Our top priority in round one is still a linebacker....I think Rolando McClain is the consensus pick right now among most of the mock drafts I have seen. There also has been a lot of interest in acquiring a WR like Dez Bryant or Arrelious Ben. With Ronnie's injury, and the possibility of Ricky Williams retiring after the 2010 season, I think we should look for a RB in rounds 2-4. Here are some possibilities: Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech Ryan Mathews, Fresno State Evan Royster, Penn State Toby Gerhart, Stanford Anthony Dixon, Mississippi State Montario Hardesty, Tennessee Noel Devine, WVU Charles Scott, LSU Joe McKnight, USC DeMarco Murray (Jr.), Oklahoma Chris Brown, Oklahoma Brandon James, Florida I think we should go with Noel Devine of West Virginia in Round Two, if he comes out, or Jonathan Dwyer of Georgia Tech.
Not sure why you only put (JR) by one of the players, but not the rest. I would not be happy if we picked Devine either, especially in rd2.
If we dont resign Ronnie then Spiller in round 1 is a no brainer if hes available. Combining him with Ricky, and after '10 with Cobbs/Hilliard would make some excellent duos.
To me, the back that they'll consider in round 1 is Dwyer. If Brown is done, then that leaves Ricky. You draft Spiller and RW is gone in a year, then your power run game is in the hands of a 190lb runner who isn't brilliant between the tackles.
Depends how high are they on Hilliard? If they think Hilliard can be that powerback then more reason to pick Spiller?
Hilliard has been on the roster for 27 games and he's still awaiting his first NFL carry. I think it's a stretch to think he's going to be the Allen Iversen.
I think a player like Montario Hardesty is an option as well. I would remove both Oklahoma backs from that list, neither is the kind of player we will likely look for, and other than Peterson that school has produced scat backs over the last 10-12 years. Very unlikely IMHO.
Doesn't Dwyer run mostly sweeps and other plays to the outside Boom? It should also be considered that Tuna did not like taking Runningbacks with high picks, it would not shock if we used a 3rd round pick on a Rb, it would surprise if we used a #1 pick on one.
I think the Parcells influence in terms of who we actually pick is a lot less than we think. Ireland is the boss in there; the picks show that. Dwyer busts it up inside as good as any back in the nation. Tech run that triple option attack but he is an NFL runner succeeding in a system that doesn't suit.
i like Dwyer but he seems to be a reach in the 1st round. spiller seems like the only back to consider using a 1st rounder on. there are some value backs later in the draft we could consider. we should have ricky and cobbs next year and if the CBA doesnt go we should ronnie for another year so we could put it off for a year. plus you can usually get a rb in FA. I would be open to spiller in the 1st because of his playmaking ability and Dwyer in the 2nd because of his fit for our offense
Tech usually uses Dwyer as the FB in the triple option (unless they've mixed it up recently). That's why his production has been up and down. Some defenses are clogging the middle trying to take him out of the game. He better declare this year for his leg's sake. Posted via Mobile Device
A lot of good backs would be awaiting their first NFL carry playing behind Ronnie and Ricky. Lex could be the Steve Young of running backs for all we know. LOL
Hilliard spent the entire 2008 season on the practice squad. It's tough to get an NFL carry from there but nice spin. So you are saying Hilliard is no good because he hasn't played yet? That is absolute nonsense. He will get his chance soon and he will make the haters eat their words.
What's the point in investing all this money in our Oline if a guy like Lex couldn't be successful running behind it? For $150 million, my grandma should be able to hobble through it.
I believe Dwyer is a strong option in the first round, but only if Spiller is off the board which, don't worry folks, he will be. After that you're really looking at much later options. I really like Ben Tate a lot. I think he's a guy that will have to start getting traction as the draft process gets underway. If it comes to a late second round pick, I don't think that's a stretch of the imagination for him. If you're going to take a guy like Hardesty, I'm not sure why not just go for Gerhart. If you're already getting a guy that's limited you might as well get a cave troll that can plow through a mountain. After that, pickings are pretty slim. I like Charles Scott, LeGarrett Blount, possibly Matt Asiata.
well on big difference is that a league wasnt jumping all over Hillard to give him 40 million. I think spiller is a one trick pony and that trick wont work in the nfl....he would just be a better ted ginn. I like Murray from OK and of coarse Dwyer bc of the resembilence to Ronnie But i would hole off till Ingram come out hes is a stud!
See I disagree. I remember when Steve Slaton came out and people said he was another Reggie Bush who couldn't carry the load and only played well out of the spread. Spiller reminds me alot of Slaton, only faster and a legit KR.
Ingram isn't draft eligible, being that he is a true sophomore. Clay is eligble but not likely to declare IMO.
LOL. What sort of post is that? Point out where I said he was 'no good'. And please, unless you're 14, don''t use the word 'hater'. The fact of the matter is that Lex has been on the team for a year and a half and Sparano and Ireland, arguably the most pro equal opportunity employers in the NFL haven't used him, despite the multi faceted nuances of our offense and the way it's reknowned for using as many people as possible to make plays. When Pat Cobbs went down, did Hilliard step up and take his place? Answer: no. Let's hope he's the next bright young tailback but let's also be realistic. Not absolute nonsense at all, but just a little something I like to call fact.
The case for Spiller as a Dolphin is obvious; electric playmaker. Legitimate late 4.2 runner with vision and home run capabilities from anywhere. He has good hands, nee very good, can throw the ball well as evidenced on Saturday. And he can run back kicks and punts. In our offense, he could work better than say in Tampa's offense or Pitt's, because of our diversity. But the downside is this: he's unlikely to be a feature back because his biggest weaknesses are running between the tackles and pass protection. Warrick Dunn changed the entire identity of what a feature back could be at the next level. Except, he didn't because Dunn was a pretty unmatched phenomenon. Small, but an ability to run between the tackles like a runner 25lbs heavier. With regards Miami it will all depend on whether he's there, how we can use him and who is on the roster. I've made the argument elsewhere, but in 16 months time if Ricky Williams retires as he plans to, then our power run offense is in the hands of a 190lb runner who likes to bounce it outside and struggles some through the middle of the line. Will Jeff Ireland sign off on that knowing what the future might be for his run game? I'm not sure.
I agree with the pro Hilliard comments. I know not a whole lot can be gauged by preseason, but he was a beast late in the games (when he was still fresh, to be fair) and ran like a stud. He's all over special teams, a solid receiver with good hands, and I am very impressed with this kid. I'm glad he got his first few carries tonight against Carolina and hopefully we see more of him. He may not end up being our go-to back in 2010-2011, but this kid is a stud and eager to play. With Ronnie out will probably see in the coming weeks either way.
Lex Hilliard had great touches in this game. I love the way the team is developing him. Lex is a straight forward runner. Don't sleep on him.....
NO NO NO spiller is stiff can move side to side well, slaton on the other hand makes people miss he is elusive for more reasons than just running by them... so I repeat my choices 1.Dwyer 2.Murray 3.Best from cal* But i would wait on INGRAM
Looks like Clay might declare: "Badger back confirms NFL interest… Wisconsin red shirt sophomore RB John Clay has confirmed that he is considering leaving school this winter and entering the 2010 draft. The 6-2, 250-pound Clay, who has rushed for over 1,100 yards and 12 scores will reportedly seek an evaluation of his draft stock after the season from the NFL advisory committee." http://www.gbnreport.com/ He fits the profile, but I haven't seen him play.
I am with these guys. I wouldn't take a running back this year unless it was in the 6th round or later. IMO Its very likely that we have Ronnie locked up next year because I don't see that CBA getting worked out before March 2010. Plus I am of the belief that we could draft a starting running back in the first round in 2011. To me the smart play is to wait a year, maybe take a chance on a guy in the later rounds, and address other needs.
As long as the O-line remains solid we don't need to use a high pick on a RB. We have way to many other needs that I would like to see addressed in the first couple of rounds.
its still early for patrick turner, but i would've loved to draft shonn greene in the third round last year
