Didn't see that one coming - Justin Harrell?

[Partial]

trade down TT - wrong thread

[RashanGary]

We'll deal with it as it comes. I'd love to have a situation where we always have impact from teh DT positoin no matter who is on the field. That would go a logn way toward making our defense special.

[RashanGary]

This is exactly why I believe in being wise iwth your money. IF you can have impact defensive players that make a difference and you keep locking them up for reasonable deals then you can afford to have a true impact line. I have no problem with spending for impact. I have a problem with spending on average FA's who won't make a difference.

Stud DT's are welcome even if we had 4 of them and paid them all like starters. Tehy would torture opponents and give us a great shot at winning any game.

[the_idle_threat]

Harrell ... interesting. Good call by Wist that TT would go defense with a guy nobody was expecting ...

I'm ambivalent about the pick.

On one hand, I like the idea of a stud defensive tackle to pair with Pickett. I don't think Corey Williams is much better than "just a guy." If Harrell and Pickett stuff the middle, with Kampman and Jenkins being excellent run-stopping ends and fast guys like Barnett and Hawk covering the edge, how will teams run against our defense?

On the other hand, I don't like injury-prone players. Reinjury is never a matter of if with them, but a matter of when. This is why I didn't want Adrian Peterson, despite his obvious talent.

Harrell has been injured repeatedly with "freak" injuries, which is the hallmark of an injury-prone player. See also: Najeh Davenpoop. I've mentioned before that I believe some people are just built out of "softer" material than others, and they break easily. You see it around the league in many different sports.

My expectation for Harrell is that he should have a Kris Jenkins or Joe Johnson-like career---going to a Pro Bowl or two because of his talent, but spending a lot of time in the training room.

Still better than Meachem or Olsen though. I absolutely dreaded the possibility of hearing either of those names called at 16. I've mentioned before that both are on my "biggest bust risk" list.

[RashanGary]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/draft;_ylt=Aus0JE3R0cFEdGW9uc24a_45nYcB?round=1&dl=nfl

Check Harrell out on vid. He looks dominate. Just click on the little camera by the player you want to see.

[Patler]

The only way this pick can be justified is if Harrell is a pro-bowl calibur player.
.....
Even if Harrell is good, how does he appreciably make you better??? If Harrell is good and replaces Cole on the roster, all TT has accomplished with this pick, is to now have 4 good DT's, as opposed to 3 good DT's and a pretty good DT (Cole).

There has been talk that Harrell could have been a top 10 IF he had been healthy - he's going to have to play like a top 10 pick; and, of course, he's going to have to stay healthy to justify using a first round pick on him.

That's true only if you believe in drafting for need.

[Guiness]

What's with the INT's by this guy! Good anticipation. When does a DT ever get an interception??? Nice.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Like partial, I think, said: if this guy turns into John Henderson, everybody will be happy. Why bitch now--since we don't have a clue how good this player will be. There will be plenty of time to bitch if he turns into a bust.

[Iron Mike]

I wonder how many $ it would take to get him to change his last name to "Credible?" :P

[wist43]

The only way this pick can be justified is if Harrell is a pro-bowl calibur player.
.....
Even if Harrell is good, how does he appreciably make you better??? If Harrell is good and replaces Cole on the roster, all TT has accomplished with this pick, is to now have 4 good DT's, as opposed to 3 good DT's and a pretty good DT (Cole).

There has been talk that Harrell could have been a top 10 IF he had been healthy - he's going to have to play like a top 10 pick; and, of course, he's going to have to stay healthy to justify using a first round pick on him.

That's true only if you believe in drafting for need.

I believe that more often than not, there is usually a comparable player at a position of need... it's just a matter of which one.

Use Meachem as an example - reports were that the Packers were considering him at 16 - and, suppose he goes on to become a pro bowl calibur WR; suppose also that Harrell goes on to become a pro bowler as well.

So, assuming the same level success, taking Meachem you now have two areas of strength, WR and DT; whereas, taking Harrell you still have a weakness at WR, and are only marginally better at DT b/c you were pretty good there to begin with.

It's TT's job to find the comparable player, and build the team.

Next year, Driver is a year older, Jones isn't much help, Jennings is ok, KRob implodes... what happens if we come to our first round pick, and again, the #1 rated player on TT's board is a DT???

By TT's rigid parameters, he has to - has no choice - he has to take the DT... Is that going to appreciably improve the team??? Of course not - you're already solid at DT.

Like I said, it's TT's job to find that comparable player at the position of need - if the grades are far too disparate, then yeah, stick to your board; but, if you've got Justin Harrell rated at 8.02, and Robert Meachem at 7.99, and you have no need at DT, and a gaping hole at WR - you have to take Meachem.

The draft is such a crap shoot... there's no guarentee Harrell is going to turn out either.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I don't like your comparison. I'd take a Pro Bowl DT over a Pro Bowl WR any day--whether I had decent DTs already or not.

You have to be happy about the Moss trade falling through?

[wist43]

I don't like your comparison. I'd take a Pro Bowl DT over a Pro Bowl WR any day--whether I had decent DTs already or not.

You have to be happy about the Moss trade falling through?

Yes, glad to see Moss go elsewhere...

BTW, I too would always take a pro bowl DT over a pro bowl WR... find another position to make the comparison then - you know what I mean.

Waitin for the Packs 4th round pick - then off to play nine.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Hit 'em hard and straight.

[Scott Campbell]

Next year, Driver is a year older, Jones isn't much help, Jennings is ok, KRob implodes... what happens if we come to our first round pick, and again,

He can always find a stopgap during cut downs. Or sign a free agent (cough, cough).