Why do I bother watching the draft... (1 Viewer)

[Colin Dowling]

Pitiful. PI. TI. FUL.

1st round - I don't know how on EARTH you see Mendenhall get to 20 and not trade up. HOW? HOW? HOW? And then, when Pittsburgh takes him, how you reach for a guy like Johnson. THis pick is a, IMO, an admission that Chris Henry is not going to be a factor. For those scoring at home, the Titans have used a 3rd, 2nd, 2nd, and now a 1st in the last 4 seasons on RBs and STILL probably lack the every down difference maker they need. Oh, and no WRs in the 1st in that time. I'd actually be a lot happier if they came out and said the plan was to put Johnson at wideout. Hopefully they've already done so and I missed it.

2nd round - Sitting in my recliner, I named 4 players available that Tennessee could benefit from taking: Groves, Cambell, Sweed, or Kelly. Missed them all. So they took a tweener DE. At this point I'm wonderinh why they didn't take Merling in round 1 and CHarles here in round two...

3rd round - IIRC, Rucker and Finley are a better prospects IMO, but even worse, Zbikowsky, Fluellen, and Harrison (all at positions of greatere need the TE) are still on the board. Not to mention Manningham...

4th round 1st pick- Did everyone here the ESPN guys here? Enough said...

4th round 2nd pick - Finally! A receiver! Now he can join the other 3rd and 4th round guys the TItans have brought in...

ANd with that I began my long drive home from the In-Laws, asking myself the question in the title....

 

[beto]

I heard Reese do a radio interview last week. Sounds like a smart guy. Solid draft track record.

 

[BeaverCleaver]

Did you send in your resume to take over as GM?

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Pitiful. PI. TI. FUL.1st round - I don't know how on EARTH you see Mendenhall get to 20 and not trade up. HOW? HOW? HOW? And then, when Pittsburgh takes him, how you reach for a guy like Johnson. THis pick is a, IMO, an admission that Chris Henry is not going to be a factor. For those scoring at home, the Titans have used a 3rd, 2nd, 2nd, and now a 1st in the last 4 seasons on RBs and STILL probably lack the every down difference maker they need. Oh, and no WRs in the 1st in that time. I'd actually be a lot happier if they came out and said the plan was to put Johnson at wideout. Hopefully they've already done so and I missed it.2nd round - Sitting in my recliner, I named 4 players available that Tennessee could benefit from taking: Groves, Cambell, Sweed, or Kelly. Missed them all. So they took a tweener DE. At this point I'm wonderinh why they didn't take Merling in round 1 and CHarles here in round two...3rd round - IIRC, Rucker and Finley are a better prospects IMO, but even worse, Zbikowsky, Fluellen, and Harrison (all at positions of greatere need the TE) are still on the board. Not to mention Manningham...4th round 1st pick- Did everyone here the ESPN guys here? Enough said...4th round 2nd pick - Finally! A receiver! Now he can join the other 3rd and 4th round guys the TItans have brought in...ANd with that I began my long drive home from the In-Laws, asking myself the question in the title....

Amen.Colin, I have talked to a lot of people since they made their pick and I cannot understand how you get that close to Mendenhall and watch him taken 1 pick before you. If Felix Jones was their guy and they did tip off Dallas which is why they took him at 22 and traded up to get their CB at 25....Dallas put on a clinic on getting the guys they wanted and TN put on a lesson on what not to do.

 

[simey]

I'd actually be a lot happier if they came out and said the plan was to put Johnson at wideout. Hopefully they've already done so and I missed it.

Johnson has great receiving skills. He is very similar to Reggie Bush. He will help stretch the field for Vince Young, and his presence on the field will also help Lendale. He can also help in your kick returning game as he is a great kick returner.

 

[Colin Dowling]

I kind of get it in Round 1; no one expected Mendenhall to slide. But to sit in round 2, watch Jax trade up for one of the four guys they HAD to be targeting there, then watch the others come off the board....I don't get it. How do you not call Pitt and offer one of your THREE 4th rounders to move up a spot for Sweed?

 

[Colin Dowling]

I'd actually be a lot happier if they came out and said the plan was to put Johnson at wideout. Hopefully they've already done so and I missed it.

Johnson has great receiving skills. He is very similar to Reggie Bush. He will help stretch the field for Vince Young, and his presence on the field will also help Lendale. He can also help in your kick returning game as he is a great kick returner.

Funny, that sounds a lot like the post-draft assessment of Chris Henry last year.

 

[EBF]

The Titans are the NFL draft version of Groundhog Day.

The same dumb picks over...and over...and over...and over...

I think Chris Johnson and Lavelle Hawkins are a cut above Chris Henry and Paul Williams, but this team has missed numerous opportunities to add playmakers. With a couple different bounces they could have Dwayne Bowe and Rashard Mendenhall in the fold.

 

[EBF]

I kind of get it in Round 1; no one expected Mendenhall to slide. But to sit in round 2, watch Jax trade up for one of the four guys they HAD to be targeting there, then watch the others come off the board....I don't get it. How do you not call Pitt and offer one of your THREE 4th rounders to move up a spot for Sweed?

FWIW, Pitt was ecstatic that Sweed fell to their pick. I don't think they would've moved down.

 

[Colin Dowling]

I kind of get it in Round 1; no one expected Mendenhall to slide. But to sit in round 2, watch Jax trade up for one of the four guys they HAD to be targeting there, then watch the others come off the board....I don't get it. How do you not call Pitt and offer one of your THREE 4th rounders to move up a spot for Sweed?

FWIW, Pitt was ecstatic that Sweed fell to their pick. I don't think they would've moved down.

Perhaps, but without doing much/anything in FA, I don't know how Reinfeldt and Fisher don't look up after getting kicked in the nads in round 1 and say, "Whatever it takes, we HAVE TO LAND KELLY OR SWEED". Even if you try and get the guy after he's drafted. Or pick up the phone and offer next year's 1st for Roy WIlliams or something,.I realize it's normal on this board to bag on Vince, but even the biggest detractors have to acknowledge that they aren't helping him AT ALL.

 

[Slinger]

They are simply employing your Year 2 strategy. Good things will come for the Titans come 2009. Mark my word.

 

[Colin Dowling]

They are simply employing your Year 2 strategy. Good things will come for the Titans come 2009. Mark my word.

My year 2 strategy comes with the caveat that the players actually have (1) some talent and (2) a reasonable expectation to do something with it 2 years from now. I'm not entirely sure how a DE that wasn't even on the NFL's list of players that might get drafted fits in to that...ETA: If by "good things" you mean they'll get the #1 pick next year to select Crabtree, then so be it.

 

[Slinger]

They are simply employing your Year 2 strategy. Good things will come for the Titans come 2009. Mark my word.

My year 2 strategy comes with the caveat that the players actually have (1) some talent and (2) a reasonable expectation to do something with it 2 years from now. I'm not entirely sure how a DE that wasn't even on the NFL's list of players that might get drafted fits in to that...

Colin Dowling 1Slinger 0

 

[EBF]

I realize it's normal on this board to bag on Vince, but even the biggest detractors have to acknowledge that they aren't helping him AT ALL.

I agree. It's baffling how they keep trying to plug their offensive holes with mediocre talent. Paul Williams, Courtney Roby, Chris Henry, Brandon Jones, etc. This team is a shining example of why it's worth it to swallow the bullet and GET IT RIGHT the first time. They had a chance at Dwayne Bowe or Robert Meachem last year. Now I realize the jury is still out on Meachem, but how do you pass up both of those guys when your best receiver is Roydell Williams? Instead they drafted some mediocre DB and used a third on Paul Williams, a guy who didn't even want to play receiver. Pathetic. I think part of the problem is that the Titans have an inept scouting department. They've hit on a pick here and there, but they've also squandered a lot of opportunities. I think Chris Johnson is a decent prospect. He's an exciting playmaker and I really think he'll add a new dimension to the running game. Nevertheless, I don't think he was a great pick for this team in the first round. I'm not a huge VY fan by any means, but the organization is hanging him out to dry.

 

[Colin Dowling]

I realize it's normal on this board to bag on Vince, but even the biggest detractors have to acknowledge that they aren't helping him AT ALL.

I agree. It's baffling how they keep trying to plug their offensive holes with mediocre talent. Paul Williams, Courtney Roby, Chris Henry, Brandon Jones, etc. This team is a shining example of why it's worth it to swallow the bullet and GET IT RIGHT the first time. They had a chance at Dwayne Bowe or Robert Meachem last year. Now I realize the jury is still out on Meachem, but how do you pass up both of those guys when your best receiver is Roydell Williams? Instead they drafted some mediocre DB and used a third on Paul Williams, a guy who didn't even want to play receiver. Pathetic. I think part of the problem is that the Titans have an inept scouting department. They've hit on a pick here and there, but they've also squandered a lot of opportunities. I think Chris Johnson is a decent prospect. He's an exciting playmaker and I really think he'll add a new dimension to the running game. Nevertheless, I don't think he was a great pick for this team in the first round. I'm not a huge VY fan by any means, but the organization is hanging him out to dry.

The problem is that the organization thinks that a past history of "developing" (i.e. getting lucky) with WRs and DLs (Bennett, Mason, Starks) means that they can take sack-of-potatoes prospects and make them All-Pros. Rooydell runs sloppy routes. Jones can't catch. Gage does one thing (run downfield) well. Henry is good for 2 touches a game. White is great if you need 2 yards on first down. They have a bunch of skill-pos guys (outside of Vince) who do ONE THING really well.

 

[moderated]

At least TN provides some comedy during the draft.

How a team can waste premium picks on garbage RB's every year is getting mind boggling.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I kind of get it in Round 1; no one expected Mendenhall to slide. But to sit in round 2, watch Jax trade up for one of the four guys they HAD to be targeting there, then watch the others come off the board....I don't get it. How do you not call Pitt and offer one of your THREE 4th rounders to move up a spot for Sweed?

FWIW, Pitt was ecstatic that Sweed fell to their pick. I don't think they would've moved down.

Perhaps, but without doing much/anything in FA, I don't know how Reinfeldt and Fisher don't look up after getting kicked in the nads in round 1 and say, "Whatever it takes, we HAVE TO LAND KELLY OR SWEED". Even if you try and get the guy after he's drafted. Or pick up the phone and offer next year's 1st for Roy WIlliams or something,.I realize it's normal on this board to bag on Vince, but even the biggest detractors have to acknowledge that they aren't helping him AT ALL.

They signed Alge Crumpler...championship!

 

[EBF]

I realize it's normal on this board to bag on Vince, but even the biggest detractors have to acknowledge that they aren't helping him AT ALL.

I agree. It's baffling how they keep trying to plug their offensive holes with mediocre talent. Paul Williams, Courtney Roby, Chris Henry, Brandon Jones, etc. This team is a shining example of why it's worth it to swallow the bullet and GET IT RIGHT the first time. They had a chance at Dwayne Bowe or Robert Meachem last year. Now I realize the jury is still out on Meachem, but how do you pass up both of those guys when your best receiver is Roydell Williams? Instead they drafted some mediocre DB and used a third on Paul Williams, a guy who didn't even want to play receiver. Pathetic. I think part of the problem is that the Titans have an inept scouting department. They've hit on a pick here and there, but they've also squandered a lot of opportunities. I think Chris Johnson is a decent prospect. He's an exciting playmaker and I really think he'll add a new dimension to the running game. Nevertheless, I don't think he was a great pick for this team in the first round. I'm not a huge VY fan by any means, but the organization is hanging him out to dry.

The problem is that the organization thinks that a past history of "developing" (i.e. getting lucky) with WRs and DLs (Bennett, Mason, Starks) means that they can take sack-of-potatoes prospects and make them All-Pros. Rooydell runs sloppy routes. Jones can't catch. Gage does one thing (run downfield) well. Henry is good for 2 touches a game. White is great if you need 2 yards on first down. They have a bunch of skill-pos guys (outside of Vince) who do ONE THING really well.

They consistently try to fix $1,000 problems with 99 cent parts. So instead of getting it right the first time, they get it wrong again, and again, and again...

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Pitiful. PI. TI. FUL.

1st round - I don't know how on EARTH you see Mendenhall get to 20 and not trade up. HOW? HOW? HOW? And then, when Pittsburgh takes him, how you reach for a guy like Johnson.

Well, maybe Johnson will be twenty times better than Mendenhall. I think it generally doesn't make sense to criticize a team's draft five minutes after it's over. People should wait to see how many Hall of Famers the team drafted first.If it makes you feel any better as a Titans fan, here's a thread from a Charger board from right after the 2006 draft when the Chargers got Antonio Cromartie and Marcus McNeill. The theme is similar to yours (why this player instead of that player . . . ).

AJ should be fired now

I realize this may be considered an over reaction and a bit odd since I have been an AJ supporter, but I think he has to go now and right away before the season starts.

The internal front office bickering, the lack of communication with coaches and extremely poor off season moves (where the team actually got worse instead of better) were disconcerting; but I was willing to stick with AJ because of his supposed reputation for being excellent in the draft.

What we have seen in the past 2 days is poor draft management and execution.

This draft was hugely disappointing, especially compared to other teams like Philly etc. Only Buffalo did as poorly as us; is that a coincidence or does it reflect something else. I thought AJ’s draft strategy was high production guys who can start for the first day followed by talented guys who had fallen in the 2 nd day. Instead AJ took reach upon reach and weird decision after weird decision; and it just got worse as the day went on. Contrast that with Philly who traded up to get players they wanted and down when players they wanted weren’t there. A much better draft by them and there team improved significantly as a result.

Philly and other teams picked up 3 solid starters (Bunkley, Justice and MJG) and 2-3 guys who will contribute big minutes THIS season (Gegong, Avant, Bloomer) and 2-3 special teams guys. Only McNeill will get significant minutes for us if and only if Oben doesn’t come back (better than 60/40 he won’t).

In hindsight, picks like CB Davis show the real AJ and picks and signings like Merriman and Gates show just plain dumb luck. AJ’s strategy then and now appears to be take whoever falls to us. When has he ever traded up to get a player. Yet time and again, other player trade up to just in front of us and grab the player we were likely to pick.

All the positive press about draft success with Merriman etc, got into AJ’s ego and he became arrogant. In his relationships with the coaches and his picks for our team. Now he is working on his Bobby Bethard impression with his reaches.

There was very good talent at positions of need and the Chargers made the wrong decisions.

Hindsight is 20/20 and it is much easier to say stuff after the fact but take a look at what our draft could have looked like:

19 - OT Winston Justice

50 - CB Richard Marshall

81 – OG Jean-Max Gilles

Moved up 8 spots and giving up a 6th:

105 - FS Ko Simpson

Moved up 9 spots and giving up a 7th:

149 – OT Johnathan Scott

Moved up 6 spots and given up a 7th:

181 - DT Oshinowo, Babatunde

Even if you don't agree with the tradeups, we can all construct a draft of the picks that were on the board that were better than what AJ did.

It's not "hindsight" before any of the players have stepped onto the field yet. It's not a foregone conclusion that the player your team passed on will be better than the one it took. Give it a few years.This message brought to you by The Society For NFL Draft Optimism.

 

[Rushmore]

I warmed up to the Johnson pick after a while of digesting it, assuming that they will use him creatively, but then they go and pick TE Craig Stevens and DL William Hayes shortly thereafter. I thought for sure that the organization would get Vince some help either via free agency or the draft after last season.

 

[Wildman]

I realize it's normal on this board to bag on Vince, but even the biggest detractors have to acknowledge that they aren't helping him AT ALL.

I agree. It's baffling how they keep trying to plug their offensive holes with mediocre talent. Paul Williams, Courtney Roby, Chris Henry, Brandon Jones, etc. This team is a shining example of why it's worth it to swallow the bullet and GET IT RIGHT the first time. They had a chance at Dwayne Bowe or Robert Meachem last year. Now I realize the jury is still out on Meachem, but how do you pass up both of those guys when your best receiver is Roydell Williams? Instead they drafted some mediocre DB and used a third on Paul Williams, a guy who didn't even want to play receiver. Pathetic. I think part of the problem is that the Titans have an inept scouting department. They've hit on a pick here and there, but they've also squandered a lot of opportunities. I think Chris Johnson is a decent prospect. He's an exciting playmaker and I really think he'll add a new dimension to the running game. Nevertheless, I don't think he was a great pick for this team in the first round. I'm not a huge VY fan by any means, but the organization is hanging him out to dry.

As I Titans fan, I would like to know who is scouting the skill position players and pulling the trigger on these evals, because they are as bad at evaluating skill talent as they are good at finding players in the trenches.

 

[Abraham]

Well, maybe Johnson will be twenty times better than Mendenhall. I think it generally doesn't make sense to criticize a team's draft five minutes after it's over. People should wait to see how many Hall of Famers the team drafted first.

I'm on board with that. My issue here is, as EBF has pointed out, they keep addressing the same problem over and over (RB) and ignoring need (WR) based on a near-decade old lucky streak that produced Mason, McCariens, and Bennett. I don't have issue with Chris Johnson, or Jason Jones, or Hawkins, etc as players. I have issue with the fact that they (1) used a 1st on a position where they have used 3 first day picks in the last two years when they could have picked any WR they wanted (2) selected a player in the 4th that would have been there, well, probably would have been available at 8am this morning and (3) ignored the O-line, where they could definitely stand some depth (4) ignored DT where they DEFINITELY need some depth, unless they plan on playing Jones there, on and on and on...I try to be level headed about this stuff. The franchise wins a lot of games and has a way of doing things that make it reasonably solid each week. IIRC, their class from two years ago (Pacman) is the only one in the league where everyone drafted is still in the league. However, that was a Floyd Reese draft. In last night's PC, Fisher was answering questions about if he'd "given up" on last years guys since they essentially addressed the same positions over again. He had to defend Paul Williams, Chris Davis, and Chris Henry by name to answer. Ugh.

 

[guru_007]

Maybe the Titans are considering running the wishbone this year?

 

[Abraham]

Maybe the Titans are considering running the wishbone this year?

That looks like a reasonable option, actually.

 

[SuperJohn96]

Pitiful. PI. TI. FUL.1st round - I don't know how on EARTH you see Mendenhall get to 20 and not trade up. HOW? HOW? HOW? And then, when Pittsburgh takes him, how you reach for a guy like Johnson. THis pick is a, IMO, an admission that Chris Henry is not going to be a factor. For those scoring at home, the Titans have used a 3rd, 2nd, 2nd, and now a 1st in the last 4 seasons on RBs and STILL probably lack the every down difference maker they need. Oh, and no WRs in the 1st in that time. I'd actually be a lot happier if they came out and said the plan was to put Johnson at wideout. Hopefully they've already done so and I missed it.2nd round - Sitting in my recliner, I named 4 players available that Tennessee could benefit from taking: Groves, Cambell, Sweed, or Kelly. Missed them all. So they took a tweener DE. At this point I'm wonderinh why they didn't take Merling in round 1 and CHarles here in round two...3rd round - IIRC, Rucker and Finley are a better prospects IMO, but even worse, Zbikowsky, Fluellen, and Harrison (all at positions of greatere need the TE) are still on the board. Not to mention Manningham...4th round 1st pick- Did everyone here the ESPN guys here? Enough said...4th round 2nd pick - Finally! A receiver! Now he can join the other 3rd and 4th round guys the TItans have brought in...ANd with that I began my long drive home from the In-Laws, asking myself the question in the title....

I'm going to print this out and hang it in my office.It brings a smile to my face to see you so frustrated.

 

[Abraham]

 

[flufhed]

I heard Reese do a radio interview last week. Sounds like a smart guy. Solid draft track record.

You must have missed that stretch from 2002-2004.

 

[Lash]

I'm done, back to my childhood of being a Steeler fan

I changed immediately when the Oilers moved and became a full bred Oiler/Titan fan, broke up with my Steelers

I can't take it anymore after these last two drafts, absolute debacle

and you never forget your first love especially when they take BOTH players in rd 1 and 2 that I wanted

now I must go find my ole Terrible Towel in the attic.

I will still pull for VY and hope that he gets help before he turns 30

 

[GregR_2]

FWIW, NFL Network did an interview with Fisher and asked if their not taking a WR earlier was a sign that they are happy with the ones they have. Fisher's answer was pretty much, yes, they like the guys they have already.

 

[flufhed]

I really liked the Titans draft, personally. I think this Chris Johnson kid has a chance to add a playmaking demension we have lacked for a long time, outside of the limited tome we had Pacman. And I don't see the Johnson pick as having anything to do with Chris Henry. They are two totally different players. Henry was not brought in to be a third down scat back - the dude weighs over 230. I think he was brought in to challenge White as the every down back. and I don't think they panicked and reached, like arguably last year with C Henry. I think they have been in love with this kid and his 4.2 speed for quite some time.

The DT/DE in the second seems like a good, versatile pick. I like this one, too.

I like the way the rest of the draft went, too. I was not disappointed about not getting receivers because I knew it was coming. If you were really paying attention this offseason you knew that the running game and defense would be the focal points of the draft, and it was. I took the Titans management and coaches at face value here. Even then, I think we got a solid guy in round 4 that could be as good as the ??? that were drafted in round 2. And I didn't see any receivers that were much better in this draft than what we have. There were no elite, can't miss guys - I think the draft bears that out. We don't need more unknonwns and question marks at WR on the team. And I kind of like the group we have at WR, and look forward to competition in training camp. Gage was productive last year, as was Roydell. Davis will need to pick it up and stop dropping and fumbling the ball, and Jones is on notice. Biren Ealy looks like he could be a real fine, and even Mike Williams is quietly getting rave reviews from the coaching staff (ok, you can stop laughing now). McCareins has a chance to regain form under Heimerdinger, and the staff still seems to like Paul Williams alot, who was drafted as a project last year. We have 9 guys, and we are going to have to cut 3 good WRs in camp.

The DE out of Winston Salem State was a surprise, but we do that every year and take a guy from a no-name school with great physical gifts. It has usually worked out pretty good. Our d-line coach excels at taking guys like this and molding them into good d-linemen.

I like the TE out of Cal that they got. We use TEs alot, and the group we are going to war with now is near the top in the league, collectively.

Not drinking the koolaid here, I just choose to stay positive when no one yet has a clue how this draft will turn out.

My main disappointment every year is that we don't often seem to target our guy and move up and get him. We always just let the draft come to us, and it probably cost us Groves this year, if they were really after him. I think Groves would have been a great fit, and am most disappointed about losing out on him. Otherwise, I find it hard to find fault with this draft. The other valid criticism is that thewse are alot of high-risk, high-reward players. But the Titans almost always seem to default to that. And this is not unique to the new regime. Reese blew tons of picks on guys like that - Woolfolk and Calico, anyone?

I think the biggest problem most people have is there is not alot of name recognition, here. Seems like Reese would do the opposite, and always fill holes right off of the mock drafts. "We need some DEs, looks like Odom is the best guy available on the mocks. Hey, there's Laboy, let's get him, too." "Now we need a DT, Randy Starks is supposed to be good, right?"

 

[flufhed]

I'm done, back to my childhood of being a Steeler fanI changed immediately when the Oilers moved and became a full bred Oiler/Titan fan, broke up with my SteelersI can't take it anymore after these last two drafts, absolute debacleand you never forget your first love especially when they take BOTH players in rd 1 and 2 that I wantednow I must go find my ole Terrible Towel in the attic.I will still pull for VY and hope that he gets help before he turns 30

 

[flufhed]

BTW, I remember how much the Titans front office was roasted last year for not being aggressive in FA, being cheap, having a bad draft, etc. Of course, the team proceeded to make the playoffs with a second year QB who was injured and took a step back, and with an OC that was in over his head. While not many of the draft picks played a big role in that, Griffin was instrumental to the team's success last year. The two d-linemen they drafted were hurt all year. The Otto guy at o-line is apparently solid, as no OLL was taken in this draft. If Antonio Johnson makes it back on the field and in the DT rotation, and Paul Williams and/or Davis contribute, then last year is not looking like a bad draft at all. And I am still not giving up on Henry being a productive back, although I very much doubt he will ever be a star in this league.

 

[Lash]

apparently it's even worse, they were looking SPECIFICALLY at RB

not necessarily at CJohnson's WR skills

HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER

(on the mood in the first round when two running backs came off the board before Chris Johnson)

Well, when we got four picks away, we felt very good because we knew us being the fourth pick, we knew we were going to get one of those four players, and there was a tremendous sense of relief. There was some discussion six to eight picks prior that if they were gone, then we would potentially try to move out. But once we had those four players on the board, there was no doubt.

GM MIKE REINFELDT

(on the mood before the first-round pick)

And we would have been comfortable with any of those four (RB) that came to us. When it became clear that we were going to get one of those people, I think it was a sense of relief.

 

[Christo]

I'd actually be a lot happier if they came out and said the plan was to put Johnson at wideout. Hopefully they've already done so and I missed it.

Johnson has great receiving skills. He is very similar to Reggie Bush. He will help stretch the field for Vince Young, and his presence on the field will also help Lendale. He can also help in your kick returning game as he is a great kick returner.

And I'm a very similar lawyer to Antonin Scalia.

 

[Bri]

Pitiful. PI. TI. FUL.1st round - I don't know how on EARTH you see Mendenhall get to 20 and not trade up. HOW? HOW? HOW? And then, when Pittsburgh takes him, how you reach for a guy like Johnson. THis pick is a, IMO, an admission that Chris Henry is not going to be a factor. For those scoring at home, the Titans have used a 3rd, 2nd, 2nd, and now a 1st in the last 4 seasons on RBs and STILL probably lack the every down difference maker they need. Oh, and no WRs in the 1st in that time. I'd actually be a lot happier if they came out and said the plan was to put Johnson at wideout. Hopefully they've already done so and I missed it.2nd round - Sitting in my recliner, I named 4 players available that Tennessee could benefit from taking: Groves, Cambell, Sweed, or Kelly. Missed them all. So they took a tweener DE. At this point I'm wonderinh why they didn't take Merling in round 1 and CHarles here in round two...3rd round - IIRC, Rucker and Finley are a better prospects IMO, but even worse, Zbikowsky, Fluellen, and Harrison (all at positions of greatere need the TE) are still on the board. Not to mention Manningham...4th round 1st pick- Did everyone here the ESPN guys here? Enough said...4th round 2nd pick - Finally! A receiver! Now he can join the other 3rd and 4th round guys the TItans have brought in...ANd with that I began my long drive home from the In-Laws, asking myself the question in the title....

you're naming FF positions, missing the hole in an NFL team.DE was a need after losing two.You complain about the RB then wish they drafted one, that's hypocriticalWith Alge and Scaife what do they need another TE for?

 

[flufhed]

I'd actually be a lot happier if they came out and said the plan was to put Johnson at wideout. Hopefully they've already done so and I missed it.

Johnson has great receiving skills. He is very similar to Reggie Bush. He will help stretch the field for Vince Young, and his presence on the field will also help Lendale. He can also help in your kick returning game as he is a great kick returner.

And I'm a very similar lawyer to Antonin Scalia.

It's true. Reggie Bush's NFL shoes are almost impossible to fill. How could a faster prospect with a very similar build and skill set possibly hope to match the production of Reggie Bush?

 

[Abraham]

you're naming FF positions, missing the hole in an NFL team.DE was a need after losing two.You complain about the RB then wish they drafted one, that's hypocriticalWith Alge and Scaife what do they need another TE for?

Point by point...1. They needed a DE, yes. They drafted two: one has questionable size and the other was a reach in round 4. Jones was nowhere near the prospect of Cambell or Groves. 2. They took a specialty RB, not an every down guy. Spending a 1st rounder on "complementary" back is not a good use of a pick.3. They want a TE more specialiazed for blocking.

 

[flufhed]

you're naming FF positions, missing the hole in an NFL team.DE was a need after losing two.You complain about the RB then wish they drafted one, that's hypocriticalWith Alge and Scaife what do they need another TE for?

Point by point...1. They needed a DE, yes. They drafted two: one has questionable size and the other was a reach in round 4. Jones was nowhere near the prospect of Cambell or Groves. 2. They took a specialty RB, not an every down guy. Spending a 1st rounder on "complementary" back is not a good use of a pick.3. They want a TE more specialiazed for blocking.

No "point by point" on my post?

 

[vandyt]

Calling Chris Johnson a RB is akin to calling Reggie Bush a RB; blatantly inaccurate.

He'll get 8-10 carries a game, but play heavily out of the shotgun and from the slot.

For those complaining they didn't get Vince a "weapon", here he is.

 

[flufhed]

Calling Chris Johnson a RB is akin to calling Reggie Bush a RB; blatantly inaccurate. He'll get 8-10 carries a game, but play heavily out of the shotgun and from the slot. For those complaining they didn't get Vince a "weapon", here he is.

This guy gets it.

 

[mdog1967]

I'd actually be a lot happier if they came out and said the plan was to put Johnson at wideout. Hopefully they've already done so and I missed it.

Johnson has great receiving skills. He is very similar to Reggie Bush. He will help stretch the field for Vince Young, and his presence on the field will also help Lendale. He can also help in your kick returning game as he is a great kick returner.

And I'm a very similar lawyer to Antonin Scalia.

 

[mdog1967]

I'd actually be a lot happier if they came out and said the plan was to put Johnson at wideout. Hopefully they've already done so and I missed it.

Johnson has great receiving skills. He is very similar to Reggie Bush. He will help stretch the field for Vince Young, and his presence on the field will also help Lendale. He can also help in your kick returning game as he is a great kick returner.

And I'm a very similar lawyer to Antonin Scalia.

It's true. Reggie Bush's NFL shoes are almost impossible to fill. How could a faster prospect with a very similar build and skill set possibly hope to match the production of Reggie Bush?

Well I guess you have a point, if Johnson can run into the pile and get caught from behind by line backers and safeties He very well may match the Production of Reggie Bust Bush. It could be much worse, they could have traded that pick for Cedric Benson!! (Sorry couldn't help it, so many Blind Benson apologist sniffing glue last year, had to throw that in)

 

[Abraham]

Calling Chris Johnson a RB is akin to calling Reggie Bush a RB; blatantly inaccurate. He'll get 8-10 carries a game, but play heavily out of the shotgun and from the slot. For those complaining they didn't get Vince a "weapon", here he is.

I'm not sure I'm in agreement that what you've described qualifies as a new "weapon."

 

[Bri]

3. They want a TE more specialiazed for blocking.

who is "they" colin or fisher?

 

[shader]

Stop listening to the media for a second and look at reality. It's obvious the Titans weren't enamored with any of the receivers. They certainly aren't the only team in the NFL that needs receivers.

Yet the entire NFL passed on every single receiver in the first round. Then when the streak was broken, Donnie Avery, was the receiver taken.

The receivers in this draft were BAD. Probably the worst group of receivers in a LONG time.

Yes, Vince Young needs help. He has received a solid tight end, and Johnson, whether you like him or not, is explosive, can catch passes and will open up the offense.

Also, add an actual NFL coordinator, get Vince moving around again, and the offense is ready to improve quite a bit in 08.

A rookie WR isn't likely to help the team this year, and I'm sure at some point one of these malcontent WR's will actually hit the market, in which time Tennessee will be in a better position to pounce.

Do yourself a favor and watch the NFL Network on draft day.

 

[mdog1967]

Stop listening to the media for a second and look at reality. It's obvious the Titans weren't enamored with any of the receivers. They certainly aren't the only team in the NFL that needs receivers.Yet the entire NFL passed on every single receiver in the first round. Then when the streak was broken, Donnie Avery, was the receiver taken.The receivers in this draft were BAD. Probably the worst group of receivers in a LONG time.Yes, Vince Young needs help. He has received a solid tight end, and Johnson, whether you like him or not, is explosive, can catch passes and will open up the offense.Also, add an actual NFL coordinator, get Vince moving around again, and the offense is ready to improve quite a bit in 08. A rookie WR isn't likely to help the team this year, and I'm sure at some point one of these malcontent WR's will actually hit the market, in which time Tennessee will be in a better position to pounce.Do yourself a favor and watch the NFL Network on draft day.

Bad - Worst Group in a long time? Clearly no Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson or Chad Johnson. But plenty of solid WR's. Tennessee's draft was Joke, and your talking out of the back of your neck. If your football sense is coming from the NFL network then its obvious why you made the post!! NFL network is an echo chamber consisting of has been players and washed out coaches, great for game replay but analysis of serious football, not hardly. You might want to ask the Titans to help Vince young complete a few passes or his career is going to be real short. Question: How many running QB's have have won or even made it to the Super Bowl, and I'm not talking about a Jeff Garcia or Steve Young type that had Mobility. I'm Talking about your Dante Culpper, Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb type. Question 2: How many classic drop back passers have won the Super bowl?If you got the answer then think seriously hard about Vince Moving around again.

 

[Bob Magaw]

TEN seems to be like PHI & not highly prioritize WRs with premium draft picks (freddie mitchell was a 1st, & reggie brown a relatively high 2nd, though)...

if chris johnson turns into an excellent complement to white, & they felt like they needed him if they had doubts about chris henry, that would be more an indictment on last years draft than this one...

if they did feel like they needed johnson, than NOT getting him could compound the earlier mistake of not getting the right RB in the first place... by continuing to punish themselves rolling with a RB positional group fisher isn't comfortable with... some of the reaction about this pick was as if johnson had ALREADY busted... if he turns into a great player, that will help mitigate some of the pain from maybe burning an unnecessary pick on henry last year...

A LOT of teams passed on WR in first round, & even the second... clearly it was a class that wasn't highly regarded by the scouts... personally i like VYs upside & agree that organizationally they could be putting him in a better position to succeed as a passer... but if this was a mediocre WR class, its not obvious one of them would have put VY over the top...

the flip side to TEN front office holding him back by not surrounding him with better weapons in the passing game, is that if the passing game is not the strongest part of their attack, they might help him in another way, by running better, & taking pressure off him that way...

even though TEN didn't necessarily run WELL, they ran a lot, & ran well enough to make the playoffs... using the same formula that worked last year, but trying to run even better, isn't an entirely ridiculous strategy...

 

[Brewzers]

Calling Chris Johnson a RB is akin to calling Reggie Bush a RB; blatantly inaccurate. He'll get 8-10 carries a game, but play heavily out of the shotgun and from the slot. For those complaining they didn't get Vince a "weapon", here he is.

I'm not sure I'm in agreement that what you've described qualifies as a new "weapon."

His point is Chris Johnson is a hybrid and will help to spread the field. Johnson might get 10 -15 touches a game, who cares if he is running or catching, give him a chance in open space, split him out. Make the defense respect the home run pass threat. The more you open up the field, the more you will see Vince's sick athleticism emerge, running & passing.

 

[BassNBrew]

Colin...at least your GM didn't screw up this year's draft and next year's in about 90 minutes.

 

[Ice Cream Man]

Bad - Worst Group in a long time? Clearly no Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson or Chad Johnson. But plenty of solid WR's. Tennessee's draft was Joke, and your talking out of the back of your neck. If your football sense is coming from the NFL network then its obvious why you made the post!! NFL network is an echo chamber consisting of has been players and washed out coaches, great for game replay but analysis of serious football, not hardly. You might want to ask the Titans to help Vince young complete a few passes or his career is going to be real short. Question: How many running QB's have have won or even made it to the Super Bowl, and I'm not talking about a Jeff Garcia or Steve Young type that had Mobility. I'm Talking about your Dante Culpper, Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb type. Question 2: How many classic drop back passers have won the Super bowl?If you got the answer then think seriously hard about Vince Moving around again.