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

[NotFadeAway]

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.

I can see the Patriots taking Cushing in the first and then drafting Jason Phillips later on.

I've had a hard on for Jason Phillips after watching so much TCU football last season.

 

[StorminNorman]

I can see the Patriots taking Cushing in the first and then drafting Jason Phillips later on.

I've had a hard on for Jason Phillips after watching so much TCU football last season.

The Patriots would have to trade up.

 

[Excel]

Cushing wont be there. If all 3 usc lbs are gone ans Maybin is too, they might go WR. I dont see them trading up, too many needs.

Theyll look to snag a defensive end, wide reciever, linebacker, and safety/corner with their 4 top 2 round picks.

 

[NewYorkSpider]

Cushing wont be there. If all 3 usc lbs are gone ans Maybin is too, they might go WR. I dont see them trading up, too many needs.

Theyll look to snag a defensive end, wide reciever, linebacker, and safety/corner with their 4 top 2 round picks.

What about James Laurinatis?

 

[Excel]

Theyd look for Laurenatis around 34. If he is there at 23 they will address something else. Their dream draft is probably:

23: Tyson Jackson or Aarton Maybin
34: James Laurenatis
47: Bran Robiskie or Hakeem Nicks
4th pick: Alfonso Smith

 

[StorminNorman]

I think New England will draft either Knowshon Moreno or Donald Brown.

 

[NewYorkSpider]

I don't think they'll go that early for a RB.

 

[Excel]

I think New England will draft either Knowshon Moreno or Donald Brown.

Their depth chart is already too full.
1. Laurence Maroney-24, top 10 talent
2. Fred Taylor-32, used to be nasty, could teach Maroney some things
3. Sammy Morris-31, pounder, may move back to fullback.
4. BenJarvis Greenellis: practice squader
5. Kevin Faulk: recieving back.

People see it as a 45%-35% carry split for Maroney and Taylor, 10% for Morris as the goalline and shortyardage back, and 5% for the other dudes with KFaulk the primary recieving back.

They have literally no use for a Knowshon Moreno or Donald Brown. What they DO need is depth at wide reciever. I wouldnt surprised to see Maclin or HB or Britt as their 1st round choice at all.

 

[Immortalfire]

New England is not going to take a RB.

 

[StorminNorman]

I don't think they'll go that early for a RB.

I am not so sure. Now this is based mainly on speculation I am hearing from NFL Network "insiders" and people at ESPN like Chris Mortenson. The Laurence Maroney experiment has failed, Kevin Faulk, Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris are all over 30 and Law Firm isn't exactly a Pro Bowl talent.

Their depth chart is already too full.
1. Laurence Maroney-24, top 10 talent
2. Fred Taylor-32, used to be nasty, could teach Maroney some things
3. Sammy Morris-31, pounder, may move back to fullback.
4. BenJarvis Greenellis: practice squader
5. Kevin Faulk: recieving back.

This depth chart is only impressive if one believes in Laurence Maroney is a top 10 talent. The guy's production simply isn't there, for whatever reason. Knowshon and Moreno both help in the running and passing game.

They have literally no use for a Knowshon Moreno or Donald Brown. What they DO need is depth at wide reciever. I wouldnt surprised to see Maclin or HB or Britt as their 1st round choice at all.

Chris Mortenson disagrees.

 

[Cmill216]

New England doesn't need a 1st Round RB this year to make their offense go.

That would be a complete waste, especially when next year's draft could be back heavy.

Considering the number of picks they have, they need to be spending those first day selections building up that defense.

 

[El_Citrus]

New England is definitely not going to take a RB in the early rounds, if at all. They had success with Jarod Mayo, and I see them continuing to draft defense and add some youth to an otherwise mostly aging defense.

 

[RAMORE]

^ 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.

Then why don't teams do a better job stopping it in college if it's so terrible and obvious?

New England is definitely not going to take a RB in the early rounds, if at all. They had success with Jarod Mayo, and I see them continuing to draft defense and add some youth to an otherwise mostly aging defense.

I agree then a good WR in round 2 possibly to grow watching Moss.

 

[StorminNorman]

New England doesn't need a 1st Round RB this year to make their offense go.

Their lack of need isn't questionable, but that doesn't mean they won't do it.

That would be a complete waste, especially when next year's draft could be back heavy.

It could be back heavy. Or it could not be. You can't draft in 2009 while looking at 2010.

Considering the number of picks they have, they need to be spending those first day selections building up that defense.

Considering the number of picks they have, they don't need to limit themselves in any capacity. At pick 24 there is unlikely to be a must have player. Players like Sean Smith, Alphonso Smith, Connor Barwin, etc. none of them are exactly values in the first round. Are the Patriots a team that reaches on players?

Players like Knowshon and Brown ARE on the Patriots Big Board, if they are the BPA at the time of their draft I doubt they pass on them.

New England is definitely not going to take a RB in the early rounds, if at all. They had success with Jarod Mayo, and I see them continuing to draft defense and add some youth to an otherwise mostly aging defense.

Again, people with FAR more insight on the matter disagree.

Again this is their RB group:

1. Laurence Maroney- never been a 1,000 yard back and is chronically injured.
2. Fred Taylor-Age 32, used to be nasty.
3. Sammy Morris-Age 31
4. BenJarvis Greenellis: practice squader
5. Kevin Faulk: Age 32

How is a team that consists of THIS at RB secure on the position?

 

[El_Citrus]

I agree then a good WR in round 2 possibly to grow watching Moss.

I could see them possibly taking the best WR in the second round to develop, but I also think they're going to try and inject some youth into their defense. A big safety to compliment Meriweather might be a good idea if a valuable one falls into their lap, maybe Rashad Johnson but that could be a stretch. They might take a CB to help Ellis Hobbs and Shawn Springs, or the BA LB or DL. I see them going defense early on.

Again, people with FAR more insight on the matter disagree.

Again this is their RB group:

1. Laurence Maroney- never been a 1,000 yard back and is chronically injured.
2. Fred Taylor-Age 32, used to be nasty.
3. Sammy Morris-Age 31
4. BenJarvis Greenellis: practice squader
5. Kevin Faulk: Age 32

How is a team that consists of THIS at RB secure on the position?

That's four reasonably productive backs. Maroney for pounding away for a couple downs, Taylor to bring his tough running in, and Morris and Faulk do decent jobs filling in while providing extra pass options for Brady and for a passing minded offense. There will be other backs in next years draft and the year after for NE to mold, maybe even a later rounder in this years. I just don't see them picking RB in the early rounds. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but I would focus on defense first.

 

[StorminNorman]

I could see them possibly taking the best WR in the second round to develop, but I also think they're going to try and inject some youth into their defense. A big safety to compliment Meriweather might be a good idea if a valuable one falls into their lap, maybe Rashad Johnson but that could be a stretch. They might take a CB to help Ellis Hobbs and Shawn Springs, or the BA LB or DL. I see them going defense early on.

Rashad Johnson is the one safety that hasn't visited the Patriots.

 

[El_Citrus]

Rashad Johnson is the one safety that hasn't visited the Patriots.

Another reason why I would see it as a stretch. This year's safety class isn't all that great looking, but we'll see if the Pats try and pick one up.

 

[Excel]

Are the Patriots a team that reaches on players?

Peopel *thought* Mayo was.

Players like Knowshon and Brown ARE on the Patriots Big Board, if they are the BPA at the time of their draft I doubt they pass on them.

Again, people with FAR more insight on the matter disagree.

Nobody has more insight into the Pats plans than I do. The ONLY WAY it happens if literally every other defensive is gone. They wont take a guy at 23 they think is a reach. But should that happen they'd probably try to trade it. A rb at 23 for NE would be a collosal waste of a pick, no matter how they turned out.

 

[Excel]

Flunking combine drug tests the new fad:

Rick Serritella, of NFLDraftBible.com, reports Boston College DT B.J. Raji, Illinois CB Vontae Davis and Florida WR Percy Harvin failed drug tests for marijuana at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Cushing, Matthews test positive for steroids

Rick Serritella, of NFLDraftBible.com, reports Southern California LBs Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews tested positive for steroids at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to various sources, including one NFL team.

Ouch...Maualugas stock just rose.

 

[Dark Donnie]

Cushing was a roid head in HS as well....not surprising there. With a name like Raji, it sounds like he would like to smoke.

 

[Excel]

Weed isnt a big deal at all, or shouldnt be. Anybody honestly think Knowshon Moreno never lights up? I would beat 8 in 10 of the big NFL players blaze; many of them are from the ghetto of states like California and Florida. Be serious here.

Steroids on the other hand are because they improve your performance. Matthews is probably outta the 1st now.

 

[StorminNorman]

Peopel *thought* Mayo was.

Mayo was considered to be the top MLB in the draft

Nobody has more insight into the Pats plans than I do. The ONLY WAY it happens if literally every other defensive is gone. They wont take a guy at 23 they think is a reach. But should that happen they'd probably try to trade it. A rb at 23 for NE would be a collosal waste of a pick, no matter how they turned out.

I don't mean me, I am talking about people like Chris Mortenson, like Charles Davis, not people like me.

The Patriots have the picks in the second round that they don't need to reach on a defensive player at 23. IF they have Knowshon and Moreno high on their big board (like I believe they do) and IF there are no big name defensive player fall, watch it happen.

Again, it's simply a case of looking at the Patriots running back chart and seeing no one that scares me. Lawrence Maroney may have all the talent in the world, but he is injury prone and never had a 1000 yard season.

Weed isnt a big deal at all, or shouldnt be. Anybody honestly think Knowshon Moreno never lights up? I would beat 8 in 10 of the big NFL players blaze; many of them are from the ghetto of states like California and Florida. Be serious here.

Knowshon is a good christian boy and he would never do anything like that!

Steroids on the other hand are because they improve your performance. Matthews is probably outta the 1st now.

I wouldn't be surpised at all if Denver ended up with two players who tested postive for "drugs" in Raji and Cushing.

I am really REALLY shocked Matthews was caught. I thought with his pedigree he would be clean.

 

[Excel]

Mayo was considered to be the top MLB in the draft

Gholston & Rivers got all the shine. Hell had Laurenatis come out last year he probably woulda taken instead of Mayo.

I don't mean me, I am talking about people like Chris Mortenson, like Charles Davis, not people like me.

Well theyre wrong, quite simply.

The Patriots have the picks in the second round that they don't need to reach on a defensive player at 23. IF they have Knowshon and Moreno high on their big board (like I believe they do) and IF there are no big name defensive player fall, watch it happen.

I agreed with that but that is an ENORMOUS "if"...chances are one of the big lbs, cbs, or des will be there.

Again, it's simply a case of looking at the Patriots running back chart and seeing no one that scares me. Lawrence Maroney may have all the talent in the world, but he is injury prone and never had a 1000 yard season.

Yeah but you dont waste a 1st round pick to solve that problem.

Knowshon is a good christian boy and he would never do anything like that!

Thats what you thought...you aint never seen his wild side, obv.

Seriously. I would guess 90% of college students smoke. Him a super star partying running back? Um, no doubt about it.

I wouldn't be surpised at all if Denver ended up with two players who tested postive for "drugs" in Raji and Cushing.

Cushing is a mehy but Raji would be an outstanding pick.

 

[StorminNorman]

Gholston & Rivers got all the shine. Hell had Laurenatis come out last year he probably woulda taken instead of Mayo.

But neither of them were MLB's and only Rivers was the only one with experience at LB in anyway, had Cinci not taken him he probably would of gone to NE. Laurinitias wouldn't of been a first round pick last year. Mayo was not a reach.

Well theyre wrong, quite simply.

Maybe, or they could be right. You can't say they are "quite simply wrong" right now though. If someone had told a Packer fan in 2005 that their team would select a QB in the first round they would of told you "well you are wrong, quite simply."

I agreed with that but that is an ENORMOUS "if"...chances are one of the big lbs, cbs, or des will be there.

The draft stock of just about all the cornerbacks have dropped, there may only be one or two selected in the first round. It is quite likely that the big LB's will be gone and there is only one or two 3-4 DE's in this draft (and its not really a position you would tend to draft in the first round anyway). The thing is that the Patriots have a bit of a problem: Kansas City, Green Bay, Denver (with two picks), changing their defense to a 3-4. Then you have Cleveland and New York as teams with new 3-4 minds wanting to shape the team in their image. Those are a lot of 3-4 players gone before they pick.

Now I don't think there is any chance in hell the Patriots stay where they are in the draft, it is quite likely they will move up in this draft. Again, its quite possible I am wrong - I am just starting to lean towards this way of thinking.

Yeah but you dont waste a 1st round pick to solve that problem.

I don't think taking a player like Knowshon Moreno is a "waste" no matter where you pick him.

Thats what you thought...you aint never seen his wild side, obv.

Seriously. I would guess 90% of college students smoke. Him a super star partying running back? Um, no doubt about it.

I think 90% is too high, but damn its good to be a Georgia Bulldog.

Cushing is a mehy but Raji would be an outstanding pick.

They need linebackers. Cushing or Mauluga may be that pick. Though going Seymore/Wilfork on there asses with Raji and Tyson Jackson would be interesting.

I actually think it may be best for Denver to pass on Raji all together and draft Ron Brace in the second round. I like Raji A LOT more as an all around prospect (and this has nothing at all to do with the weed), but Brace is a better NG prospect than Raji, IMO.

 

[StorminNorman]

For the record, NFLDraftbible.com is the only outlet to report the steroid rumor. It has not been confirmed by anyone else and Cushing in particular knew there was suspicion surrounding him at the combine (meaning I would really want to doubt he would put him in a situation to test positive).