The American Football Thread

Thom Yorke · 03-29-2011, 05:43 PM

Yeah, QB exectations are pretty high now because of guys like Ryan and Bradford. Before that it was just a forgone conclusion that a rookie QB would struggle, no matter what hype they were getting.

I think Vick is in a bit of a different boat. He was the best athletic QB prospect the NFL had ever seen by miles, but at the same time he had an arm stronger than most QBs in the NFL, even in his draft year.

My big issue with athletic QBs is that their college teams cater to their strengths, and you just won't see that in the NFL. More and more it's becoming a pass first league.

Newton was tearing it up under Malzahn's spread option offense, which is something that I just don't think will fly in the NFL.

Thom Yorke · 03-29-2011, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boozinbloozin

Personally im not all that interested in the q.b. expectations of this coming...well whenever they play. More so in what Patrick Peterson is going to do. Some are calling him the next Deon Sanders which is a pretty high standard to live up to. Yes I know there are deon haters but you cant deny the talent and ability he had for taking away the side of the field he was on. Ive seen some similiarities in Peterson as well. He also seems to have that arrogant personality I tend to take a liking to...sort of self promoting and boasting on his own capablities. Footballs in need of another new personality like that. T.O and Ocho and Moss are way past their primes. Not that im any less of a fan of them just ready for a new ****y phenom to grace us with his antics. Maybe he'll be the next target of the media.

I think Peterson and Green are the best players in this class, but they both might slide a bit. The 49ers would be doing cartwheels if Peterson fell to 7 though.

Bloozcrooz · 03-29-2011, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thom Yorke

I think Peterson and Green are the best players in this class, but they both might slide a bit. The 49ers would be doing cartwheels if Peterson fell to 7 though.

Even better if he fell to the 9th pick and Dallas got him. Not going to happen but we can dream I guess. Im guessing we'll get Prince which would be the next best thing as far as fixing our secondary problems. I heard their thinking about drafting a lineman but that would not be wise imo.

Thom Yorke · 03-30-2011, 12:13 AM

Yeah I'd bet money on DAL taking a CB. Prince is top 10 material still.

I'm gonna try to take a stab at a mock for the top half of the first:

1. Panthers - QB Blaine Gabbert
I don't think he's worth it, but bottom teams always want that QB for their face of the franchise for the number 1 pick.

2. Broncos - DT Nick Fairley
Toss-up between him and Dareus. Can't go wrong either way.

3. Bills - QB Cam Newton
It's gonna happen and it will be a terrible pick. They'll go for flash like they did with Spiller last year.

4. Bengals - WR A. J. Green
BPA. Apparently taking Peterson would lead to Joseph leaving. Not sure if I buy that but they'll be getting a stud either way.

5. Cardinals - OLB/DE Von Miller
This is my lock of the draft. This will happen.

6. Browns - WR Julio Jones
Wideouts aren't usually picked too high, but there's two studs this year and the Browns need alot of help here.

7. 49ers - CB Patrick Peterson
No explanation needed. 49ers get luckier than when Crabtree dropped to them. They will probably try to trade up to secure him anyways.

8. Titans - DT Marcell Dareus
Gabbert would be the pick if still available. They're still getting a guy that could go as high as 1 with how wide open this draft is.

9. Cowboys - CB Prince Amukamara
CB is such a big need that I wouldn't be surprised if they traded up to secure one of the top 2 CBs.

10. Redskins - DE Da'Quon Bowers
Could have really used Jones. Bowers has been sliding like crazy lately so this could turn into a big steal. The D-line is a mess for them.

11. Texans - DE J.J. Watt
BPA. This was a tough pick. Texans could really go any way with this one.

12. Vikings - OT Tyron Smith
They'd probably trade down if the draft went like this, but the O-line has been terrible the last couple years.

13. Lions - OT Nate Solder
O-line is a big need as well. Might want to keep Stafford healthy for a few more games.

14. Rams - DE Robert Quinn
This could be a huge steal. DE is so deep in this draft.

15. Dolphins - DE Aldon Smith
Yet another DE. They could go with Ingram here with Brown and Williams being free agents.

16. Jaguars - QB Jake Locker
No, he's not worth being picked this high, but as the Jaguars showed last year, they aren't afraid to reach in the first round. QB is a big need for them though.

Bloozcrooz · 03-30-2011, 12:26 AM

Thats a pretty interesting mock draft...Cam at three and Peterson at 7? Im not sold on Cam really performing to the hype but I think he'll go 1rst or 2nd. Peterson somewhere in the top 5.

By the way who is your team?

Thrice · 03-30-2011, 12:30 AM

Actually, Chan Gailey and the Bills drafted 'the best player on the board'. I don't see them taking Newton over Peterson, Miller, or Dareus, but maybe I have high hopes with how successful last years draft seemed in relation to the previous 5 years. I guarantee Peterson wont fall past 5. I don't want to get too into detail, as I still have yet to post my mock, but I'm putting PP in the top 3.

Thom Yorke · 03-30-2011, 12:31 AM

This isn't who I'd personally draft but what I think will happen. Peterson at 7 might be a stretch though for sure. If I didn't hear that Joseph thing I'd give him to the Bengals.

Vikings are my team. What a mess right now. Similar to your Cowboys actually. Big expectations last year that just came crashing down. Dallas looks to be in better shape going forward though.

Thom Yorke · 03-30-2011, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thrice

Actually, Chan Gailey and the Bills drafted 'the best player on the board'. I don't see them taking Newton over Peterson, Miller, or Dareus, but maybe I have high hopes with how successful last years draft seemed in relation to the previous 5 years. I guarantee Peterson wont fall past 5. I don't want to get too into detail, as I still have yet to post my mock, but I'm putting PP in the top 3.

Gailey came out before the last draft and said he was looking for a pass-catching back. This year he said that QB needs to be addressed. Spiller may have been the BPA for them last year, but it'll be interesting to see if he telegraphed his pick again.

Personally I'm a huge fan of taking BPA, but alot of NFL teams don't seem to operate by that. The Bills secondary is probably their biggest strength right now. I wouldn't be surprised to see them take a D-lineman though.

Bloozcrooz · 03-30-2011, 01:02 AM

I dont think the Vikings are in too bad of shape..Sign a decent Q.B. and their back in the mix. Coaching drama out of the way and no Moss to add to it. I said when I heard that Vince was a free agent I thought he'd end up a Viking...im pretty sure. Seems ike it'd be a good fit. Him and Peterson both being from Texas should get along great. They keep their wideouts they have now and youve got a high caliber offense. I think Vince if surrounded by people that beleive in him and having the right atmosphere will perform. The Vikings just seem like a good fit for him.

My Cowboys are beyond hope..I dont even know what to think of them anymore..lol. They disgust me..but I just cant ever seem to stop watching and rooting for them.

Thom Yorke · 03-30-2011, 01:27 AM

Haha nah man, I think you're sugar-coating it.

- Their starting QB is a 6th round pick of last year that was drafted as a receiver.

- Their secondary is a mess; the only good players are Winfield (getting older), and Griffin (always injured).

- There are huge question marks with the receiving core. Rice is testing the free agent market and Harvin is questionable to start every week. Berrian has fallen off the face of the earth.

- The O-line is terrible. McKinnie has been dreadful the past two years, Hutch isn't the same, and the hole that Birk left couldn't be filled. Loadholt lacks the mobility to deal with even moderately quick edge-rushers, and takes like 50 penalties a game.

- Pat Williams is leaving which puts a big hole in the defense. The Williams Wall defined that defense for years. Plus Kevin Williams might be suspended.

Basically what this team is is the unquestioned best back in the NFL (who can't be fully utilized because of how bad the O-line and passing attack are) and a very solid front 7 on defense (although even that will take a hit with Williams and possibly Edwards leaving).

And the worst thing is that this is a pretty old team. There isn't alot of hope right now.

As for Young I'm hoping they don't go for him. I'm not a fan of athlete-first QBs. Webb is one, Tavaris Jackson basically was one. I want them to build around a conventional QB. Those are the guys you win with.

03-30-2011, 12:13 AM	#954 (permalink)
Thom Yorke Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,848	Yeah I'd bet money on DAL taking a CB. Prince is top 10 material still. I'm gonna try to take a stab at a mock for the top half of the first: 1. Panthers - QB Blaine Gabbert I don't think he's worth it, but bottom teams always want that QB for their face of the franchise for the number 1 pick. 2. Broncos - DT Nick Fairley Toss-up between him and Dareus. Can't go wrong either way. 3. Bills - QB Cam Newton It's gonna happen and it will be a terrible pick. They'll go for flash like they did with Spiller last year. 4. Bengals - WR A. J. Green BPA. Apparently taking Peterson would lead to Joseph leaving. Not sure if I buy that but they'll be getting a stud either way. 5. Cardinals - OLB/DE Von Miller This is my lock of the draft. This will happen. 6. Browns - WR Julio Jones Wideouts aren't usually picked too high, but there's two studs this year and the Browns need alot of help here. 7. 49ers - CB Patrick Peterson No explanation needed. 49ers get luckier than when Crabtree dropped to them. They will probably try to trade up to secure him anyways. 8. Titans - DT Marcell Dareus Gabbert would be the pick if still available. They're still getting a guy that could go as high as 1 with how wide open this draft is. 9. Cowboys - CB Prince Amukamara CB is such a big need that I wouldn't be surprised if they traded up to secure one of the top 2 CBs. 10. Redskins - DE Da'Quon Bowers Could have really used Jones. Bowers has been sliding like crazy lately so this could turn into a big steal. The D-line is a mess for them. 11. Texans - DE J.J. Watt BPA. This was a tough pick. Texans could really go any way with this one. 12. Vikings - OT Tyron Smith They'd probably trade down if the draft went like this, but the O-line has been terrible the last couple years. 13. Lions - OT Nate Solder O-line is a big need as well. Might want to keep Stafford healthy for a few more games. 14. Rams - DE Robert Quinn This could be a huge steal. DE is so deep in this draft. 15. Dolphins - DE Aldon Smith Yet another DE. They could go with Ingram here with Brown and Williams being free agents. 16. Jaguars - QB Jake Locker No, he's not worth being picked this high, but as the Jaguars showed last year, they aren't afraid to reach in the first round. QB is a big need for them though. Last edited by Thom Yorke; 03-30-2011 at 12:32 AM.

03-30-2011, 12:30 AM	#956 (permalink)
Thrice أمهاتك[وهور]Aura Euphoria Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Florida/Buffalo/CT Posts: 2,077	Actually, Chan Gailey and the Bills drafted 'the best player on the board'. I don't see them taking Newton over Peterson, Miller, or Dareus, but maybe I have high hopes with how successful last years draft seemed in relation to the previous 5 years. I guarantee Peterson wont fall past 5. I don't want to get too into detail, as I still have yet to post my mock, but I'm putting PP in the top 3. __________________ Lew Harrison, who looked like an anarchist with his red eyes and fierce black beard, had been writing furiously in one corner of the room. "That's good—happiness by the kilowatt," he said. "Buy your happiness the way you buy light."

03-29-2011, 05:43 PM	#951 (permalink)
Thom Yorke Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,848	Yeah, QB exectations are pretty high now because of guys like Ryan and Bradford. Before that it was just a forgone conclusion that a rookie QB would struggle, no matter what hype they were getting. I think Vick is in a bit of a different boat. He was the best athletic QB prospect the NFL had ever seen by miles, but at the same time he had an arm stronger than most QBs in the NFL, even in his draft year. My big issue with athletic QBs is that their college teams cater to their strengths, and you just won't see that in the NFL. More and more it's becoming a pass first league. Newton was tearing it up under Malzahn's spread option offense, which is something that I just don't think will fly in the NFL.

03-30-2011, 12:31 AM	#957 (permalink)
Thom Yorke Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,848	This isn't who I'd personally draft but what I think will happen. Peterson at 7 might be a stretch though for sure. If I didn't hear that Joseph thing I'd give him to the Bengals. Vikings are my team. What a mess right now. Similar to your Cowboys actually. Big expectations last year that just came crashing down. Dallas looks to be in better shape going forward though.

03-30-2011, 01:27 AM	#960 (permalink)
Thom Yorke Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,848	Haha nah man, I think you're sugar-coating it. - Their starting QB is a 6th round pick of last year that was drafted as a receiver. - Their secondary is a mess; the only good players are Winfield (getting older), and Griffin (always injured). - There are huge question marks with the receiving core. Rice is testing the free agent market and Harvin is questionable to start every week. Berrian has fallen off the face of the earth. - The O-line is terrible. McKinnie has been dreadful the past two years, Hutch isn't the same, and the hole that Birk left couldn't be filled. Loadholt lacks the mobility to deal with even moderately quick edge-rushers, and takes like 50 penalties a game. - Pat Williams is leaving which puts a big hole in the defense. The Williams Wall defined that defense for years. Plus Kevin Williams might be suspended. Basically what this team is is the unquestioned best back in the NFL (who can't be fully utilized because of how bad the O-line and passing attack are) and a very solid front 7 on defense (although even that will take a hit with Williams and possibly Edwards leaving). And the worst thing is that this is a pretty old team. There isn't alot of hope right now. As for Young I'm hoping they don't go for him. I'm not a fan of athlete-first QBs. Webb is one, Tavaris Jackson basically was one. I want them to build around a conventional QB. Those are the guys you win with.