2005 NFL Draft Thread

[Swaggs]

There goes Adrian!

[bronconick]

Am I the only one that thinks Denver's "genius" with running backs has more to do with how good their O-line has been at run blocking? Olandis Gary is frankly garbage. Quentin Griffin steps in when Portis is injured and runs for 180 yards out of nowhere. Mike Andersen, Tatum Bell?

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Cringer

I would not say flat out the Jets beat the Steelers if they had Nugent last season. What if this guy can't take the pressure? It doesn happen.

Green Bay selected the "best" punter in the draft last year in the 3rd round, and then he couldn't kick for shit once they got to training camp....choke.

Watching Nugent in college, I'm sure he can take pressure . He was very Vinateri like in making the clutch kick, getting the win for Ohio State.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Watching Nugent in college, I'm sure he can take pressure . He was very Vinateri like in making the clutch kick, getting the win for Ohio State.

B.J. Sander was a clutch punter for Ohio State, leading the nation in kicks inside the 20. He also won the Ray Guy Award. Clutch in college is one thing, the NFL is another.

I am sure he will be a good kicker and all, I am just saying that a bust is possible.

[Noop]

Originally Posted by duckman

Wow, Adrian finally got picked in the 5th round. I love being right.

Funny. You sure weren't rigth the last time.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by TazFTW

Dan Orlovsky got picked up by the Lions. Harrington is doomed. DOOMED!

Not yet, but could be. The Lions needed a #3 QB and wanted to get a developmental guy last in the draft.

[albionmoonlight]

I think that picking McPherson was at least as much about trying to light a fire under Brooks as it was about getting a new QB.

[timmynausea]

It wasn't long ago that Orlovsky and Charlie Frye were considered the top Qb prospects in college.

[duckman]

Originally Posted by Noop

Funny. You sure weren't rigth the last time.

What is Bobby Bowden's record in national championship games again?

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by bronconick

Am I the only one that thinks Denver's "genius" with running backs has more to do with how good their O-line has been at run blocking? Olandis Gary is frankly garbage. Quentin Griffin steps in when Portis is injured and runs for 180 yards out of nowhere. Mike Andersen, Tatum Bell?

It's always a combination. The scheme is important and the offensive line has always been solid. But the Broncos also KNOW what they want in a RB. They study them hard and look for very specific things.

Gary was actually pretty good until he got hurt. (keep in mind of all the Broncos, his AVG per carry was always the lowest in a starting RB) Anderson, Droughns and Griffin all had issues that made them tough fits for long term success in the system. (Anderson and Droughns just aren't fast enough to break the long runs and Griffin is too small)

The two best backs, Portis and Davis were simply studs. Portis struggled with Washington last year, but he still ended up with 1500 total yards with defenses geared to stop him because Washington couldn't beat teams through the air. (29th in the NFL in passing)

Keep in mind the Denver line has chanced over the years too. It's really a combination of the system and the coaching. And unlike some other teams, the Broncos don't have a ton of first round picks on their line. (only Foster) The Broncos understand the running game as well as any team in the game. (I think only the Steelers come close in terms of the way they run the football, though they have a different scheme)

So if Clarett succeeds, it'll be just like the rest, a combination of his talent and the Broncos scheme. If he succeeds for multiple years (like Davis and Portis), it'll be in large part due to his talent and work ethic.

Which means it's likely he'll fail. . . but time will tell on that one. We won't know for a couple of years if this pick was good or bad. As I'm jsut a hopeful Bronco fan, I have no choice but to cross my fingers and pray that if he becomes too big of a pain in the ass, they get rid of him.

[SunDevil]

Clarret press conference in Denver. A reporter asked who was the most help and support for him during these last two years. And I'm paraphrasing, "My attorney has been really there for me. Before, people would always say yes to me, and he was the first person to tell me what is right and wrong. Oh yeah, and my mother."

WTF. This guy is in trouble.

[Cringer]

Packers take another WR. Sounds like he has some good attributes, but still, there is apoint when you have to look past the #1 guy left on your board because you don't need 2 guys at a position that you never really needed the first guy you picked to begin with.

I'm fine though, atleast none of these have been punters.

[Ragone]

Stefan Lefors could very easily be a steal.. for the panthers..


And Whoever ends up picking Jr Russell will get a starting wr in a year

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by SunDevil

Clarret press conference in Denver. A reporter asked who was the most help and support for him during these last two years. And I'm paraphrasing, "My attorney has been really there for me. Before, people would always say yes to me, and he was the first person to tell me what is right and wrong. Oh yeah, and my mother."

WTF. This guy is in trouble.

As it was happeneing I thought the same thing. Then Chris Mortenson pointed it out as well. When your attorney has been the #1 guy there for you...something ain't right.

[Noop]

Originally Posted by duckman

What is Bobby Bowden's record in national championship games again?

What is Stoop's?

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by Cuckoo

Okay, some of you Minnesota fans tell me about Marion Barber.

He's a hard runner who doesn't have great speed, but can show good burst playing in a heavily run oriented offense. Split carries in college, but still saw around 20 carries a game, though occasionally saw around 30 carries. He didn't catch the ball a lot, but the Gophers offense rarely throws to the backs, but he did often recieve the pitch on runs to the outside so he could have the potential to be a threat in the passing game. Is probably just as good running inside as outside, ran a lot of stretch plays at Minnesota. He has the potential to be a very good #2 back, plus has experience returning punts and kicks.

[mckerney]

Jeeber, any info on Adrian Ward? All I've been able to find is that he's fast.

[Cuckoo]

Originally Posted by mckerney

He's a hard runner who doesn't have great speed, but can show good burst playing in a heavily run oriented offense. Split carries in college, but still saw around 20 carries a game, though occasionally saw around 30 carries. He didn't catch the ball a lot, but the Gophers offense rarely throws to the backs, but he did often recieve the pitch on runs to the outside so he could have the potential to be a threat in the passing game. Is probably just as good running inside as outside, ran a lot of stretch plays at Minnesota. He has the potential to be a very good #2 back, plus has experience returning punts and kicks.

Great. Thanks for the info. mckerney. I suspect Dallas sees him as being more of an inside runner I guess as I would think they're looking for a bit of a change of pace from Jones. Plus, they could definitely use help in the returning department. Sounds like he'll be a nice addition.

[Fonzie]

Originally Posted by Cringer

Yeah, injured his first year. Wasn't he also the guy who got diagnosed with nut cancer his rookie year too? Or was that another Packer kicker?

You're thinking of Bidwell - he developed testicular cancer in his first year.

[Joe]

Originally Posted by bronconick

Am I the only one that thinks Denver's "genius" with running backs has more to do with how good their O-line has been at run blocking? Olandis Gary is frankly garbage. Quentin Griffin steps in when Portis is injured and runs for 180 yards out of nowhere. Mike Andersen, Tatum Bell?

that about sums it up. Portis isn't even all that good.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by Fonzie

You're thinking of Bidwell - he developed testicular cancer in his first year.

Ah, you are correct sir. Thanks.

I knew it was one of those non-player types.

[yabanci]

Clarrett was a pure ego pick for Shanahan. By taking him with the last pick of day 1, Shanahan gets all the overnight headlines. If Clarrett has any measure of success, Shanahan takes all the credit. If he fails, it's all Clarrett's fault because he should have succeeded in Shanahan's system. Pure ego, but people give it to him because of this myth.

[Arles]

Originally Posted by Cringer

Packers take another WR. Sounds like he has some good attributes, but still, there is apoint when you have to look past the #1 guy left on your board because you don't need 2 guys at a position that you never really needed the first guy you picked to begin with.

I'm fine though, atleast none of these have been punters.

Going into the draft, who were GB's No. 4 and 5 WRs? All I can think of is the smurf Chatman. GB had a definite need at WR depth (esp considering Ferguson's neck situation). Add in that both guys they chose are good returners and the picks make a lot of sense.

If a WR gets hurt in week 3 this season, we may not need to resign Antonio Freeman or move our third TE to the WR spot

[Swaggs]

Any Georgia or SEC fans out there that can tell me a little bit about WR Fred Gibson? I heard he is one of the guys that sold his championship ring. I am cautiously optimistic about his "tools" and wondering if he will be a good guy to have on the team.

I got this from the Scouts.com info:

Strengths: Has excellent natural tools and had his most consistent season as a senior. Is tall and has the frame to get bigger. Has above average speed for his size. Has a great frame and enough speed to drive defenders off the LOS. Is quick and fluid. Has outstanding separation skills. Does not gear down in and out of his breaks. Drives DB's off the LOS with his size and speed, and then can drop his weight and get in and out of his breaks extremely fast. He has long arms, a terrific wingspan, and flashes the ability to make the spectacular catch. His hands are big and he has shown the ability to pluck on the run and also to make the acrobatic catch when he is focused. He is a threat after the catch and he shows a second gear in the open field. Has huge upside as a kickoff return specialist.

Weaknesses: He is lean and needs to bulk up. Lacks toughness. Does not like contact. Does not have good strength and can get pushed around if bigger cornerbacks get into his body. Was more aggressive as a senior but still will avoid going over the middle on occasion. He will shy away from extending for a catch if he knows he's going to get hit. He will run out of bounds after the catch instead of lowering his shoulder at times. His concentration wavers too much. . Dropped entirely too many "catchable" passes during college career. Does not like to catch in traffic. Needs to protect the ball better. Lacks bulk and strength. Does not work hard enough as a blocker and his technique is below average.

Overall: Gibson caught 33 passes and set a school record for 100-yard receiving games in a season with five as a true freshman in 2001. He has been a starter when healthy since. He had trouble staying on the field as a result of durability problems (thumb, hamstring and knee), from '02-'03. Gibson also was part of a group of nine that was accused by the NCAA but not penalized due to a lack of precedent regarding an accusation that they sold their SEC championship rings. However, Gibson has remained healthy, has stayed out of trouble off the field, and made huge strides in terms of his overall consistency as a senior in '04, as he finished with 45 receptions for 759 yards and six touchdowns. Gibson is loaded with talent. He is tall, fast, athletic and explosive. He has the physical tools of a No. 1 receiver in the NFL and he also has proven to be an explosive kickoff return specialist in the past. However, while he answered some questions about his durability and mental toughness as a senior, he still doesn't have great bulk or strength, and he continues to drop too many "catchable" passes. Gibson has several "red flags" in terms of past durability and fumbling problems, as well as concerns about his toughness. As a result, it wouldn't be shocking if he slipped to the late-second or early-third round range of the upcoming draft.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by Arles

Going into the draft, who were GB's No. 4 and 5 WRs? All I can think of is the smurf Chatman. GB had a definite need at WR depth (esp considering Ferguson's neck situation). Add in that both guys they chose are good returners and the picks make a lot of sense.

If a WR gets hurt in week 3 this season, we may not need to resign Antonio Freeman or move our third TE to the WR spot

No, but we may have to sign Antonio Freeman to play DT/DE. I am fine with the WR's, mainly because there is nothing I can do about it (damn shareholders should get more power ). I would have liked one of those picks to be on the defensive side again....

[Arles]

Originally Posted by Cringer

No, but we may have to sign Antonio Freeman to play DT/DE. I am fine with the WR's, mainly because there is nothing I can do about it (damn shareholders should get more power ). I would have liked one of those picks to be on the defensive side again....

GB currently has the following at DE and DT:
DE KGB
DE Aaron Kampman
DT Grady Jackson
DT Cullen Jenkins (who played very well down the stretch in 04)
DT Cletius Hunt
DT James Lee (5th round in 03)
DE/DT Corey Williams (6th round in 04)
DE/DT Donnell Washington (3rd round in 04)
DE R-Kal Truluc

And that's not counting the pick (Montgomery) or Kenny "the stiff" Peterson. Jenkins, Lee (injured in 03), Williams and Washington were all essentially rookies in 04. All showed flashes of being nice players and I think atleast one or two will step it up in 05. My bet is Jenkins beats out Hunt, Williams becomes the backup DE and Lee backs up Jackson to give this team a nice rotation on the DL. To be honest, I don't see anyone available to GB from #25 on being a better player in 05 than Cullen Jenkins (had 4.5 sacks in just 6 starts) or Corey Williams (had 1 sack and 11 tackles in his final three games as a rotation guy playing only in running downs).

My main concern was LB, but the signing of Ray Thompson, Navies and the pick of Poppinga has lessened that worry considerably. There's also a good chance that their starting safety from 04 (Roman) won't even make the team after camp. Their starting corner and dime DB weren't even given offers and allowed to walk as well.

Their defense still has some questionmarks, but the team has brought in 10 guys over the past two weeks to add into the mix (plus the return of three guys injured in 04). Even if 2/3 of these guys flame out, they will still be better than 04.

[TazFTW]

Just noticed something, Michael Munoz was not drafted. Was he that bad at Tennessee?

[Danny]

Originally Posted by Arles

GB currently has the following at DE and DT:
DT Clitoris Hunt

[TazFTW]

Comment from Jerry Jones about Maurice Clarett

No Guarantees

The Cowboys might have been interested in drafting Maurice Clarett at some point, but no promises were made to the embattled running back who was taken by the Denver Broncos with the last pick in the third round.

Josh Luchs, one of Clarett's agents, said Parcells had told Clarett the Cowboys would draft him if he was still available in fourth round. "That's not true, period," Jones said when asked about Luchs' statement. "We could very well have been interested in Maurice Clarett but it would have been at a much later round than the fourth round or possibly even the fifth round. But we never represented anything to him one way or the other."

[ice4277]

Originally Posted by Cringer

No, but we may have to sign Antonio Freeman to play DT/DE. I am fine with the WR's, mainly because there is nothing I can do about it (damn shareholders should get more power ). I would have liked one of those picks to be on the defensive side again....

Didn't the Packers draft Carl Ford from Toledo a year or two ago? I know he was injured, but he was pretty damn good in college, and I remember hearing some good things about him in training camp. Is he still there?

[Bearcat729]

Originally Posted by TazFTW

Just noticed something, Michael Munoz was not drafted. Was he that bad at Tennessee?

He had several injuries. I still say that he should have been drafted, but he will be a big UDFA steal if he can stay healthy.

[Arles]

Originally Posted by ice4277

Didn't the Packers draft Carl Ford from Toledo a year or two ago? I know he was injured, but he was pretty damn good in college, and I remember hearing some good things about him in training camp. Is he still there?

He's no longer with the team (was a 7th round pick). In fact, I think he's out of the league. Going into the draft, GB's WRs were:
Javon Walker, Donald Driver, Robert Ferguson, Antonio Chatman (5-9 - undrafted), Kevin Kight (undrafted rookie in 04) and Andre Thurman (undrafted rookie in 04).

You could make a case that WR was the biggest depth need on the entire team - especially given the uncertainty on Ferguson with the neck injury.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by Arles

GB currently has the following at DE and DT:
DE KGB
DE Aaron Kampman
DT Grady Jackson
DT Cullen Jenkins (who played very well down the stretch in 04)
DT Cletius Hunt
DT James Lee (5th round in 03)
DE/DT Corey Williams (6th round in 04)
DE/DT Donnell Washington (3rd round in 04)
DE R-Kal Truluc

And that's not counting the pick (Montgomery) or Kenny "the stiff" Peterson. Jenkins, Lee (injured in 03), Williams and Washington were all essentially rookies in 04. All showed flashes of being nice players and I think atleast one or two will step it up in 05. My bet is Jenkins beats out Hunt, Williams becomes the backup DE and Lee backs up Jackson to give this team a nice rotation on the DL. To be honest, I don't see anyone available to GB from #25 on being a better player in 05 than Cullen Jenkins (had 4.5 sacks in just 6 starts) or Corey Williams (had 1 sack and 11 tackles in his final three games as a rotation guy playing only in running downs).

My main concern was LB, but the signing of Ray Thompson, Navies and the pick of Poppinga has lessened that worry considerably. There's also a good chance that their starting safety from 04 (Roman) won't even make the team after camp. Their starting corner and dime DB weren't even given offers and allowed to walk as well.

Their defense still has some questionmarks, but the team has brought in 10 guys over the past two weeks to add into the mix (plus the return of three guys injured in 04). Even if 2/3 of these guys flame out, they will still be better than 04.

Well, seeing how the Packers seem to consider two of their picks as LB's, I guess you got your LB's in the draft.

As far as that defensive line, you proved why I would like more guys. I know those guys can still get better, hell Cletidus Hunt is a guy I will give chances to until he is 40, and he will still disappoint me I'm sure but I have always liked that guy and rooted for him. But that line is not all that great, based off of last year.

Someone needs to step up. I wish KGB could go back to a mostly pass down's rusher, because he just has not seemed to be as big of a force since he became and every down player.

[JeeberD]

Originally Posted by mckerney

Jeeber, any info on Adrian Ward? All I've been able to find is that he's fast.

Played two years for the Miners after being a JC stud. His first year he really struggled but last season he really turned it on, picking off five passes, breaking up 17 passes, and making 59 tackles. Good pass defender and solid open field tackler.

Actually, I had heard nothing at all about him getting drafted. I don't think he was on anyone's radar until he ran a 4.37 at the Miners Pro Day...

Hope he makes the squad and can contribute!

Oh, and click the link to see his UTEP bio in PDF form.

[HomerJSimpson]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Any Georgia or SEC fans out there that can tell me a little bit about WR Fred Gibson? I heard he is one of the guys that sold his championship ring. I am cautiously optimistic about his "tools" and wondering if he will be a good guy to have on the team.

Tough read. The strengths and weaknesses from SCOUTS was spot-on in this case. I think he is one of those guys that really didn't give "all out" in college because he knew he had a future in the NFL. He might flip the switch and become a great receiver. He had definite flashes of brillance in college, but then would disappear for streches. And he did fumble waaaay too much.

[TazFTW]

Goodbye idiot kicker

Mike Vanderjagt - K - IND

Mike Vanderjagt is likely entering his last season as a Colt. NFL Network reports that the Colts told sixth round pick Dave Rayner that he'll work on kickoffs this season before succeeding Vanderjerk in 2006. Vaderjagt should take this news his trademark class. Apr. 25 - 8:32 pm et