motife
04-11-2008, 08:05 PM
Chris(Cali): Hey KC, did you see Scouts Inc redo of the 05 draft? They had Merriman over Ware, in your eyes who's the better player?
KC Joyner: That's a tough call. I'd take the early Merriman over the early Ware but if you asked me where they are today, I'd take Ware over Merriman. Merriman has tailed off just a bit as a pass rusher while Ware seems to be getting better every year.
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Johnny (Shakopee, MN): Is Tarvaris Jackson as bad as the "experts" make him out to be ? If so, do you think it would be an upgrade to target Flacco or Brohm in Rounds 1/2 ?
KC Joyner: I wouldn't put Jackson in the "bad" category at all. After his first year I wasn't sure whether he was a long term answer but a number of performances he had last year (especially late in the year) showed he could be the real deal. I'd not draft a QB early if I were Minnesota.
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Majeed: KC, Is Tuna really going to draft Jake Long or does he just want to bring in all 4 guys to drive down the contract?
KC Joyner: I think it's more of the latter. Parcells wants to drive the value of the #1 pick with other teams while also trying to get a bargain if they end up having to take the pick.
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David Fairborn, OH: Remember when Robert Gallery was drafted in 2004? He was the "surest" pick in the draft. Why do people still insist there are "sure" picks? I don't see any this year, and the last ABSOLUTE sure pick I remember was Orlando Pace.
KC Joyner: If nothing else, guys like Gallery prove that even among the most elite players there is always the potential for downside.
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dan (jackson, Ms): what do you think about the Aaron Glenn signing with NO? What about the talks to trade for lito sheppard-is he worth it?
KC Joyner: Dan, Glenn had a typical Glenn year in 2007. He made some big plays (the int/TD return comes to mind) but he also gave up plenty of big plays. He's not as bad as David, though (that's a backhanded compliment if I've ever given one!).
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Greg, DC: What are the chances the cowboys will trade one of their #1 picks for a guy like Roy Williams?
KC Joyner: I can't see that happening. They have some decent young WRs and when that is added to Owens and Witten, they have more than enough firepower in their receiving corps. They need help at other positions, so expect them to invest there first.
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Johnny(Queens): KC, What do you think the Bengels are going to do about their WR problems? Will they resolve this issue with CJ? Or do they trade him? Do they give TJ the new big contract? And should they look to draft a WR to replace Chris Henry or possibly even CJ?
KC Joyner: Johnny, I think the Bengals will get things worked out with Johnson. He wants some attention and he's getting it. When it comes time to deciding between missing PT and the attention that comes along with it, or sitting things out, I think Johnson will decide to come back.
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Mikey(Lackawanna,NY): What have you heard on the Lito Sheppard situation in Philly? Do you think Lito is a top 10 CB when healthy?
KC Joyner: I keep hearing mixed things on this. Some think Philly is trying hard to move him, others think it's just feelers on their part. He's not a top 10 CB because his YPAs are always in the 7-8 range (and occasionally higher) but he's a top 30 CB.
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Marc (Atlanta): Just curious if you have any clue as to this answer or if there even is an answer. I've seen stats for leading tackler for individual years but can you tell me who the career tackles leader is? I've never been able to find it for the NFL and wonder why people dont mention it. Everyone knows the all-time sacks leader.
KC Joyner: Tackles aren't an official stat because the stat has a lot of subjectivity. This is reflected in the differences between tackle stats from one team versus another. Some trackers will end up giving their best player 150 tackles while another spotter might give a similar player 100 tackles. The variances are so high that it makes the value of the stat lower than it should be.
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Garett (Brighton, MI): Just curious as to your perspective on They way the Lions are going about things. Do you think it would be wise to try and trade roy williams on draft day for a pick or 2, considering the lions are "rebuilding".
KC Joyner: Garrett, I wish I could figure out why Detroit makes the moves they do. Trading Williams doesn't really make sense because they would still need a top WR. Moving Rogers for Bodden made sense (although Bodden is coming off of a subpar year) but otherwise most of what Detroit is doing still makes me scratch my head.
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Matt (Tulsa, OK): KC, please,back to Gallery, Is he an absolute bust? or will a second year with the same coaching staff help him become the player he 'should' have been? It seems he might have had it rough with the ancient blocking lessons of Art Shell
KC Joyner: Count my vote in the "he's a bust" category. He can't pass block to save his or his QBs life and his run blocking metrics have been mediocre every time I've run them.
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Lane (Kukuihaele, HI): Aloha KC. If Parcells keeps the pick why wouldn't he draft Darren McFadden? I know the draft experts have certain players at #1 but he's a Parcells type guy. They could get a quality offensive lineman in round 2.
KC Joyner: Parcells subscribes to the old Al Davis theory that you don't build championship teams around great RBs. I cover that very topic in a chapter in my upcoming book Blindsided. In a nutshell, building around an elite RB isn't necessary to win a title.
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Troy (Milwaukee): Is Ryan Grant and the rest of the committee really the answer in Green Bay or could they use more insurance or a change of pace back?
KC Joyner: Troy, they need new blockers more than they need new RBs. The Packers had defeated run blocks on about 25% of their overall run plays. 10% is a very good number and 20% is borderline acceptable. They were worse than that and that's why they need new O linemen.
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Paul (Omaha, NE): How far does Matt Ryan fall? #5 to KC, #8 to Baltimore or is there a chance he falls out of the top 10? Could he see a Brady Quinn like fall? Personally, I think he is a great player. I have no idea why the Dolphins soured on him, but I am seeing that a lot don't seem him as a franshise guy. What happens with him?
KC Joyner: I don't think he falls out of the top 10. I did tape study on him and he looks very much like a Matt Hasselbeck. He's so much better than Quinn that there is no way KC or Baltimore pass him up.
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Garett (Brighton, MI): Considering your response to my last question, what should the lions do once pick 15 comes along? thanks
KC Joyner: I can tell you what they shouldn't do: pick a WR. Although I do have to say that if they traded Williams, they would need another WR and that just makes me laugh given their draft history.
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Bryon(South Buffalo): Do you think the Falcons would be interested in trading for the Bills QB JP Losman? He is still young, has enough game expierence, and worked in Mike Mularkey's offense before! It makes sense? Maybe for a 3rd round pick? What do you think KC?
KC Joyner: Sounds like a great move to me but I wonder if Mularkey will want him. I've heard the Buffalo coaching staff wasn't exactly sold on some parts of Losman's personality and therefore have to ask if Mularkey was one of those guys. Talent-wise, Losman is a perfect fit but that question has to be answered before an Atl move can be said to be in his future.
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Matt Ryan(Boston): Im so glad experts chalk up my interceptions to lack of talent around me and forget how few legit secondaries the ACC had last year
KC Joyner: I guess my Hasselbeck comment was lost on this person. Hasselbeck forces a ton of passes into coverage (I said in one of my Scientific Football books that he should join Gunslingers Anonymous) and so does Ryan. Both make up for their risk taking with plenty of upside in the rest of their game.
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Scott (Reno): What were Chris Henry's metrics when he wasn't suspended? Some teams are desperate for WR help
KC Joyner: Scott, he had very good vertical numbers but I can't get over the fact that his biggest catch output in a season is 36. He's simply not a guy that a team can know they can count on for an entire season's worth of production.
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PT (Franklin, NC): If Al Davis has a philosophy of not needing an elite RB why do so many "experts" have the Raiders selecting Darren Mcfadden, especially since they already have Micheal Bush?
KC Joyner: It's not that Davis won't select an elite RB. He had Marcus Allen after all. It's just that RB isn't anywhere near the top of his priority list. I would be very surprised to see them take McFadden from that standpoint but if he's the best player left on the board, he could end up there.
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J (Milwaukee): The lions have to trade Roy Williams. That way they can open up a spot to draft a WR at 15!
KC Joyner: Very funny!
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Rick-Lowell, MA: Do you think the Pats should trade down, or take a real top end talent at 7? They have 4 pics in the first 3 rounds already and they have plenty of cap space. Is it time they buck the trend of trying to bring in quantity over quality? Don't get me wrong, they always seem to get plenty of quality, but this is the highest they've been in years and we haven't had a true prospect to be excited about in a while.
KC Joyner: With that many picks early on, I think NE goes ahead and stays put. They have a good draft balance of quantity and quality. I also don't think there will be a player available at #7 that some other team will pay a premium for, so the upside for trading could be limited.
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Vedhas (Spartanburg, SC): Did you see the South Park episode last night? It was making fun of Bill Bellicheck...I think you would enjoy it!
KC Joyner: I can't say that I did but I'm a big South Park fan so I'll be sure to check out the replay.
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Ben (Atlanta): If Jake Long and Glenn Dorsey are off the board, the Falcons HAVE to take Matt Ryan don't they? There is not another play at a position of need worthy of that pick in my opinion.
KC Joyner: I can't see another move making more sense. He'd solve one of their biggest question marks.
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Phil: How come everyone talks about how difficult it is to trade down out of a top pick and then in the same breath says the Patriots will automatically trade down?
KC Joyner: Good point, Phil. This isn't a year where there are enough elite players to drive teams to pay for the privilege of drafting early. I guess they think NE has some special draft mojo that will make teams trade with them.
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Matt, Raleigh: Mike Martz has to help Alex Smith's metrics right? Its not like they could get any worse...
KC Joyner: Matt, we'll find out the answer to this question pretty quickly. What I mean by this is that Martz is the kind of guy who decides fairly quickly if a QB if his kind of QB. If he doesn't think Smith can handle his system physically and/or mentally, Martz will dump him and find someone else. He won't waste time on a player he doesn't believe in.
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Lane (Kukuihaele, HI): Joe Flaaco or Brian Brohm should be around when Atlanta picks in round 2. They would cost less than Ryan. Mike Smith is a defensive guy so I'm sure he's looking to start building his defense first. I think he believes in defense wins championships theory.
KC Joyner: Good point, although I don't think Flaaco or Brohm are quite as good as Ryan. It also depends on who is making the draft day calls, Smith or the front office.
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Danny C (Manahawkin, NJ): Using draft picks to effectively trade Joe Staley for Randy Moss and the #7 overall pick in this years draft might qualify in the special mojo category.......stop hating.
KC Joyner: Not hating at all, Danny! I just don't think other teams are going to give NE enough draft day value to get them to want to move out of that pick. NE won't trade down for nothing is another way to say this, and that's a compliment!
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Bo (Honlulu, HI): Howzit KC, back to Al Davis and the Raiders. Say McFadden, Dorsey, and Gholston are available at pick 4, what would you do? What do you think Al would do?
KC Joyner: I would be shocked if they didn't Gholston in that case. They need D line help and he could be an immediate impact player.
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Dee (Greenville, NC): Taking advantage of the Raiders stupidity is does not give you special mojo. Getting Moss for a 4th rounder is like the Lakers getting Gasol for Kwame Brown.....stupidity.
KC Joyner: Dee makes a non-Philip Rivers related comment!
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Ruben (Highland, Ca): Do you think a Matt Birk trade for Alex Barron of the Rams makes sense for both teams? Rams can then draft Jake Long for RT? That could make for an outstanding line.
KC Joyner: An aging center on the backside of his career for an underachieving young tackle - it would hurt both teams so I guess that would make sense at some level. Don't get me wrong, Birk is a good player but he'd be a stop-gap for Stl at best.
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Carol (Largo, FL): Hello KC--most of the mock drafts I have seen have the Bucs taking a WR in the 1st round. There seems to be questions about all of the top guys and the position itself has been notorious for busts. This draft is loaded with tremendously talented CB's and DE's, so why wouldn't the Bucs take the best player available and then perhaps get Hawkins, Hardy, or Jordy Nelson in a later round? Thank you
KC Joyner: The Bucs do need WR help but I was frankly surprised they didn't do more in that area in free agency. Gruden doesn't work well with youngsters and it is hard for a rookie WR to make an impact in any event. Young defensive players can make impacts in the Tampa two scheme because it is so easy to learn. I'd be with you on the taking a defensive player first because of that.
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Pete C (Newark DE): KC, what's the story with the Dolphins looking to make deals with the top few prospects to drive the value of the pick down a bit, is that a trend we are going to see happen more and more?
KC Joyner: I think this type of thing will keep happening until the league implements a rookie salary cap. Teams want to do all they can to reward performance and not potential but the upper end of the draft is all about rewarding potential.
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Eric (Colorado Springs CO): The Raiders were force to get rid of Moss and everyone knew it. That was like the Pac Man Jones sitituation with the Titans. Talent wise he is worth a 1st round pick but the Titans will be lucky to get a 5th round for him.
KC Joyner: Good counterpoint there. Oakland made the best of what Moss had made into a bad situation.
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Big Steve (Atl): with Jake Long an OT 'tweener, how serious does Gholston get consideration? Parcells has to be bumming there is no clear-cut #1? WOLB in the 3-4 is the money position (sacks), it seems that Gholston would be the "shocker" pick that would wind-up being a solid #1 down the road...thoughts?...
KC Joyner: An interesting question. Parcells is big on pass rushers and Gholston certainly can do that. Miami also has a pretty good O line overall. Having said that, they do need help at tackle and that could possibly be a pressing need. Long goes before Gholston.
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Jordan (Ohio): I've heard from a certain hair style named Mel Kiper Jr. that Cincinnati would have a hard time passing up Rashard Mendenhall at #9. I dont agree with this regarding our recent history drafting running backs. i say stick to defense. You?
KC Joyner: The issue with the Bengals and defense hasn't been a lack of collecting talent, but rather keeping those players healthy. From a pure talent perspective, they aren't in bad shape on D, so I could see where Mel is coming from on this one.
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SprungOnSports (Long Island): What's your take on the CB Rodgers-Cromartie and should he be taken over proven guys like Talib and Jenkins just because of a superior combine? Shouldn't superior competition outweigh that?
KC Joyner: Couldn't agree with you more. Tape results should outweigh combine results by a big margin.
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dan, maine: I think the bengals also have a problem with keeping their players out of jail......that one was too easy. You did that one on purpose.
KC Joyner: I was actually thinking about their LB corps last year, but you do make a good (and funny) point!
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Ed (Fond du Lac, WI): Come on KC, question on Green Bay corner backs. How much longer do Woodson and Harris have to be effective, and who in the draft looks to be in their mold as a bump and run specialist?
KC Joyner: Ed, I'll be doing a CB metric article here in the next couple of weeks, so I'll hit on Woodson/Harris then. I will say that I think they need to worry a lot more about the nickel CB position right now as opposed to replacing starters long-term.
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Brian (San Francisco): It wasn't all combine for DRC. He played very well at the Senior Bowl against some of the top competition in the draft.
KC Joyner: A counter point for DRC! Well, hate to cut it short but I do have to hit the road. Before I go, I do want to let everyone know that Scientific Football 2008 and Blindsided, Why The Left Tackle Is Overrated and Other Contrarian Football Thoughts, are both available for pre-sale via www.thefootballscientist.com. Hope to see you all next week!
KC Joyner: That's a tough call. I'd take the early Merriman over the early Ware but if you asked me where they are today, I'd take Ware over Merriman. Merriman has tailed off just a bit as a pass rusher while Ware seems to be getting better every year.
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Johnny (Shakopee, MN): Is Tarvaris Jackson as bad as the "experts" make him out to be ? If so, do you think it would be an upgrade to target Flacco or Brohm in Rounds 1/2 ?
KC Joyner: I wouldn't put Jackson in the "bad" category at all. After his first year I wasn't sure whether he was a long term answer but a number of performances he had last year (especially late in the year) showed he could be the real deal. I'd not draft a QB early if I were Minnesota.
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Majeed: KC, Is Tuna really going to draft Jake Long or does he just want to bring in all 4 guys to drive down the contract?
KC Joyner: I think it's more of the latter. Parcells wants to drive the value of the #1 pick with other teams while also trying to get a bargain if they end up having to take the pick.
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David Fairborn, OH: Remember when Robert Gallery was drafted in 2004? He was the "surest" pick in the draft. Why do people still insist there are "sure" picks? I don't see any this year, and the last ABSOLUTE sure pick I remember was Orlando Pace.
KC Joyner: If nothing else, guys like Gallery prove that even among the most elite players there is always the potential for downside.
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dan (jackson, Ms): what do you think about the Aaron Glenn signing with NO? What about the talks to trade for lito sheppard-is he worth it?
KC Joyner: Dan, Glenn had a typical Glenn year in 2007. He made some big plays (the int/TD return comes to mind) but he also gave up plenty of big plays. He's not as bad as David, though (that's a backhanded compliment if I've ever given one!).
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Greg, DC: What are the chances the cowboys will trade one of their #1 picks for a guy like Roy Williams?
KC Joyner: I can't see that happening. They have some decent young WRs and when that is added to Owens and Witten, they have more than enough firepower in their receiving corps. They need help at other positions, so expect them to invest there first.
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Johnny(Queens): KC, What do you think the Bengels are going to do about their WR problems? Will they resolve this issue with CJ? Or do they trade him? Do they give TJ the new big contract? And should they look to draft a WR to replace Chris Henry or possibly even CJ?
KC Joyner: Johnny, I think the Bengals will get things worked out with Johnson. He wants some attention and he's getting it. When it comes time to deciding between missing PT and the attention that comes along with it, or sitting things out, I think Johnson will decide to come back.
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Mikey(Lackawanna,NY): What have you heard on the Lito Sheppard situation in Philly? Do you think Lito is a top 10 CB when healthy?
KC Joyner: I keep hearing mixed things on this. Some think Philly is trying hard to move him, others think it's just feelers on their part. He's not a top 10 CB because his YPAs are always in the 7-8 range (and occasionally higher) but he's a top 30 CB.
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Marc (Atlanta): Just curious if you have any clue as to this answer or if there even is an answer. I've seen stats for leading tackler for individual years but can you tell me who the career tackles leader is? I've never been able to find it for the NFL and wonder why people dont mention it. Everyone knows the all-time sacks leader.
KC Joyner: Tackles aren't an official stat because the stat has a lot of subjectivity. This is reflected in the differences between tackle stats from one team versus another. Some trackers will end up giving their best player 150 tackles while another spotter might give a similar player 100 tackles. The variances are so high that it makes the value of the stat lower than it should be.
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Garett (Brighton, MI): Just curious as to your perspective on They way the Lions are going about things. Do you think it would be wise to try and trade roy williams on draft day for a pick or 2, considering the lions are "rebuilding".
KC Joyner: Garrett, I wish I could figure out why Detroit makes the moves they do. Trading Williams doesn't really make sense because they would still need a top WR. Moving Rogers for Bodden made sense (although Bodden is coming off of a subpar year) but otherwise most of what Detroit is doing still makes me scratch my head.
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Matt (Tulsa, OK): KC, please,back to Gallery, Is he an absolute bust? or will a second year with the same coaching staff help him become the player he 'should' have been? It seems he might have had it rough with the ancient blocking lessons of Art Shell
KC Joyner: Count my vote in the "he's a bust" category. He can't pass block to save his or his QBs life and his run blocking metrics have been mediocre every time I've run them.
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Lane (Kukuihaele, HI): Aloha KC. If Parcells keeps the pick why wouldn't he draft Darren McFadden? I know the draft experts have certain players at #1 but he's a Parcells type guy. They could get a quality offensive lineman in round 2.
KC Joyner: Parcells subscribes to the old Al Davis theory that you don't build championship teams around great RBs. I cover that very topic in a chapter in my upcoming book Blindsided. In a nutshell, building around an elite RB isn't necessary to win a title.
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Troy (Milwaukee): Is Ryan Grant and the rest of the committee really the answer in Green Bay or could they use more insurance or a change of pace back?
KC Joyner: Troy, they need new blockers more than they need new RBs. The Packers had defeated run blocks on about 25% of their overall run plays. 10% is a very good number and 20% is borderline acceptable. They were worse than that and that's why they need new O linemen.
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Paul (Omaha, NE): How far does Matt Ryan fall? #5 to KC, #8 to Baltimore or is there a chance he falls out of the top 10? Could he see a Brady Quinn like fall? Personally, I think he is a great player. I have no idea why the Dolphins soured on him, but I am seeing that a lot don't seem him as a franshise guy. What happens with him?
KC Joyner: I don't think he falls out of the top 10. I did tape study on him and he looks very much like a Matt Hasselbeck. He's so much better than Quinn that there is no way KC or Baltimore pass him up.
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Garett (Brighton, MI): Considering your response to my last question, what should the lions do once pick 15 comes along? thanks
KC Joyner: I can tell you what they shouldn't do: pick a WR. Although I do have to say that if they traded Williams, they would need another WR and that just makes me laugh given their draft history.
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Bryon(South Buffalo): Do you think the Falcons would be interested in trading for the Bills QB JP Losman? He is still young, has enough game expierence, and worked in Mike Mularkey's offense before! It makes sense? Maybe for a 3rd round pick? What do you think KC?
KC Joyner: Sounds like a great move to me but I wonder if Mularkey will want him. I've heard the Buffalo coaching staff wasn't exactly sold on some parts of Losman's personality and therefore have to ask if Mularkey was one of those guys. Talent-wise, Losman is a perfect fit but that question has to be answered before an Atl move can be said to be in his future.
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Matt Ryan(Boston): Im so glad experts chalk up my interceptions to lack of talent around me and forget how few legit secondaries the ACC had last year
KC Joyner: I guess my Hasselbeck comment was lost on this person. Hasselbeck forces a ton of passes into coverage (I said in one of my Scientific Football books that he should join Gunslingers Anonymous) and so does Ryan. Both make up for their risk taking with plenty of upside in the rest of their game.
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Scott (Reno): What were Chris Henry's metrics when he wasn't suspended? Some teams are desperate for WR help
KC Joyner: Scott, he had very good vertical numbers but I can't get over the fact that his biggest catch output in a season is 36. He's simply not a guy that a team can know they can count on for an entire season's worth of production.
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PT (Franklin, NC): If Al Davis has a philosophy of not needing an elite RB why do so many "experts" have the Raiders selecting Darren Mcfadden, especially since they already have Micheal Bush?
KC Joyner: It's not that Davis won't select an elite RB. He had Marcus Allen after all. It's just that RB isn't anywhere near the top of his priority list. I would be very surprised to see them take McFadden from that standpoint but if he's the best player left on the board, he could end up there.
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J (Milwaukee): The lions have to trade Roy Williams. That way they can open up a spot to draft a WR at 15!
KC Joyner: Very funny!
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Rick-Lowell, MA: Do you think the Pats should trade down, or take a real top end talent at 7? They have 4 pics in the first 3 rounds already and they have plenty of cap space. Is it time they buck the trend of trying to bring in quantity over quality? Don't get me wrong, they always seem to get plenty of quality, but this is the highest they've been in years and we haven't had a true prospect to be excited about in a while.
KC Joyner: With that many picks early on, I think NE goes ahead and stays put. They have a good draft balance of quantity and quality. I also don't think there will be a player available at #7 that some other team will pay a premium for, so the upside for trading could be limited.
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Vedhas (Spartanburg, SC): Did you see the South Park episode last night? It was making fun of Bill Bellicheck...I think you would enjoy it!
KC Joyner: I can't say that I did but I'm a big South Park fan so I'll be sure to check out the replay.
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Ben (Atlanta): If Jake Long and Glenn Dorsey are off the board, the Falcons HAVE to take Matt Ryan don't they? There is not another play at a position of need worthy of that pick in my opinion.
KC Joyner: I can't see another move making more sense. He'd solve one of their biggest question marks.
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Phil: How come everyone talks about how difficult it is to trade down out of a top pick and then in the same breath says the Patriots will automatically trade down?
KC Joyner: Good point, Phil. This isn't a year where there are enough elite players to drive teams to pay for the privilege of drafting early. I guess they think NE has some special draft mojo that will make teams trade with them.
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Matt, Raleigh: Mike Martz has to help Alex Smith's metrics right? Its not like they could get any worse...
KC Joyner: Matt, we'll find out the answer to this question pretty quickly. What I mean by this is that Martz is the kind of guy who decides fairly quickly if a QB if his kind of QB. If he doesn't think Smith can handle his system physically and/or mentally, Martz will dump him and find someone else. He won't waste time on a player he doesn't believe in.
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Lane (Kukuihaele, HI): Joe Flaaco or Brian Brohm should be around when Atlanta picks in round 2. They would cost less than Ryan. Mike Smith is a defensive guy so I'm sure he's looking to start building his defense first. I think he believes in defense wins championships theory.
KC Joyner: Good point, although I don't think Flaaco or Brohm are quite as good as Ryan. It also depends on who is making the draft day calls, Smith or the front office.
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Danny C (Manahawkin, NJ): Using draft picks to effectively trade Joe Staley for Randy Moss and the #7 overall pick in this years draft might qualify in the special mojo category.......stop hating.
KC Joyner: Not hating at all, Danny! I just don't think other teams are going to give NE enough draft day value to get them to want to move out of that pick. NE won't trade down for nothing is another way to say this, and that's a compliment!
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Bo (Honlulu, HI): Howzit KC, back to Al Davis and the Raiders. Say McFadden, Dorsey, and Gholston are available at pick 4, what would you do? What do you think Al would do?
KC Joyner: I would be shocked if they didn't Gholston in that case. They need D line help and he could be an immediate impact player.
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Dee (Greenville, NC): Taking advantage of the Raiders stupidity is does not give you special mojo. Getting Moss for a 4th rounder is like the Lakers getting Gasol for Kwame Brown.....stupidity.
KC Joyner: Dee makes a non-Philip Rivers related comment!
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Ruben (Highland, Ca): Do you think a Matt Birk trade for Alex Barron of the Rams makes sense for both teams? Rams can then draft Jake Long for RT? That could make for an outstanding line.
KC Joyner: An aging center on the backside of his career for an underachieving young tackle - it would hurt both teams so I guess that would make sense at some level. Don't get me wrong, Birk is a good player but he'd be a stop-gap for Stl at best.
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Carol (Largo, FL): Hello KC--most of the mock drafts I have seen have the Bucs taking a WR in the 1st round. There seems to be questions about all of the top guys and the position itself has been notorious for busts. This draft is loaded with tremendously talented CB's and DE's, so why wouldn't the Bucs take the best player available and then perhaps get Hawkins, Hardy, or Jordy Nelson in a later round? Thank you
KC Joyner: The Bucs do need WR help but I was frankly surprised they didn't do more in that area in free agency. Gruden doesn't work well with youngsters and it is hard for a rookie WR to make an impact in any event. Young defensive players can make impacts in the Tampa two scheme because it is so easy to learn. I'd be with you on the taking a defensive player first because of that.
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Pete C (Newark DE): KC, what's the story with the Dolphins looking to make deals with the top few prospects to drive the value of the pick down a bit, is that a trend we are going to see happen more and more?
KC Joyner: I think this type of thing will keep happening until the league implements a rookie salary cap. Teams want to do all they can to reward performance and not potential but the upper end of the draft is all about rewarding potential.
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Eric (Colorado Springs CO): The Raiders were force to get rid of Moss and everyone knew it. That was like the Pac Man Jones sitituation with the Titans. Talent wise he is worth a 1st round pick but the Titans will be lucky to get a 5th round for him.
KC Joyner: Good counterpoint there. Oakland made the best of what Moss had made into a bad situation.
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Big Steve (Atl): with Jake Long an OT 'tweener, how serious does Gholston get consideration? Parcells has to be bumming there is no clear-cut #1? WOLB in the 3-4 is the money position (sacks), it seems that Gholston would be the "shocker" pick that would wind-up being a solid #1 down the road...thoughts?...
KC Joyner: An interesting question. Parcells is big on pass rushers and Gholston certainly can do that. Miami also has a pretty good O line overall. Having said that, they do need help at tackle and that could possibly be a pressing need. Long goes before Gholston.
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Jordan (Ohio): I've heard from a certain hair style named Mel Kiper Jr. that Cincinnati would have a hard time passing up Rashard Mendenhall at #9. I dont agree with this regarding our recent history drafting running backs. i say stick to defense. You?
KC Joyner: The issue with the Bengals and defense hasn't been a lack of collecting talent, but rather keeping those players healthy. From a pure talent perspective, they aren't in bad shape on D, so I could see where Mel is coming from on this one.
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SprungOnSports (Long Island): What's your take on the CB Rodgers-Cromartie and should he be taken over proven guys like Talib and Jenkins just because of a superior combine? Shouldn't superior competition outweigh that?
KC Joyner: Couldn't agree with you more. Tape results should outweigh combine results by a big margin.
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dan, maine: I think the bengals also have a problem with keeping their players out of jail......that one was too easy. You did that one on purpose.
KC Joyner: I was actually thinking about their LB corps last year, but you do make a good (and funny) point!
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Ed (Fond du Lac, WI): Come on KC, question on Green Bay corner backs. How much longer do Woodson and Harris have to be effective, and who in the draft looks to be in their mold as a bump and run specialist?
KC Joyner: Ed, I'll be doing a CB metric article here in the next couple of weeks, so I'll hit on Woodson/Harris then. I will say that I think they need to worry a lot more about the nickel CB position right now as opposed to replacing starters long-term.
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Brian (San Francisco): It wasn't all combine for DRC. He played very well at the Senior Bowl against some of the top competition in the draft.
KC Joyner: A counter point for DRC! Well, hate to cut it short but I do have to hit the road. Before I go, I do want to let everyone know that Scientific Football 2008 and Blindsided, Why The Left Tackle Is Overrated and Other Contrarian Football Thoughts, are both available for pre-sale via www.thefootballscientist.com. Hope to see you all next week!