There are various strategies surrounding the Draft, Best Player Available, "Need" positions, and "Knows the coach".. Enough of all that, which players do my fellow finfans simply want to see drafted by Ireland and Sparano and Parcells? For me, the players I really want to see in Aqua and Coral are: Charles Godfrey, I've got a gut feeling about the guy Jerod Mayo, for me, I look at production and physical skills and we must have him. John Carlson, this cat has heart, willing to sell out for the good of the team. Donald Thomas, this guy played special teams at 280 pounds, then he bulked up to 303 for the Combine, ran almost as well as he did when he was 280, and has done everything asked of him. Thomas also has room to grow. Robert Felton, played 4 positions on the Oline, led the way for a pair of #1 pick running backs, and has earned two degrees already...so he is fast smart and successful. So if the normal draft "logic" is cast aside, which players do my fellow finfans really want to see in Miami? (
Glenn Dorsey, Fred Davis, the non-hobbled version of Malcolm Kelly, Leodis McKelvin or Mike Jenkins, Rashard Mendenhall, Dan Connor, and Gosder Cherilus.
Matt Ryan Phillip Merling Ryan Clady Tracy Porter Leodis McKelvin Charles Godfrey Curtis Lofton Jeremy Thompson Bryan Kehl Mario Manningham Any TE out of ten choices Oniel Cousins Mackenzy Bernadeau Bernard Morris Steve Johnson probably thirty more players but these off the top of my head
Matt Ryan, Brian Brohm, Bruce Davis, Shannon Tevaga, Chauncey Washington, Antoine Cason, John Carlson, Tracy Porter, Jake Long, Chris Long, Dan Connor, Devin Thomas, James Hardy, Limas Sweed, Jordy Nelson
Here is a rough draft of my mock (I'm still of the mind that JT is gone by draft day). 1. OLB Chris Long 2. OL Branden Albert 2. TE Brad Cottam 2. NT Red Bryant 3. DE Kendall Langford 4. QB Josh Johnson 6. S Caleb Campbell 6. OLB Kroy Biermann 7. ILB A.J. Raebel I haven't had a chance to update it in over a month, so changes are likely.
Really hope your right about JT. Thatd be another reason to get our 1st pick signed before draft day. Assuming we're gonna trade JT and pick Chris Long, Long would be able to extort us for more $ if we had Taylor gone before we had a deal worked out with Chris. IMO, if we see talks with Chris increase itd be a def increase in the possibility we found a suitor for Taylor and are just waiting to sign Chris.
Good point, but we could also counter that by threatening to sign Gholston. Right now Long's agent could point to the fact that JT will retire soon, Porter's future with the team after this year is uncertain, Crowder hasn't done much and the Phins may be without all 3 next year. I like Long and Gholston, if Chris and his agent decide that they want to play games (which I doubt), I'd offer a contract to Gholston or try to trade down. JMO though
Trading down would be amazing but Im pretty much resigned to the fact that its highly unlikely. From what Ive read about Chris Long's agent thought, hes an older and seasoned guy who doesnt care much about making a mega deal for his client to get his name out there. Thats def very helpful for us in signing Chris. Gholston reminds me (and probably alot of people) of Shawn Merriman. I love the fact that he's a beast and he works out that hard to be a monster. But, at the same time he makes me nervous that either A. he juices or B. hes playing for $ as seen in his taking plays off. On the other hand I could be completely wrong for having those ideas about him and he could be huge for us. Somehow I just dont see him getting an edge over the Long's without taking a much smaller payday. That being said, I would absolutely hate it if he went to the Pats or the Jets.
There are a lot of guys I would be really happy with: -Jake Long -Chris Long -Vernon Gholston -Antoine Cason -Quentin Groves -Brian Brohm -Jerod Mayo -Curtis Lofton -Phillip Wheeler -Tracy Porter -Charles Godfrey -Bennett/Carlson/Finley/Cottam at TE -Carl Nicks -John Greco -Tom Zibikowski (sp?) -Terrell Thomas -Shawn Crable -Marcus Monk -Jerome Simpson
If it is wrong to want Darren McFadden over some boring tackle, then I don't want to be right.. Kevin Smith, would love to have him, that dude can play some football.
I think we could move down if we were willing to take less than what the Draft Value Chart would indicate we should be getting. Would Atlanta be willing to move up if all it cost them was one of their 2nd rounders? We won't be able to make the type of deals that people were salivating over a month ago (Cowboys deal), but I think we could find a partner. I seriously don't believe that Gholston is juiced, he's been a workout warrior since he was in highschool. Infact, I think the story goes that he was given permission to use the weight room if he tried out for the football team. His slacking is a major concern, but it might be something that is easily correctable with the right coaching (Parcells and Sparano).
I think it's definitely possible that we could get the best out of Gholston. Question is has he warranted enough attention to go 1st? I think a team like Atl with so many holes, would be more then happy to just wait and take the scraps left over from us and Stl.
I think from a talent, production and future potential standpoint, Gholston definitely should be considered as a legit option at #1, and his combine only reinforced that in my mind. Whether the media has him rated that highly means little IMO, the only thing that matters is what the NFL teams/GM's/coaches/scouts think and who they feel is the best fit for their team. As far as the Falcons go, it all depends on who is at the top of their board, they are definitely within reach of the top pick if they want to guarantee themselves a particular player. I was just using them as an example because I wouldn't want to move too far down in the draft and miss out on Long or Gholston.....unless a team was willing to make it worth our while. I would be just as happy staying at #1.
I was disappointed that we didn't make a run at Bryant Johnson. WR is a weak spot, but this team is full of them and I would rather start this rebuilding off by focusing on the trenches and defense. JMO though
Jake Long, Chris Long, Joe Flacco, James Hardy, Antoine Cason, Curtis Lofton, John Greco, Kroy Biermann, J. Silva, Jordan Dizon, T. Wheatley....hopefully we get some of these guys.
Without those "boring" tackles, those boys don't even get out of the backfield. You've got to give them room to operate, or they're useless as a sidesaddle on a pig.
Optimus Prime, Superman, The Juggernaut, Robocop, The Terminator, Cybex Football Throwing Machine would all make great additions.
Probably not just your opinion, L2G. Looking at what Parcells/Ireland have done in free agency to this point and how they address teams historically, they probably are of that same opinion. And of course it cannot be overstated that there are holes pretty much everywhere and if not holes then certainly questions (i.e. health at RB, Beck at QB) - not trying to be negative here but pragmatic. Still, front-seven on defense, offensive line - I think those will be the FO priorities on how to rebuild this team.
I simply refuse to set aside need, we have so many needs, we cannot afford to ignore them. Sorry, but a player only appeals to me if he fits my team's need at his position. I do not agree with BPA, never have, never will. And this is why it is a very good thing I am not a GM in the NFL. If I could for a minute, it would be Jake Long, Flacco, and Cherilus as a guard.
