Risers & Fallers

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by painekiller

I've seen this one quote being used on a lot of sites. Weatherspoon's number speak for themselves. IMO I think we are starting to see the disinformation starting.

Any scout who doesn't think Weatherspoon a can play should be fired right now. Ray Lewis is the same kind of player and guy, do you think he would be #26 today?

PK I don't know about putting Weatherspoons name, albeit a very good LB in this years NFL Draft, in the same sentence with the name of another LB who is recognized as one of the greatest ever at his position in the entire history of the NFL ?
And how would it go over for example if a rookie like Weatherspoon was to start his NFL career on a team like the Texans and attempt to be the take-charge holler-guy given some of the established vets on our defense ? Everything I've heard NFL players say about their rookie year in the league included being like children in that they were to be seen but not heard.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

And how would it go over for example if a rookie like Weatherspoon was to start his NFL career on a team like the Texans and attempt to be the take-charge holler-guy given some of the established vets on our defense ? Everything I've heard NFL players say about their rookie year in the league included being like children in that they were to be seen but not heard.

That's exactly what this team needs. The "leads by example" guys are not leaders, they just do what their responsibilities are. Every now and then, you get a guy who isn't afraid to step up and be heard. Ray Lewis is like that. Lawrence Taylor was like that. When you have production, you can demand that your teammates meet your intensity. As long as Spoon makes plays, he can run his mouth all he wants.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

PK I don't know about putting Weatherspoon's name, albeit a very good LB in this years NFL Draft, in the same sentence with the name of another LB who is recognized as one of the greatest ever at his position in the entire history of the NFL ?
And how would it go over for example if a rookie like Weatherspoon was to start his NFL career on a team like the Texans and attempt to be the take-charge holler-guy given some of the established vets on our defense ? Everything I've heard NFL players say about their rookie year in the league included being like children in that they were to be seen but not heard.

I'll add to Roy's comment, Cushing came in and did just this. He and Pollard were said to be the two biggest trash talkers on the team, forgot to add Smith to that list. That is 3 guys that added attitude to our defense which was not here since the Jamie Sharper/Aaron Glenn/Gary Walker days.

Cushing was able to push our LBs to be better, and it helped. Now don't get me wrong, I am not predicting a HOF career for a guy who has not played a down, but Weatherspoon can play the run sideline to sideline, and he can cover better then Ryans. IMO he is the most likely to be named Defensive Rookie of the Year. Unless McClain get it.

I would consider trading back in to the 1st round if Weatherspoon dropped to the high 20's, He is that good IMO.

[nunusguy]

Florida CB Joe Haden reportedly timed in the mid-4.4 range on both of his forty-yard dash runs at the Gators' Pro Day.

According to some stopwatches, Haden clocked as fast as the 4.3s despite a soggy, sloppy grass field in Gainesville. The draft's top cornerback, Haden has helped his stock immensely after timing in the 4.57-4.60 range with poor running technique and a lower back sprain at the Scouting Combine. We no longer see him getting past San Francisco at No. 13 overall.
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/359125...s-player_news/
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Who knows who puts out these "reported times" and without some kind of official or authoritarian control source of the times coming out of these Pro Days, "unofficial" times just kinda take on a life of their own and become accepted. But this should work for Haden and restore the credibility to the kind of "reported" top-end sprint speed he possesses.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Florida CB Joe Haden reportedly timed in the mid-4.4 range on both of his forty-yard dash runs at the Gators' Pro Day.

Dunlap ran a 4.66 on the soggy field. This is exactly why I like to compare all the players at the same time at the Combine. I would rather all times be electronically timed and not a hand-held stopwatch. Anyway, if Haden is still drafted in the top 10, that's good because it gives Dan Williams a better shot at dropping to number 20.

The best Pro-Day in Florida was turned in by Tim Tebow. Bringing the ball back from his ear instead of dropping down by his thigh should propel him to the 2nd round. I'd guess he pushes DelHomme in Cleveland. Then imagine Gruden coming out of retirement to work for Holmgren.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Dunlap ran a 4.66 on the soggy field. This is exactly why I like to compare all the players at the same time at the Combine. I would rather all times be electronically timed and not a hand-held stopwatch.

Electronic times are of course slower but more importantly consistant and most important accurate. And who even knows if any given Pro Day 40 track is,
well 40 yards in length ?

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Electronic times are of course slower but more importantly consistant and most important accurate. And who even knows if any given Pro Day 40 track is,
well 40 yards in length ?

As long as the times are consistent, then we can make real comparisons and not make million dollar decisions based upon somebody's thumb and reaction speed.

[kRocket]

The so-called electronic times in the combine are only partly electronic. They are still started manually but finished electronically. This process does mediate inconsistency, but does not eliminate it. See Taylor Mays number.