GBN's Quick Look at the 2009 Draft

[Roy P]

After watching the Ore St. vs. USC game, I'm not so thrilled about going after Brian Cushing as an OLB. He reminds me a lot of Tim Shaw (who was recently released by the Panthers). If I'm convinced that we need a "playmaker" at OLB, then I'd be more inclined to go after a WLB like Aaron Curry who will be able to defend the pass, run, and rush the QB on all 3 downs. I don't see Cushing as a guy who can put much pressure on the QB on 3rd down by putting his hand on the ground when we are in a Nickle formation.

Another thing that really hit home with Mays not playing as much during that game (and Bob Sanders sitting out the Jags game) was how important a dominant Safety can be. When we drop one of our guys into the box, it really doesn't stop the run. Perhaps this weekend I'll be proven wrong. At any rate, I'd love to have a guy who can wrap up a RB in the backfield before they break loose for 10+ yards. Can William Moore be that guy? Perhaps Mays?

I'm hopeful that we got a run-stuffing DT in the middle with Frank Okam. Therefore, I won't say that is a "have to have" at this point.

However, getting a DE who will be able to pass-rush better than N.D. Kalu is a definite must have for this defense.

The emergence of Steve Slaton has been a nice surprise. I'd like to get his complement, if Chris Taylor can't meet that role. Mainly, to keep Slaton fresh but to also gain short yardarge when moving the pile is required. Luckily, I believe that role could be met by getting a player later in the draft or possibly signing an undrafted FA.

So, on Sept 26, 2008, my priorities would be the following....
1. S (William Moore)
2. WLB (Aaron Curry)
3. OL (Alex Boone, Kraig Urbik, Andy Levitre, or Andy Kemp)
4. DE (Derek Walker)
5. QB (Chase Daniel)
6. SLB (Stryker Sulak)
7. RB (Tristan Davis or Herb Donaldson)

[KJ3]

roy, i've only heard of 2 of those players but i like how your priorities fall in the draft. i think DE probaby gets picked higher than 4 but i wouldn't have a problem with a draft like that!

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Roy P

So, on Sept 26, 2008, my priorities would be the following....
1. S (William Moore)
2. WLB (Aaron Curry)
3. OL (Alex Boone, Kraig Urbik, Andy Levitre, or Andy Kemp)
4. DE (Derek Walker)
5. QB (Chase Daniel)
6. SLB (Stryker Sulak)
7. RB (Tristan Davis or Herb Donaldson)

I am looking at a couple different ways to go, one is with Moore like you have here, another is to go OL Duke Robinson Oklahoma, and yet another path that I am degrading after last Thursday, LB Rey Maualuga USC.

I want to go defense heavy, which has me looking at guys like Maualuga, Moore, Taylor Mays, USC or Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech in the 1st.

Guys like Greg Middleton Indiana, Curry, Marcus Freeman Ohio State are guys I am looking at in the 2nd.

Or I might be in favor if Taking Duke Robinson in the 1st, he can either move Pitts to the RG or become RG himself.

I also like OC Antoine Caldwell Alabama 6'3" 305 and OT Max Unger, Oregon 6'5 306.

As for RBs I am watching Donald Brown Connecticut, Javarris James, Miami (Fl.), P.J. Hill, Wisconsin.

[NBT]

Trouble is PK, the way it usually works is these round 2 guys will play themselves into the first round and some of the first rounders will tumble. People and positions are one thing at this time of year but round is just way too far off to really speculate on right now.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by NBT

Trouble is PK, the way it usually works is these round 2 guys will play themselves into the first round and some of the first rounders will tumble. People and positions are one thing at this time of year but round is just way too far off to really speculate on right now.

It's never too early to speculate. We just have to realize that we might not be very accurate.

[nero THE zero]

Originally Posted by Roy P

After watching the Ore St. vs. USC game, I'm not so thrilled about going after Brian Cushing as an OLB. He reminds me a lot of Tim Shaw (who was recently released by the Panthers). If I'm convinced that we need a "playmaker" at OLB, then I'd be more inclined to go after a WLB like Aaron Curry who will be able to defend the pass, run, and rush the QB on all 3 downs. I don't see Cushing as a guy who can put much pressure on the QB on 3rd down by putting his hand on the ground when we are in a Nickle formation.

Another thing that really hit home with Mays not playing as much during that game (and Bob Sanders sitting out the Jags game) was how important a dominant Safety can be. When we drop one of our guys into the box, it really doesn't stop the run. Perhaps this weekend I'll be proven wrong. At any rate, I'd love to have a guy who can wrap up a RB in the backfield before they break loose for 10+ yards. Can William Moore be that guy? Perhaps Mays?

I'm hopeful that we got a run-stuffing DT in the middle with Frank Okam. Therefore, I won't say that is a "have to have" at this point.

However, getting a DE who will be able to pass-rush better than N.D. Kalu is a definite must have for this defense.

The emergence of Steve Slaton has been a nice surprise. I'd like to get his complement, if Chris Taylor can't meet that role. Mainly, to keep Slaton fresh but to also gain short yardarge when moving the pile is required. Luckily, I believe that role could be met by getting a player later in the draft or possibly signing an undrafted FA.

So, on Sept 26, 2008, my priorities would be the following....
1. S (William Moore)
2. WLB (Aaron Curry)
3. OL (Alex Boone, Kraig Urbik, Andy Levitre, or Andy Kemp)
4. DE (Derek Walker)
5. QB (Chase Daniel)
6. SLB (Stryker Sulak)
7. RB (Tristan Davis or Herb Donaldson)

Really good post, I agree a lot with your assessment.

In this draft I would probably go all defense except RB and possibly QB.

I think our needs shake out somewhat like this:
DE
OLB
RB
S
CB
QB

We also probably need a OG, but I think our other needs trump OL at the moment.

[NBT]

I would put another CB right up there with DE and LB. As a matter of fact that would be my first 3 picks next year. And if Meyers and Brisiel don't come around, i would draft a replacement.

[nero THE zero]

Originally Posted by NBT

I would put another CB right up there with DE and LB. As a matter of fact that would be my first 3 picks next year. And if Meyers and Brisiel don't come around, i would draft a replacement.

Given the fact that we have drafted CB in the 3rd round in two consecutive years and signed one to a relatively healthy contract, I doubt we draft one high, if at all.

From what we can tell, we need another CB. But with the attention they've paid to it, I'm thinking they're going to try and let their guys develop and focus on other areas.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by nero THE zero

Given the fact that we have drafted CB in the 3rd round in two consecutive years and signed one to a relatively healthy contract, I doubt we draft one high, if at all.

From what we can tell, we need another CB. But with the attention they've paid to it, I'm thinking they're going to try and let their guys develop and focus on other areas.

I think you are right on this. What sucks is this team was so bad before that we are having to still draft perfect. And the guys need to start year 1 or the fans are screaming.

Stupid fans, every player needs time to adjust, mature and learn. I watched Chris Dishman, a 9th or 10th round pick get beat every game. We screamed at Glanville for his draft bust, but in 2 years that guy was one of the top shutdown corners in the league. He had to take his lumps and he did, and having a coach who believed in him, and allowed him to make those mistakes made him an elite player.

I can tell you the same story about a ton of guys.

Our team has always had to rush the players to the field, and then they have not been given the time by the fans. Time + the correct player means good things.

BTW coaches know the guys that are growing into the job, we don't.

[NBT]

We may be stupid but we can see that some of these coaches aren't coaching any better than gradeschool coaches. And if I seem impatient, it is only that I have been waiting for a SB team in this town since 1959! Almost 50 years! I don't know about others, but i think i have a right to expect more.

[Nconroe]

so maybe gotta look at QB's as well.