Official 2012 Draft Day Thread (Day 1 At Least)

[King Friday]

Day 1 starter?

No reason to expect otherwise at this point. He's vastly more talented physically than anyone else we have at OLB outside of Clay. With Capers and Greene coaching him up, I see no reason why he won't be a capable starting OLB against the 49ers week #1.

[Lurker64]

Who are the top 3-4 DEs left?

IMO, all top tier DEs are off the board (Cox, Coples, Brockers), but all second tier DEs (Reyes, Worthy, Still) are available. Third tier would be Wolfe, Winn, Crick, and Crawford. Then you start getting into projects. I'm not sure if Brandon Thompson can play the 5-tech position (like him better as a shade nose) but he would also be an option tomorrow if they wanted DL.

[pbmax]

In desperately important news, he will wear the #53 jersey. He and George Koonce and Paris Lenon.

[Scott Campbell]

That's enough champion building for me today. Catch you boys tomorrow.

[ND72]

I'm not buying into that
Who are the 9 ? There are defintely not 9 I'd rate over Perry and IMO Perry has better value at 28 than Sherrod did last year. Not many top tier OLB's are left.

I could think of one perhaps but he's fallling hard for some reason. Often when a player falls hard something is not right

Your board, not Ted Thompson board.

[ND72]

Well I like the pick. Perry was my guy until last week when I fell for that damn Bear McClellin. I like perry a lot, think he will be a great addition.

[King Friday]

Best 1st Rounds:

Vikings/Rams...both got some extra picks and filled some major needs with promising talent.
Indy/Wash...they got the elite studs in the draft, but both have a lot of work yet to do.
Dallas...I'm not a huge Claiborne fan, although I think he'll be a good player. However, the Cowboys didn't pay a lot to move up and get a guy they wouldn't have had a chance at later at a real need position for them.

Worst 1st rounds:

Browns...Weeden? Really? Makes no sense for a team that isn't poised to become a playoff contender for at least 3 more years to take a 28 year old QB. Also gave up too much to take a RB that they probably would've had staying put.
Seahawks...Irvin might have been an intriguing guy early in the 2nd round, but giving a relatively big payday and added pressure to a kid who has major issues with maturity and decision making doesn't bode well IMO.
Miami...at least their QB isn't 28, but it might take him until then to figure out what the hell is happening at the next level (especially with Sherman coaching him).

[Pugger]

Best 1st Rounds:

Vikings/Rams...both got some extra picks and filled some major needs with promising talent.
Indy/Wash...they got the elite studs in the draft, but both have a lot of work yet to do.
Dallas...I'm not a huge Claiborne fan, although I think he'll be a good player. However, the Cowboys didn't pay a lot to move up and get a guy they wouldn't have had a chance at later at a real need position for them.

Worst 1st rounds:

Browns...Weeden? Really? Makes no sense for a team that isn't poised to become a playoff contender for at least 3 more years to take a 28 year old QB. Also gave up too much to take a RB that they probably would've had staying put.
Seahawks...Irvin might have been an intriguing guy early in the 2nd round, but giving a relatively big payday and added pressure to a kid who has major issues with maturity and decision making doesn't bode well IMO.
Miami...at least their QB isn't 28, but it might take him until then to figure out what the hell is happening at the next level (especially with Sherman coaching him).

Of course Shermy was his coach at A & M...

[Joemailman]

Well I like the pick. Perry was my guy until last week when I fell for that damn Bear McClellin. I like perry a lot, think he will be a great addition.

McClellin in my opinion was a safer pick, but Perry may have more upside as a pass rusher.

[pbmax]

Almost a winner

[RashanGary]

I didn't like Perry, but the last pick I didn't like was Matthews, so there ya go. He's going to be a star.

[MadtownPacker]

I didn't like Perry, but the last pick I didn't like was Matthews, so there ya go. He's going to be a star.

We could ruin it by changing your username to Perry.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Reading up on him more and watching more highlights, here are some thoughts:

1) I didn't love his "tape" primarily because he looked like a DE, and I questioned whether the transition to 3-4 OLB would be that easy. I saw more and better film since, and there are some plays where he drops into coverage, plays in space. Also, I'm encouraged by the fact that he bulked up 15-20 pounds to play DE. That tells me there's a chance he could lose 10-15 pounds and look less stiff in space.
2) I didn't realize his measurables were that good. It's encouraging that the guy can run and jump like that at 271 pounds.
3) I liked the tape where he lined up on the left side also. They might be able to utilize his versatility with Clay's versatility to take advantage of Clay's otherwordly ability.
4) I don't think he's a one trick pony--like some of the reports I read. I saw him use his hands quite well on some of the tape.
5) A negative is that I don't think he looks real good changing directions, and some of the plays he kind of has a pitter patter step once he gets around a tackle. He almost looks clumsy at times.

I'm on board--which was a given. He's more like Woodley than Clay, but the Steelers have often had a speed rusher on one side and more of a thumper on the other. I still would have preferred the kid out of Boise State. I'm not a big fan of Upshaw, so I'm not losing sleep over passing on him. If we can come out of the next two rounds with that next tier of 3-4 DE, I will be happy. A safety would be nice, but I guess we won a Super Bowl with Peprah as the starting safety, so it's not a critical position.

[Lurker64]

I think the best NFL comparison to Perry is Brian Orakpo. Pretty basically has the same size and athleticism as the Washington OLB, he just needs more refinement in his technique. But technique can be taught, whereas being big and athletic.

[pbmax]

Only negative I have is Prisco at CBS giving the pick a C and saying Perry looked soft at times. In some pictures, he looks almost chubby. Not sure the weight gain was good weight, or just could be bad photos. Not much to worry about so far.