, I'm not sure anyone can say with any confidence that Benson on the Dolphins or Brown on the Bucs would look all that much different in the box score.Bottom line: like Benson, Brown, Williams, Bush, Peterson, Lynch, etc...Rbs selected in the first round, particularly the high first round, are worth rostering for 3-4 years regardless of their situation. If you have a chance to add McFadden or SLaton or any prospect rated so highly in a college draft, you most certainly shouldn't pass on them out of fear they'll end up in Oakland...

Very good point. But as a separation point between the two, if one of them is possibly coveted by a better team, you'd have to choose him, wouldn't you?Doesn't matter to me as I drafted him in my college keeper league LAST year.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Bracie Smathers

Its reasonable to project that they'll finish at 7-9

BROWNS SCHEDULESep 9 Pittsburgh 1:00pm Sep 16 Cincinnati 1:00pm Sep 23 @Oakland 4:05pm Sep 30 Baltimore 1:00pm Oct 7 @New England 1:00pm Oct 14 Miami 1:00pm Week 7 BYE Oct 28 @St. Louis 1:00pm Nov 4 Seattle 4:05pm Nov 11 @Pittsburgh 1:00pm Nov 18 @Baltimore 1:00pm Nov 25 Houston 1:00pm Dec 2 @Arizona 4:05pm Dec 9 @N.Y. Jets 4:15pm Dec 16 Buffalo 1:00pm Dec 23 @Cincinnati 1:00pm Dec 30 San Francisco 1:00pm Please show me your 7 wins

Tactics change to you attempting to make me to pick individual NFL games months prior to the 07 campaign begining? Nah, I don't think so. Cleveland IS a better team, and after being informed of the facts of many, but not ALL of the upgrades, you wisely don't try to contest that fact. You can pick individual games months prior to the season starting. If you want to challenge any of the specific facts noted of where the team is improved and what prompted the W/L record of last two years, personnel issues based primarily in well documented factual injuries, then I'm more than willing to indulge you. Per the Browns, you have shown that you know only the upcoming schedule. Based on your comments you know nothing which lead to prior Cleveland W/L records of the last two years and you have shown no clue how the team has improved over the past two years.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Have to chime in - this speculation is ridiculous. It's too early to guess where he goes and too early to guess who takes him. If we're going to play this game, let's keep on going (why not!)1. Atlanta - trades up for Brian Brohm - WHY NOT?2. Minnesota- Eric Ainge - WHY NOT?3. Jacksonville - Andre Woodson - Sure thing, WHY NOT? and on and on and on and on...

Is it any sillier than speculating how many attempts/catches/yards/tds/etc. particular players are going to accumulate in the coming year?It's all in good fun in these dog days of summer where the only sport, and I use that term loosely, to watch is baseball.

Seriously, doesn't it seem at least a little silly to say, "Jerry Jones is from Arkansas... I bet he moves heaven and earth to get McFadden!" especially when he has two decent RBs on the roster now?

Q: Why would the Vikings draft AP when they already had a 1200 yd rusher on their roster in Chet Taylor? A: Because AP's better than Taylor.Same situation applies in Dallas where I have little doubt they're done with Julius Jones. Maybe the new coaches can coax a better performance from him, though.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Tactics change to you attempting to make me to pick individual NFL games months prior to the 07 campaign begining? Nah, I don't think so. Cleveland IS a better team, and after being informed of the facts of many, but not ALL of the upgrades, you wisely don't try to contest that fact.

So you are saying that 7 wins is a number of wins you threw out there without looking at the schedule (either you looked at it and guessed at where those 7 wins would come, or you blindly threw out that number)Every team makes changes (not always improvements) in the offseason, and every team always says and thinks they are better. How did all the Browns FA signings last year work out for them? The fact that the browns have a lot of inexperiance at QB will make it very difficult for them to get 7 wins.

If you want to challenge any of the specific facts noted of where the team is improved and what prompted the W/L record of last two years, personnel issues based primarily in well documented factual injuries, then I'm more than willing to indulge you.

You can blame the W/L record of the last few years on injuries but usually good teams have depth and are able to handle injuries, where bad teams lack detph and injuries cripple them during the season.

Per the Browns, you have shown that you know only the upcoming schedule. Based on your comments you know nothing which lead to prior Cleveland W/L records of the last two years and you have shown no clue how the team has improved over the past two years.

Obviously by your initial post you overvalue every player on the browns (you are a homer) and are not very objective so what would the point be in an arguement about Jamal Lewis or Eric Steinbeck. But just for fun I will discuss one player with you.Jamal Lewis2005 BAL 15 269 906 3.4 3 44 32 191 6.0 1 134 25 0 [game logs] [splits] 2006 BAL 16 314 1132 3.6 9 26 18 115 6.4 0 179 16 18 [game logs] [splits] Do you really think he will do better with the Browns? Rueben avg. 3.4 yards per carry last year. Not an improvement at all. There is a reason he signed with the browns. It was one of the only teams that he could go to and have a shot at being the starting RB. People were not knocking down his door to have him play for them. I would be willing to say that the NFL front office people on every team know more than both you and I do about Jamal Lewis, so wouldn't that tell you something about him? If the team has improved over the last two years then why did they do worse last year then the year before? To me that would say the regressed. I must just be wrong when I say a team regressed because they had less wins then the year before.You make no sense even though you are trying to. Sure you can post and talk all you want about the positives of the browns but one thing you have to know is ITS NOT EVEN THE PRESEASON. Every team thinks they have a shot at doing well. You don't often hear bad things about new players brought in during the preseason.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

So you are saying that 7 wins is a number of wins you threw out there without looking at the schedule (either you looked at it and guessed at where those 7 wins would come, or you blindly threw out that number)

I didn't blindly throw out anying kid. I have already explained how I derived my win total and it wasn't by predicting the entire 07 seson game by game months in advance. I used the improvements made over the last two seasons from the 6-10 season of two years ago when the AFCN North provided the top winning team and the Super Bowl Champion and the Browns had a front office/coaching change and still managed six wins.

Every team makes changes (not always improvements) in the offseason, and every team always says and thinks they are better. How did all the Browns FA signings last year work out for them? The fact that the browns have a lot of inexperiance at QB will make it very difficult for them to get 7 wins.

Savage signed one stud free agent, La Charles Bentley. Why do YOU TELL ME why he was signed and then YOU TELL ME what happened to him. I know, YOU DON'T and I need a good laugh so your explanation should be a scream.Per the QB situation, its improved over last year and has hope for the future which it hasn't had in a long time for the Browns.

You can blame the W/L record of the last few years on injuries but usually good teams have depth and are able to handle injuries, where bad teams lack detph and injuries cripple them during the season.

And Cleveland had no depth along the offensive line and at linebacker and at QB in the past. You still haven't shown an inkling that you know one thing about the Browns or the state the roster was in when Romeo/Savage took over for Butch Davis. You have't a clue about the depth which has been acquired and has been developed or has yet to be tapped.

Obviously by your initial post you overvalue every player on the browns (you are a homer) and are not very objective so what would the point be in an arguement about Jamal Lewis or Eric Steinbeck. But just for fun I will discuss one player with you.

Obviously you are a Cowboy fan who is stewing in some ridiculous moronic wild fantasy that you will have the first pick in the draft which you WON'T kid. And if that pisses you off then TFB LMFAO.

Jamal Lewis

2005 BAL 15 269 906 3.4 3 44 32 191 6.0 1 134 25 0 [game logs] [splits]

2006 BAL 16 314 1132 3.6 9 26 18 115 6.4 0 179 16 18 [game logs] [splits]

Do you really think he will do better with the Browns? Rueben avg. 3.4 yards per carry last year. Not an improvement at all. There is a reason he signed with the browns. It was one of the only teams that he could go to and have a shot at being the starting RB. People were not knocking down his door to have him play for them. I would be willing to say that the NFL front office people on every team know more than both you and I do about Jamal Lewis, so wouldn't that tell you something about him?

Do 'think' Jamal will do better? No, I KNOW he will do better.

Jamal Lewis suffered an ankle injury in November of 04. He wasn't able to have surgery on the ankle due to swelling so that took place at a later time. He was not supposed to be 100% until April of 06, over a FULL YEAR from the time he had surgery. He was incarcerated during the 05 off-season where he missed:

- all OTAs

- rehab on his ankle

- missed the entire training camp

- missed preseason

He CLEARLY was not 100% at the start of the 05 season and his surgeon said he wasn't supposed/scheduled to be near 100% recovered till April of last year. Oh and while in prison what did Jamal do? I'm sure you don't know but I do, he worked out for 12 hours a day but he wasn't rehabbing his ankles properly but instead was lifting like a mad man so he arrived in Baltimore at 250lbs which was 10lbs over his previous playing wieght. Guess what sort of effect the extra added muscle had on his ankle which was NOT 100% ? If you guessed it caused problems you would be correct. Also look at the split of the 05 season more closely.

He only had two 100 yard games which came in the last five games of that year. Of his three rushing TDs he scored two of them over that same time period. His averages went up substantially over the last month of the 05 campaign which would coincide with him performing better in 06 and Jamal did improve but not to the point he was performing at in 04 or 03.

Looking at 06 do you know what happened with how the Baltimore OC was using Jamal? I do. He was yanking him out of goal line situations for Musa Smith and an extra tight end. Billick fired his OC after a game he used Lewis on only nine carries. Over the first six games Lewis had only scored one TD. Over the last ten games he scored eight TDs. The carries he got in the next game after his OC was fired was 31 and he had first first 100 yard rushing game of last year. And what I had said about Jamal's average per rush being a full yard higher rushing behind Ogden is accurate.

Direction

Split ======= RUSH = YDS = AVG = TD

LEFT SIDE ------- 99 ---- 431 -- 4.4 --- 3

MIDDLE --------- 117 ---- 394 -- 3.4 --- 5

RIGHT SIDE ----- 67 ---- 227 --- 3.4 --- 0

Ogden is NOT the OLT that he was and the Ravens offensive line is in need or repair as evidenced by their first round pick of OG Ben Grubbs whom they chose after failing to land QB Brady Quinn and OLT Joe Staley. One of the big draws for Jamal to come to Cleveland was the signing of Stienbeck and Savage's assurances to him that the Browns were committed to improving the offensive line. Promise kept.

If the team has improved over the last two years then why did they do worse last year then the year before? To me that would say the regressed. I must just be wrong when I say a team regressed because they had less wins then the year before.

Yeah, lots of facts you bring in that statement. You say they regressed based on the number of wins and your backing fact is to show how they regressed right? No, you say they regressed because you say so without any backing evidence.

You make no sense even though you are trying to. Sure you can post and talk all you want about the positives of the browns but one thing you have to know is ITS NOT EVEN THE PRESEASON. Every team thinks they have a shot at doing well. You don't often hear bad things about new players brought in during the preseason.

Yeah, thanks for educating me on your opinion of pompous bluster backed without any fact Cowboy homer who has an agenda to spew steaming piles about Cleveland becaue you think SMIRK the Browns are going to be worse than last year based on the grand scale of knowledge from your trough of YOUR OPINION, LMFAO.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Yeah, thanks for educating me on your opinion of pompous bluster backed without any fact Cowboy homer who has an agenda to spew steaming piles about Cleveland becaue you think SMIRK the Browns are going to be worse than last year based on the grand scale of knowledge from your trough of YOUR OPINION, LMFAO.

Im actually a Seahawks fan, and a very objective one at that. I didn't say they would be worse, but to increase by 3 wins is a lot. It is hard to be worse than 4 wins. I also think this will allow the cowboys a great chance at getting McFadden (trying to stay on topic). The pick the browns traded is a Top 10, and most likely a Top 5 pick IMO. That is not worth Brady Quinn.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Im actually a Seahawks fan, and a very objective one at that. I didn't say they would be worse, but to increase by 3 wins is a lot. It is hard to be worse than 4 wins.

Objective? How? In the facts you bring to the discussion?

What transpired last year with the Browns compared to the year prior are facts that can be viewed in determing what happened compared with the 05 season. You feel last year's final W/L record is all the evidence needed to project this year's W/L record without knowledge of why last year's record changed from the previous season.

Teams are allowed to have their W/L records change in non-sequential manner and when they do its due to situations changing. You don't know the situations of the Browns over the last two years so your guess of thier projected record this year is just that, a guess made without any backing evidence or fact to support your guess.

I also think this will allow the cowboys a great chance at getting McFadden (trying to stay on topic). The pick the browns traded is a Top 10, and most likely a Top 5 pick IMO. That is not worth Brady Quinn.

Who was the last dominat RB to power his team to the SB victory without top quality QB play?Let me stress the phrase DOMINANT RB. Marshall had Warner, Jamal wasn't dominant at that time and he was a rookie and was riding the wave of a generational defense, LdT hasn't won a single post season game in six full seasons. Priest Holmes didn't get there. LJ hasn't gotten there. Emmit had Troy. Earl Cambell kept running into the Steelers who had Bradshaw and the Curtain. You know Alexander has Hass and he didn't win it.

If McFadden is the reincarnation of Earl Cambel II then he'll be a fantastic RB to watch and might end up a bridesmaid ALA Earl the Pearl unless Romo turns into a great QB.

In any event if the Cowboys package both of thier first round picks and either Julius Jones/MB III they could move up to get McFadden and that is about the sort of personnel move that I'd expect of a front office run by Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips. They won't be getting McFadden from the pick they get from the Browns.

 

[Riffraff]

In any event if the Cowboys package both of thier first round picks and either Julius Jones/MB III they could move up to get McFadden

Both JJ and MB are likely to be free agents. Impossible to trade a player not on the roster.

 

[Bizkiteer]

I find it very humorous that people would really debate/argue of this stuff, especially since it's speculation since one game hasn't even been played. One team that looked like crap the year before always surprises and another that did well...flops. To make any real projection and get upset and defend it...is just plain ol silly. Get real!

 

[JAA]

hes a stud and should go top 5.

The interesting one will be Slaton. Not as much of a specimen as McFadden and AP, but an excellent 1 cut speedy runner.

 

[JAA]

Dallas.

They will either be drafting high enough with Cleveland's pick to get him outright or could package both picks to move up to get him.

Where did Jerry Jones go to school again.....

Jerry Jones also already showed his cards on this back in April (see post 10 in this thread). If anyone has any new info to this would be happy to hear support for their "opinion"

I'm confused why opinion is in quotes. Of course all these posts are just opinion. We're talking about what team will draft what player in about 11 months. But it's pretty obvious to me that Jerry Jones is the type of owner that is going to want the best player from his alma mater in years (and it's not like his alma mater is USC) on his team, positional need or not.

It's a silly mistake to read too much into the JJ quote. He was prompted. The same reporter could have mentioned Brian Brohm, Calais Campbell or Kenny Phillips and JJ may have given the same smirking reply. I saw the interaction, and JJ was just responding to a prompt. He wasn't "showing his hand." The two 1st round picks and the need at RB are more compelling to me than anything JJ said about a stud from his alma mater. I think Aposulli's post is equally compelling:

Detroit

Houston

Oakland

Green Bay

Tampa Bay

Atlanta

Arizona

New York Giants

Miami

Carolina

Tennessee

Jacksonville

I'd take that field over Dallas if we were betting. Finally, McFadden is a terrific talent. I love his game. Marcus Allen with jets. That's exceedingly high praise from me, but we have a long long long way to go and some superb RBs in next year's draft. Slaton isn't far behind McFadden (in fact, I would take him first from what I have seen). He's Reggie Bush part 2. Stewart may realize his potential and become too enticing to pass up like Brown before Williams. I was opposed to those that thought Quinn was a lock for #1 this time last year, and argued he may not be QB1. Same thinking applies here. We have no idea what next year will bring-- injuries, performance, off field shenanigans... long way to go. I'm not anointing anyone. As a Cowboy fan I would celebrate the arrival of McFadden, however.

Well, any smart bettor would take the field over Dallas at this point. I didn't know you liked Slaton that much. I thought he looked soft at times last year and also seemed to have some fumble problems. It will be interesting to see what happens this year if Devine is there, although I think the odds of him being there and eligible are slim.

Slaton definately needs to prove this season he can hold onto the ball. He did have a fractured wrist all season which led to a bunch of the fumbles. The offseason wrist surgery he had corrected the issue. This year is his chance.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

Am I the only one that thinks McFadden is being overhyped and won't be the first player selected in Fantasy drafts next year?

 

[Chaos Commish]

Am I the only one that thinks McFadden is being overhyped and won't be the first player selected in Fantasy drafts next year?

I went on record saying I prefer Slaton for the NFL, but I expect McFadden, if healthy, to be the first RB drafted in the NFL and in dynasty rookie drafts (and make a strong run at the Heisman). He's an incredible RB in a great running offense with some of the best interior line play I have seen in years. Why do you think he won't go first, and who do you think goes before him?

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

Am I the only one that thinks McFadden is being overhyped and won't be the first player selected in Fantasy drafts next year?

I went on record saying I prefer Slaton for the NFL, but I expect McFadden, if healthy, to be the first RB drafted in the NFL and in dynasty rookie drafts (and make a strong run at the Heisman). He's an incredible RB in a great running offense with some of the best interior line play I have seen in years. Why do you think he won't go first, and who do you think goes before him?

I just think that he isn't as Agile or physical as some people speculate. Does he have outstanding speed? Yes, but can he break tackles on a regular basis...I'm not so sure. I do like Slaton, also think next years RB class has a lot of talent...Jonathon Stewart, James Davis, Jamaal Charles, Ray Rice, Ian Johnson, T. Choice.....and many others.Its too early to say McFadden is THE guy. If he was the complete package I wouldn't question it.

 

[Willie Mays Hayes]

Am I the only one that thinks McFadden is being overhyped and won't be the first player selected in Fantasy drafts next year?

I went on record saying I prefer Slaton for the NFL, but I expect McFadden, if healthy, to be the first RB drafted in the NFL and in dynasty rookie drafts (and make a strong run at the Heisman). He's an incredible RB in a great running offense with some of the best interior line play I have seen in years. Why do you think he won't go first, and who do you think goes before him?

I'm an admitted fan of WVU and Slaton. After his freshman year I thought he'd be the perfect fit for Denver's running attack...the speed that Shanny coveted in Tatum Bell with more instinctive running skills. Somehow I think Denver does all it can to get Slaton. Travis Henry is a great pickup for them in the offseason but we all know how much Shanahan changes his mind. I respect McFadden as the physical specimen that he is but Slaton outproduced him in just about every stat last year. I know it wasn't apples to apples (SEC vs. Big East, etc.) but Slaton is the ultimate breakaway threat plus he factors into the game as a receiver. I really do hope he breaks this myth on him being "soft" this year because as one poster said, that can't be farther from the truth.As for Noel Devine, expect him to play a big role this year as a return man on special teams. When not spelling Slaton, he may get on the field at the same time with Steve with one of them as a slot receiver. The best prediction I've heard for Devine is 5-600 yards rushing this year. As a result, Slaton gets less wear and tear when the game is in hand and Devine will get 8-12 carries to show what he's capable of. While WVU fans have been through this with Gwaltney as a highly touted recruit, I have a good feeling about Devine. I think this kid knows that this is his shot to make his (and his kids') life different. He's not had a good childhood, getting to the NFL would right a lot of things wrong in his life. Unlike the embarassment that is Pacman Jones and Chris Henry!

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Am I the only one that thinks McFadden is being overhyped and won't be the first player selected in Fantasy drafts next year?

I went on record saying I prefer Slaton for the NFL, but I expect McFadden, if healthy, to be the first RB drafted in the NFL and in dynasty rookie drafts (and make a strong run at the Heisman). He's an incredible RB in a great running offense with some of the best interior line play I have seen in years. Why do you think he won't go first, and who do you think goes before him?

I just think that he isn't as Agile or physical as some people speculate. Does he have outstanding speed? Yes, but can he break tackles on a regular basis...I'm not so sure. I do like Slaton, also think next years RB class has a lot of talent...Jonathon Stewart, James Davis, Jamaal Charles, Ray Rice, Ian Johnson, T. Choice.....and many others.Its too early to say McFadden is THE guy. If he was the complete package I wouldn't question it.

I agree with the Agile part. I don't think he's as "flexible" if you will and it may hurt him at the next level. But I think he can be plenty physical.

 

[TDavi118]

Since Dallas has Cleveland's 1st round rook in '08, wouldn't they have to trade up to get DMac? Even if the Browns finish 5-11 or 6-10 or 7-9, that pick in '08 would be too late to pick DMac in my opinion. So Dallas would have to trade up the draft to get him,... anybody agree,...disagree?

 

[FFFIEND]

I would like to the 121st person to say Dallas...

 

[Anthony Borbely]

If Vick doesn't play, Atlanta is a definite possibility.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Since Dallas has Cleveland's 1st round rook in '08, wouldn't they have to trade up to get DMac? Even if the Browns finish 5-11 or 6-10 or 7-9, that pick in '08 would be too late to pick DMac in my opinion. So Dallas would have to trade up the draft to get him,... anybody agree,...disagree?

The Browns win 7 games? Not likely.Sure anything is possible, but they look like a serious option for 3 or 4 wins.

 

[OCC]

The Browns are improved. Their is no factual basis to suggest the pick they traded to attain Quinn will be a top five pick or higher next year but I'd love to hear anyone who feels they have objective factual evidence to the contrary.

1) They play in a division with Steelers, Bengals, & Ravens and will be lucky to get 1 win total vs those teams.2) There is a reason they have been drafting at the top of the draft for the last 3 years.

3) There is NO factual basis to suggest they will be better next year, only speculation on your part as to how the new players they brought in will fit into the browns scheme (or lack there of).

4) The only factual evidence around is to look at what they have done the last couple of years (Absolutley nothing). Plenty of teams bring in new players, not many make huge improvements over the last years records.

5) Derek Anderson is said to be looking the best of your QBs in camp

This was a weak Draft and the Browns traded their #1 next year for Brady Quinn. Not a good move IMO. He won't improve the Browns this year. If they really wanted a QB they should have waited till next years draft. Much more tallent at that position next year.

As for McFadden. Guy will be a stud and I would not be suprissed if they Cowboys made a run at him.

Wait next year for a QB? Rookie qb 2008? How long are you planning to delay fielding a good team?They felt Quinn was a franchise QB. They get to start building around him now, instead of 2008. They need to start winning sooner rather then later.

I like the move.

Having a lame duck QB in 07, then drafting a QB in 08, is a lot worse then getting your franchise QB now.

We can debate if Quinn is any good, but they felt he was, so I like the move. You can't just throw away a year, and say "we'll get a QB next year". Next year, the entire coaching staff will be fired. They need to start moving forward with the foundation of the team, and that's with Quinn at QB.

 

[JAA]

Since Dallas has Cleveland's 1st round rook in '08, wouldn't they have to trade up to get DMac? Even if the Browns finish 5-11 or 6-10 or 7-9, that pick in '08 would be too late to pick DMac in my opinion. So Dallas would have to trade up the draft to get him,... anybody agree,...disagree?

Why would Dallas go after McF with JJ and MBIII on the roster?

 

[supermark_28]

JAA,JJones will be unrestricted at the end of the year and MBIII is in the last year of his deal.

MBIII will be a restricted free agent at the end of the year. Word is Jones likes "that kid from Arkansas"

a lot and with that pick they got from the Browns it gives them leverage to go after McFadden.

 

[hephner]

If Vick doesn't play, Atlanta is a definite possibility.

If Vick doesn't play and Atlanta tanks this year (which I still don't think they would), why would they pick him anyway. I know Dunn won't be around much longer, but they are very high on Jerious Norwood, and for good reason. He looks like the real deal so far. I think they would have a much bigger need anyway, (if they don't address it through free agency)...like QB!!! Vick's days in Atlanta are numbered.

Since Dallas has Cleveland's 1st round rook in '08, wouldn't they have to trade up to get DMac? Even if the Browns finish 5-11 or 6-10 or 7-9, that pick in '08 would be too late to pick DMac in my opinion. So Dallas would have to trade up the draft to get him,... anybody agree,...disagree?

Why would Dallas go after McF with JJ and MBIII on the roster?

Read the rest of the thread. More than a few have mentioned that JJ's contract expires at the end of the year, and early indications are that they probably won't re-sign him, unless he really shows something this year. MBIII has looked very good, but I don't think they envision him as the primary back. They like what he's shown as a 3rd down/short yardage back, and I don't think they're going to change that. Despite much speculation in the FF world that MBIII would take over the starting job this year, early reports out of camp are saying that the Cowboys want to keep the RB situation as is, with the committee approach. They think that Barber is very good in his role, but they believe JJ has more overall talent. Of course, all that could change depending on how Jones performs this year, one way or the other.

 

[Clayton Gray]

As for McFadden. Guy will be a stud and I would not be suprissed if they Cowboys made a run at him.

Seriously-- don't ignore the Arkansas connection & Jerry Jones. Remember Jimmy "the hair" Johnson and Barry "swizzle-stick" Switzer.

I keep seeing this, but Jerry Jones has proven to be far from the homer he is being made out to be.Here is a list of the former Razorbacks taken by the Cowboys since Jones bought the team:

 

[phthalatemagic]

As for McFadden. Guy will be a stud and I would not be suprissed if they Cowboys made a run at him.

Seriously-- don't ignore the Arkansas connection & Jerry Jones. Remember Jimmy "the hair" Johnson and Barry "swizzle-stick" Switzer.

I keep seeing this, but Jerry Jones has proven to be far from the homer he is being made out to be.Here is a list of the former Razorbacks taken by the Cowboys since Jones bought the team:

If Slaton turns out to be a better prospect than McFadden and Jones has a crack at either, who thinks he will go for McFadden?

Jerry Jones is a homer - for the Cowboys.

 

[TDavi118]

Well now,... since there are speculation on Larry Johnson being traded to Dallas, this makes me again wonder where will DMac go, Kansas City? If KC loses LJ, then they are a weak team, IMO.

 

[kensat30]

It's way too early to tell where he will end up.

For all that everyone said that Michael Bush was going to Atlanta due to the Petrino connection, that never materialized.

 

[Buckna]

No way to know right now. This time last year, if you had said that Peterson wouldn't be drafted in the top 5 and that he would go to the Vikings who just paid a FA contract to Taylor, you'd probably have been laughed out the room.

Anything can happen, McFadden could have a poor year or get injured and not even come out!

 

[ConstruxBoy]

As for McFadden. Guy will be a stud and I would not be suprissed if they Cowboys made a run at him.

Seriously-- don't ignore the Arkansas connection & Jerry Jones. Remember Jimmy "the hair" Johnson and Barry "swizzle-stick" Switzer.

I keep seeing this, but Jerry Jones has proven to be far from the homer he is being made out to be.Here is a list of the former Razorbacks taken by the Cowboys since Jones bought the team:

True, but here are the great players from Arkansas since he bought the team:

 

[Lash]

can you IMAGINE the fallout in Houston if they have the chance and pass on him for a bookend DE to Mario claiming "we must stop the Colts"

 

[Lash]

i HOPE that he somehow ends up in Tennessee (or Slaton)

problem is Vince Young in my opinion with that projection

they have surrounded him with 52 average or below average players

and the dude STILL carries them to victories, so they will probably be stuck in the dreaded 7 to 9 win season area for a couple years

 

[mdog1967]

look for him in NFL Europa

Obviously you have never seen this guy play. Normally the SEC is a conference that I shy away from making "best of" statements about. But there is no doubt in my mind that McFadden is not only the best back in the SEC, probably the best to play in the SEC since SA played at Bama, but I'd say he's the best back in the country. 1st overall will be determined team needs of course, but I'd be pretty surprised if he didn't go top 5.

I'll second that statment..Ask any coach in any conferense if they would like to have Mc "F" on thier team and if he would be the starter? The answer would be yes and yes, he's that good. He is everything R.Bush is and more. He is built like a RB and runs like a Bullet, If I were a chick I'd have his Baby.

 

[mdog1967]

As for McFadden. Guy will be a stud and I would not be suprissed if they Cowboys made a run at him.

Seriously-- don't ignore the Arkansas connection & Jerry Jones. Remember Jimmy "the hair" Johnson and Barry "swizzle-stick" Switzer.

I keep seeing this, but Jerry Jones has proven to be far from the homer he is being made out to be.Here is a list of the former Razorbacks taken by the Cowboys since Jones bought the team:

If Slaton turns out to be a better prospect than McFadden and Jones has a crack at either, who thinks he will go for McFadden?

Jerry Jones is a homer - for the Cowboys.

Slaton is what McFadden has given him..

 

[Buckna]

Just for fun, there are lots of teams the could be very bad this year and have a need for a RB (homers I'm not saying your team will be, just that they could be):

Tenn

Hou

Atl

Ari

Oak

Det

Dal (thru Clev)

GB

NYG

A number of those teams will likely be drafting in the top 10 next year. Any of them plus other teams that don't seem like they have a big need at RB right now that end up in the top 10 could be interested.

 

[Clayton Gray]

As for McFadden. Guy will be a stud and I would not be suprissed if they Cowboys made a run at him.

Seriously-- don't ignore the Arkansas connection & Jerry Jones. Remember Jimmy "the hair" Johnson and Barry "swizzle-stick" Switzer.

I keep seeing this, but Jerry Jones has proven to be far from the homer he is being made out to be.Here is a list of the former Razorbacks taken by the Cowboys since Jones bought the team:

True, but here are the great players from Arkansas since he bought the team:

Hilarious.The Razorbacks have ad 18 first-day picks and 44 total selections since Jones became owner of the Cowboys.

 

[Clayton Gray]

As for McFadden. Guy will be a stud and I would not be suprissed if they Cowboys made a run at him.

Seriously-- don't ignore the Arkansas connection & Jerry Jones. Remember Jimmy "the hair" Johnson and Barry "swizzle-stick" Switzer.

I keep seeing this, but Jerry Jones has proven to be far from the homer he is being made out to be.Here is a list of the former Razorbacks taken by the Cowboys since Jones bought the team:

If Slaton turns out to be a better prospect than McFadden and Jones has a crack at either, who thinks he will go for McFadden?

Jerry Jones is a homer - for the Cowboys.

Slaton is what McFadden has given him..

What does this mean?

 

[Riffraff]

The McFadden mobile

 

[stbugs]

As for McFadden. Guy will be a stud and I would not be suprissed if they Cowboys made a run at him.

Seriously-- don't ignore the Arkansas connection & Jerry Jones. Remember Jimmy "the hair" Johnson and Barry "swizzle-stick" Switzer.

I keep seeing this, but Jerry Jones has proven to be far from the homer he is being made out to be.Here is a list of the former Razorbacks taken by the Cowboys since Jones bought the team:

True, but here are the great players from Arkansas since he bought the team:

Hilarious.The Razorbacks have ad 18 first-day picks and 44 total selections since Jones became owner of the Cowboys.

Sorry, but I had to laugh. Your comment, IMHO, just solidified ConstruxBoy's argument. Jones has been owner of the Cowboys for 18 years, so that means that Arkansas has averaged 1 person selected in the first 3 rounds per year.

If Jerry Jones had never selected someone from say the University of Miami, then that would say something. I used Miami because I know they hold the record for 1st round picks. From 2001-2004, just 4 years, Miami had 19 1st ROUND picks compared to Arkansas' 18 1st DAY picks in 18 years.

 

[phthalatemagic]

Sorry, but I had to laugh. Your comment, IMHO, just solidified ConstruxBoy's argument. Jones has been owner of the Cowboys for 18 years, so that means that Arkansas has averaged 1 person selected in the first 3 rounds per year.

Arkansas isn't a football factory, but were all 18 of those first day picks not worth drafting for Jerry Jones? It's ironic they have Ken Hamlin on their team now...

 

[stbugs]

Sorry, but I had to laugh. Your comment, IMHO, just solidified ConstruxBoy's argument. Jones has been owner of the Cowboys for 18 years, so that means that Arkansas has averaged 1 person selected in the first 3 rounds per year.

Arkansas isn't a football factory, but were all 18 of those first day picks not worth drafting for Jerry Jones? It's ironic they have Ken Hamlin on their team now...

I wasn't really caring about the actual 18, just that Clayton threw out 18 first day (not first round to be clear) picks like it was a lot. That is 1 first day pick per year of Jones' 18 year tenure. Heck, with only 3 picks out of @ 90 and positional needs, it is entirely possible that he might have liked those guys but didn't get good chances at them. It may show that Jones isn't an overzealous homer, but it sure doesn't contradict that he might be watching McFadden a bit more because of the Arkansas connection.

 

[phthalatemagic]

Sorry, but I had to laugh. Your comment, IMHO, just solidified ConstruxBoy's argument. Jones has been owner of the Cowboys for 18 years, so that means that Arkansas has averaged 1 person selected in the first 3 rounds per year.

Arkansas isn't a football factory, but were all 18 of those first day picks not worth drafting for Jerry Jones? It's ironic they have Ken Hamlin on their team now...

I wasn't really caring about the actual 18, just that Clayton threw out 18 first day (not first round to be clear) picks like it was a lot. That is 1 first day pick per year of Jones' 18 year tenure. Heck, with only 3 picks out of @ 90 and positional needs, it is entirely possible that he might have liked those guys but didn't get good chances at them. It may show that Jones isn't an overzealous homer, but it sure doesn't contradict that he might be watching McFadden a bit more because of the Arkansas connection.

Nothing Clayton said solidified anyone else's argument. If you don't care about the 18 first day guys, then I don't know what you are commenting on them.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Sorry, but I had to laugh. Your comment, IMHO, just solidified ConstruxBoy's argument. Jones has been owner of the Cowboys for 18 years, so that means that Arkansas has averaged 1 person selected in the first 3 rounds per year.

Arkansas isn't a football factory, but were all 18 of those first day picks not worth drafting for Jerry Jones? It's ironic they have Ken Hamlin on their team now...

I wasn't really caring about the actual 18, just that Clayton threw out 18 first day (not first round to be clear) picks like it was a lot. That is 1 first day pick per year of Jones' 18 year tenure. Heck, with only 3 picks out of @ 90 and positional needs, it is entirely possible that he might have liked those guys but didn't get good chances at them. It may show that Jones isn't an overzealous homer, but it sure doesn't contradict that he might be watching McFadden a bit more because of the Arkansas connection.

That's my point. McFadden is poised to be the best Razorback player to enter the NFL since Jones was owner, by quite a bit. Just because he hasn't drafted any of the lesser and smaller number of other Razorbacks, doesn't mean he won't place McFadden higher on his board because he helped restore the Razorbacks to national prominence.