2009 NFL Draft Thread (aka Excel & Norman's personal b**ch and moan thread)

[The Incredible Hulk]

Lions will control Matthew Stafford's final exam

John Niyo / The Detroit News

Today's the big day. Or is it?
Matthew Stafford gets one final exam, with a private workout in Georgia for the Lions.
But what's left to know, really?

Chances are, the Lions have a pretty good idea who they're taking with the No. 1 pick in the draft.
And chances are, Stafford's performance today won't change the team's opinion much, if at all.
So why bother?
Well, unlike the scripted pro-day workouts, the would-be employer -- specifically offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and quarterbacks coach Jeff Horton today -- actually gets to call the shots. In short, they can take him out of his comfort zone and see how he reacts, force the American Idol to sing a different tune.
"We can direct it," coach Jim Schwartz said. "We can tell him exactly what to do on a play. We can make him throw into the wind. We can say, 'Hey, these are the throws we want to see.' When somebody else is scripting it, they can accentuate a positive. I can't sing, but probably a good producer could put me in a studio and at least hide it a little bit."
They'll have him dissect plays on the board, make him throw something other than that skinny post he really nails. They might even ask him about his parents' divorce, a la Mike Singletary.
But in the end, I still contend Stafford's most important job interview probably took place months ago, before he'd even declared for the draft.
Last week at the NFL owners meetings, I asked Atlanta coach Mike Smith about the vetting process with Matt Ryan, the No. 3 pick who went on to be rookie of the year. What was it that truly sold the Falcons on the fifth-year senior out of Boston College?
"We spent a lot of time looking at the film," Smith said. "We believe that's a player's DNA. You can look at the numbers and do the testing, but it's really based on what you see on the tape."
Today it's live, not Memorex.
But it's still in a studio, not a stadium Saturday.

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090331/SPORTS0101/903310361/1126/rss14

 

[Dr. Evil]

The thing about Tebow is that "what can he do in a pro style offense?" We don't know if he's going to be a good NFL QB or not until we know for sure what he can do in a pro style offense.

 

[StorminNorman]

I can't believe you have Tebow last on the list. The system argument you always have I get but other than that how do you not say his intangibles far outway stats. Although his stats are amazing!

I think Tebow COULD be an NFL QB. I really do. The guy has amazing character, amazing drive, great speed and a decent arm. The reason I have him last is because he is the most raw coming out of college and I am not sure how his personality will work in a more cynical NFL.

Tebow, IMO, is a less intelligent, bigger Alex Smith.

I mean Common he's 6'3" and 240 lbs with these stats:

Stats Overview Passing
YEAR CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT
2006 22 33 358 66.7 10.85 55 5 1 0 201.73
2007 234 350 3286 66.9 9.39 66 32 6 13 172.47
2008 192 298 2746 64.4 9.22 70 30 4 15 172.37

Not to mention two National Championships (a third will come next year) and Heisman Trophy (a second will come next year and Bradford stole his this year so it should be 3) and here is a complete list of his awards:
Awards
2006 Season


SEC All-Freshman Team
SEC Freshman of the Week

2007 Season


Walter Camp Foundation National Offensive Player of the Week
Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Week, three times
Davey O'Brien Award winner
Heisman Trophy winner.
Maxwell Award winner
Walter Camp Award finalist
ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American football team
Manning Award finalist>
Rivals.com National Offensive Player of the Year

Rivals.com SEC Offensive Player of the Year
Rivals.com First Team All-SEC
First Team All-SEC Coaches Conference football team
Associated Press SEC Offensive Player of the Year
Associated Press All-SEC First Team
Associated Press Player of the Year
Listed as an All-American by: Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, Walter Camp Football Foundation, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, CBS Sports, College Football News, Rivals.com, and Scout.com
James E. Sullivan Award, awarded to the Nations top amateur athlete
Roy F. Kramer SEC Male Athlete of the Year . Third Florida Gator to win this award, Danny Wuerffel (won twice) and Ryan Lochte.
ESPY for Best Male College Athlete

2008 Season

Disney Spirit Award
Heisman Trophy finalist
Maxwell Award winner
Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Week
2008 SEC Championship Game Most Valuable Player
Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Year
Southeastern Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Wuerffel Trophy winner

Bowl Games

2007 BCS Championship - Florida 41, OSU 14
2008 Capital One Bowl - Florida 35, Michigan 41
2009 BCS Championship

I mean as Miami Hurricane fan I understand the hate but I acknowledge him as the best college QB ever and think he will be a phenom in the NFL. I hope my bucs take him next year.

All irrelevant really.

The last Gator QB with all these similar stats was Danny Wuerfful..he didn't do anything in the NFL.

You can't really compare Spurrier's QB's with Meyers simply because they wear the same jersey

Tebow should of won the Heisman last year. I hate him for being a Gator, but he was the MVP of College Football last year. Hell, he had the most 1st place votes. Tebow may be the best College Football player ever.

 

[StorminNorman]

And with the first pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Lions select...

Stafford wows at private workout

The Detroit Lions brain trust headed south today to hold a private on-campus workout with Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Matt Stafford. The results were encouraging for Stafford and the Lions, who own the first pick in April's draft.
Sources described Stafford's workout as flawless, stating it was significantly better than his March 19 pro-day workout, also held at Georgia.
Stafford used his former Georgia teammates as primary pass catchers. Bulldog receivers Mohamed Massaquoi, Kenneth Harris, Demiko Goodman and tight end Tripp Chandler took part in the workout, but that is where the similarities to Stafford's college days ended.
The Lions coaching staff put Stafford through a workout that included an assortment of passes and routes he will be required to complete in the NFL and which will be part of the Detroit offense in 2009.
The draft's top quarterback was on point with all his throws throughout the session. He threw just about 40 passes and hit on all but three of them. Stafford fired the ball downfield, hitting receivers in stride, and threw accurately through the entire session.
Detroit coaches did speak with Stafford about aiming his passes, which negatively affected his accuracy, yet that seemed to be the only glitch all morning.
Overall, the Detroit brass were very complimentary about Stafford's work today. The Lions praised his overall passing mechanics and the way he threw the ball.
The draft is still more than three weeks away, but Stafford's workout today was so impressive that observers in Athens got the impression it was a "done deal" and the Lions will use the first pick to acquire Stafford.
Mark Sanchez and the USC Trojans hold their pro-day tomorrow in Los Angeles.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/03/31/stafford-lions/

 

[Excel]

Does sound like it better than expected. We'll have to see wait and see though.

 

[Dark Donnie]

Mark Sanchez-QB-Player Apr. 1 - 8:38 pm et

USC QB Mark Sanchez reportedly had an "excellent" showing at the Trojans' Pro Day Wednesday.
30 teams showed up. He made about 80 throws -- doubling Matt Stafford at Georgia's Pro Day -- and there were reportedly "whispers" that Sanchez's workout was better than Stafford's. "(Sanchez's) arm is every bit as good as Matt Ryan’s," NFL Network's Mike Mayock said. "I think he had a great day."

Source: NFL.com

 

[Excel]

Eh...I like him over Stafford, but would shocked if he went ahead. Btw when did Stafford become such a chub?

 

[Cmill216]

He's always had a puffy face.

 

[StorminNorman]

TEH PUFFY!

 

[RAMORE]

Because Tim Tebow will never play a down under center in the NFL. He in now way projects as a starting NFL QB. He doesnt have the arm strength, the decision making, and only excels in an offense that doesnt work on the pro level so his stats are meaningless and won't translate. Hell, Ty Detmer and David Klingler were the greatest college QB's ever, statistically speaking, and neither were even a blip on the NFL's radar.

And "intangibles" arent going to cut it. He consulted people about coming out of college this year for the NFL and the best anyone would tell him was that he'd be a late 3rd round pick, and that's after your laundry list of college accolades, you've listed out above.

I think your totally wrong about arm strength. People always say a spread won't work in the NFL i'm not an Xand O guy why won't it work? If the NFL had a way to stop it wouldn't college teams copy it?

The thing about Tebow is that "what can he do in a pro style offense?" We don't know if he's going to be a good NFL QB or not until we know for sure what he can do in a pro style offense.

I get that it's fair to say, I just don't think people should write him off based on the offense he ran or what team he was on. On the flip side I don't think anyone should get a pass based on that either.

I think Tebow COULD be an NFL QB. I really do. The guy has amazing character, amazing drive, great speed and a decent arm. The reason I have him last is because he is the most raw coming out of college and I am not sure how his personality will work in a more cynical NFL.

Tebow, IMO, is a less intelligent, bigger Alex Smith.


You can't really compare Spurrier's QB's with Meyers simply because they wear the same jersey



Tebow should of won the Heisman last year. I hate him for being a Gator, but he was the MVP of College Football last year. Hell, he had the most 1st place votes. Tebow may be the best College Football player ever.

I Mirror this last statement I don't like him (cause he's not on my team) but he got robbed. The NFL is cynical but I think it won't effect him he's very grounded. Ales smith is a stiff tebow is not IMO.

 

[RAMORE]

Name one other player who after a loss personally takes the blame and makes a promise on behalf of the whole team to work harder, play harder the rest of the year. A freaking apology to the fans. Then he keeps the promise doesn't lose another game and wills his team to the Championship and then to win it from behind?



That's Tebow! That's why I draft him.

 

[StorminNorman]

I think your totally wrong about arm strength. People always say a spread won't work in the NFL i'm not an Xand O guy why won't it work? If the NFL had a way to stop it wouldn't college teams copy it?

The Option works well in College too.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

^ exactly. Those gimmick offenses like the spread and the option work in college because you dont have the speed on defense that you do in the NFL. it might work on one play as a gimmick play during a game if the defense got caught snoozing, but if you tried it on a consistent basis where a defense was looking for it, the NFL level LB's and safeties would tear it apart.

 

[NotFadeAway]

So who does everyone think the will be the best of the USC Linebackers, Ray Mauluga, Brian Cushing, or Clay Matthews?

And with all the LT hype around what picks Jason Smith/Eugene Monroe/Michael Oher/Andre Smith will be taken, when does everyone think Phil Loadholt, Fenuki Topou, and Eben Britton will be taken? Ya know, the Right Tackle trio. And what about Herman Johnson, Duke Robinson, and Kraig Urbik?

And about Tim Tebow, I feel he would be best used as an H-Back. But I have a feeling, that when Tebow comes out, we will finally get to witness some coach try and run the spread offense in the NFL, with Tebow as the Quarterback. And I will take great joy in watching that f-ing spread get punched right in the mouth.

 

[Excel]

Tebow...I dont see it on film; but he is the kind of person who could make it work. I wouldnt be surprised if he had the best wonderlic score next year.

So who does everyone think the will be the best of the USC Linebackers, Ray Mauluga, Brian Cushing, or Clay Matthews?

Depends what they need. Matthews is the best pass rusher of the 3, though hes rated lowest.

 

[Excel]

Source: Defensive tackle Raji tested positive for marijauna at NFL Comine

Defensive tackle B.J. Raji, whose draft stock has soared over the past six months, had a positive drug test at February's combine, NFL team sources have told SI.com. It's unknown to SI.com which drug triggered the positive result, but NFL scouts were made aware before the 2008 season that Raji had tested positive for marijuana during his time at Boston College.
NFL teams will receive the official list of those who tested positive in Indianapolis later this month, and Raji's name will be on it, according to a source who attended last week's owners meetings in California.
Brian Murphy, Chief Operating Officer of Athletes First, which represents Raji, told SI.com: "We will not comment on rumors from unnamed sources. I do know that B.J. has been one of the hardest workers and nicest individuals that we at Athletes First represent. There is no doubt that he will be an invaluable addition to an NFL team both on the field as a player and in the community as a role model."
Raji declined comment when reached by SI.com.
According to the NFL's drug policy, a positive test for street drugs, which includes marijuana, puts a player into the initial stage of the NFL's drug program. He's then subject to random testing and subject to a fine or suspension if he tests positive again.
How this affects Raji's draft grade remains to be seen. He missed the 2007 college season with academic issues, returned to Boston College and had a terrific senior campaign, recording eight sacks and 42 tackles, with 16 tackles for loss. He was a dominant force during the week of practice at the Senior Bowl and continued his momentum up draft boards after turning in good combine and pro-day workouts. His performances the past three months have some scouts believing he'll be taken in the top third of the first round of the April 25 draft.
One source familiar with the positive drug test assessed Raji's draft prospects by saying, "It's a roll of the dice. If Raji stays clean and plays to his potential, you could have a dominant defensive lineman on your team. Then again, it does nobody any good if the kid is on the sidelines serving a suspension for a failed test."
Prior to the 1995 draft, top-rated defensive tackle Warren Sapp saw his stock slip after reports surfaced of positive drug tests during his time at the University of Miami, which he denied. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers eventually selected Sapp with the No. 12 overall pick. Sapp went on to play 13 seasons in the NFL, earning seven trips to the Pro Bowl.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/04/02/raji/index.html?eref=si_nfl

Still dont see him out of the top 10.

 

[StorminNorman]

Tebow...I dont see it on film; but he is the kind of person who could make it work. I wouldnt be surprised if he had the best wonderlic score next year.

Tebow's not a smart kid. He has a big heart, and a great leader - but the guy isn't the brightest most cerebral bulb...by any means.

Depends what they need. Matthews is the best pass rusher of the 3, though hes rated lowest.

Cushing will be the first LB. He can play OLB and ILB.

Source: Defensive tackle Raji tested positive for marijauna at NFL Comine


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/04/02/raji/index.html?eref=si_nfl

Still dont see him out of the top 10.

*crosses fingers for him falling to 20*

It is possible. There are some questions about how he would do in a 3-4 NG position (Ron Brace, IMO, is a better fit) and this wasn't his only off the field red flag after missing all of 2007 for academic illegibility. It's would still be hard to see him passing Denver, though.

 

[NotFadeAway]

Can someone explain to me why Ray Malauga has dropped so far in the draft? I know he scored poorly on the wonderlic and that he pulled his hamstring, but damn, the guy was a 260LB Troy Paluamalu at Linebacker in college.

 

[Excel]

Ima call it now, CHRIS WELLS to Denver at 18, or even 12 depending on who is there. McDaniels LOVES pounders, and now theyll obviously need one.

 

[StorminNorman]

Can someone explain to me why Ray Malauga has dropped so far in the draft? I know he scored poorly on the wonderlic and that he pulled his hamstring, but damn, the guy was a 260LB Troy Paluamalu at Linebacker in college.

Because he is inconsistent, has a troubling personality, not nearly as fast as Paluamalu and has simply been out performed by USC teammates.

 

[NotFadeAway]

Because he is inconsistent, has a troubling personality, not nearly as fast as Paluamalu and has simply been out performed by USC teammates.

So I take it you think Brian Cushing will be a better pro?

 

[Excel]

I wouldnt say that, but Cushing is a better pospect. The better pro depends where they go...i.e. whichever goes t New England will have the best career of the 3.

 

[StorminNorman]

So I take it you think Brian Cushing will be a better pro?

If you ask who I want more, its Cushing. As Excel said though, it does matter what sort of situation they are going in.

I personally have Cushing and Mathews higher than Rey.

I wouldnt say that, but Cushing is a better pospect. The better pro depends where they go...i.e. whichever goes t New England will have the best career of the 3.

Yes.

 

[StorminNorman]

Ima call it now, CHRIS WELLS to Denver at 18, or even 12 depending on who is there. McDaniels LOVES pounders, and now theyll obviously need one.

Seeing the success Lawrence Maroney has had, I doubt McDaniels drafts Chris Wells in the first round.

Now a Rashad Jennings in the second round on the other hand...

 

[Excel]

Seeing the success Lawrence Maroney has had, I doubt McDaniels drafts Chris Wells in the first round.

Maroney was literally all Belichicks taking. McDaniels (naturally) wanted a wide reciever, specifically Santonio Holmes. Hes the one who pressured Bill to trade up and draft Chad Jackson. But Belichick insisted on Maroney and took him over DeAngelou Williams, Joseph Addai, ect. Its funny we're talkig Denver as the only person higher on Maroney than Bill was Mike Shanahan, who called it a "steal" at 21 and said hed be the best rb in the nfl with in 2 years. He also claimed if Cutler wasnt available, Maroney woulda been a Bronco.

Its been known to most Pats fans that McDaniels loathed Maroneys cut style and greatly prefered Corey Dillon-and then Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordans-smash mouth style; prob. why he signed Jordan in Denver. Its why rather than run plays that suited Maroneys style, they used him a pounder.

Chris Wells is the perfect running back for McDaniels. I actually doubt he drafts him I dont know why I said he would, but I wouldnt be shocked either, espec. since they got Kyle Orton instead of a guy like Brady Quinn.