Interesting Draft Article

[Harry]

I don't have a link as I read the written copy, but USA Today has a fine article today on drafting defensive linemen. I caught a lot of flack about criticizing Graves last year for selecting Pace, but the article makes it clear why reaching for defensive linemen is such a losing proposition. It's hard enough to get the ones taken in their presumed normal location to succeed. Reaching just makes it all the more likely a pick will be wasted. Reaching is almost always a bad proposition unless you truly have first-hand knowledge of a player. For example, I could see Green moving up to take Fitzgerald, even though Manning is likely to be the first player chosen. Green knows Fitzgerald and it's a rare draft where you can eliminate off-the-field issues and coaching receptiveness concerns when grading a player. The article also shows why it's better to improve some positions through free agency rather than the draft.

 

[Pariah]

Wouldn't an exception to the rule be "reaching" for a player like Olshansky or Swann--rare physical specimens that are just incredibly raw? With so much upside in a player like that you'd think that some team would take a gamble--particularly if that team already had a solid D line where the player could be somewhat protected rather than exposed.

 

[az jam]

I think the key is not reaching on the first round and really taking the BPA regardless of a teams needs. Some will say to take best player available on everyone round but not sure if that is practical as you have to address your teams needs.

 

[football karma]

I think you always go BPA -- unless you currently have a position so loaded on your roster that you dont think that player could make the team at all--

that being said, I think that as you get deeper in the draft, the distinctions between groups of players start to diminish -- i.e. at #64 for example, it could be that their may be 7 or 8 players left on the board that all carry an indistinguishable grade -- in that case, you probably take BPA that has the best chance to make your roster--i.e. a position of need

While need seems so pressing today -- go back and look at drafts just two years ago. What you forget was what the need was back then, but you certainly know who the good players are.

I truly beleive that in taking BPA consistently, need takes care of itself over the long term.

 

[nationsrj]

I'm not sure but this may be a link to the article.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2004-04-13-harris-defensive-tackle_x.htm

 

[JeffGollin]

Thanks for the link - I'm saving all the draft pages in USA Today and picked up the wrong newspaper by mistake this morning.

 

[spanky1]

Very interesting read. It confirms for me that a lot of people have been on Bryant's case a little bit prematurely. The other thing that I'm sensing is that Marcus Tubbs' star is on the rise and Stark's is on the decline. Where I had Tubbs being available at #33 might be wishful thinking. Also, no mention of Donnell Washington..........do all four (Harris; Wilfork; Tubbs and Starks) go in round #1?

 

[Savage58]

Very interesting read. It confirms for me that a lot of people have been on Bryant's case a little bit prematurely. The other thing that I'm sensing is that Marcus Tubbs' star is on the rise and Stark's is on the decline. Where I had Tubbs being available at #33 might be wishful thinking. Also, no mention of Donnell Washington..........do all four (Harris; Wilfork; Tubbs and Starks) go in round #1?

Yes.

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

Very interesting read. It confirms for me that a lot of people have been on Bryant's case a little bit prematurely. The other thing that I'm sensing is that Marcus Tubbs' star is on the rise and Stark's is on the decline. Where I had Tubbs being available at #33 might be wishful thinking. Also, no mention of Donnell Washington..........do all four (Harris; Wilfork; Tubbs and Starks) go in round #1?

I dont know.

It isnt that Bryant doesnt have talent it was his laziness and being out of shape that bothered me.

I think he deserves all the criticisim he gets until he lights a fire under his ass and plays at 100% all the time.

 

[spanky1]

I dont know.

It isnt that Bryant doesnt have talent it was his laziness and being out of shape that bothered me.

I think he deserves all the criticisim he gets until he lights a fire under his ass and plays at 100% all the time.

LV,

Fair enough.....

 

[Harry]

I am not surprised by Bryant's problems and I still believe if anything he is a defensive end. While I thought from a "need" perspective he was a decent choice when taken, here's what I wrote about my reservations,

"He seemed to get frustrated when he couldn't beat some double-teams. Against Illinois he seemed to lose focus. In the NFL, there will be people he will have trouble beating especially at first. He must keep his head in the game. He is really not big compared to today's inside players. I am afraid he will get beaten up by guys some of these guys if he stays inside. He seemed to wear down as this season went along. Also despite the fact his college coaches say he could play at 325, I have watched his speed decline as he has added weight this season. For the most part he bull rushers and then uses his agility to wedge between defenders. NFL linemen are quicker and stronger than those he has played against. If they get a piece of him, he won't get through nearly as many holes. He must develop more sophisticated moves, but I suspect he will do so. For those of you concerned about ethics, he was involved in "Sneakergate" and was suspended for one game because of that. Finally, there is the mother (Karen Wells) issue.
Let me start by saying I respect his single mother working for 5pm until 3am at General Motors to support their family in the early years. At the same time she got her college degree. She was very instrumental in Bryant finishing school. This is where it gets a little weird. She frequently emailed newspapers when there were critical of her son. She often would join Wisconsin chat rooms to review his accomplishments. Though she is back in St. Louis they supposedly talk continuously. Get ready Arizona as they have already announced she will be moving to the city in which her son plays. It's strange and I hope you don't get a seat near her if he has a bad game."

So far his mom hasn't been an issue, but the rest of my concerns seem to have materialized. He has the talent to turn it around, but does he have the desire.