Today starts the NFL Combine, where NFL hopefuls will be running 40 yard dashes, benchpressing, and taking the wonderlic test among other things. The question I have is, why do people outside of NFL front offices make such a big deal about this? And for that matter why does the NFL make a big deal out of this? The NFL Network is dedicated a ton of hours to this event and I just don't get it. How much can a front office person or scout really get from watching a guy run 40 yards or lift a lot weight? Shouldn't they have all they need to know from the game film they have on players that span 3-4 years? The game film on a guy is going to tell me whether or not he can play football. Sure speed and strength and explosiveness are large factors to be successful in the NFL, but I'd rather judge someone's speed, strength, and explosiveness on a field when they are in a game situation. Just because a Darius Heyward-Bey can run straight down a field in 4.3 seconds doesn't mean that he can elude defenders or run a clean route.
I understand we live in a country where the NFL is covered 24-7 and we're in a month where there aren't many choices for sports fans, but come on, the coverage the combine gets is worse than National Signing Day when the country obsesses on the choices of 18 year old boys. The reality is that there aren't very many rookies that have an immediate impact in their first year in the NFL and a lot of times the the star players are found late in the draft. I think the combine is a useful tool for scouts and general managers but to obsess over it like ESPN, the NFL Network and the media in general do is ridiculous and it's time we let the NFL go about it's scouting combine and not fuss over it. I don't really care that Vince Young scored so poorly on the wonderlic test, I just want to know if he can be a game-changer who can win football games. And really isn't that what it comes down to, finding players that can win football games?
Showing posts with label 2010 NFL Draft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2010 NFL Draft. Show all posts
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
2010 NFL Draft Preview
With the Senior Bowl today I thought it'd be a good idea to look at the top player at each position and see where they might wind up come the draft in April. We'll look at one player at QB, RB, WR, OL, DE, DT, LB, CB, and S and one wild card player. I'm going to take the top player at each position according to Scouts Inc.'s list on ESPN.com
QB: Sam Bradford, Oklahoma: Jake Locker from Washington is the highest rated player by Scouts Inc., but since he's returning to Washington Bradford becomes the next player. Bradford in my mind could go anywhere from first to the Rams, fourth with the Redskins, or sixth to the Seahawks. He's an accurate passer and has great mechanics. I think the injury has to bring some sort of skepticism but NFL scouts and doctors will poke and prod and make sure Bradford is healthy. My guess is that he goes #1 overall to the Rams.
RB: C.J. Spiller, Clemson: Spiller is a home run threat in every sense of the phrase. He's could be a nice compliment to a power back and would be a great asset in the return game for any team. I'm starting to think he'll end up in San Francisco to compliment Frank Gore and really provide another weapon for the 49ers on offense. I think they also are able to make this pick because they have 2 first round picks.
WR: Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State: Bryant is a great talent who got caught up in a NCAA power play. I think scouts know what they have with Bryant and I think he winds up in Denver if the Broncos trade Brandon Marshall. If Marshall for some reason isn't traded before the draft I see the Bengals taking Bryant to slot him in the #2 across from Chad Ochocinco.
OL: Russell Okung, Oklahoma State: There are a lot of quality offensive tackles in the draft this year and we'll likely see a lot of them taken in the first round. The Chiefs will be the team to start the Tackle run and why not start it with the best one in the draft.
DE: Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech: Morgan is a highly rated prospect but his performance in the Orange Bowl could hurt where he goes on draft day. He is a great pass rusher and good against the run. Jacksonville desperately need a player like Morgan and I think he winds up there.
DT: Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska: Here's the big boy of the draft, he has the ability to draw a double and triple team at times which will really help a pass rush. With the Rams taking a quarterback, the Lions will jump and run to the stage to claim Suh and try to wreck havoc on the NFC North on defense against the stable of quality quarterbacks the division has.
LB: Rolando McClain, Alabama: High motor, intense and hard working are ways to describe McClain and I think he can step in immediately and make a difference. The Dolphins seem to be a fit, I think Bill Parcells really likes players like McClain.
CB: Joe Haden, Florida: There is usually a player that doesn't get a lot of hype before the draft but still is an incredible player who will make a difference for his team. A.J. Hawk comes to mind with the Packers and I think Joe Haden is this for the Browns.
S: Eric Berry, Tennessee: Compared to Ed Reed, Berry has some huge shoes to fill to live up to all the comparisons being thrown his way. He was an amazing talent at the college level and I think he is able to live up to most of the comparisons in the NFL. I think the Bucs are the perfect fit since they need to upgrade a questionable passing defense.
Wild Card: Tim Tebow, Florida: Ah Tebow, the man so many people love to hate. Is he an every down quarterback in the NFL, nope, not yet anyway. I think he can learn the things necessary to make himself a serviceable quarterback in the NFL, he'll be a true weapon in the wildcat for whoever picks him. If he goes in the first round it will be to Jacksonville, I don't see the Jaguars making that reach early but I think he still ends up in Jacksonville but in round 2.
QB: Sam Bradford, Oklahoma: Jake Locker from Washington is the highest rated player by Scouts Inc., but since he's returning to Washington Bradford becomes the next player. Bradford in my mind could go anywhere from first to the Rams, fourth with the Redskins, or sixth to the Seahawks. He's an accurate passer and has great mechanics. I think the injury has to bring some sort of skepticism but NFL scouts and doctors will poke and prod and make sure Bradford is healthy. My guess is that he goes #1 overall to the Rams.
RB: C.J. Spiller, Clemson: Spiller is a home run threat in every sense of the phrase. He's could be a nice compliment to a power back and would be a great asset in the return game for any team. I'm starting to think he'll end up in San Francisco to compliment Frank Gore and really provide another weapon for the 49ers on offense. I think they also are able to make this pick because they have 2 first round picks.
WR: Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State: Bryant is a great talent who got caught up in a NCAA power play. I think scouts know what they have with Bryant and I think he winds up in Denver if the Broncos trade Brandon Marshall. If Marshall for some reason isn't traded before the draft I see the Bengals taking Bryant to slot him in the #2 across from Chad Ochocinco.
OL: Russell Okung, Oklahoma State: There are a lot of quality offensive tackles in the draft this year and we'll likely see a lot of them taken in the first round. The Chiefs will be the team to start the Tackle run and why not start it with the best one in the draft.
DE: Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech: Morgan is a highly rated prospect but his performance in the Orange Bowl could hurt where he goes on draft day. He is a great pass rusher and good against the run. Jacksonville desperately need a player like Morgan and I think he winds up there.
DT: Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska: Here's the big boy of the draft, he has the ability to draw a double and triple team at times which will really help a pass rush. With the Rams taking a quarterback, the Lions will jump and run to the stage to claim Suh and try to wreck havoc on the NFC North on defense against the stable of quality quarterbacks the division has.
LB: Rolando McClain, Alabama: High motor, intense and hard working are ways to describe McClain and I think he can step in immediately and make a difference. The Dolphins seem to be a fit, I think Bill Parcells really likes players like McClain.
CB: Joe Haden, Florida: There is usually a player that doesn't get a lot of hype before the draft but still is an incredible player who will make a difference for his team. A.J. Hawk comes to mind with the Packers and I think Joe Haden is this for the Browns.
S: Eric Berry, Tennessee: Compared to Ed Reed, Berry has some huge shoes to fill to live up to all the comparisons being thrown his way. He was an amazing talent at the college level and I think he is able to live up to most of the comparisons in the NFL. I think the Bucs are the perfect fit since they need to upgrade a questionable passing defense.
Wild Card: Tim Tebow, Florida: Ah Tebow, the man so many people love to hate. Is he an every down quarterback in the NFL, nope, not yet anyway. I think he can learn the things necessary to make himself a serviceable quarterback in the NFL, he'll be a true weapon in the wildcat for whoever picks him. If he goes in the first round it will be to Jacksonville, I don't see the Jaguars making that reach early but I think he still ends up in Jacksonville but in round 2.
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