NFL DRAFT 2011

GoldFour4

So the regular season had come to a conclusion and being a Carolina fan it is welcome relief ! I`m already looking forward to April when we have the no.0 pick in the draft . Hopefully we can get our hands on Andrew Luck that guy looks scarily good ! What is everyone else hoping their fave teams can pick up in the draft ? I know this is early as the wildcard hasn`t even been played yet but as a panthers fan the thoughts of april are the only thing keeping me going !!

raddo

A Quarterback please!!!!

D3PO

malachyscott wrote: »

Hopefully we can get our hands on Andrew Luck !

every report from inside Carolina says its already an agreed pick. So I dont think you need to be too hopeful

Prefab Sprouter

Unless Al pulls off a trade, then the Raiders arent picking till the second round.

Hazys

Pats Picks:

• 2X 1st Rounders, 18th pick and hopefully the 32nd pick
• 2X 2nd Rounders, 33rd pick and hopefully the 64th pick
• 2X 3rd Rounders, 74th pick and hopefully the 96th pick
• 1X 4th Rounder
• 1X 5th Rounder
• 1X 6th Rounder

One pick is a conditional pick based on the Jarrad Page trade, no idea what it is, but i'd be shocked if it was more than a 4th.

The Pats only really have 3 players facing FA this off-season, LG Mankins, LT Light and SS Page and the rest of the FAs i believe are RFAs. I hope we can bring back both Mankins and Light but i doubt we'll get both. RG Stephen Neal is also likely to retire. There the only offseason issues the Pats have.

As the Pats have a good roster it'll be very hard for 6 players from our 6 draft picks in the top 100 to make the 53 man roster so i fully expect 2 or 3 of those picks to be pushed into next year.

We are pretty set at QB, Special Teams and Secondary.
We are resonably set at WR, RB and LB, we need somebody to replace Taylor and possibly Branch (Price?) and maybe another Pass Rusher.
We'll be thin at DL and OL.

So with 3 picks in the top 100 and the other 2/3 picks, i'd like to Pats to pick in this preference: OL, DL, WR, DL, RB, LB.

TBF tho it'd be easier predicting the lotto numbers than what Bill will do on draft day.

The Munky

Either some cover corners or a new slot receiver. Ol' Hines Ward is getting on a bit.

Mr. Guappa

Hazys wrote: »

As the Pats have a good roster it'll be very hard for 6 players from our 6 draft picks in the top 100 to make the 53 man roster so i fully expect 2 or 3 of those picks to be pushed into next year.

We are pretty set at QB, Special Teams and Secondary.
We are resonably set at WR, RB and LB, we need somebody to replace Taylor and possibly Branch (Price?) and maybe another Pass Rusher.
We'll be thin at DL and OL.

So with 3 picks in the top 100 and the other 2/3 picks, i'd like to Pats to pick in this preference: OL, DL, WR, DL, RB, LB.

TBF tho it'd be easier predicting the lotto numbers than what Bill will do on draft day.

I wonder will Bill go against his recent policy of drafting down to accumulate picks and instead package a few picks to trade up to get a top prospect for the OL/DL.

I don't follow college football at all so I've no idea what the depth of talent is like at any position in this years draft.

Hulk Hands

As far as the Vikings are concerned, it's looking more and more likely that we will go for a QB. This looks like a deep QB class, and they should perhaps take the opportunity.

Obviously Luck is out of the question. That leaves about 3/4 who nobody can seem to split and whom you would expect at least a couple to still be there by the Vikings pick at #12.

I'm not that well up on College ball, but from what iv'e seen Ryan Mallet looks like an excellent pocket passer but lacks mobility, which may not work as our offensive line can't be trusted to protect him adequately. The opposite of this would be Can Newton, who has mobility in abundance. However he has the feel of a project about him, and is unproven under center and certainly would not be ready for the NFL right away. Someone who looks to combine the two is Jake Locker, but he has had a poor year and may be a poor value pick at #12. A bold gamble they could take would be to trade down and maybe take him in the late 1st round.

I know very little about Blaine Gabbert. I have seen him projected to go everywhere from top 5 to the 3rd round in recent mocks so i'm unsure of what to think. Maybe someone with more experience on College Ball could give an insight on Gabbert and who's the best out of those named above.

mikemac

The Ravens have a few needs but no specific glaring ones. CB I suppose though Foxworth is back
It'll be Best Player Available BPA as usual for the front office and I wouldn't be suprised for them to trade out of the 1st round like they did for the Broncos and Tebow

D3PO

Hulk Hands wrote: »

As far as the Vikings are concerned, it's looking more and more likely that we will go for a QB. This looks like a deep QB class, and they should perhaps take the opportunity.

Obviously Luck is out of the question. That leaves about 3/4 who nobody can seem to split and whom you would expect at least a couple to still be there by the Vikings pick at #12.

I'm not that well up on College ball, but from what iv'e seen Ryan Mallet looks like an excellent pocket passer but lacks mobility, which may not work as our offensive line can't be trusted to protect him adequately. The opposite of this would be Can Newton, who has mobility in abundance. However he has the feel of a project about him, and is unproven under center and certainly would not be ready for the NFL right away. Someone who looks to combine the two is Jake Locker, but he has had a poor year and may be a poor value pick at #12. A bold gamble they could take would be to trade down and maybe take him in the late 1st round.

I know very little about Blaine Gabbert. I have seen him projected to go everywhere from top 5 to the 3rd round in recent mocks so i'm unsure of what to think. Maybe someone with more experience on College Ball could give an insight on Gabbert and who's the best out of those named above.

This would be my quick synopsis re the QB's

Top level - Instant NFL starter

Andrew Luck - Pro ready. Good footwork, accurate, plays in a pro style offense. Has the tools to be a top NFL QB. Reminds me of Matty Ice. Although Ive seen some pundits compate him to Peyton Manning. High Praise indeed.

If he declares and hed be a fool not to. Re Jake Locker last year hes the first pick.

Next tranch - Possible future franchise QB's

Cam Newton - Athletic, decent arm, happy feet though and scrambling QB's in the NFL well bar Mike Vick this year aint the flavour of the day but given the season Mick Vick has had he will probably be high on draft boards

Blaine Gabbert - Strong arm, very strong infact, footwork could be improved throws off the backfoot causing the ball to fly too often. In the NFL thats not going to keep you a starter for long. Also looks off his recievers too much. Hes good but I think the talk of him being a first rounder is a bit much. Hes 2nd - 3rd round material if you ask me

Jake Locker - Pro style offense has been inconsistent this year though and you would think he would improve under Sarky. Hes got all the tools and talent to make it in the NFL, think he would be best taken by a team that have a good QB coach where he can learn his trade a bit more. Im thinking somebody like Shanahan could bring him on but not an instant starter.

Ryan Mallett - Great size and arm strength, poor footwork, doesnt checkdown when he should, and apparantly questionable temperment, work ethic from what Ive read. For me hes a project QB but probably 2nd to third round material. I think under Andy Reid and the Eagles would be a great spot for him if they trade off Kolb.

One not mentioned very often with these guys but with a good combine could move up is Christian Ponder.

Hes not without fault locks down his reciecvers too often and makes a lot of risky throws that are questionable and jumps the pocket a bit too early but Id think that he would be a very solid 3rd round pickup for a team and might go higher given the amount of teams looking for QBs this year

One Ive not seen any of but an interested in seeing is Pat Devlin from Delaware. Projected as their next drafted QB after Joe Flacco and good things being written about him. Will be interesting to see

Peyton Manning

Hulk Hands wrote: »

As far as the Vikings are concerned, it's looking more and more likely that we will go for a QB. This looks like a deep QB class, and they should perhaps take the opportunity.

Obviously Luck is out of the question. That leaves about 3/4 who nobody can seem to split and whom you would expect at least a couple to still be there by the Vikings pick at #12.

I'm not that well up on College ball, but from what iv'e seen Ryan Mallet looks like an excellent pocket passer but lacks mobility, which may not work as our offensive line can't be trusted to protect him adequately. The opposite of this would be Can Newton, who has mobility in abundance. However he has the feel of a project about him, and is unproven under center and certainly would not be ready for the NFL right away. Someone who looks to combine the two is Jake Locker, but he has had a poor year and may be a poor value pick at #12. A bold gamble they could take would be to trade down and maybe take him in the late 1st round.

I know very little about Blaine Gabbert. I have seen him projected to go everywhere from top 5 to the 3rd round in recent mocks so i'm unsure of what to think. Maybe someone with more experience on College Ball could give an insight on Gabbert and who's the best out of those named above.

My own take on the Quarterback class would be (for what it's worth )

Andrew Luck: Has the best chance to be a huge success. So many people are high on him, for good reasons. He's incredibly intelligent, he'll have no problem reading defences, he comes from a pro style offence, he's a proven leader and winner, his intangibles are flawless, he's pretty much Mr. Perfect and that's before you even consider his excellent athletic ability. The scouts love him. Of course, he'll end up in Carolina on a very poor team so don't expect miracles out of him. Amazing prospect, he just looks so in control of everything when you see him and to be so confident and assured at his age is why people are raving about him. When you watch him, you just know you're watching a great QB, that's really the best way to describe him.

Jake Locker: I still think Locker is the next best QB in this draft class after Luck. He's had a poor enough year and his stats aren't anything to write home about. Personally, I think if he lands somewhere with a good OC, he'll be a star. He's been surrounded by mediocrity all year, but he just makes these plays that when you seem, you think "this kid will make some team very, very happy in the draft". He's not the best pocket passer, but he's a kid who can move around, avoid the rush, and break a powerful run if the opportunity presents itself. His arm strength is fantastic, his mechanics are good, his footwork is great and he comes from a pro style offence. I think Minnesota would be a great fit for him if they can get him, but not as an immediate starter.

Cam Newton: Well Newton is like marmite on here. I've gotten in rows about him before, I've said my piece,. but I think he'll be a superstar if drafted by a team that uses him effectively. A good game against Oregon and some team will be sold on him and take him top 10. It'll be interesting to see if he works on any particular aspects of his game at the combine to be more pro friendly, but right now I see a kid with great accuracy, a huge arm, off the charts athletic ability, and the perfect size. He's a proven winner, a hell of a leader and clutch as hell. He's dabbled at times from under centre (probably about a handful of occasions this year) and I haven't seen anything too alarming. I have no doubt though that he has the work ethic to address any issues that teams have on him and he'll be a better player for it. Again, he needs a good system with good coaching and somewhere that doesn't need a saviour immediately. In some ways, he's a similar prospect to Tebow.

Blaine Gabbert: I haven't seen too much of Missouri this year, so a lot of my opinion on him holds stock in what draft analysts I respect have had to say. His work ethic is questionable and he's out of shape, which are two big, big red flags imo. His accuracy isn't incredible either by all accounts. I don't know, it's hard to rank someone I haven't seen much of, but if he can't do something as fundamental as keep in shape then I would have huge doubts.

Ryan Mallet: He's a great pocket passer, because it masks his extreme lack of mobility. He has the arm strength and the accuracy, but I think that's where it stops for Mallet. If your team can't protect against the pass rush (and not just adequately, but protect it very well) then I wouldn't draft him. A hint of pressure and Mallet will buckle. Off the field, his attitude is supposed to make Jimmy Clausen look like Mother Teresa. Let's just say he loves to party, and on an NFL wage, he'll indulge in that to one hell of a degree. If so many teams weren't in desperate need of a QB, I would expect Mallet to fall quite a bit in the draft once teams have had a chance to speak to him. The availability of Kolb, McNabb, Young, maybe even Kitna and Flynn if someone takes them could really affect Mallet's chances. The best quote I've read about his, erm, "lack of intelligence" is:

Mallett could also potentially score in the single digits on the Wonderlic. Hopefully they'll give him five points for spelling his name correctly.

Most of the quarterbacks (aside from Mallet) this year are dual threat QBs. Even though he won't be used that way, even Andrew Luck is one hell of a strong runner. But for the rest, landing in the right place who can nurture their skills, play to their strengths and not expect them to be a Brady or a Manning, or even any type of immediate saviour is the most important thing.

Hazys

Mr. Guappa wrote: »

I wonder will Bill go against his recent policy of drafting down to accumulate picks and instead package a few picks to trade up to get a top prospect for the OL/DL.

I don't follow college football at all so I've no idea what the depth of talent is like at any position in this years draft.

I dont think Bill likes to trade up and my own personal experience* is that trading up more than one or two places is stupid

Every pick in the draft is a risk. I have read before a 1st rounder has a 75%** of making it in the NFL while a 2nd rounder has a 50% chance of making it in the NFL.

So if you have 2x 2nd rounders and you use those picks on players, you have a better chance of finding a NFL player than if you had just one player picked in the first round.
If you trade 2x 2nd rounders for a 1st rounder i believe you are losing value.

Also not to mention if you trade 2x 2nd rounders for a 1st rounder you may be paying the 1st rounder more than the 2x 2nd rounders combined.

This is my belief why the Pats have picked so many players in the past two drafts, the more players you pick the more chance of one of them making it, as opposed to putting all you chips into one 1st rounder.

Just look at the Patriots roster, i think it tells the story:
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4690597/patriots-roster-by-draft-status
Obviously staying under the salary cap will skew the numbers i.e. you'd love to keep all your first rounders but you cant pay them all. But still 8x 1st rounders Vs 21 players undrafted!



*This is from years of being a secret draft consultant for the Pats
**An educated guess of the educated guess figures i read before. Obviously teams do their analysis to increase the likelyhood % of a player making it in the NFL...but how many sure things have failed at the top level?

eagle eye

Hazys wrote: »

Pats Picks:

• 2X 1st Rounders, 18th pick and hopefully the 32nd pick
• 2X 2nd Rounders, 33rd pick and hopefully the 64th pick
• 2X 3rd Rounders, 74th pick and hopefully the 96th pick
• 1X 4th Rounder
• 1X 5th Rounder
• 1X 6th Rounder

One pick is a conditional pick based on the Jarrad Page trade, no idea what it is, but i'd be shocked if it was more than a 4th.

The Pats only really have 3 players facing FA this off-season, LG Mankins, LT Light and SS Page and the rest of the FAs i believe are RFAs. I hope we can bring back both Mankins and Light but i doubt we'll get both. RG Stephen Neal is also likely to retire. There the only offseason issues the Pats have.

As the Pats have a good roster it'll be very hard for 6 players from our 6 draft picks in the top 100 to make the 53 man roster so i fully expect 2 or 3 of those picks to be pushed into next year.

We are pretty set at QB, Special Teams and Secondary.
We are resonably set at WR, RB and LB, we need somebody to replace Taylor and possibly Branch (Price?) and maybe another Pass Rusher.
We'll be thin at DL and OL.

So with 3 picks in the top 100 and the other 2/3 picks, i'd like to Pats to pick in this preference: OL, DL, WR, DL, RB, LB.

TBF tho it'd be easier predicting the lotto numbers than what Bill will do on draft day.

I don't think Kevin Faulk will be back because Woodhead has done so well. I think Sammy Morris is likely done, same with Taylor.

Biggest need is a running back and I think we need more than one although its likely that one of them will be a udfa.
I would love if we got Michael Floyd in the draft. We need one big guy to add to that WR corp. Branch should still be there next year.

I really hope we resign Mankins and Matt Light.

Chucky the tree

Breaking news: Luck is staying at Standford. Wow, what a sickner for Carolina.

Redsoxfan

Just read on twitter that Luck is staying at Stanford next year. Looks like the No. 1 will be the source of much speculation now!

For my Browns, we need stars/playmakers on both sides of the ball.

I like the look of Nick Fairley-very aggressive and plays close the the edge-just what you need in a division featuring the Steelers.

AJ Green would be a welcome addition-the next Calvin Johnson maybe?

Julio Jones-a beast in college, how would that translate to the NFL?

A rush linebacker in the later rounds would be welcome.

In Peterson and Amukamara, there are 2 outstanding CBs available this year-ok we drafted Joe Haden last year, but another good corner can't hurt.

GoldFour4

Chucky the tree wrote: »

Breaking news: Luck is staying at Standford. Wow, what a sickner for Carolina.

Blows everything wide open now . I didn`t think he would stay without the coach whose system he has thrived in.

GoldFour4

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5995754

Peyton Manning

Wow, did not expect that at all.

The thought of playing for Carolina made him risk millions. Can't say I blame him

Very big chance Carolina will take AJ Green now, whether it's in first or they trade down a small handful of places is another thing. With Luck off the board, their number 1 pick loses a lot of value.

Stev_o

Just some thoughts on what I think will be on the top of the list for some teams. Course if your a supporter of one of these teams you ll probably have a better idea then me.

Arizona Cardinals-If a QB is available i think they ll probably take one but they could decide that they may seem production value out of Skelington. Probably need to get people on the defensive line side of things.

Atlanta Falcons- With Gonzales more then retiring im sure they ll try pick up a TE around the place otherwise probably go for a WR.

Baltimore Ravens- Cornerbacks! A big weaknesses of this team.


Buffalo Bills- Debatable they are in a position where they need a lot of help on defensive however they might be lured into drafting a QB or WR

Carolina Panthers-If Luck declares then this is where he'll end up. Need a lot of help otherwise.

Chicago Bears-Offensive Linemen

Cincinnati Bengals-Could be a QB if they decide to release Palmer otherwise a top WR and then a pass rusher.

Cleveland Browns-A top WR and nearly everything on defence


Dallas Cowboys-Cornerbacks are probably their biggest need. Offensively if they stay healthy they should be fine so this draft should be about shoring up a defence that went walkabouts this year.


Denver Broncos-Need a better defence! Cornerback to replace Bailey and a pass rusher would help.

Detroit Lions-Actually not sure. Anyone like to fill me in here? A bit of both i think wouldn't hurt.

Green Bay Packers-Injury crises this year has created a bit of depth but would like to see a project RB and a WR to be brought in. Could afford to get a good CB if there is one available.


Houston Texans-Should be all defence picks and they need everything bar a pass rusher


Indianapolis Colts-Not sure playoffs will show what they really need.


Jacksonville Jaguars-Wide Receivers and a pass rush.

Kansas City Chiefs-A young team as it is probably could do with a strong WR to compliment Bowe.

Miami Dolphins-RB's to replace Brown and Williams. A good WR wouldn't go amiss.

Minnesota Vikings-A QB and then CB's.

New England Patriots-Defensive linemen and Offensive Linemen

New Orleans Saints-Not sure. Pass Rush?

New York Giants-Athletic secondary players. Badly need some speedy CB's and Safeties.

New York Jets-Definitely need a pass rush haven't been able to get to the QB this year

Oakland Raiders-Who cares only person that knows is Al Davis

Philadelphia Eagles- Athletic Offensive Linemen? Not terribly sure.

Pittsburgh Steelers--Not sure

San Diego Chargers-A new head coach....oh wait! Linebackers.

San Francisco 49ers-QB and a Pash Rusher

Seattle Seahawks-Any defensive player and any WR they can pick up.

St. Louis Rams-Wide Receiver and a Pass Rusher

Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Not sure. Linebackers?

Tennessee Titans-QB and maybe a TE or WR

Washington Redskins-Who knows? This team will be a disaster unless they manage to pick up a good QB. Otherwise a elite WR is their top priority!

jdivision

Lions are secondary, LT and LB - having to pick up and play Bobby Carpenter (even if it was only a few snaps) made me shudder in horror and Peterson's done in Detroit

GoldFour4

Tom_Brady wrote: »

Wow, did not expect that at all.

The thought of playing for Carolina made him risk millions. Can't say I blame him

Very big chance Carolina will take AJ Green now, whether it's in first or they trade down a small handful of places is another thing. With Luck off the board, their number 1 pick loses a lot of value.

I don`t think its the Panthers thats putting him off but Luck does seem to genuinely care about school and completing his degree.

Peyton Manning

malachyscott wrote: »

I don`t think its the Panthers thats putting him off but Luck does seem to genuinely care about school and completing his degree.

The Panthers bit was a joke

I still cant believe it though, Im sure he does value his education very highly, but we're talking $50 million guaranteed highly here. He could easily finish his degree part time. He'll be under so much scrutiny next year. An injury or a less than perfect season will damage his stock a lot, especially with Matt Barkley in the class too. Without Harbaugh who looks to be on his way, I just don't see the rewards coming anywhere close to outweighing the risks.

GoldFour4

Tom_Brady wrote: »

The Panthers bit was a joke

I still cant believe it though, Im sure he does value his education very highly, but we're talking $50 million guaranteed highly here. He could easily finish his degree part time. He'll be under so much scrutiny next year. An injury or a less than perfect season will damage his stock a lot, especially with Matt Barkley in the class too. Without Harbaugh who looks to be on his way, I just don't see the rewards coming anywhere close to outweighing the risks.

Cool

Yeah its pretty stupid when you think about it , come 2012 there may be a new collective bargaining agreement in place , Luck`s potential salary would be a fraction of what he could have earned this year. Could regret it like Jake Locker regrets not coming out last year.

Chucky the tree

Strong chance of a lockout and if there isn't one then the new CBA will have a rookie pay-scale included to he was never on the hook for $50m guarenteed. The guy comes from a very rich family as well so money for him isn't a massive concern.

Pyjamarama

Can't believe it!! Luck is risking a lot here. Carolina must be gutted... I think they have to take Green on pure value but they might also look at Fairley. Can't see a cb going no.1.

Stev_o

Pyjamarama wrote: »

Can't believe it!! Luck is risking a lot here. Carolina must be gutted... I think they have to take Green on pure value but they might also look at Fairley. Can't see a cb going no.1.

He is but let's be honest going to the Panthers isn't like going to the Rams. He was pretty much guaranteed a 0-8 division result with them and let's be honest they haven't a hope beating most other teams in the competition.

Could be risky though could see a fall in form which would severely effect his draft value.

Pyjamarama

Stev_o wrote: »

He is but let's be honest going to the Panthers isn't like going to the Rams. He was pretty much guaranteed a 0-8 division result with them and let's be honest they haven't a hope beating most other teams in the competition.

Could be risky though could see a fall in form which would severely effect his draft value.

I don't think he's guaranteed to be on an awful team. The Panthers aren't great but they have a whole off season to improve. They're in no worse shape than the Rams were talent wise a year ago imo. Of course the big difference is that the Rams had a head coach installed. We have no idea who the hc at carolina will be so it's impossible to really tell how good the Panthers will be next year.

I will say one thing, Jimmy Clausen this is your shot, your birthdays have all come at once. Up to you to make the most of it.

The more i think about it the more i think Fairley will be the pick for the Panthers/

Dohnny Jepp

So knowledgable people, what do you's think are the titans best options for QB? Will they look for someone in the draft? Or try trade for a orton or kolb?

I'm not sure which I'd rather.

For a team that didn't do too well at all this year, I don't think we gave too many holes. QB and a lb/dl'man is all I think we really need.

GoldFour4

Pyjamarama wrote: »

I don't think he's guaranteed to be on an awful team. The Panthers aren't great but they have a whole off season to improve. They're in no worse shape than the Rams were talent wise a year ago imo. Of course the big difference is that the Rams had a head coach installed. We have no idea who the hc at carolina will be so it's impossible to really tell how good the Panthers will be next year.

I will say one thing, Jimmy Clausen this is your shot, your birthdays have all come at

kev_s88

for my Jags i wanna see a QB picked up in the first round, would love to see a Jake Locker or Ryan Mallett come in to the setup to push Dave G for the starting QB spot this season, and deffo getting it next season. apart from that we need some sort of secondary help. i have full faith in Gene Smith to do what is best though

D3PO

D3PO wrote: »

every report from inside Carolina says its already an agreed pick. So I dont think you need to be too hopeful

I cant believe hes not declaring. Words fail me :eek::eek::eek:

irishbucsfan

malachyscott wrote: »

Yeah its pretty stupid when you think about it , come 2012 there may be a new collective bargaining agreement in place , Luck`s potential salary would be a fraction of what he could have earned this year. Could regret it like Jake Locker regrets not coming out last year.

Stupid? I think it's great.

He's from a wealthy family, so I don't think that money is the issue here. He's decided to go back and get his Ma. in Engineering from Stanford before going to the NFL. He gets to spend another year with his friends and team mates there.

Even if he plays badly next year, it will be blamed on the new coach. I'd be very surprised if he doesn't go first overall next year instead, but I could see it happening.

And Locker was never rated as highly as Luck is now.

D3PO

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Even if he plays badly next year, it will be blamed on the new coach. .

Reading between the lines I suspect Harbs has told Luck he will stay in Stanford for another season. Thats my suspicion anyway

irishbucsfan

D3PO wrote: »

Reading between the lines I suspect Harbs has told Luck he will stay in Stanford for another season. Thats my suspicion anyway

Did I read somewhere that the Michigan head honcho said that Harbaugh had told him he was going to the NFL?

I know he spent all day meeting with the 49ers

D3PO

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Did I read somewhere that the Michigan head honcho said that Harbaugh had told him he was going to the NFL?

I know he spent all day meeting with the 49ers

Probably not given Michigan have no head coach right now unless you mean their AD as they were probably on the trail for Harbs aswell. :cool:

anyway it woulc be me putting one and one together and making three, but it would make a whole lot of sense.

Not sure how many of their current team returns next year but if its a large number they have a great shot at a national championship. With Luck and Harbs there that is.

irishbucsfan

D3PO wrote: »

Probably not given Michigan have no head coach right now unless you mean their AD as they were probably on the trail for Harbs aswell. :cool:

anyway it woulc be me putting one and one together and making three, but it would make a whole lot of sense.

Not sure how many of their current team returns next year but if its a large number they have a great shot at a national championship. With Luck and Harbs there that is.

per PFT, it was their AD

“I personally believe Jim Harbaugh is headed to the NFL,” Brandon said. “My personal belief is that Jim Harbaugh is going to end up with a really, really challenging opportunity in the NFL.”

So Harbaugh apparently turned Michigan down not because he’s staying at Stanford, but because he’s heading to the NFL. But which NFL team? We really don’t know right now, but there are indications that Harbaugh would like to stay in the Bay Area, where there are two NFL vacancies.

eagle eye

Even before Luck pulled out I said the Panthers should trade out of top spot. They have no second round pick and they need picks because they have lots of problems.

They need to get the hell away from the top of the draft and keep trading down and gathering picks.

D3PO

eagle eye wrote: »

Even before Luck pulled out I said the Panthers should trade out of top spot. They have no second round pick and they need picks because they have lots of problems.

They need to get the hell away from the top of the draft and keep trading down and gathering picks.

problem is now with Luck not declaring whos going to be interested in trading up to number #1 ? Its hard enough to shift the top draft pick given the $ your gonna have to pay the pick not to mind the best possible draftee not declaring.

Would you trade up to get a DeQuan Bowers or AJ Green type prospect ? I doubt it.

Mr. Guappa

eagle eye wrote: »

Even before Luck pulled out I said the Panthers should trade out of top spot. They have no second round pick and they need picks because they have lots of problems.

They need to get the hell away from the top of the draft and keep trading down and gathering picks.

The 1st pick is worth a hell of a lot less now that Luck has opted to stay in college. If he had declared they might have had 2 or 3 teams interested in acquiring that pick and the Panthers could have received a nice collection of lower picks from it.

Also, the Patriots are nicely placed with the 33rd pick, it's the 1st pick of day 2 and could be a nice spot to trade out of if a team really likes a player who falls out of the 1st round.

Redsoxfan

No real surprise

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2011/news/story?id=5999362&campaign=rss&source=twitter&ex_cid=Twitter_espn_5999362

Pyjamarama

D3PO wrote: »

problem is now with Luck not declaring whos going to be interested in trading up to number #1 ? Its hard enough to shift the top draft pick given the $ your gonna have to pay the pick not to mind the best possible draftee not declaring.

Would you trade up to get a DeQuan Bowers or AJ Green type prospect ? I doubt it.

In some ways it will be easier to trade up now. It would have taken an insane deal for Carolina to justify trading out of no1 if Luck is there but now they can prob accept a little less and still pick up a few picks and get a guy they like.

If the price was right and I was the Bengals I would 100% trade up for AJ Green! Kid is a complete freak! I'd be fine trading for Peterson as well if the price was right (looking at someone like the 49ers who might see what it costs to get him ahead of the Broncos...)

HigginsJ

The Giants could do with some serious help on the o-line. A new young centre wouldn't go astray.

Depending on injuries a WR might be picked up in the middle rounds along with a running back. A young linebacker in the 2nd round may also be the best option. The Giants took 5 defensive players in the draft last year so hopefully they balance it up this year. My Draft would go

1. Centre
2. Linebacker Outside/Inside (both need help)
3. Running Back
4. Wide Receiver
5. Guard
6. Tackle
7. Corner

Im probably crazy and asking for too much to go after Haynesworth and Asomghua. Bert would surely love playing inside DE's like Osi, JPP, Tuck & Kiwanuka.

Stev_o

HigginsJ wrote: »

The Giants could do with some serious help on the o-line. A new young centre wouldn't go astray.

Depending on injuries a WR might be picked up in the middle rounds along with a running back. A young linebacker in the 2nd round may also be the best option. The Giants took 5 defensive players in the draft last year so hopefully they balance it up this year. My Draft would go

1. Centre
2. Linebacker Outside/Inside (both need help)
3. Running Back
4. Wide Receiver
5. Guard
6. Tackle
7. Corner

Im probably crazy and asking for too much to go after Haynesworth and Asomghua. Bert would surely love playing inside DE's like Osi, JPP, Tuck & Kiwanuka.

Your crazy that your first 2 picks aren't defensive backs :eek:

Peyton Manning

Michael Floyd has decided to stay in ND for his senior year. I'd be tipping him to be the top WR in the draft next year, but Justin Blackmon has also decided to stay on for another year.

Stev_o

Hmm. How many of these decisions might be to do with the CBA? Say if one isn't reached and your drafted you stand to loose a year of football and missing out on your degree?

Dohnny Jepp

yeah but there is also the chance the rookie contracts will be capped next year.

Redsoxfan

Nick Fairley and Cam Newton declared today.

Fairley projected by Mel Kiper as #1 pick. He's almost certain to go Top 10 unless he messes up his combine or gets arrested in the meantime.

Newton-less sure I guess. I still think he's a more complete QB than Tebow, but he was being mocked all over the place last year. Most considered him a reach in the 1st round. Any number of teams need a QB, but the NFL is a passing league now, so Gabbert, Locker, Mallet etc. will get more attention I guess.

Lirange

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Nick Fairley and Cam Newton declared today.

Fairley projected by Mel Kiper as #1 pick. He's almost certain to go Top 10 unless he messes up his combine or gets arrested in the meantime.

Newton-less sure I guess. I still think he's a more complete QB than Tebow, but he was being mocked all over the place last year. Most considered him a reach in the 1st round. Any number of teams need a QB, but the NFL is a passing league now, so Gabbert, Locker, Mallet etc. will get more attention I guess.

Locker has always had significant concerns regarding his passing. He's a great athlete and run threat but can he really run better than Newton? Newton is the better passer between the two. Locker is one of those athletes who started out with loads of hype from the outset but rarely justified it. Yet some of the hype still lingers. I rate Gabbert and Mallett well ahead of Locker. Next year's draft isn't teeming with sure thing QBs.

Pyjamarama

Lirange wrote: »

Locker has always had significant concerns regarding his passing. He's a great athlete and run threat but can he really run better than Newton? Newton is the better passer between the two. Locker is one of those athletes who started out with loads of hype from the outset but rarely justified it. Yet some of the hype still lingers. I rate Gabbert and Mallett well ahead of Locker. Next year's draft isn't teeming with sure thing QBs.

If it was possible to disagree more than 100% with the above i would!

Locker is infinitely better at passing than Newton imo. He has better footwork and mechanics. He did however have an awful year so his stock has rightly taken a huge hit. Winning in college isn't really a factor in showing you can win in the NFL but being unable to win is often a factor in showing you can't. I'd be worried about Lockers state of mind but i'd rather take a chance i can get him mentally focused than attempt to work out the kinks in Newton.

I do think that this years qb class is probably the most divisive class since the class of 99.

Lirange

You're free to disagree of course. When he proves me wrong (which he won't) you can lord it over me on this site to your heart's content.

Watching him play from my POV is like watching a film that everyone loves and you just don't get it. If it wasn't for the buzz around him beforehand I wouldn't remotely consider him NFL calibre from his performances. He's inaccurate, often miscommunicates with his receivers, incurs loads of false start penalties, and some question his work ethic. He did have a worse year this year by all accounts despite his team getting better. I saw him play more last year, a supposedly better year, and he was unimpressive each time. There's this from the previous season when his stock was still "high."

irishbucsfan

It frustrates me that draftee QBs are getting so much coverage in a year when they're mostly crap.