MOCK Draft 1/8/09

[NBT]

http://www.nfldraftsite.com/ A 3 rounder.

If James Laurainitis is still there at #15, and we don't take him, that would be stupid.

[barrett]

what role do you think a OLB plays in a 4-3? If we take Laurinitis and move Demeco over we MIGHT get a tiny bit better at MLB, and then we will get a lot better at WLB. Considering in a 4-3 the WLB is about the 8th most important position on the field I don't understand this move. Even if Demeco is the best WLB in the league it means he impacts the game as much as Lance Briggs (not that much in other words). And not to mention we are not bad with Diles/Adibi/Bentley.

Especially when we could get better at positions that matter most like DE or DT, or a position where we are bad and actually need improvement (like FS).

For a 4-3 Defense DE, DT, MLB, CB, FS, OLB, SS.

If you take into account our needs DE, DT, FS, CB, SS, OLB, MLB.

[Roy P]

This mock is ridiculous. I mock it. Like most mocks, it tries to consider the needs of the clubs. However, the BPA argument is totally lacking. Also, the player/system is not really considered.

While the Texans have usually surprised me on draft day, if they go after Tyson Jackson simply because he's a DE, that would be stupid.

The Hags had some serious OG issues, but they aren't drafting Duke Robinson in the top 10.

I could go on about Javon Ringer and numerous other examples, but I won't.

It is difficult to go through 7 rounds, especially this early.

If I were to cherry pick this for the Texans, I'm drafting Aaron Curry At #15. Derrick Brooks, Ernie Sims, and Lance Briggs are pretty important in their 4-3 defenses.

This mock doesn't have Taylor Mays, D.J. Moore, or Jeremy Maclin as an option.

At #47 I'd have to take Greg Hardy, and he's not on this mock either. Neither is Sen'Derrick Marks.

At #79, I suppose I'll have to take Brandon Spikes and make him the SAM.

#111, Shonn Greene anyone?

I'll let them update their mock with the declaring Juniors and then pay it some attention.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Roy P

This mock is ridiculous. I mock it. Like most mocks, it tries to consider the needs of the clubs. However, the BPA argument is totally lacking. Also, the player/system is not really considered.

While the Texans have usually surprised me on draft day, if they go after Tyson Jackson simply because he's a DE, that would be stupid.

The Hags had some serious OG issues, but they aren't drafting Duke Robinson in the top 10.

I could go on about Javon Ringer and numerous other examples, but I won't.

It is difficult to go through 7 rounds, especially this early.

If I were to cherry pick this for the Texans, I'm drafting Aaron Curry At #15. Derrick Brooks, Ernie Sims, and Lance Briggs are pretty important in their 4-3 defenses.

This mock doesn't have Taylor Mays, D.J. Moore, or Jeremy Maclin as an option.

At #47 I'd have to take Greg Hardy, and he's not on this mock either. Neither is Sen'Derrick Marks.

At #79, I suppose I'll have to take Brandon Spikes and make him the SAM.

#111, Shonn Greene anyone?

I'll let them update their mock with the declaring Juniors and then pay it some attention.

The starting OLBs for the top 5 4-3 Defenses.

#1 Philly, Akeem Jordan, Chris Gokong
#2 Washington, Rocky McIntosh, Marcus Washington
#3 NYG, Gerris Wilkison, Danny Clark
#4 Minnesota, Ben Leber, Chad Greenaway
#5 Keith Bullock, David Thornton

Hardly a who's who of playmakers, and to a man they are secondary pieces on their teams to the pass rushers who make their defenses go. The role of 4-3 OLB is just not very important. We have our MLB. Pass Rushers and Pass Defenders is what this defense needs.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by barrett

The starting OLBs for the top 5 4-3 Defenses.

#1 Philly, Akeem Jordan, Chris Gokong
#2 Washington, Rocky McIntosh, Marcus Washington
#3 NYG, Gerris Wilkison, Danny Clark
#4 Minnesota, Ben Leber, Chad Greenaway
#5 Keith Bullock, David Thornton

Hardly a who's who of playmakers, and to a man they are secondary pieces on their teams to the pass rushers who make their defenses go. The role of 4-3 OLB is just not very important. We have our MLB. Pass Rushers and Pass Defenders is what this defense needs.

None of the top 5 4-3 defenses were "Cover-2" schemes....hmm. Maybe that should tell us something.

Also, I wanted us to draft Gocong, McIntosh, Wilkinson, and Greenway when they were coming out. Why? Speed.

I would also add that Keith Bullock is among the who's who of playmakers. We sure could use him.

[Bigtinylittle]

It will be very interesting to see whether the new DC has a different philosophy from Richard Smith. If he does, we may be picking several players that fit that philosophy.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Roy P

None of the top 5 4-3 defenses were "Cover-2" schemes....hmm. Maybe that should tell us something.

Also, I wanted us to draft Gocong, McIntosh, Wilkinson, and Greenway when they were coming out. Why? Speed.

I would also add that Keith Bullock is among the who's who of playmakers. We sure could use him.

I agree that I don't want a cover 2. Also I agree it is great to have speed at OLB. I just don't think you pay a first round price, because it's extremely rare to get 1st round impact at that position. Plus I'm not ready to throw away last year's pick adibi. Maybe 2nd or 3rd if it's BPA. But I just don't see a 4-3 OLB having top half of the first round impact.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Roy P

This mock is ridiculous. I mock it.
I'll let them update their mock with the declaring Juniors and then pay it some attention.

I concur. I mock this mock.

[sinnister]

Originally Posted by painekiller

I concur. I mock this mock.

I enjoy a good laugh, and this mock provided it.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by NBT

http://www.nfldraftsite.com/
If James Laurainitis is still there at #15, and we don't take him, that would be stupid.

If you saw the Bowl game with Texas vs. OSU, how did you think Laurainitis played ? And how does he compare to the 2 USC 'backers ?
Could Laurainitis play either of the outside LB positions, or is he strictly a MLB (or ILB in a 3-4) ?

[papabear]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

If you saw the Bowl game with Texas vs. OSU, how did you think Laurainitis played ? And how does he compare to the 2 USC 'backers ?
Could Laurainitis play either of the outside LB positions, or is he strictly a MLB (or ILB in a 3-4) ?

Didn't laurinitis play outside early on...when Hawk was there maybe? Not sure if that means he could play OLB in the NFL, but I would think he could.

[NBT]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

If you saw the Bowl game with Texas vs. OSU, how did you think Laurainitis played ? And how does he compare to the 2 USC 'backers ?
Could Laurainitis play either of the outside LB positions, or is he strictly a MLB (or ILB in a 3-4) ?

This was not my personal mock, I merely posted it for edification. You are free to mock it all you want. The guy was making an opinion, albeit a distant one. As for Laurainitis, he would be better in the 4-3 than would Rey Rey, IMO.

Speed is sometimes overrated at the LB position. It is instinct rather than speed (although good functional speed is important), that is the overriding accomplishment for the position.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by NBT

Speed is sometimes overrated at the LB position. It is instinct rather than speed (although good functional speed is important), that is the overriding accomplishment for the position.

That's a good point. If I remember correctly, some draft guru's we're dissapointed with Demeco's combine time in the 40, but his football smarts and ability to diagnose what's going quickly are what make him so effective. IMO speed shouldn't be the overriding factor when making a decison on a draft pick, but if everything else is judged to be equal (football smarts, toughness, size, etc) then it can be a tie breaker.

For just about any position I think the 10 yd split, the shuttle, and the three cone are more important than the 40. The forty easy to relate too though, and I'm as guilty as anyone at falling in love with a 40 time.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by papabear

That's a good point. If I remember correctly, some draft guru's we're dissapointed with Demeco's combine time in the 40, but his football smarts and ability to diagnose what's going quickly are what make him so effective.

I would assert that putting Ryans at the MLB spot actually helps to hide his slowness. Moving him to the WILL would actually expose him more in my opinion. Being smart and being able to read his keys makes him a good player. He would be a lot better if we had a player like Kevin/Pat/Jamaal Williams in front of him. He could then attack the A-Gaps with wreckless abandon and move freely and flow to the ball.

[Bigtinylittle]

Since DeMeco has gained 15 or more pounds since he was drafted, I'm going to hazard a guess that he is even slower than he was back then.