Official 2008 NFL Draft thread Day 2

[Deputy Nutz]

I think he might be tied to the mob with a name like that.

You gotta problem with dat? (his pic from Louisville website)

He has played tight end for Louisville also.

Nice eyebrows

[Rastak]

Jax takes LB Williams:


Strengths: Instinctive, reads keys and locates the ball carrier quickly. Plays with a mean streak and is physical at the point of contact. Gets under blockers' pads, has good size and can anchor against the run. Possesses excellent upper body strength, flashes a violent punch and can shed blocks quickly. Doesn't have great range but takes sound angles to the ball and is relentless in pursuit. Shows great awareness, reads quarterback's eyes and does a good job of breaking on the ball when asked to drop into zone coverage. Displays excellent ball skills and has flashed the ability to make plays in coverage given the opportunity. Has experience lining up at all three linebacker spots and is versatile. Excels at covering kicks, willing blocker in the return game and should make immediate contributions on special teams.

Weaknesses: Started just ten games over the past three seasons, lined up on the inside as well as the outside and moved to fullback midway though 2006 season so lacks ideal experience and has been able to work on improving at one spot. Doesn't have great top-end speed and isn't a sideline-to-sideline defender. Lacks elite explosiveness and isn't going to make many plays in the backfield at the NFL level. Doesn't show great body control in space and misses too many open field tackles trying to deliver the big hit rather than wrapping up. Takes too long to change directions, doesn't show great burst coming out of cuts and may never develop serviceable man-to-man cover skills. Lacks elite range and doesn't cover a lot of ground when asked to drop into zone coverage. Doesn't show a variety of pass rush moves, lacks ideal closing speed and isn't much of a threat to get to the quarterback coming off the edge. Missed three games after spraining left knee during training, underwent off-season abdominal surgery in 2006 and durability is a concern.

Overall: Williams arrived at USC in 2003 and redshirted the year. In his first three seasons (2004-'06), he appeared in 36 games (10 starts) and collected 61 tackles (7.5 for losses), three sacks, one forced fumbles, two interceptions and three pass breakups. As a senior in 2007, he played all 13 games (four starts) and had 56 tackles (five for losses), one interception, two forced fumbles and five pass breakups. During his career with the Trojans, Williams played all three linebacker spots, fullback and special teams. A left knee sprain cost him three games in 2005 and required surgery, which kept him out of some of USC's spring drills in 2006. He also had surgery toi repair an abdominal strain that offseason. Williams doesn't have elite natural ability so it's not all that shocking that he never won a starting job outright when you consider the abundance of talent at USC. That said, he probably would have started for most other teams and he made the most of his chances. Williams has shown he's versatile enough to provide some depth at all three linebacker positions and that he can make an immediate impact on a team's special teams' units.

[Lurker64]

Weird, the Vikes are the only team in the North with a sixth round pick.

Hmmm, they certainly had one.......


edit: Lurker, they have 2.

But in order to have two they certainly have one. The other teams in the North have no sixth round picks. That's certainly unusual, I would say.

If I say "Yeah, I have a car" is someone going to correct me and say "No, you have two cars" (assuming I did)?

[gbpackfan]

I wonder what is wrong with Trae Williams ???? He'd have been a nice CB to pick up. If the P is there in round 7 we might as well grab him

Trae is a SHRIMP! No more 5'9" CBs!

[GrnBay007]

I wonder what that "pre-game incident" was that ol' Breno was involved in.

Maybe he took care of a side job for the "family" :P

[Carolina_Packer]

I think he might be tied to the mob with a name like that.

You gotta problem with dat? (his pic from Louisville website)

He has played tight end for Louisville also.

Nice eyebrows

No manscaping there! Jocko-meanie...sounds like a tough guy!

[Rastak]

Weird, the Vikes are the only team in the North with a sixth round pick.

Hmmm, they certainly had one.......


edit: Lurker, they have 2.

But in order to have two they certainly have one. The other teams in the North have no sixth round picks. That's certainly unusual, I would say.

If I say "Yeah, I have a car" is someone going to correct me and say "No, you have two cars" (assuming I did)?

OHHHHHH, I thought you said they were the only team without one.


DOH..


Sorry.

[texaspackerbacker]

Dennis Dixon--the new SLASH.

[pack4to84]

some good reading material for you guys Bears forum

http://www.footballsfuture.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=227813

unbalanced wrote:
NFL.com on Bowman:

Quote:
Compares To: FABIAN WASHINGTON-Oakland...Husker cornerbacks need to come with a "buyer beware" tag on their jerseys. Washington proved to be a bust and injuries make Bowman a risky draft pick, despite his timed speed. He is never going to be an efficient open-field tackler and lacks great ball recognition skills. Sure, he can stay with the receivers on routes and break up a bunch of passes, but more often than not, he will bite on play-action and pump fakes, giving up the big play. Anything more than a seventh-round pick on this medical risk and a general manager will regret making that decision.
JA's draft grade has went from a b to a D in comparing 1st and 2nd day. Terrible, aweful pick.

dabears54 wrote:
WOW....lots of haters today, you guys are bringing me down. I, personally, like the draft. You can't have too many corners, when Vasher went down we were starting a 7th rounder last year. Granted that worked out, but if you like a guy at a premium position like CB, then take him. I don't think drafting for needs in the 6th round is a good strategy. As far as the experts/magazines go, how many of them would have predicted that Woodson/Nicks would even be here? and why is everyone else passing on them? we don't know, trust in the front office and lets let it play out. I hated the idea of drafting a KR in the second round a few years ago............

[Rastak]

Steelers take Dixon!


Strengths: Dual threat quarterback with excellent athleticism for the position. Gets set quickly and has a quick release. Puts above-average zip on passes and flashes the ability to fit the ball into tight spaces when throwing underneath. Not forcing as many throws as a senior and is content to tuck-and-run when a receiver doesn't break open. Shows adequate accuracy when he gets into a rhythm and flashes the ability to lead receivers when throwing underneath. Is tall enough to scan the field from within the pocket and has the quick feet to buy time. Shows adequate ball skills and can freeze defenders with play fake. Can make the first defender miss and is fast enough to pick up valuable yards with feet when scrambles. Shows good awareness when running in the open field and generally gets down or out of bounds when pursuit closes in.

Weaknesses: Is lean and must add significant bulk to his frame in order to withstand NFL punishment. Needs to get stronger, as well. Durability is now a major concern following 2007 season-ending knee injury. Is he committed to playing football or baseball professionally? Plays in a spread scheme in college and spends most of his time working out of the shotgun. Will have to adjust to lining up under center and reading coverage while dropping. Doesn't appear to read defenses well and locks onto receivers far too much. Loses the strike zone too frequently and is inconsistent as a passer. Doesn't put great touch on downfield passes and struggles to drop the ball in over coverage. Footwork is inconsistent, frequently throws off back foot when defense gets pressure up the middle and throws across body at times.

Overall: In his first three seasons at Oregon (2004-'06), Dixon played in 30 games (13 starts) and completed 272 of 441 attempts (61.7 percent) for 2,993 yards, 18 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He also rushed 153 times for 625 yards (4.1 average) and three touchdowns in that span. Dixon was knocked out of a game in 2005 with a concussion. He exploded as a senior, completing 67.7 percent of his pass attempts for 2,136 yards, 20 touchdowns and just four interceptions in 10 games to rank third in the nation in passer efficiency (161.2). He also ran for 583 yards (5.0 average) and nine touchdowns before suffering a torn ACL in his left knee at Arizona in November. Few players improved their draft stock as much as Dixon did during the first couple months of the 2007 season. Unfortunately for Dixon, a knee injury cut his remarkable senior campaign short. When healthy, Dixon has enough redeeming qualities as a developmental project to consider drafting in the middle rounds. He has always been blessed with a great frame, a strong arm and excellent athletic ability. However, in order to compete for a starting job in the NFL, he must improve his bulk, strength and overall efficiency as a passer. And that's assuming he makes a full recovery. While his upside is intriguing, Dixon has entirely too many strikes against him to warrant consideration in the first three rounds. A team willing to take that type of risk must consider these four hurdles: 1) He must recover from ACL tear. 2) He only starred for two months of one season (less than another one-hit wonder from Oregon, Akili Smith). 3) He comes from a spread offense that has not translated well to the NFL. 4) There is very little assurance he will choose to play football professionally instead of returning to the baseball field.

[Rastak]

Rams take G Schuening after trading up:


Strengths: A tough, feisty guard with great experience. Takes sound angles to blocks and generally gets into good position when drive blocking. Tough and works from the snap to the whistle. Big enough to engulf undersized defenders and can wear defenders down over the course of a game. Footwork is sound when combo blocking defensive lineman up to a linebacker and flashes the ability to get into position at the second level. Shows adequate range for size and flashes the ability to pull effectively. Gets adequate knee bend in pass set and holds ground against bull rushers. Doesn't have an explosive first step but is efficient and gets into pass set quickly. Keeps head up and shows good awareness in pass protection.

Weaknesses: Lacks ideal mobility, struggles to adjust to the moving target in space and can lose balance. Can't change directions quickly and struggles to adjust to double moves. Doesn't get great hand placement, frequently fails to extend arms once in position and occasionally struggles to sustain blocks. Fails to deliver a violent initial punch, doesn't roll hips upon contact and isn't going to knock many defenders back. Plays too high at times and could struggle to drive two-gap defenders off the ball at the NFL level.

Overall: Schuening arrived at Oregon State in 2003 and redshirted the season. Over the next four years (2004-06), he played and started in 50 consecutive games, a school record. Because of injuries, he started the Ducks' last four games at right tackle. A mild concussion in August 2006 didn't cost Schuening any games. He played one game in 2007 while suffering from walking pneumonia. Schuening lacks ideal athleticism and explosiveness but he is a relentless drive blocker who can hold his own in pass protection. He has some experience at right tackle and could fill in if necessary, but his best fit in the NFL is clearly at guard. What he lacks in elite physical tools he makes up for with good technique and excellent toughness. That's why we think Schuening is worth the risk as early as Round 3.

[Carolina_Packer]

Dixon=Randle El

[RashanGary]

All athletes. What happened to the "football player" thing?

Brohm and Nelson are players. The rest are athletes with "potential"

[Chubbyhubby]

Mort on ESPN reported that the Packers offered Daute Culpepper a contract.

Very interesting....

[Carolina_Packer]

Mort on ESPN reported that the Packers offered Daute Culpepper a contract.

Very interesting....

I know there are detractors, but he'd be injury insurance. We are a hit or two away from the super unknown. Culpepper is not going to wet his pants under center or dropping back and if he's all the way back and healthy, actually might make some good throws.