draft

[dreamcastrocks]

I'm willing to wager that he's not 1st round pick.Payable on what game i attend next year. Of course what i'm really betting on is a slow 40 time because if he runs 4.47,or thereabouts, he'll go in round 1.

He won't run a slow 40 time.

Wager is a six pack. Deal? Cason is a 1st rounder.

It's a bet.

Whoa dude, this was my bet.

 

[D-Dogg]

Whoa dude, this was my bet.

You are riding my coattails as I ride Gee's.

 

[john h]

Funny. I was just thinking about that, and posted something about the draft and Cardinal needs in the "Next Morning" section of the Seattle game recap.

(I haven't given up on the season; but must admit that my mind did begin to drift in the direction of personnel and the off season).

Here's a somewhat unorthodox take on our roster and our approach to the draft. The injuries really hit it home.

All teams have injuries and so have we. But different teams deal with injury breakouts in varying ways. The good teams always seem to have someone in #2, #3 or even #4 slots who are capable of stepping up and replacing an injured player. Mediocre teams don't. (Sometimes bad teams get lucky and cover up their lack of quality depth by not having a lot of injuries, but sooner or later, it will catch up with them).

My point - Every one of the 53 spots on our roster imust be considered precious. In today's pro football environment, for example, we can no longer afford to carry a #3 journeyman O-lineman who merely serves as a place-holder. These guys have to be ready to contribute. When we get where we should be as a football team, anyone (I repeat anyone) on our roster must be ready to step in at any time to replace a starter and do a better-than-competent job on the football field.

What this suggests is that if there's a player who's significalntly better than any other available player on your board when you pick, you take him - even if you feel you're loaded at his position. Usually, what will happen is that you'll still find guys you need (like Breaston and Patrick) dropping to you anyway.

But this is the best and fastest way to get to 53 players who can all step in and help.

(True, a case could be made - at this point in Year One - that Adrian Peterson was a better available player than Levi Brown. Maybe. But (a) it typically takes longer for a LT to attain full potential than a talented RB, (b) Peterson's injury risk was a legitimate concern and we'll need to wait 4 or 5 years to see if the gamble was worth it and (c) whether Peterson was significantly better than Levi should be considered a judgment call).

So I guess I'm a "best available player" man - with the proviso that, in case of ties or near-ties, it's OK to pick the guy you need most.

I agree with your assessment Jeff. When healthy we may look good on paper with our starters but do not seem to ever have the depth as the good teams do. I am not sure what method or system you use to acquire that depth but we do not seem to have it. Just like at QB when our top two are out we have to run out and sign someone off the street.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

You are riding my coattails as I ride Gee's.

fair enough.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Whoa dude, this was my bet.

I guess i'll be able to put down 12 pack on you and Donald
before next year's game . Is one of the 6 packs going to be Abomb's Arizona Gold Fine Home-brewed Pilsner Beer?

 

[D-Dogg]

Is one of the 6 packs going to be Abomb's Arizona Gold Fine Home-brewed Pilsner Beer?

Oh, I didn't know you'd be brewing that!

Ok, sure.

 

[joeshmo]

Measurables ALWAYS holds water, even in the slightest degree. There's a reason why the Jerome Harrisons' of the college world don't get their foot in the door and why Marion Barbers' slide routinely.

Not so fast. Sure measureables may make for a big jump from time to time but for the most part take a look at these measureables for every 1st rounder from 2000 to 2006 and not every measureable average hold as much water.

15 RB's drafted with an average speed of 4.52.
19 CB's drafted with an average speed of 4.45.(Cason will run better then by the way. Kid was anmed an all american sprinter in the NCAA this year).

Concerning 40 times teams dont put nearly as much stock into that as us supposed draft fans do.

http://www.ourlads.com/draftaverages.cfm

The only measureables that seem to hold true according to the averages is prototypical heights and weights. Example - the prototypical RB size I think we can all agree on is 6 foot 220 lbs. The average RB selected in the 1st round was 5'11.5" and 226 lbs. Just take a look at the averages for sizes those are some pretty prototypical sizes for those positions.

 

[JeffGollin]

...When healthy we may look good on paper with our starters but do not seem to ever have the depth as the good teams do. I am not sure what method or system you use to acquire that depth...

You do everything:

You make better draft decisions.

You're wise in free agency.

You develop the talent you already have - both physically, mentally and skill-wise.

You move a few guys to new positions where they can help you more.

You search the remote corners of the planet to locate one or more players who can help you - whether this be an Australian punter, an early graduate of a service academy, an Arena alumn, an obscure draft pick who excelled at 6-man football in HS or some guy who looked good in Europe.

You don't miss a trick, because - if you can add 2 or 3 talented guys to your roster whom you otherwise wouldn't have - it could be the difference from making or missing the playoffs.