Assessing the Miami Dolphins’ 2009 First-Day Draft Selections

The first day of the 2009 NFL Draft is in the books and the Dolphins have three new players on the roster, including two cornerbacks. This was a pleasant development for me, as I’ve felt all offseason that cornerback was our biggest need and I was happy to see it addressed quickly in this draft.

I can’t say I wasn’t a little thrown off by the Pat White pick, and I’m still not sure if it was the right move at that point in the draft. Time will tell though, and White’s versatility could certainly be useful.

Noticeably absent from the Dolphins’ draft thus far are the wide receiver and outside linebacker positions. I expect both to get addressed tomorrow, however. On the bright side, the fact that the team did not add a top rusher through the draft has to increase the chances of a Jason Taylor reunion in Miami.

I was also pleased to see one of my favorite prospects in this year’s draft—Utah cornerback Sean Smith—land in Miami. As you may recall, I had Smith going to the Dolphins in the first round of my final mock draft.

I was also glad to see Miami move down five spots in the second round (from 56 to 61) and pick up an extra fifth-rounder (165th overall) from the Colts along the way. We still got our man in Smith and added another second-day pick, which is always a good thing.

Just a quick reminder before I address each of today’s picks individually: The Dolphins have seven more picks in this year’s draft. They are:

• Round 3, Pick 87
• Round 4, Pick 108 (from Raiders in Samson Satele deal)
• Round 5, Pick 161
• Round 5, Pick 165 (from Colts in draft-day trade down)
• Round 6, Pick 181 (from Raiders in Samson Satele deal)
• Round 7, Pick 214 (from Browns in Travis Daniels deal)
• Round 7, Pick 237 (from Panthers in Josh McCown deal)

It should be an exciting second day of the draft and I can’t wait to see what other players we add! (*cough* Ramses Barden and Sammie Lee Hill *cough*)

Now, on to the assessment of today’s picks. You can view an up-to-the-minute version of my Dolphins projected depth chart here, which contains all of Miami’s rookie additions.

Name: Vontae Davis
Position: Cornerback
College: Illinois
Age: 20
Height/Weight: 5’11”, 203 lb.
Drafted: Round 1, Pick 25
Projected 2009 role: Starting cornerback

When the best pure cornerback falls into you lap at the 25th pick of the draft, you take him. That’s exactly what happened with Vontae Davis this year and that’s exactly what the Dolphins did, and wisely so.

The younger brother of 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, Vontae has prototypical cornerback size and has all the tools you look for in a cover man. He’s a physical specimen as well and is a sure tackler. There is no doubt he has all the talent to be a No. 1 cornerback in the NFL

That’s a good thing too, because cornerback was Miami’s biggest need heading into the draft. Will Allen is the only proven starter of the corners on the roster and he’s entering the last year of his contract.

Davis may have some attitude and work ethic concerns, but the Dolphins did their homework and met with him on multiple occasions so they must be confident the benefits outweigh those costs. All in all, the Dolphins got excellent value with this pick and made the right choice.

Name: Pat White
Position: Quarterback / Wide Receiver
College: West Virginia
Age: 23
Height/Weight: 6′, 197 lb.
Drafted: Round 2, Pick 44
Projected 2009 role: Third-string quarterback, Wildcat quarterback, reserve wide receiver, return option

I’ll admit, this pick prompted a couple quick expletives from me when it was announced on TV. I expected a receiver in the second round, but this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.

The Dolphins needed (and still need) a true wideout to eventually start opposite Ted Ginn, Jr. What they get in White is a physically-skilled player who could develop into a slot receiver, but also a player who has delusions of being a long-term starting quarterback in the NFL.

I just don’t see that in White’s future. He certainly lacks the prototypical size and bulk for the position, he doesn’t read defense well enough and there are many more examples of misses when it comes to scrambling quarterbacks than there are examples of hits.

That being said, White is certainly talented and has the versatility to be used in various ways for the Dolphins. He obviously offers more passing options out of the wildcat formation, but he also provides another slot receiver, a third-string quarterback (which could free up an extra roster spot during the season) and a potential return man.

It’s not that I don’t think White can be a successful pro, because I do. I just wouldn’t have spent higher than a fourth-round pick on him, and if he wasn’t going to last that long I just wouldn’t have taken him. I would have much preferred a linebacker like Connor Barwin or Clint Sintim, or a true wideout like Mohamed Massaquoi or Juaquin Iglesias. Hopefully White proves me wrong.

Name: Sean Smith
Position: Cornerback
College: Utah
Age: 21
Height/Weight: 6’4″, 215 lb.
Drafted: Round 2, Pick 61
Projected 2009 role: Third or fourth cornerback

This was the guy I had Miami taking with their first-round pick and was someone I was really hoping they grabbed, so you can imagine how ecstatic I was when his named popped up on the screen toward the end of the second round.

I know I’m sounding like a broken record here, but I really think Smith has all the tools to be a very good corner in this league. His size is absolutely outstanding, his hands are fantastic (he converted from wide receiver to defensive back in 2006) and his ball skills are top-notch.

Of course, there is some concern over his speed and some think he’s more of a safety in the NFL, but I consider 4.5 speed plenty for a corner (especially one as big as Smith) and think he’ll do just fine there. Plus, Gibril Wilson is locked in at free safety and cornerback is the need in Miami.

Even with the selection of Davis in the first round, the Dolphins could have used another corner, so they wisely grabbed a second one on the first day of the draft. With two quality safeties signed long-term and two promising rookies added at corner, the Dolphins’ secondary is looking promising even if Will Allen isn’t retained beyond 2009.

 

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Chris Nelson is a journalism major at Georgia State University. He operates his own Miami Dolphins blog, which can be found here.

NFL Draft Recap: Pick-By-Pick Reaction and Analysis

The 2009 NFL Draft has been exciting thus far through the first round. There have been some trades, some surprises, and perhaps some reaches.

Let’s take a look at each selection.

1. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford – QB – Georgia

First off, this guy has bust written all over him. The documented strength of Stafford is the arm strength, while the weakness is that he is rather slow in his progressions and reads.

To me, that screams, “Bust!”

Making reads and becoming quicker in his progressions can be coached so that may not turn out to be a big deal. Unfortunately, the Lions are not well-known for sculpting talented players more than they are for ruining them. Stay tuned.

2. St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith – LT – Baylor

This is a fantastic pick for the St. Louis Rams. They were rumored to want to trade out of this pick, but since there were no takers they did the smart thing and took the best player on the board. Let’s also not forget he fills a huge need.

Smith is a big, nasty guy who will bring a certain attitude to the Rams that they have lacked for quite some time.

Look for this guy to hold down that left tackle spot for the next 12-15 years.

3. Kansas City Chiefs: Tyson Jackson – DE – LSU

This may have been a slight reach for Jackson at 3, but with that said the Chiefs got a good player here.

Jackson is a guy who’s athletic enough to play end in a 4-3, but big enough to play end in the 3-4, and play it well.

The Chiefs are looking to get tougher all-around, and Jackson helps that.

4. Seattle Seahawks: Aaron Curry – OLB – Wake Forest

Curry fell into the Seahawks’ lap with the number four pick in the draft, after passing by a team everyone was sure would take him with the third pick in the Kansas City Chiefs.

Curry may be the best overall player in the draft this year, and was in talks with the Lions to become the first overall pick.

If there is such a thing as a value pick in the top five, the Seahawks just got it.

5. New York Jets (from Cleveland Browns): Mark Sanchez – QB – USC

In the first blockbuster trade of the 2009 draft, the Jets traded an immense amount (swapped first-round picks, five and 17, their second-round pick, along with players Abram Elam, Kenyan Coleman, and QB Brett Ratliff) for an unproven guy.

Not just a guy unproven in the NFL, but unproven in college as well, making only 16 starts in his college career. But then again, Matt Cassel started 16 less than that.

6. Cincinnati Bengals: Andre Smith – LT – Alabama

The Bengals did what most people thought they would do, and that is drafted LT Andre Smith. Regardless of his problems this offseason, Smith is an incredible talent and may have been the second guy off the board if it weren’t for the aforementioned troubles.

The Bengals have acquired a guy who has the potential to be a fantastic, Pro Bowl caliber left tackle for a long time in the NFL.

7. Oakland Raiders: Darrius Heyward-Bey – WR – Maryland

In typical Al Davis fashion, he overlooked talent and any other sort of stat or intangible and drafted solely on speed.

So with Michael Crabtree still on the board, waiting in the draft’s green room, the Oakland Raiders selected Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Without getting offensive, this is just a dumb pick. Heyward-Bey may turn out to be a good player, but he was not worth the seventh pick. The fact that Crabtree was still on the board just makes it even worse.

Davis’ affinity for speed will come back to bite him.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Eugene Monroe – LT – Virginia

Monroe was considered by many to be the best left tackle in this draft and could have gone in the top five simply based on preference.

The only knock on Monroe is that he’s not aggressive or tough enough in the run game, but the same was said about Joe Thomas; The same guy who made it to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season.

9. Green Bay Packers: B.J. Raji – DT – Boston College

With the Packers bringing in Dom Capers to switch the defense over to the 3-4, Raji was the only pick here. He can be that kind of Vince Wilfork-type nose tackle who can keep the linebackers free and clear to move around and make plays.

Raji is a great jumping-off point to get this 3-4 moving. He should be an impact player immediately. They better hope that their 2007 first-round pick DT Justin Harrell can play defensive end.

10. San Francisco 49ers: Michael Crabtree – WR – Texas Tech

The 49ers need to kiss the ground that Al Davis walks on, then send him a thank-you letter for allowing their franchise to progress, while sending the Raiders back a few years.

Crabtree will help out whichever quarterback wins the job in camp look a whole lot better. The last time the 49ers drafted a wide receiver who was a playmaker but perhaps a little slow, it worked out just fine.

For those who don’t know, that man was Jerry Rice.

11. Buffalo Bills: Aaron Maybin – DE/OLB – Penn State

The Buffalo Bills must have a plan for Aaron Maybin, because he doesn’t really fit into a 4-3. He’s a little too small to be a 4-3 defensive end, and not quite big enough to play OLB. He’s a perfect 3-4 pass-rushing OLB.

Look for the Bills to try and bulk him up to play outside linebacker.

12. Denver Broncos: Knowshon Moreno – RB – Georgia

In one of the biggest surprises of the first round, the Broncos picked Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno. Moreno is one of seven running backs on the Broncos roster heading into 2009.

This is a textbook case of simply selecting the best player on the board and not selecting for need, but was Moreno the best player on the board at the 12th pick? The Broncos are certainly starting the Josh McDaniels-era in a peculiar fashion.

13. Washington Redskins: Brian Orakpo – DE – Texas

Orakpo is another guy who was projected as a possible 3-4 OLB, but has been drafted by a 4-3 team as a defensive end.

He’s a high-motor guy who will help the Redskins get pressure on the quarterback, something they’ll need in a quarterback-heavy division with Eli Manning, Tony Romo, and Donovan McNabb.

14. New Orleans Saints: Malcolm Jenkins – CB/FS – Ohio State

Ohio State’s Malcolm Jenkins could have easily been rated the best corner and the best free safety coming out of college this year. He reminds me a lot of Antrel Rolle in that he’s versatile enough to play both.

Personally I would have him playing free safety, but with the addition of Darren Sharper he may see time at corner until Sharper hangs it up.

15. Houston Texans: Brian Cushing – LB – USC

Cushing is the first of the USC linebackers to be drafted, but I’m not sold that he’s the best. I believed, and still do, that the best linebacker from that group was Rey Maualuga, then Cushing, and then Clay Matthews.

However, I do believe that Cushing is a good player and will be very good next to DeMeco Ryans. Cushing is a smart guy who plays within his assignment which will allow him to make an impact day one.

16. San Diego Chargers: Larry English – DE – Northern Illinois

This is a great pick for the Chargers who lost their defensive end, Igor Olshansky, to the Dallas Cowboys in free agency.

A lot of people are screaming “reach” here at this pick, but I think this was a guy who was incredibly underrated and will make a big impact on a struggling Chargers’ defense.

He comes in listed as a defensive end, but he could play OLB in the 3-4. We’ll see if they have him bulk up and play DE or not.

 

To continue reading check out 2 Minutes to Midnight Green!

The Denver Broncos: A Potential Threat For the 2009 Season

When I show people that I am a Bronco fan by wearing Bronco apparel, I usually get at least 20 comments during the day on how the Broncos suck.

I wish I would have time to explain to these people why the Broncos did not make the playoffs last year and why they will be good this year (and how incredibly stupid they are), but I guess that’s what B/R is for.

I’m going to start with the most obvious reason of why we didn’t succeed, which is our running backs. Denver broke a record this year for most RB’s on IR, with seven. Some people didn’t even consider the fact that we had to resort to using Tatum bell (he was working at a phone company in Denver). Not to mention, the game where LB Spenser Larsen played both LB AND FB.

Even with these losses, Denver still had the second best offense in the the league.

What we have done to fix that? For one, we drafted Knowshon Moreno. And seriously, what’s the chance that we’ll lose more than maybe 2 running backs again?

The next reason was our defense. With John Lynch leaving the team, Denver had to leave the job to safety Marlon McCree. We certainly didn’t get any better when he was injured. Other major injuries were Champ Bailey, Elvis Dumervil, and Boss Bailey, all of whom are key players to the defense.

Things that Denver has done to help with this is switching to a 3/4 defense (major improvement), and drafting new, young defensive players that should in turn help improve the team.

When I did get the chance to argue with people, these were the main points they had to confront me (although they didn’t get too specific). And I must say that I’m am very excited to see it pay off this season.

 

Giants Make The Right Receiver Moves, Without Boldin Or Edwards

Many football fans felt the New York Giants would strike a deal during draft day for Braylon Edwards or Anquan Boldin to fill the void at wide receiver after the departures of last season’s starters, Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer.  That didn’t happen.  The Giants filled the hole by adding depth at the wide receiver position with Hakeem Nicks (UNC, 1st round, 29th pick) and Ramses Barden (Cal Poly, 3rd round, 85th overall pick).  They also added another receiver in tight end Travis Beckum.

While Braylon Edwards or Anquan Boldin would have been sexy additions to the team, they wouldn’t make sense for the Giants.  The Giants have a strong strength drafting and this is how Jerry Reese has taken this team to a higher level.  As we all know, the Giants 2007 draft class consisted of Aaron Ross, Steve Smith, Jay Alford, Kevin Boss, Michael Johnson, and Ahmad Bradshaw, who all contributed greatly to thee Giants’ Super Bowl run.  It’s safe to say that wouldn’t have been there if their class wasn’t that strong.  It doesn’t make sense to give up a first and third round pick for one of these receivers.  Jerry Reese was correct to stand firm on his stance that both Boldin and Edwards were worth the second and fifth round picks obtained in the Jeremy Shockey trade.

Both Boldin and Edwards would have commanded long, luxurious contracts worth $10 million a season.  That kind of money leaves much less room for the Giants to improve on other positions.  It puts the focus on just one player.  The NFL is a team sport where depth triumphs superstars. 

The Giants also aren’t the type of franchise that values players that don’t want to play for them.  As soon as Jeremy Shockey spoke out the Giants made sure they would trade him.  While I really doubt it, the Giants could potentially have a headache on their hands since both players have already shown they’re outspoken by asking for a trade.  Nicks, Barden, and Beckum all want to play for New York and can do it for much less money. 

People can doubt the productivity the Giants will receive from their current receiver corps, but the addition of Edwards or Boldin wouldn’t suddenly make our offense unstoppable.  Let’s not forget that Braylon Edwards led the league with 16 drops last season and Boldin has had injury problems.

Nicks, the 6’1″ receiver from North Carolina, has been compared to Anquan Boldin.  Neither receiver ran an impressive 40 yard dash time, but they both have the skills needed to be successful in the NFL.  Nicks is a big, strong receiver with great hands.  He won’t be the Giants’ deep threat, but he’ll be an excellent possession receiver that can make plays after the catch with his strength.  Nicks averaged 18 yards per reception during his final season with the Tarheels.

Barden is 6’6″ and gives the Giants a tall red zone target.  Barden played at a lower-level of competition at Cal Poly, but dominated their as a big playmaker.  He averaged 25.7 yards per reception in 2007 and 18.8 yards per reception in 2008.

Beckum, the tight end from Wisconsin in the third round.  Beckum was quite the productive athlete in college.  He excelled as both a tight end and a linebacker.  Beckum isn’t much of a blocker and Jerry Reese has said he will most likely be used as a H-Back.

Jerry Reese still hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a trade for Braylon Edwards, saying  “we’ll keep our options open”.  However, I still feel we’ll be fine without him and not make a trade for him.  Either way, In Jerry Reese I Trust.

Ian Johnson Undrafted: My faith In Humanity Dashed

This is my 300th post on FFBSU. Seems odd that my 300th post milestone is to announce Ian Johnson, the “face” of the Broncos for the last three years, went undrafted in this weekends NFL draft and I’m not happy about it.

You wanna know why I’m not happy about it? Look at who was drafted. Tom freakin’ Brandstater was drafted! Two Mountain West running backs were drafted that had fewer TDs in their career than Johnson’s sophomore season alone—one of them had fewer career yards than Johnson’s sophomore campaign as well.

You are telling me that Ian Johnson, the very definition of a character player, who scored 58 rushing TDs in his career and finished eigth in Heisman voting as a sophomore isn’t a better pick than UNLV’s Frank Summers? Really, NFL? A guy who posted the second fastest time among running backs at the NFL combine and showed versatility and character throughout his career can’t even make it 10-deep on the “top remaining players” list hours into day two of the draft? Really, “Scouts Inc.”?

What a slap in the face to a kid who played through injuries, always talked to the media and never complained about diminished touches in the backfield. Say what you will—I know that free agents can and do flourish in the league…but a player as decorated and talented as Ian Johnson should NOT be drafted behind two players from 1-AA. A player as valuable to a team and as committed as Ian Johnson should not be drafted after a quarterback from Nebraska-Omaha or a running back from Abilene Christian. The all-time leader in rushing TDs and face of the WAC just got wacked…10 conference mates were picked up by NFL squads—none could take a “chance” on Ian?

Oh sure, Ian will get his shot somewhere…and he has his “foot-in-the-door” so to speak, but the NFL’s system of evaluation leaves much to be desired…and Ian deserved better than what he got. Oh, and I’ll go ahead and throw this out there: Jeremy Childs might have made a “slight” miscalculation.

2009 Draft May Be Unpopular with Fans, but the Lions Are Better

Lions general manager Martin Mayhew has repeatedly said that the goal for the 2009 draft, as he saw it, was to increase to overall talent level of his team. After day one with picks of Georgia QB Matt Stafford, Oklahoma State TE Brandon Pettigrew, and Western Michigan DB Lewis Delmas, no one can argue that the talent level at these three positions has been raised.

 

These three players were ranked by the Sporting News as the #1 or #2 players at their positions. The Lions have picked up many good pieces, but none of the glue that will hold them all together.

 

This is why their fans will undoubtedly rate this draft very low. They wanted this team to build from the inside out by drafting a few impact offensive and defensive linemen and maybe a linebacker who could serve as the face of the new Lions defense.

 

To really understand the Lions front office strategy one must first realize that one draft or even one offseason was not going to fix this team. This is a long term rebuilding project. By getting the top prospects at a few positions in this draft, next season the Lions will be able to go and attract top-tier free agents and make draft selections to get the glue that will hold all of these pieces together.

 

The problem with that strategy is this, the Lions have been so bad for so long the fan base may not be willing to give the team the time it needs to right that ship. On top of that Michigan is leading the country in unemployment rate already, and come April 30^th Chrysler may be forced into bankruptcy. Furthermore, it may not be long before GM is forced into bankruptcy and they have already decided to shut all of their factories for 9 weeks this summer.

 

All of that means that the unemployment rate among the Lions fan base is going to skyrocket, come the 2009 home opener there may not be 60,000 fans willing to pay to watch the Lions play. There is also a good chance that there will not be 60,000 fans who can afford to see the Lions play.

 

For a team that just signed a rookie QB to the largest NFL rookie contract ever, that is not good news. This team already is losing money and the move to get Stafford may force them into a bankruptcy of their own. However with a patient draft day plan that Lions may have bankrupted all of their good will with their own fans.

Philadelphia Eagles Finally Get a Player on Day Two

The Eagles were slated to pick at No. 85, but they traded down to 91.  Then they traded down to 137.  But finally, they came away with a player.

Only they didn’t draft him.

The Eagles traded picks 137 and 141 to New England for the cornerback/return man Ellis Hobbs. 

Hobbs stands at 5’9″ tall and weighs a solid 195 pounds.  He will be 26 at the start of the 2009 season.

In his four-year career, Hobbs had nine interceptions.  He has averaged 27.7 yards per kickoff return and has returned a kick for a touchdown in each of the last three seasons.

Hobbs is a tough, physical, and durable player.  He has only missed one game in his career.  He isn’t known for his man coverage, but he is very active against the pass.  He is also a very aggressive run defender.

Hobbs’ true value may be his kickoff return ability.  He has been very productive and now  he can team with Jeremy Maclin to free Quintin Demps of return duties to focus on playing free safety.

The Super Bowl Belongs to America

The sports world is full of brands. For example, Manchester United is not just a football club from Salford; they are global brand. They tour Asia and Africa to promote themselves and expand their fan base.

And Roger Federer and Tiger Woods are not just great champions; they are their own brands as well, wearing bespoke attire on-court and on the course, resplendent with logos fashioned just for them.

The NFL is the same. It stands for much more than just the elite league for American football players; it is now a globally recognized brand, setting an example for all who want to run and market a stunningly successful annual competition.

So it is only natural that the NFL, like any other brand (whether it be Coca-Cola, Gillette, or McDonalds), would want to continue its expansion and beam its product into the homes of as many people as it can.

The Super Bowl is one the most-watched annual events on the planet and has a vast global audience, but the organizers of the season finale are not content with the match being seen in different countries on TV; they now want it to be staged outside the U.S.

 

It has been reported this week that the NFL would consider staging the Super Bowl in London as the next step of taking the sport to the rest of the world.

Recent regular-season matches staged at London’s Wembley Stadium have proved to be a huge success, and the popularity of the NFL in Europe has always been high.

Interestingly, actually bringing matches to these shores has demonstrated that fans with no real allegiance to any particular team will spend money just to have the experience of attending a game. So I suppose transplanting the Super Bowl seems like a logical step.

The arguments for the radical suggestion are compelling:

• The game is already played at a neutral venue.
• The scale of the United States as a country means that fans are likely to be travelling large distances for the game anyway, so if fans in New England have to travel 2,600 miles to Pasadena, what’s an extra 800 miles to get to London?
• Beyond the logistical and practical considerations, the NFL could raise huge funds by having cities bid for the right to stage the game.
• That Super Bowl winners are proclaimed World Champions might finally fall from the height of arrogance, as the teams would now be playing on a world stage.
• Taking the showpiece of the American sporting calendar to foreign shores would demonstrate the full reach of the NFL and mark the league as a standard bearer for globalization.

 

But there are, of course, counter-arguments for all of these.

• American cities waiting in rotation for staging the match will have to wait longer if foreign cities are introduced.
• Domestic travel is one thing; intercontinental travel and the added cost that it brings is something else. It is only 800 miles further to London from Boston than it is to southern California, but you can’t drive any one of those 3,500 miles across the Atlantic.
• While offering the match to other countries can certainly make money, there would be huge, perhaps prohibitive cost involved in making it a reality. Though it is doubtful that financial issues would be a major stumbling block, the whole premise must be considered with money in mind.
• It would be a brave person to argue that the Super Bowl champions are not worthy of the title World Champions anyway, even if it is only a domestic competition.

 

There is no doubt that the Super Bowl could be played abroad, but the question is, why does the showpiece event of American sport need to be exported?

And this is the key point. The marketers that push brands and bring them into our consciousness through their clever slogans see an opportunity to make money. This may be beneficial to companies with tangible products to sell, but sport is not a consumer good like a razor or a DVD player; it has a soul.

Sport exists because of the people that it affects at a local level. Contrary to the beliefs of the moneymen, sport cannot simply be uprooted and moved to a different location with regards only to maximizing revenue.

 

The Super Bowl belongs to America. It is their event, their carnival, and their showpiece. The world may well devour the NFL like a fan devours a hot dog and a beer in the bleachers, but this battle of the gridiron is not the world’s event to stage (just theirs to enjoy).

America should fight to ensure that no one has the privilege of playing host to the Championship game of any of its sports. 

Detroit Lions Draft Analysis

The fans didn’t get what they wanted on draft day, but for the sake of new GM Martin Mayhew, let’s hope they get a little bit more of it on Sundays.

With such a wide variety of needs, there really was no position Detroit couldn’t touch in this draft, and undoubtedly at its conclusion there will still be additional holes to patch.  Here’s how it has shaken out.

 

Round One, pick one (First overall) – Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

Profile: Much has been made of Stafford’s big arm.  He can make all the throws you would expect an NFL starter to make.  He’s mobile enough to stay upright and played amongst elite competition at the college level in the SEC. 

On the down side, his completion percentage was a tad low, though it did improve every season, and he throws more interceptions than one might like to see.  He should be helped by the pro-style system he ran for four years.

Fit: Stafford seems to be a candidate for the Carson Palmer treatment as a rookie, given the lack of stability on the offensive line and the presence of Daunte Culpepper.  He’ll have one of the premier wide receivers in the NFL to throw to in Calvin Johnson, as well as a potential top flight safety valve in TE Brandon Pettigrew.  Before risking their investment, however, the Lions must solidify their front five.

My pick: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest.

Why: We have all seen what Curry can do on the field, but just seeing the way he carries himself, steeped in character, catapults him to the top of my draft board.  He is a high constitution guy, and that’s exactly what the Lions need.

 

Round One, pick 20 (20th overall) – Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

Profile: Pettigrew’s physical tools are also well known.  He’s a mammoth at his position, weighing in at roughly 260 lbs., and as such he won’t stretch the field.  However, he has consistent hands, can settle into pockets in zone coverage, can exploit the seam in a defense, and is big and agile enough to create mismatches.  He does a great job using his body as a weapon.

Fit: Pettigrew should be a real asset to whomever starts under center.  The Lions have not had a quality pass catching tight end since David Sloan, and Pettigrew is likely to develop into a much better player than Sloan ever was.  Anything that takes focus off of Calvin Johnson is sure to help the Lions’ offense move the ball.

My pick: Michael Oher, LT, Ole Miss.

Why: Jeff Backus is simply not good enough to play left tackle in the NFL.  Oher has been through a lot in his life and has developed excellent character along the way, and his physical tools are comparable, on the whole, to the other top tackles in this class.  The Lions could have really helped to solidify their offensive line with this pick.

 

Round Two, pick one (33rd overall) – Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan

Profile: Delmas was one of the best safeties in this draft, but there was no true consensus at the position.  His measurables are all there and he was no doubt helped by his Senior Bowl performance.  He makes good decisions and was a team captain at WMU as a senior.  His small frame raises questions about his ability to help against the run, but Bob Sanders’s success has probably reduced concerns of this type.

Fit: The Lions clearly view the 2010 Draft very differently than I do.  Instead of looking at guys like Sam Bradford, Jermaine Gresham, and Taylor Mays next season, they have filled those spots in this year’s draft. 

The team selected Delmas to be the quarterback of the defense.  Just as at tight end, Detroit has not had a big time safety in a number of years, really since the days of Mark Carrier, Ron Rice, and Bennie Blades.  It really appears as though Detroit is looking for the second coming of the Colts’ Bob Sanders.

My pick: Rey Maualuga, LB, USC.

Why: Safety is a position of need for the Lions, but it is not the position of greatest need.  Julian Peterson was a nice addition, but he is an outside, pass rushing linebacker and does little to solidify the middle of the defense. 

While Delmas will help toward that goal, Maualuga, despite lacking elite instincts, is an aggressive, punishing inside linebacker that flows to and attacks the ball.  He will need to develop more discipline and restraint in the NFL, but he would go a long way toward changing the defensive culture in Detroit.

 

Round Three, pick 12 (76th overall) – DeAndre Levy, OLB, Wisconsin

Profile: Levy was certainly an above average linebacker in college, but questions remain about his ability to transition to the NFL game.  His numbers in the weight room aren’t elite but it didn’t really show up on Saturdays.  It probably will on Sundays. 

He flows to the ball nicely but doesn’t have elite change of direction skills, likely making pass coverage a difficulty.  He has shown flashes of greatness, but will have to work hard to develop into that kind of player.

Fit: If he can maintain his speed and add some bulk to his 235-lb. frame, he might be able to contribute on defense as well as on special teams right away. 

Detroit might look to move him to the middle, given his ability to recognize the play and get to the ball, or they might opt not to plug him in on defense right away and develop him as an heir apparent to Peterson on the outside.  He seems like a long shot to solve the Lions’ problem at linebacker.

My pick: Rashad Johnson, S, Alabama.

Why: Looking back at my picks, the Lions would not yet have addressed safety.  Johnson didn’t actually go until the end of this round, but he brings leadership, toughness, and great recognition to the table.  He might not be as good a prospect as Delmas, but it is not out of the realm of possibility that he develops into every bit as good a player, and in the third round he represents a far better value.

 

Round Three, pick 18 (82nd overall) – Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State

Profile: Derrick Williams is not a big, physical wide out, but he does possess elite athleticism and versatility.  On top of his top end speed, he has outstanding acceleration and is always a big-play threat with the ball in his hands.  He needs to put in some work to develop more consistent hands and he isn’t the best route runner around, but he is a worthwhile prospect.

Fit: Detroit seemed to really need a No. 2 receiver, but that spot will likely be occupied by another Penn State product, Bryant Johnson.  A quick, shifty slot receiver, however, won’t hurt this offense.  He should step in immediately to return punts and/or kicks and will compete with the newly-signed Ronald Curry and holdovers John Standeford, Shaun MacDonald, and Keary Colbert for playing time.

My pick: Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State.

Why: I actually like this pick, mainly for the athleticism Williams brings to the table.  The Lions have lacked a return threat since releasing Eddie Drummond a few off seasons ago, and they will need every opportunity to generate points, considering the number of holes still present in their defense. 

Several combinations of Williams, the Johnsons, Pettigrew, and whomever wins the final few roster spots at wide receiver, should be effective in providing matchup problems for opposing defenses.

 

Round Four, pick 15 (115th overall) – Sammie Lee Hill, DT, Stillman

Profile: There isn’t much not to like about Hill.  He is quick, agile, large, and strong.  He’s also versatile enough to play on the edge, if necessary, but will probably be best utilized inside, given his size.  More than anything, he will need to prove that he can do all the things he did at Stillman at a higher level of competition.

Fit: Grady Jackson will really help to shore up the middle of the Lions’ defense, but he is 36 years old and clearly will not be around forever.  Hill will be able to play sparingly this season behind Jackson, Landon Cohen, and Langston Moore. 

The Lions also drafted a defensive tackle out of Florida State last season, Andre Fluellen, who showed some promising flashes.  This pick shows a commitment to getting younger and bigger up the middle.

My pick: D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt.

Why: While there is no shortage of corners on the Detroit roster, there is a serious deficit in playmaking ability.  Moore would be able to compete for playing time immediately, and a combination of Anthony Henry, Phillip Buchanon, Travis Fisher, Eric King, and Moore should be able to hold their own against most NFL receiving corps.

 

Round Six, pick 19 (192nd overall) – Aaron Brown, RB, TCU

Profile:  Brown was productive in college, showing good elusiveness and quickness.  However, in the confined space of the NFL tackle box, Brown will have to prove that he can shed defenders.  He is a hard worker with several desirable traits, but doesn’t figure to be a difference-maker at the next level.

Fit:  With Kevin Smith and Maurice Morris headlining the backfield team, the Lions figured to try and find some value later in the draft at running back.  With MSU’s Javon Ringer gone to the Titans in round five, the Lions elected to tap TCU’s Aaron Brown.  He could fill the third-down back role, as his ability to create in space makes him an attractive passing target out of the backfield.

My pick:  Michael Bennett, DE, Texas A&M.

Why:  Detroit has a serviceable stable of ends, headlined by second-year man Cliff Avril.  However, Dewayne White is unreliable and Jared DeVries is best used off the bench.  Bennett is able to send tackles back into the play with a great motor and above average lower-body strength.  He’s also good at play diagnosis.

 

Round Seven, pick 19 (228th overall) Lydon Murtha, OT, Nebraska

Profile:  Murtha is lanky by offensive tackle standards, but he makes up for it with spectacular agility.  He has pretty good awareness and an understanding of the game.  He struggles with proper technique and bends too much at the waist.  He is a good pass blocker despite short arms.  He isn’t exactly a mauler at right tackle, but he can get between defenders and the ball carrier in zone blocking schemes.

Fit:  Murtha won’t challenge Backus the way an earlier pick would have, and he isn’t likely to do so down the road, either.  He has many of the same issues that Backus has, and he played right tackle as a senior at Nebraska.  His future likely casts him as a utility/backup type of lineman.

My pick:  Gerald Cadogan, OT, Penn State.

Why:  He represents a good value at this slot, he is exceedingly intelligent, and he possesses at least adequate skills in all parts of his game.  He has good strength, exceptional awareness, and has always stayed healthy.  He does need to work on technique, especially using his hands.  He could play a number of different spots along the line, and in a few years might have been able to play left tackle.

 

Round Seven, pick 26 (235th overall) – Zach Follett, OLB, Cal

Profile:  Follett is a solid tackler that can bring people down in a crowd.  He plays downhill and can get to the ballcarrier, shedding blocks along the way.  However, he isn’t as agile as a typical NFL linebacker and doesn’t possess top flight range.  He has tools that could develop into a starting-caliber linebacker, but is far from a sure thing.

Fit:  Follett would project as a middle linebacker for the Lions, given his tackling ability, if he could cover more ground.  He doesn’t have a great lateral movement, rendering him almost useless against stretch and toss plays.  He will also have trouble in pass coverage.  However, he might still get some reps inside given the above average range of Julian Peterson and Ernie Sims.

My pick:  Zach Follett, OLB, Cal.

Why:  At this point in the draft, a player as productive as Follett at a school like California is worth taking, especially to add to a unit as uncertain as the Lions linebackers.  That being said, they could have looked at Tennessee guard Anthony Parker with this pick.

 

Round Seven, pick 46 (255th overall) – Dan Gronkowski, TE, Maryland

Profile:  Gronkowski has decent hands, is effective attacking zone coverage, and can be helpful in double team blocks.  He does not have the ability to take on defenders himself and was not very productive in college.

Fit:  He will have to fight to make the roster next season and might end up on the practice squad.  His skill set doesn’t seem likely to take a roster spot away from anyone.  He’ll compete with Casey FitzSimmons for time alongside presumptive starter Brandon Pettigrew.

My pick:  Otis Wiley, S, Michigan State.

Why:  Wiley is a local product (born in Flint, MI, attended Carman-Ainsworth High School, former Michigan State Spartan) with exceptional instincts.  He is something of a ball hawk and gives it his all on every down.  He could stand to bulk up a bit, but he is able to make plays on the ball and the receiver.  He does lack elite agility, but this can be masked fairly effectively if he is used in cover 2 situations.  He also fills a much greater need than does Gronkowski.

A Tragic Weekend in Athens, Georgia Steals Part of Community’s Soul

This should have been a weekend of celebration here in Athens, Georgia.

The University of Georgia should have been celebrating the selection of former football players Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno in the first round of the NFL draft.

The city of Athens should have been celebrating the 30th Annual Twilight Criterium, a bicycle race unlike any other in the country.

Instead, we are mourning the loss of three people who contributed more to the community than any athlete has contributed, or will contribute, to the vibrant and cultural life of our small city.

In a spike of anger that may never be totally understood, University of Georgia Marketing Professor George Zinkhan shot and killed his wife and two others before disappearing. In performing this selfish act he not only destroyed the life of his two young children, he has stolen the lives of three people who should not be forgotten.

Marie Bruce, Ben Teague, and Tom Tanner gave more to our community than can ever be repaid. They never sought the spotlight or to gain financially doing what they loved to do: community theater.

I met Ben when performing in Camelot back in the 1990s, and have met Marie in passing. I did not know Tom. But Athens is a small, tight-knit community in many ways, and many of my friends and colleagues were very close to these people.

So not only do I mourn the loss of these three souls, I mourn the deep loss that my friends and colleagues are dealing with at the present time.

That is much more important than who got selected in what round and by what team.

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