NFL - Are You Ready For Some Football?! - Off Season

[SlowwHand]

Are you familiar with the term "ridiculous"?

[SlowwHand]

I think this is funny.

One of the most interesting developments was the fall of Ryan Mallett on draft day and the move by the Patriots, of all teams, to scoop him up.

Who to believe in a situation like that? Believe this: Actions speak louder than words. All 32 NFL teams -- including the one that took him -- passed on Mallett at least once, if not twice. There was no huge trade clamor, and if you want to read a team's actions, read those of Miami. The Dolphins traded back into the second round and took a tailback, Daniel Thomas, rather than Mallett, and I'm told the club simply decided Mallett "wasn't a fit." And that was coming from a team that did a ton of work on him.
Draft grades
Bucky Brooks says that while the Dolphins addressed some key areas on offense, the Patriots carefully manipulated the draft to produce another stellar class. More ...

Mallett didn't fall to the 74th pick by accident, and the key for him became when reward met risk.

"He's the prototypical at-some-point player," said one AFC personnel director. "He has first-round traits, but he's too rich there. So you say, 'I'm gonna put him down in this round and reassess that risk and reward when we get there.'"

That said, most feel he's hit the lottery with his landing spot.

"Not that I root for the kid, because I think he's a dumbass," said an AFC scout, "but he couldn't ask for a better situation."

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81fb5a59/article/dolphins-decide-mallett-not-a-fit-focus-on-run-game-instead?module=HP_cp2

[Al B. Sure!]

"Not that I root for the kid, because I think he's a dumbass," said an AFC scout, "but he couldn't ask for a better situation."

That sort of language from a team scout quoted on NFL.com? Really?

[Al B. Sure!]

Anytime we can get Alby worked up, esp. about all the Bears fans here, is priceless.

There's just way way way way too many of yall. It makes no sense. Apolyton mightaswell be the Chicago Civilization Site.

[Al B. Sure!]

Fred Davis
Everyone else

I didn't know Desean Jackson was drafted with the next pick immediately after Fred Davis. Puts the Fred Davis pick in some perspective

Interestingly enough, just looking at the draft, anyone remember this trade of washed up players that almost didn't go through because Darwin Walker didn't report to the Bills in shape or something?

Eagles to Bills. Philadelphia traded their seventh-round selection, and defensive tackle Darwin Walker, to Buffalo for linebacker Takeo Spikes and quarterback Kelly Holcomb.

Even though those guys are all old and out of the league (I think Takeo may still play for the Niners, though), that 7th round pick the Bills got has some meaning now. It turned into Steve Johnson.



Actually, in retrospect, that 2008 Giants draft which was pretty good with Manningham, Thomas, and Philips might not have been that good in retrospect because of this trade before that season:

Packers to Giants. Green Bay traded their sixth-round selection to the New York Giants in exchange for running back Ryan Grant.[35

6th round pick for Ryan Grant That pick was then traded to the Steelers for a pick that turned into Bryan Kehl who currently plays for St. Louis. Ryan Grant for a guy who's in St. Louis now

I mean this was back with Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, and Ahmad Bradshaw so Grant wasn't needed but damn.

[-Jrabbit]

Well, genco74s, we think you're super, too. And very special.

[SlowwHand]

All the loser DL's and Bots are coming out.

[SlowwHand]

Per fan balloting at www.nfl.com , Detroit had the best Draft. The only team voted in the "A" tier, with an "A" for the 1st round and nothing below B+ for any round.
Good job.
Seattle, Minnesota and Oakland tied for lowest score.

http://challengegames.nfl.com/fanballot

[Al B. Sure!]

Detroit's first three picks were all for complementary guys at positions of strength which is an interesting draft strategy... Nick Fairley added to Suh, Titus Young added to Calvin Johnson, and Mikel Leshoure to Jahvid Best.

You'd think they would have wanted to address areas of weakness (the secondary, linebacker corps, offensive line). But I guess that adding to strengths can be an effective strategy; the Giants had been doing it for a while with all those pass rushers, for example, which made up for the lack of talent at LB and DB.

[H Tower]

Per fan balloting at www.nfl.com , Detroit had the best Draft. The only team voted in the "A" tier, with an "A" for the 1st round and nothing below B+ for any round.
Good job.
Seattle, Minnesota and Oakland tied for lowest score.
http://challengegames.nfl.com/fanballot

Ah, what do Detriot fans know? They're still celebrating that Mat Millen isn't picking for them anymore

[OzzyKP]

Per fan balloting at www.nfl.com , Detroit had the best Draft. The only team voted in the "A" tier, with an "A" for the 1st round and nothing below B+ for any round.
Good job.
Seattle, Minnesota and Oakland tied for lowest score.
http://challengegames.nfl.com/fanballot

[Lord Avalon]

Detroit's first three picks were all for complementary guys at positions of strength which is an interesting draft strategy... Nick Fairley added to Suh, Titus Young added to Calvin Johnson, and Mikel Leshoure to Jahvid Best.

You'd think they would have wanted to address areas of weakness (the secondary, linebacker corps, offensive line). But I guess that adding to strengths can be an effective strategy; the Giants had been doing it for a while with all those pass rushers, for example, which made up for the lack of talent at LB and DB.

Mayhew's strategy is pick the best player available, not draft for need. Although having a big back was a bit of a need.

I wonder how much of a free agency period there will be for teams to address needs.

[SlowwHand]

Ah, what do Detriot fans know? They're still celebrating that Mat Millen isn't picking for them anymore

I don't think it's just Detroit fans. Not everyone is as much of a homer as you are, and for a place that's not even your home.

[OzzyKP]

Mayhew's strategy is pick the best player available, not draft for need. Although having a big back was a bit of a need.

I wonder how much of a free agency period there will be for teams to address needs.

I really like the strategy. I'd much rather be good/elite in one or two areas than be mediocre in all. With parity the way it is, you can see teams do really well with an exceptional offense, or exceptional defense while lacking on the other side of the ball. Once you have something really good about your team you can build around it.

Plus if Detroit is going to have the best D line in the league that'll help in the secondary too. Give the QB less time in the pocket will lead to worse throws and can make up for a crappy secondary. Plus of course, free agency is coming, so anything can happen. In the later rounds Detroit traded some of their picks to teams for existing corners/safeties, but who knows if they are any good.

[SlowwHand]

Which team will QB Kevin Kolb play for in 2011?

50%
Arizona Cardinals

8%
Cincinnati Bengals

13%
Miami Dolphins

13%
Philadelphia Eagles

16%
Seattle Seahawks
Total Votes: 90457

http://www.nfl.com/