The official 2009 DRAFT thread

[retailguy]

My thought is that you try the guy at a different position before you give up. but you do that AFTER you give up on the position you drafted him for.

Or maybe because you switch defensive alignments and realize that the 4-3 tackle you drafted would be horrible at the nose?

We shall see. I disagree that Pickett is going anywhere. Harrell? Not anywhere near as confident.

There's a good chance that Pickett isn't starting even this year. That's how high I am on Raji. Well, and as low as I am on Pickett as well. I just don't think he's gonna be as good there as some say he will be, whereas I think Raji is a prototypical nose tackle who is gonna be a star in this league. That's the biggest reason I think he'll be gone, and TT will draft another NT in the middle rounds next year to backup Raji at a much cheaper salary.

Well, at least you admitted what the issue is. If Ragi is successful at DE, this won't happen. If he isn't, then maybe.

we'll see how versatile the guy really is. And I agree with ted that he's capable of a 3 down player. but, maybe that 3rd down is at DE, as they say he can rush the passer too.

[HarveyWallbangers]

So you have Pickett, a very solid player, as a 5 snap a game player? I don't understand this logic at all.

Well, Pickett isn't a guy that plays close to 100% of the snaps. I imagine the two will split the snaps when we play 3-4 most of the time, but both will be on the field in situations where we play 4-3. Capers likes to mix and match, so we will play 4-3 at times. Thus, I think both guys will get 30+ snaps/game.

A good 3-4 defense needs a Haloti Ngata, Vince Wilfork, or Jamal Williams. Hopefully, we have that guy now.

[gbpackfan]

WOW! Larry English. Damn, I thought the Pack would look at him in the 2nd.

[Fosco33]

Who do u guys want at 41? What about Favre trade pick at 83 (my guess - tt trades that one to piss off favre).

[rbaloha1]

Malcome Jenkins is a hell of a pick at this point. Really really solid pick for the Saints.

Gunk, I've asked you countless times now. Answer da question.

What question, I must have missed it.

If Pickett is gone after next year, how is that improving the roster? It's been reported that Pickett will essentially be playing the same position as he played the past 3 years. He's very very, very solid during that time, as well as durable. He's finally entering his prime for an NT, and we're about to replace him.

IF Raji can be a 3-4 DE, then I love the pick as that is our biggest position of need. I don't think he'll be able to, though. Most of the board didn't either when I brought up that possibility a while ago.

Based on play not insignificant numbers why can BJ not play de? Are you saying TT is wrong?

[retailguy]

I wonder if Oher will bve there at #22?

you just cursed yourself.

Perhaps.....I'm still hoping for Harvin though.......

now you just cursed yourself. :P

[TheCheese]

FUCK ! There goes my favourite player in the draft.

[rbaloha1]

Who do u guys want at 41? What about Favre trade pick at 83 (my guess - tt trades that one to piss off favre).

BARWIN OR MALAUGA

[Rastak]

Bolts take English....the second surprise......



Overall Football Traits

Production 1 2004: English appears in the first game of the season but sustains a season-ending injury and takes a medical red shirt. (See durability) 2005: English starts nine of the 11 games he appears in finishing with 57 total tackles, 21 unassisted tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, two sacks and one fumble recovery. 2006: English starts all 13 games finishing with 51 total tackles, 32 unassisted tackles, 16 tackles-for-loss, 12 sacks, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. 2007: English starts all 12 games finishing with 67 total tackles, 29 unassisted tackles, 17 tackles-for-loss, 10.5 sacks, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. 2008: English starts in all 13 games finishing with 37 tackles including 16 tackles-for-loss and eight sacks. He also finishes the
year with one pass breakup, a fumble recovery and three forced fumbles.

Height-Weight-Speed 3 Good bulk and adequate height but lacks ideal top-end speed for 3-4 outside linebacker. Above-average top-end speed and adequate height but lacks ideal bulk for a 4-3 defensive end.

Durability 4 2004: Sustains a season-ending injury in the season opener. 2006: Sustains a serious knee injury during the 2006 Poinsettia Bowl.

Character 1 Uncle Charles Richardson played fullback at Wisconsin during the 1970's. There have been no off-the-field issues to our knowledge. Earned the MAC's Vern Smith Leadership Award (league MVP) in 2007 and 2008. Earned a 3.0 GPA during the 2007 spring semester.

Defensive End specific Traits

Agility/Quickness 2 Has an explosive first step and excels at disrupting plays in the backfield. Shows above-average lateral mobility and can redirect inside after starting outside but hasn't shown great hip fluidity during cover drills and going to have some limitations in coverage if moved to 3-4 outside linebacker as expected. .

Strength/Toughness 2 Above-average upper body strength and plays with an edge. Aggressive and can deliver big hits. Fights to hold ground and shows adequate but not elite lower body strength on film.

Instincts 2 Locates the ball quickly and generally gets in good position to make a play. Recognizes bootlegs and does a good job of staying home.

Pass Rusher 1 Relentless and does an excellent job of looking to knock the ball loose when closing from the quarterback's blindside. Shows an effective rip move and does a good job of working half the man effectively making it difficult for offensive tackles to lock onto his frame. Gets under blockers' pads and flashes the ability to drive offensive tackles into the lap of the quarterback when they try to take away the edge by backpedaling. Lacks elite timed-speed but much quicker than fast, excels at bending inside (see 2008 Tennessee game) and should have some success turning the corner at the NFL level as a result.

Run Stopper 3 Can get engulfed by tackles and would struggle to hold ground if asked to line up at end in the NFL but big enough to hold his own working against tight ends. Active hands and flashes the ability to shed blockers in time to make a play on the ball. May not be a sideline-to-sideline player in the NFL but works from the snap until the whistle, takes adequate angles to the ball and can make plays in pursuit.

[Partial]

So you have Pickett, a very solid player, as a 5 snap a game player? I don't understand this logic at all.

Well, Pickett isn't a guy that plays close to 100% of the snaps. I imagine the two will split the snaps when we play 3-4 most of the time, but both will be on the field in situations where we play 4-3. Capers likes to mix and match, so we will play 4-3 at times. Thus, I think both guys will get 30+ snaps/game.

A good 3-4 defense needs a Haloti Ngata, Vince Wilfork, or Jamal Williams. Hopefully, we have that guy now.

That's true, I didn't think about the 4-3 possibility. You've got to love our interior for a 4-3 now

[red]

damn, there goes my dream of english falling to us in the second

[wist43]

Maybe he has Crabtree rated at 8.9...

And Raji at 8.89... you have a need at NT/DT - you take the big guy.

Would have been okay with Crabtree... but I think Raji makes us better right now, and for the long term.

I agree with TT when he says you just don't find guys like Raji all the time... you have a shot at a guy like Raji, you take him.

[Bretsky]

So I spoke with my former college roomate from New York this morn; I've watched the past 26 drafts.

In college he thought I was hilarious.

Each of the four years I'd go to Sams's WholeSale and get this huge garbage bag of Cheetos for $5 at the time.

I'd sit in this low chair with Coke Classic's and the bag of Cheetos for all of Saturday and Sunday. He thought it was hilarious.

This morning I told him I had a feeling Crabtree would fall into the Packers laps at #9 and it would give us a franchise changing opportunity to draft a superstar.

Went on to tell him talent wise we were much better than a 6-10 team last year and we can turn it around fast and watch an unstoppable offense for many years to come if this occured.

My cell phone and home phone are ringing off the hook

Needless to say, I'm bitter so I'm not picking the dam thing up !!!!!!

[Rastak]

I wonder if Oher will bve there at #22?

you just cursed yourself.

Perhaps.....I'm still hoping for Harvin though.......

now you just cursed yourself. :P

Everything I say is a curse? Well, I do curse alot.

[Joemailman]

Who do u guys want at 41? What about Favre trade pick at 83 (my guess - tt trades that one to piss off favre).

Connor Barwin or William Beatty would be cool with me.