McShay's Mock Draft

[BigBull]

Originally Posted by Roy P

I think the current favorite is Maybin. Michael Johnson is a joke. E. Brown is too good to last. Personally, I'd rather have Paul Kruger than Orakpo if I'm just looking for a "complete" 4-3 end. I'm banking that Maybin's size (242lbs) makes him attractive to Coach Kollar.

Most of your post I agree with, but Michael Johnson is the best DE in this draft imo.

[jppaul]

Originally Posted by BigBull

Most of your post I agree with, but Michael Johnson is the best DE in this draft imo.

An interesting opinion, but one that might hold water. I have been touting MJ for the past year, IMO, he does a Freeney after the 40 at the combine. I think he is money provided he can focus.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by jppaul

An interesting opinion, but one that might hold water. I have been touting MJ for the past year, IMO, he does a Freeney after the 40 at the combine. I think he is money provided he can focus.

I certainly got no problem with the guy we took in the 2003 Draft, Andre Johnson. But if anybody remembers the Texans in that Draft, one of the other players they were seriously considering besides AJ with their #3 overall was pass-rusher supreme AZ DE Terrel Suggs. Anyway, one of the primary reasons the Texans ceased considering Suggs was his 40 time.
I remember everybody including McNair himself going out to AZ to time Suggs who ran and then reran the 40 on another day but still couldn't crack 4.7. Ever since then I've learned not to place too much emphasis on 40 times for pass-rushing prospects, as Suggs has become one of the better edge-rushers in the NFL since being drafted.
While its a more important consideration for some positions like corners, receivers, and backs, the absense of a fast 40 time isn't a showstopper for a passrusher IMO.

[jppaul]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

While its a more important consideration for some positions like corners, receivers, and backs, the absense of a fast 40 time isn't a showstopper for a passrusher IMO.

Sure, but the presence of a good one will skyrocket a prospect. Remember Freeney?

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by BigBull

Most of your post I agree with, but Michael Johnson is the best DE in this draft imo.

No way is he the best DE in the draft. I'll grant you that his height and speed makes him intriguing, but he doesn't play with any fire whatsoever. He's ineffective against the run, almost seeming like he's not interested. He gets blocked by TEs, which is pretty pathetic considering most college TEs aren't talented in blocking.

He may go to Indy and blow people away with times, but this guy is all potential and very little production. While that was a signature line complaining about Mario, it is more appropriate here. Mario got double teamed a lot his Senior year, where I saw MJ getting single blocked in his games.

Currently, Johnson is like Roger Moore as more and more people are jumping off his bandwagon. NFL Draft Scout has him as a 2nd round pick at this point being passed by Robert Ayers. Again, I haven't talked to him to determine his motivation and passion for the game, but from what I've seen in games, it just isn't there.

[nero THE zero]

Originally Posted by Roy P

but this guy is all potential and very little production.

He has 20 career sacks including 9 his senior season. That's more than Maybin and one less than Orakpo.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by nero THE zero

He has 20 career sacks including 9 his senior season. That's more than Maybin and one less than Orakpo.

Maybin had 12 sacks as a redshirt Sophomore and 19 TFLs. His "career" numbers are not going to be a fair comparison considering the fact that he played behind All-American Maurice Evans and he is only a Sophomore. Johnson had 9 sacks and 17.5 TFLs after 4 years of experience. The fact that he didn't start many games but was only brought in during passing situations his Junior year should tell you something.

Anyway, I'm not trying to kill the guy, I'd be more than happy to draft him the 2nd round if we don't have a shot at Brown, Orakpo, Maybin, Ayers, or Kruger earlier in the draft..

[nero THE zero]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Maybin had 12 sacks as a redshirt Sophomore and 19 TFLs. His "career" numbers are not going to be a fair comparison considering the fact that he played behind All-American Maurice Evans and he is only a Sophomore. Johnson had 9 sacks and 17.5 TFLs after 4 years of experience. The fact that he didn't start many games but was only brought in during passing situations his Junior year should tell you something.

Anyway, I'm not trying to kill the guy, I'd be more than happy to draft him the 2nd round if we don't have a shot at Brown, Orakpo, Maybin, Ayers, or Kruger earlier in the draft..

I don't know, I guess to me 9 sacks doesn't really constitute "very little production."

I know it's just semantics, but I think MJ is a good example of when critique of a player snowballs to the point where it becomes exaggerated and inaccurate. The guy has all the physical tools to be a dominant player in the NFL. Knocking the guy for "taking plays off" might be accurate, but to say that he hasn't produced isn't.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by nero THE zero

I don't know, I guess to me 9 sacks doesn't really constitute "very little production."

Sacks are not the only statistic to look at when considering production from a DE. While Agents like to point at that one stat to support the idea of their clients worth, one could also take a look at the number of Tackles a DE is a part of to determine production.

While I am going by what my eyes see during a game as the major factor for determining "production" let me at least show you some Tackles numbers as an indicator.

Maybin - 49 Tackles
Brown - 37 Tackles (as a Jr. couldn't find his Sr. numbers)
Orakpo - 42 Tackles
Kruger - 61 Tackles (2007)
Johnson - 43 Tackles (he only had 21 as a Jr. when he did not start)

So, it really just comes down to what you are looking at. Maybe MJ is such an athlete that I was expecting more when I saw him.

[jppaul]

write up on MJ for the GT v. Georgia game on Dec. 2:

Georgia RG Chris Davis and ROT Josh Davis vs. Georgia Tech DE Michael Johnson
Johnson recorded seven tackles, including a sack, and broke up a pass in the Yellow Jackets' 45-42 win over the Bulldogs. The pass breakup came on a first-and-10 play in the second quarter with the ball at Georgia's 44-yard line. Johnson stunts inside at the snap and engages Chris Davis, delivering a violent punch that knocks Davis off-balance, and keeps working upfield. Georgia QB Matt Stafford tries to loft the ball over him, but the 6-foot-7 Johnson gets his hands up in time to deflect it. This play is very similar to a second-and-9 play in the second quarter from the Bulldogs' 32-yard line. Johnson shoots inside on this play as well, leaving his feet at least twice in an effort to deflect the pass. Stafford gets the ball over Johnson this time but throws it out of bounds and is called for intentional grounding.

Johnson's sack comes on third-and-4 in the third quarter with Georgia on the 50-yard line, and while it's not a play that will make the highlight reels, it could improve Johnson's value in the eyes of scouts. One of the biggest knocks on Johnson coming into the season was his tendency to get caught out of position, and this play is an example of how he has improved in that area. Johnson engages Josh Davis off the ball, extends his arms and keeps his eyes on the backfield. He sees Bulldogs RB Knowshon Moreno drift to the outside and follows him, shedding Davis' block along the way. Meanwhile, Stafford finds himself in a catch-22. He can't pick up the first down with his feet because Johnson has taken away the running lane, and he has to get rid of the ball because Johnson is closing quickly. Stafford runs out of bounds before he is able to flip the ball downfield and Johnson is credited with a sack. Finally, it's worth pointing out that Johnson lined up wide as a gunner on punt coverage. This role is generally reserved for skill players because it requires a great deal of speed and agility, so the fact that Johnson can play there is another testament to his rare natural athleticism.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by BigBull

Most of your post I agree with, but Michael Johnson is the best DE in this draft imo.

A guy who plays as if he doesn't care 75% of the time is the best? Then we need to look elsewhere. Johnson was capable of being a huge player, but he plays like he doesn't care. Has his whole career.

I have no use for him.