2009 Draft Day Blog
OK everyone, here's how this
things going to work. Starting at around 3:30 EST, I'll start posting
any notes that I hear about (Maybe earlier if something really big comes
up). Then, once the draft starts, I'll make a comment on every draft
pick through the first round. So, give me a minute or two after every
pick and then click on the refresh button.
3:19
EST
Well, the rumors are-a-flying
already about the Lions, Jets, and Chiefs trying to trade up. The Lions
from number 20 in the first round, but they don't really have the
ammunition. The Jets are trying to get into the top-3 (specifically
targeting Matt Sanchez) but again, they don't really have the picks,
either. The Chiefs are an interesting case, because their trying to get
from the early second into the 20s, but there's very little idea as to
what or who they'd be trying to get.
Another interesting
development is that the earlier rumor that the Patriots are trying to
get into the top-10 for Michael Crabtree or Brian Cushing is bupkus.
According to Bill Belichick, the chances are "less than zero" that they
will make a trade of such magnitude.
4:00 EST
Well, as everyone knows by now, Matt Stafford has signed a 6 year,
$72 million deal to be the first overall pick. Personally, I have a
problem with this selection for one reason. They're putting an awful lot
of pressure on a young quarterback who will probably be expected to
start sometime this year because of expectations. In addition, he'll be
playing behind a line that resembles a sieve. Can anyone say David Carr?
I'm not saying he'll be a bust, but he'll face an awful lot of live
bullets for a while.
4:04 EST
They just showed Lions' fans, and lets just say the natives are
restless.
4:07 EST
Here's where things can get interesting. Supposedly, there's pretty
intense discussions in St. Louis about Jason Smith vs. Eugene Monroe.
Allegedly, personnel wants Monroe, but the coaches want Smith. Pretty
soon, we'll find out who wins.
4:13 EST
I really like the Jason Smith pick for St. Louis. First of all, I
think he's stronger at the point of attack than Monroe. Second, I think
his ceiling is much higher. Lastly, he doesn't have the medical issues
that the Virginia tackle does.
4:23 EST
The Chiefs take Tyson Jackson. I have a problem with this pick
because it's a reach. I know he's the only highly rated 5-technique in
the draft, but there were better values for a 3-4 scheme than him. Aaron
Curry would be a tremendous outside backer in the 3-4. I think he could
easily become a James Harrison-type dominator at the next level.
4:28 EST
Here is another settling point in this year's draft. The Seahawks
have been linked to about 10 different players, but I think it comes
down to Aaron Curry vs. Matt Sanchez. While I think Curry would be the
better pick, from what I've been told, the Seahawks prefer Sanchez.
4:32 EST
Well, that's the
first pick I got wrong. However, it's the best one so far. Replacing
Julian Peterson was a major issue for the Seahawks, and Curry was the
true clear-cut answer.
Now, the interesting thing
will be who trades up with Jacksonville to nab Sanchez.
4:40 EST
Now, that's very
interesting. Of all the trading partners, I'm very surprised that Eric
Mangini would trade with the team that ran him out of town. Of course,
Sanchez will be a Jet and they get the man they've been coveting.
4:50 EST
One of the most talked about players in this year's draft (and not
for good reasons), Andre Smith, will be the pick for the Bengals. I'm
somewhat surprised that the Bengals will take him because of the
off-the-field problems. In recent times, they've tried to distance
themselves from "problem children", but I think his value is just too
high. Remember, this guy was being touted as the best tackle in this
draft until the combine fiasco.
4:55 EST
Go figure, the Raiders choose style over substance....again. It
absolutely amazes me how they continuously select 40 yard dash times
over playing ability. There's no doubt in my mind that Jeremy Maclin
will be a better player than Darrius Heyward-Bey. Al Davis needs to be
committed, and Raider fan will be the first to drive him there.
5:04
EST
The Jaguars selecting
Eugene Monroe isn't surprising. For me, it was down to him or Michael
Crabtree. However, I'm not exactly thrilled if I'm a Jacksonville fan
with the best receiver on the board and the organization going with a
left tackle. They haven't had a decent receiver since Jimmy Smith
retired and I don't know if they'll get one of value later in the draft.
5:10 EST
With Eugene Monroe off the board, the Packers went with the next
best thing in B.J. Raji. I know they wanted a left tackle, but since
they need 3-4 defenders, it makes sense to give Dom Capers some weapons.
Also, they may be able to keep him out of trouble in a small town like
Green Bay over a bigger city.
5:19 EST
Michael Crabtree was just shown talking on the phone, and it does
not look like he's happy to be going to San Francisco. I'm a little
surprised that they're going after him with so many good pass-rushers on
the board. More than anything, they needed to get someone who would get
after the quarterback in this draft. Furthermore, I'm surprised that
Mike Singletary didn't demand a player to build his young defense
around.
5:26 EST
I really, really don't like the Aaron Maybin pick. I understand they
need pass-rushers, but the gaping hole left by Jason Peters on the left
side will have a huge impact on Trent Edwards. Also, anyone who listens
to 1560 knows that I'm not a Maybin fan. He's a prospect at best and
will take a couple of years to become a player.
5:30 EST
Wow!!! Knowshon Moreno to the Broncos is a bigger surprise that the
Jets trading all the way up to four for Sanchez. This pick messed up
every mock draft in the country. I know they were hoping B.J. Raji would
slip, but then to go offense is a bad move.
Before I could finish typing
the Broncos comments, the Redskins ran to the podium with the Brian
Orakpo pick. I like this one. Orakpo is exactly what the Redskins need.
He's a strong, pass-rushing end who will be able to play every down and
wreak havoc in the backfield.
5:38 EST
The Saints are really in a real dilemna. They would like to take
Beanie Wells, but I think the need is at corner. With the best one on
the board, I don't think there's any way they can pass him up.
5:40 EST
This was just a common-sense pick. The Saints needed to resolve the
issues that they've had with their secondary for a few years now, and
their free-agent moves just haven't cut it. A+ to the Saints!
5:44 EST
NFL Network has Brian Cushing on the phone, talking with the Texans.
This is another great pick. He'll be able to provide run support and put
his hand on the ground on third down. For their sake, I was hoping they
would buy into the hype and take Clay Matthews. I'm not down on
Matthews, but I'm worried about his meteoric rise over the past eight
months.
5:51 EST
Another shocker. I like Larry English, but it's just too early. Of
course, it's hard to argue with the personnel guys in San Diego. I'm
guessing that they had no takers to trade down. With the Jets getting
their quarterback, there was no need for anyone to trade up in front of
the 17th pick.
5:54 EST
OK folks, I've got to take a break. I'll be back to catch up in a
little bit.
6:06 EST
Alright, we're back and blogging.
Since I left, the Bucs
traded up for Josh Freeman. One of the more obvious picks considering
the Jets got Sanchez. Overall, I'm not entirely sold on Freeman, but
he's got a cannon for an arm, and quarterback was a huge need for Tampa
Bay.
Next, the Broncos followed
up with Robert Ayers. When they went Moreno earlier, this pick became
imperative to get a premium defender. My only concern is that he's a
little undersized for the 5-technique and I don't know if they'll get
the production they're hoping for.
6:11 EST
So the Browns traded down again. This time it's with the Eagles. And
with that pick, the Eagles select......Jeremy Maclin. I think that this
is a great value pick. They really needed a playmaker on offense and
this guy absolutely will provide that. I'm somewhat surprised that they
didn't take Michael Oher, but that just leaves him for the Lions.
6:18 EST
With the 20th pick, the Lions take Brandon Pettigrew. This is
another surprise. I thought for sure Detroit would try to fix their left
tackle problem. However, by adding Pettigrew, the get the next best
thing. As a blocker, he's the best tight end I've seen in a long time.
He immediately makes any tackle playing next to him better. In addition,
they get a reliable target for Matt Stafford.
6:25 EST
Don't get me wrong, I really like Alex Mack, but this is not the
place to take him. Also, I don't think he's the position that Cleveland
needed. Once again, the Browns had to get a pass-rusher and there were a
couple still of value here. I'm surprised they didn't go with Clay
Matthews. Think about it, the father is one of the most beloved Browns
of all time and they could have had the second-coming.
Quickly, the Vikings run to
the podium to take Percy Harvin. While I love the talent, I'm worried
about the character issues here. Especially after the "Love Boat"
incident, Zygie Wolf has made it clear that he wants to rid the
organization of off-the-field problems. That being said, it had become
very clear in the last week that Harvin was the player the Vikings
wanted most.
6:34
EST
Ho hum, another draft, another instance of Bill Belichick hoarding
picks. They just traded back with the Ravens. I think Baltimore has a
receiver in mind, and my bet is that it's Kenny Britt.
6:37
EST
Then again, I could be wrong. This may be one of the best moves of
the first round. At this point, Oher is the best player on the board,
and the Ravens need a tackle. Oher is definitely an upgrade over Jared
Gaither, but I'm not so sure he's the drive-blocker that the Ravens
usually utilize.
While I was typing in the
above comments, the Falcons used their pick to take Peria Jerry. This is
another great pick. Defensive tackle was a definite need and his motor
will help with a defensive line that will now be able to wreck shop with
John Abraham.
6:47
EST
Everyone knew that the Dolphins wanted a corner instead of a
receiver at this spot. I'm just surprised that Vontae Davis was still
available. I like the value here, and he's the type of aggressive
playmaker that Bill Parcells loves to have in the defensive backfield.
The key will be to get him to stay somewhat in check as he has a
tendency to be too aggressive.
6:54 EST
I'm beginning to think the Patriots are never going to pick. The
Packers used the pick to get Clay Matthews, which will be a good fit for
Green Bay's new 3-4 scheme. He's a relentless player who will go
sideline-to-sideline and provides the athleticism required for a Dom
Capers' OLB.
7:00 EST
Another surprise pick. The Colts take Donald Brown out of
Connecticut. I'm not sure I understand this one. Yeah, they had a
terrible running game last year, but they still need defensive lineman
in a big way.
7:04 EST
I can see the reasoning behind the Eric Wood pick for the Bills, as
they desperately needed offensive line help. However, I still think they
could have taken the left tackle at 11 and been better off. That
decision may be affecting my judgment towards the Bills.
7:09 EST
The Giants taking
Hakeem Nicks was one of the "no-brainers" in this draft. They needed a
big, physical receiver with great hands and that's exactly what they get
with the North Carolina wideout. Great pick.
7:14 EST
Well, the Titans
finally get a receiver in the first round, and they landed a good one.
He's a good character kid, with soft hands, and the size and skills to
be a prime-time pass catcher. There are Tennessee fans all over the
country breathing a sigh of relief after watching Beanie Wells on the
phone before they picked. Could you imagine Jeff Fisher going running
back again?
7:23 EST
Another team that has had a need for a particular position has one
of the premier players fall into their lap. At this point, Rod Graves
and Ken Whisenhunt must be doing cartwheels as they run to the podium
with Beanie Wells still available. I had picked Wells for the Cardinals
in my mock draft, but I still can't believe he stuck around this long.
7:30 EST
We're down to the last pick of the blog, and it belongs to the world
champion Pittsburgh Steelers. With that pick, they take Ziggy Hood. I
like him, but I really thought the Steelers would take Rey Maualuga to
help out with some of their aging middle linebackers.
I just wanted to say thanks
to all of you who hung with me. I apologize for not responding to email,
but it's been pretty hectic. I promise I'll get back to all of you by
the end of the night.
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