Draft Rumors

[azdad1978]

# There's a lot of anticipation regarding Southern California wide receiver Mike Williams and his upcoming personal workout. The word out of Williams' camp is that he will run a solid 4.4-4.45 when timed for scouts. If he can back that up, it could move him ahead of Pittsburgh's Larry Fitzgerald on some boards.

# One player whose stock has slipped among some key decision-makers is Texas' Roy Williams. Many teams are looking closely at tests done on his knees and ankles to determine their stability and whether he can remain durable over the long term.

# Archie Manning is playing a big role in influencing where Eli Manning will end up in the first round. The elder Manning doesn't want him landing in San Diego. The Manning camp is pushing hard to influence the Giants to do whatever it takes to move up for Eli and have him in the spotlight of the New York media market.


# A number of teams are scared off by Louisiana State defensive end Marquise Hill due to a bipolar condition. Remember former Michigan State first-round disaster Dimitrius Underwood?

# Some scouts are turned off by Miami safety Sean Taylor, who doesn't seem to be taking the scouting process very seriously, but don't expect it to hurt Taylor much. The people making the draft decisions crave his physical skills.

# Scouts are beginning to realize they initially rated Ohio State cornerback Chris Gamble too high due to all the hype he received for playing both ways in college.

# Virginia Tech cornerback DeAngelo Hall doesn't quite have the speed once projected, but he'll remain the first or second cornerback off the board. It wouldn't be a shock to see Southern California's Dunta Robinson as the top corner off the board. He's the most polished of the cornerbacks.

# There's a possibility that Arkansas offensive tackle Shawn Andrews could drop slightly because he's not as athletic as scouts projected.

 

[Russ Smith]

A lot of interesting stuff, seems to fit with what we've been reading.

If Williams runs that well he is going to move up a lot of boards, I still have him ahead of Fitz on my board so it won't impact me.

Gamble I have as a 2nd round steal, I think he went from overrated to underrated very quickly.

Manning stuff explains why we're reading other NFL teams like Ben better, maybe archie is being a pain in the butt?

Taylor stuff has been mentioned, I think a lot of that is the wunderlich score which suggests he's either dumb as a post, or didn't pay much attention when taking it.

I can't remember where I read it but I posted this yesterday, I read that DeAngelo Hall ticked off a bunch of teams by refusing to run at pro day. he got so much pub for his reputed 4.17 40 at Va Tech this year, then he ran a great time, but not a 4.17(supposedly 4.34). Since the combine track is considered "slow" scouts wanted to see if Hall could approach his 4.17 running at pro day on the same surface. When Wilford and Kevin Jones both ran disappointingly slow 40's, scouts began to wonder if Va Tech was just padding the 40 times of ALL their players, so when Hall refused to run, scouts got mad. In the whole big picture it's silly, he ran a 4.34 on a slow track so who cares? But apparently some scouts took it as a negative and I'd read that he was slipping down some boards as a result.

I love this time of year with all the rumors that get around.

 

[SECTION 11]

The Manning camp is pushing hard to influence the Giants to do whatever it takes to move up for Eli and have him in the spotlight of the New York media market.

This one makes absolutely no sense.

"Son, welcome to the NFL. I know it's going to be a big change from life at Ole Miss, so we thought that the best way to transition you into the professional world would be to target the biggest sports market in the country with perhaps the most critical sports media in the world. We figured that ol' New York City is much like our own Oxford, Mississippi. Have fun. Your mother packed you some sandwiches, so you should be all set. Give us a call sometime."

 

[Savage58]

# There's a lot of anticipation regarding Southern California wide receiver Mike Williams and his upcoming personal workout. The word out of Williams' camp is that he will run a solid 4.4-4.45 when timed for scouts. If he can back that up, it could move him ahead of Pittsburgh's Larry Fitzgerald on some boards.

# One player whose stock has slipped among some key decision-makers is Texas' Roy Williams. Many teams are looking closely at tests done on his knees and ankles to determine their stability and whether he can remain durable over the long term.

# Archie Manning is playing a big role in influencing where Eli Manning will end up in the first round. The elder Manning doesn't want him landing in San Diego. The Manning camp is pushing hard to influence the Giants to do whatever it takes to move up for Eli and have him in the spotlight of the New York media market.


# A number of teams are scared off by Louisiana State defensive end Marquise Hill due to a bipolar condition. Remember former Michigan State first-round disaster Dimitrius Underwood?

# Some scouts are turned off by Miami safety Sean Taylor, who doesn't seem to be taking the scouting process very seriously, but don't expect it to hurt Taylor much. The people making the draft decisions crave his physical skills.

# Scouts are beginning to realize they initially rated Ohio State cornerback Chris Gamble too high due to all the hype he received for playing both ways in college.

# Virginia Tech cornerback DeAngelo Hall doesn't quite have the speed once projected, but he'll remain the first or second cornerback off the board. It wouldn't be a shock to see Southern California's Dunta Robinson as the top corner off the board. He's the most polished of the cornerbacks.

# There's a possibility that Arkansas offensive tackle Shawn Andrews could drop slightly because he's not as athletic as scouts projected.

Wow, some of this info is intriguing. M. Hill is Bi-Polar, I had no idea, that would put up a RED FLAG if I'm the GM/Coach of an NFL team, Bi-Polar is no joke. If this is true, he should drop to the 2nd day IMO, but some GM will probably take a chance. His workout wasn't to write home about either.

If Williams does run that 4.4, I'm guessing he goes #1 overall, that boy has mad game. I hope he tanks it, and we get him after a trade down. /snicker

BTW, where did you dig up this information?

 

[azdad1978]

This one makes absolutely no sense.

"Son, welcome to the NFL. I know it's going to be a big change from life at Ole Miss, so we thought that the best way to transition you into the professional world would be to target the biggest sports market in the country with perhaps the most critical sports media in the world. We figured that ol' New York City is much like our own Oxford, Mississippi. Have fun. Your mother packed you some sandwiches, so you should be all set. Give us a call sometime."

Maybe Archie doesn't Eli to go to a a bad sitaution like he did with the Saints.

 

[Russ Smith]

I can't remember where I read it but I posted this yesterday, I read that DeAngelo Hall ticked off a bunch of teams by refusing to run at pro day. he got so much pub for his reputed 4.17 40 at Va Tech this year, then he ran a great time, but not a 4.17(supposedly 4.34). Since the combine track is considered "slow" scouts wanted to see if Hall could approach his 4.17 running at pro day on the same surface. When Wilford and Kevin Jones both ran disappointingly slow 40's, scouts began to wonder if Va Tech was just padding the 40 times of ALL their players, so when Hall refused to run, scouts got mad. In the whole big picture it's silly, he ran a 4.34 on a slow track so who cares? But apparently some scouts took it as a negative and I'd read that he was slipping down some boards as a result.

I love this time of year with all the rumors that get around.

I took a look at profootballtalk.com (enquirer esque it is) and they said that scouts are actually mad at Kevin Jones, not Hall. Jones scheduled a 2nd workout to show his reported bad 40 times were a mistake, but was leaning towards cancelling because he was overtrained, scouts are now mad.

So maybe the Hall rumor I read came out of that somehow?

 

[spanky1]

Regarding Eli and SD vs NY.

I can't believe this.....like Archie is going to be able to influence a team to trade up to get him.....right......what's he gunna do, offer to help pay the $15MM signing bonus? He also didn't fiddle around with Peyton and the Colts so why would he now? It's not as though Indianapolis is the center of the universe versus San Diego from a visibility perspective!

Not withstanding this, if there is even a hint that Archie is going to meddle around come contract signing time, it could be just enough to push Ben R. into the #1 slot........which I wouldn't be at all surprised to see happen anyway.

 

[kerouac9]

I took a look at profootballtalk.com (enquirer esque it is) and they said that scouts are actually mad at Kevin Jones, not Hall. Jones scheduled a 2nd workout to show his reported bad 40 times were a mistake, but was leaning towards cancelling because he was overtrained, scouts are now mad.

So maybe the Hall rumor I read came out of that somehow?

For what it's worth, this isn't the first time I heard the Hall rumor. Furthermore, The Sporting News is saying that Sean Taylor has fallen out of the top ten and into the middle of the first round because of position coaches watching film and are skeptical about his hitting ability.

TSN also noted that Kevin Jones may have fallen into the middle of the second round because of his poor 40, and the Broncos might be the team that takes him. The gist of the item was that the Donkeys might be looking at another disgrunted second-round back.

 

[Yuma]

Regarding Eli and SD vs NY.

I can't believe this.....like Archie is going to be able to influence a team to trade up to get him.....right......what's he gunna do, offer to help pay the $15MM signing bonus? He also didn't fiddle around with Peyton and the Colts so why would he now? It's not as though Indianapolis is the center of the universe versus San Diego from a visibility perspective!

Not withstanding this, if there is even a hint that Archie is going to meddle around come contract signing time, it could be just enough to push Ben R. into the #1 slot........which I wouldn't be at all surprised to see happen anyway.

I gather it's because the endorsement money is astronimically better in NY than in SD! At least that's a legite excuse, coupled with the fact that SD sucks!

 

[Russ Smith]

For what it's worth, this isn't the first time I heard the Hall rumor. Furthermore, The Sporting News is saying that Sean Taylor has fallen out of the top ten and into the middle of the first round because of position coaches watching film and are skeptical about his hitting ability.

TSN also noted that Kevin Jones may have fallen into the middle of the second round because of his poor 40, and the Broncos might be the team that takes him. The gist of the item was that the Donkeys might be looking at another disgrunted second-round back.

I saw the stuff about Taylor and hitting before, he missed the tackle in the bowl game and that's what they're fixating on. Ask Vilma he was quoted about how he was always afraid Taylor would knock HIM out by mistake he hits so hard.

Jones' problem per that site is they ran on a FAST surface and NFL teams routinely add .1 to times on such surfaces so his 4.6 is being seen as a 4.7 now. He needs to prove that's inaccurate, so if he cancels, look out below.

I gotta admit right now Hall is my favorite of all the CB's. I saw Dunta Robinson play twice and he's good, but I wasn't all that blown away, basically they're saying he's the most polished. But I think Hall probably fits OUR needs the best, immediate nickel CB who may be starting by midseason, AND he can return punts if we need him too and he's LETHAL on punt returns. Same reason I loved Vasher pre neck rumors, improves your team in a lot of ways.

So if Hall slips because of this stuff, I'm all for it, although I doubt he slips to #33.

 

[vikesfan]

You don't use starters or #1 picks as returners. Seehorn proved that very basic fact.
Looks like Va Tech inflates players speeds big time.

 

[azdad1978]

Wow, some of this info is intriguing. M. Hill is Bi-Polar, I had no idea, that would put up a RED FLAG if I'm the GM/Coach of an NFL team, Bi-Polar is no joke. If this is true, he should drop to the 2nd day IMO, but some GM will probably take a chance. His workout wasn't to write home about either.

If Williams does run that 4.4, I'm guessing he goes #1 overall, that boy has mad game. I hope he tanks it, and we get him after a trade down. /snicker

BTW, where did you dig up this information?

I got the info at foxsports.com

 

[Russ Smith]

You don't use starters or #1 picks as returners. Seehorn proved that very basic fact.
Looks like Va Tech inflates players speeds big time.

You do if you NEED them to which is what I said, remember we signed Karl Williams to return kicks but if for some reason he can't do it in a game, they'd use a guy like Hall. Hall probably would NOT start for us immediately except as a nickel, better athlete than player right now.

I agree about proven starters, see my thread about using Champ Bailey at WR for example totally disagree with it, but if Hall isn't ready to start at CB and you need a PR for a game here or there, it makes sense to use him he's a THREAT.

REmember Boldin returned punts last year, we're all very much aware of the need to get other PR's so that doesn't happen again.

 

[kerouac9]

You don't use starters or #1 picks as returners. Seehorn proved that very basic fact.

Wrong again, VF. Fomer first-round draft choice Santana Moss continues to return kicks and punts for the NJ Jets. Uber-coach Dennis Green saw fit to allow Randy Moss to return 17 punts in his second season.

 

[Tangodnzr]

Wrong again, VF. Fomer first-round draft choice Santana Moss continues to return kicks and punts for the NJ Jets. Uber-coach Dennis Green saw fit to allow Randy Moss to return 17 punts in his second season.

Doh...isn't this kind of like using the exception to prove the rule?

 

[kerouac9]

Doh...isn't this kind of like using the exception to prove the rule?

Kind of, but it's more of an illustration that there are no absolutes. Before Coles left the Jets, their HC said that they DRAFTED him in the first round to return.

 

[khilari]

According to KUPD this morning Mike Jurecki feels that after talking with coach Green he thinks that Cards will take one of the following players:

Fitsgareld
Mike William
Kevin Winslow Jr.
Sean Taylor

What do you guys think???

 

[Pariah]

According to KUPD this morning Mike Jurecki feels that after talking with coach Green he thinks that Cards will take one of the following players:

Fitsgareld
Mike William
Kevin Winslow Jr.
Sean Taylor

What do you guys think???

I think we should consider Kellen Winslow Jr. waaayyyy before Kevin Winslow Jr.!

 

[Stout]

According to KUPD this morning Mike Jurecki feels that after talking with coach Green he thinks that Cards will take one of the following players:

Fitsgareld
Mike William
Kevin Winslow Jr.
Sean Taylor

What do you guys think???

I don't want a receiver high...I don't think there's a guy worth taking that high for us. Last year? Sure, bring him on, but this year, nay...we can grab a burner later, if needs be.

Taylor? Eh. Ask me several weeks ago, then perhaps, but questions have arisen, and if he's not as solid as RW coming out, then no thanks at #3. A little lower? Possibly.

Winslow JR? At #3? What's Jureki smoking and why hasn't anyone taken it away from him? We don't need a TE but, hey, okay, I could see it if he were the best available athlete...which he ain't. Not a top five in the draft, and a #3 he certainly is NOT.

No thanks. If that's our draft board, I'm not pleased.

 

[abomb]

With Winslow, Diamond and Freddie Jones, we could run some nice 3 TE sets.

I am more confused than ever regarding who I would like to see at 3.

A-Bomb

 

[spanky1]

I don't want a receiver high...I don't think there's a guy worth taking that high for us. Last year? Sure, bring him on, but this year, nay...we can grab a burner later, if needs be.

Taylor? Eh. Ask me several weeks ago, then perhaps, but questions have arisen, and if he's not as solid as RW coming out, then no thanks at #3. A little lower? Possibly.

Winslow JR? At #3? What's Jureki smoking and why hasn't anyone taken it away from him? We don't need a TE but, hey, okay, I could see it if he were the best available athlete...which he ain't. Not a top five in the draft, and a #3 he certainly is NOT.

No thanks. If that's our draft board, I'm not pleased.

Stout,

I interpret this as follows: If we stay at #3 we will take either Fitzgerald or Mike Williams......if we trade down with say, Cleveland at #7, we would look at Winslow or Taylor (assuming Mike Williams is gone by #7).

 

[Stout]

Stout,

I interpret this as follows: If we stay at #3 we will take either Fitzgerald or Mike Williams......if we trade down with say, Cleveland at #7, we would look at Winslow or Taylor (assuming Mike Williams is gone by #7).

I personally don't like either scenario. I don't think we should go WR this early in the draft, and even if we trade down to 7, I think there are others we should draft there. Ugh. I'm PRAYING that we wake up this year but, like last year, I seriously doubt we will.

 

[kerouac9]

I personally don't like either scenario. I don't think we should go WR this early in the draft, and even if we trade down to 7, I think there are others we should draft there. Ugh. I'm PRAYING that we wake up this year but, like last year, I seriously doubt we will.

Who DO you want, then? One of the QBs? Udeze?

 

[Stout]

Who DO you want, then? One of the QBs? Udeze?

I've been on record as wanting one of the QBs for quite some time, so I guess I'll reiterate that now. I think Big Ben will become a top QB, much like Pennington coming from a small school, but with a different game. Still, Manning has TONS of upside, and though Rivers has less potential for growth in his game, per se, his game is pretty solid as it stands.

Seeing as though it's likely either Big Ben or Eli is available when we pick, to me, it's a no-brainer. If not, I'd try the trade down with the Giants and take Wilfork. If no trade down is feasible, or if we have to trade down with the Browns, and the QBs are gone, it's a tough call. Too high to take Rivers (though I'd consider him at 7), possibly too high to take Wilfork.

If forced to stay put under those circumstances, I'd probably take Wilfork.

 

[BuckeyeCardinal]

If

If we pass on Big Ben and/or Eli and Josh sucks it will be really bad.

I can handle Pace vs. Suggs.

It may be tough to handle 3 more "worst team in the NFL" years because we passed on a decent QB.

Sure....maybe Jeff George will resurface.....maybe monkeys will fly out of my arse.