You're Jeff Ireland and the Dolphins are now on the clock. Both Dez Bryant and Rolando McClain are still on the board. Who do you pick?
I voted McClain. It is my dream that we get McClain in the first round and Spikes in the second round.
Dez Bryant. IMO, you can get better linebackers in the second round than Wide Receivers. Also, we need to get Henne a young, dominant receiver to help him out. Bryant could be just that.
Bryant. Its all about getting Henne some weapons. If we can turn him from solid to elite it goes a long way for this team. Also, Crowder isnt going anywhere. We need a stud to put next to him, but we arent going ILB in the first 2 rounds.
If Bryant is still there at 12 (There is no way that happens) there is no question about it. If he is gone, and he will be, McClain goes towards the very top of my list
If you truly think Spikes is available in the second, don't you HAVE to take Dez over McClain in the first?
Very very good point! If we were able to pull off Bryant and Spikes I would be doing backflips down the street. We would instantly be upgraded in two key positions, and still have the rest of the draft for a couple more linebackers, NT, FS and probably a Runningback.
While I think ILB is a slightly greater need than WR (we scored plenty of points this year, but our D couldn't stop anyone when it counted), I don't see how you pass up Bryant's talent/value at that slot.
The offense averaged more then twenty a game while the defense allowed more then 25. We need help more on the defensive side of the ball more even though we also need a player to stretch defenses. like him or not at least ginns speed keeps the underneath stuff open. However our mlb play was beyond awful.
McClain. 1) I think he's going to be a special player. 2) We need a defensive QB to build our D around. McClain is said to be a smart player (on top of his God given physical abilities). 3) I think he fills a greater need. Albeit marginally so (hey, I'd love to add a true #1 WR). 4) Bryant concerns me with some possible character issues. Whereas McClain is apparently a student of the game. 5) I think we can pick up a proven WR in FA. JMHO...
Our offense is young and evolving. We need youth and leadership on defense, and McClain is the type of field general that doesn't come around all that often.
Somewhat true, but with Bryant you get a stud at a need position and an impact position. Pick up a Sean Lee in the 3rd, then maybe go back to WR and take Mike Williams in the 4th. That would create a logjam at WR, but Ginn's days are numbered and we need TALENT at the position. 2nd rd best LB, S or NT available. imo the Ginn stretching the defense argument is questionable. He's a liability, plain and simple.
I dont care how we get the points as long as we get them. Fact is we averaged more then 20 a game this year with supposedly no weapons. I agree we need to upgrade the weapons but we need to be able to stop someone first imo. Bryant wouldnt upset me but passing on McClain for him wouldnt thrill me. If McClain and Weatherspoon were gone I would be more receptive to the pick. Otherwise I dont even want to hear about an offensive player.
I see your point, but I'd be hesitant to spend a 12th overall pick pick on a MLB unless he was truly special. Not so sure that McClain is, but as always I could be wrong. When in doubt go for the impact position and player. I still say Bryant. And if we do go McClain I'd be thrilled to get Benn in the 2nd if he was still available. And Benn can return kicks, too.
This is a deep WR draft. More of a chance of Benn, Tate, and Lafell in the 2nd rather than just Spikes
I want Ro....build around the game and character of the young stud.Our terrible defense that seems to talk alot needs to shut up and lead by their play on the field..Thats Ro's game...not a rah rah guy, a natural leader by example.Kid has a power game that iam drooling to build around. We have a nice dline that needs that centerpiece roamin the blood zone. Pick up a weatherspoon in the 2nd to track players sideline to sideline, and you have the perfect compliment.
Weatherspoon isn't making it out of the top 20 much less to our 2nd pick. IMO spoon should be in the discussion for our 1st rounder...
IMO we should be looking at McClain or weatherspoon in round one and then Golden Tate, Benn, Gresham, Norwood, or praying for Earl Thomas in round two. I really believe McClain is that special. Weatherspoon or Berry.
Earl Thomas will be discussed at 12 as well assuming Berry does the obvious and gets picked. Neither he nor Weatherspoon will be there in the second unless they shoot someone or blow out both knees. Aside from Pat Willis though, ILBs that early just arent worth it. The question, is McClain as good as Pat Willis? Unless he is, and can have a Pat Willis type impact for us immediately, then I will pass at 12.
Except for Weatherspoon, I agree with this 100%. IF Ro was the Next Pat Willis, then sure, its easy, in fact, we trade up 4 spots to get him...ZERO problem with that. I watched Bama 4 times this season, the last 2 games I zeroed in mostly on McClain. This kid is good, I mean, he is really very good. He is smart, he tracks well, he understands the game.....but....he isnt even close to being in Willis' category. Dez Bryant on the other hand. I think he has the makings to be a top 5 reciever. He has all the tools to be the next BIG threat, without all the headache and concern. Another thing to think about, somebody mentioned how deep the draft is at WR but not LB, that is absolutely backwards. This draft is MEGA deep at linebacker, but at WR, aside from probably the top 4 or 5, drops off like a Jimmy Hoffa castaway from a bridge...wearing the infamous gray shoes. Furthermore, there are several nice Linebackers we could pick up in FA. WR is not nearly as attractive...of course, all this is projection. In all honesty, it will be an absolute MIRACLE if Dez Bryant actually makes it past pick 7..and realisitcally, could easily be the #4 pick with Washington picking there. IF Dez is not there, and Ro McClain is, I would then have to struggle picking either McClain or Earl Thomas...but would be very happy with either as a consolation prize.
McClain all day for me. Our Defense was horrible and the LBs were the worst of a bad bunch. Usually a WR takes about three years to get to game speed. I don't want to wait that long.
I just checked the Walterfootball site and McGuire's mock draft there had us getting Rolando McClain in the first round and then Sergio Kindle in the second round. I read that then took a cold shower. That would make this team defensively if that happened.
The team averaged 24 a game under Henne. Just saying... Basing my choice on what I've read here and other sites I'll go with Bryant though if McClain really is the hard hitting, play making, intimidating, tackling machine some think he is then I'd be happy to switch.
Dez Bryant? No way. Not now that he's represented by Eugene Parker, whom you might remember from The Great Michael Crabtree Holdout. I would imagine that we're looking at a guy like Brandon LaFell, not Dez Bryant. So, at #12, Rolando McClain wins by default.
I think McClain is going to be a "Solid" player in the NFL for some years. He indeed has nice Leadership qualities. He is a good athlete (Not in the Willis class though) he is a sure tackler, but not sure he is a "Play" maker. He is very smart, and that is an attractive trait at any position. Bryant has the possibility to be the next Fitz IMO. He is indeed 6-2" 220 lbs and very very sure handed. He is a huge threat before getting the ball in his hands, and even moreso afterwards. IF the draft wasnt soooo deep at Linebacker, I could see much more of an arguement for McClain, but it is very very deep. On the flipside, outside of probably round 2, I see very few WR's with huge upside..that would be next years draft. For the reasons listed above, and with the teams that are picking in the top 7 this year, I really really doubt Bryant makes it to us. If he does, I think the FO goes away from what many project, and pounces on him.
I don't think the Parker-Crabtree thing is that big of a deal. Do you really think Parker's going to go through this again and again not get what he wants? Hughes can play both OLB (stand up rusher) and DE (end in 4-3 only) IMO. He needs work and whilst he's not tall enough, I think he's good enough.
It's not just Crabtree. Eugene Parker has a long history of holding players out, especially high-profile rookies, but veterans as well. Given this regime's pathological aversion to anything other than a lunch pail mentality at the wide receiver position--Ted Ginn is about as uninvolved and egotistical a WR as they'll ever stand for, and he's neither of those adjectives--yes, I think it's safe to say we can knock Dez Bryant down our collective draft board, if not remove him altogether, thanks primarily to the presence of Eugene Parker. On a more practical level, Brandon LaFell seems to be a better fit for what this front office wants in a football player than Dez Bryant. He's a senior, he has good character, he's physically gifted, he plays for a large program. (Sound familiar? We drafted a couple of guys from Michigan for the same reasons.) Numerically, they're about even. LaFell: 6'3'', 205lbs; 175rec, 2,517yds, 25TD Bryant: 6'2'', 220lbs; 147rec, 2,425yds, 29TD Bryant has been more productive with less touches and one less year of experience, but LaFell isn't exactly a slouch either, and the intangibles would seem to push this front office toward LaFell and away from Bryant. This is of course presuming that Rolando McClain isn't there at 12.
Just usin his name as an example of doublin up with a player that has a different yet complimentary skillset of Mcclain..I think he'll go in the first as well, but i would'nt take him at 12..I got Graham ahead of him..
I'm not debating where Bryant is on our draft board. I imagine pretty high though. I still don't buy that Eugene will do it again. You're buying too much into the numbers when you compare LaFell and Bryant, I can promise you that. They aren't the same players IMO.
I just did a wiki search for some of Parkers clients: Clients Some of Parker's clients include: * Hines Ward (Super Bowl XL MVP and four-time Pro Bowler) * Richard Seymour (4 time All Pro) * Walter Jones (5 time All Pro) * Emmitt Smith (NFL all time leading rusher) * Larry Fitzgerald (All Pro) * Derrick Brooks (9 time All Pro) * Rod Woodson (11 time All Pro) * Aeneas Williams (8 time All Pro) * Rex Grossman (Super Bowl QB) * Devin Hester (NFL record holder, All Pro) * Cedric Benson (Super Bowl running back) * Curtis Martin (5 time All Pro) * Laveranues Coles (All Pro receiver) * Jason Peters (All Pro left tackle) * James Hardy (Bills 2008 2nd Round Draft Pick) * Greg Jennings (Green Bay Packers, 2006 2nd Round Draft Pick) * Felix Jones (Cowboys 2008 1st Round Draft Pick] * Tashard Choice (Cowboys 2008 4th Round Draft Pick) * Steven Jackson (St. Louis Rams star running back) * Tyson Jackson (Kansas City Chiefs 2009 1st Round Draft Pick) * Michael Crabtree (San Francisco 49ers 2009 1st Round Draft Pick) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_E._Parker Crabtree imo also had some serious ego issues himself that helped contribute to the situation, as well as being the #2 overall receiver taken.
