2014 NFL draft and offseason thread: your mock draft, team wish list, and more

[BergeLSU]

Tebow was an aberration in the college format and a player that happened to land on the right team with the right coach. And his skillset and position is one of the hardest to transition to the NFL.

Defensive players are usually more adaptable.

SEC DPOY:

2011: Mo Claiborne (Has struggled)
2010: Nick Fairley (Good, not great so far)
2009: Rolando McClain ("retired")
2008: Eric Berry (3x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro)
2007: Glen Dorsey (Lackluster career)
2006: Patrick Willis (7x Pro-Bowl, 6x All-Pro, more)
2005: DeMeco Ryans (2x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro)
2004: David Pollack (16 games played)

So, it's very up and down on how they translate to NFL.

 

[smackababy]

I wouldn't say Pollack is really a fair name to put on that list. He retired after being seriously injured. It wasn't like he couldn't translate to the NFL. He wasn't doing awful when it happened either.

With the exception of Berry and Willis, it seems like the SEC DPOY is a curse. >_>

 

[Jimzz]

Sadly, the more important issue is that the SEC defensive player of the year can't make a roster spot on an NFL team. Straight/gay or otherwise that only matters to media. It's a bigger question as to why a dominant player in arguably the the most defensively minded college division can't make a roster.

Sam's problem is not his play, he is playing well, its that he's on a team that was already loaded with talent on defense and another rookie is real hot right now.

I think worse case he makes the practice squad and might get called up when someone gets injured. Best case is a couple teams go after him when he hits waivers.

I was hoping he get more time with the first strings but he has done well against other rookies and undrafted players.

 

[smackababy]

Sam's problem is not his play, he is playing well, its that he's on a team that was already loaded with talent on defense and another rookie is real hot right now.

I think worse case he makes the practice squad and might get called up when someone gets injured. Best case is a couple teams go after him when he hits waivers.

I was hoping he get more time with the first strings but he has done well against other rookies and undrafted players.

Weren't there talks about other teams interested in picking him up as an undrafted free agent? I'm sure someone could fit him in as a role player. Him being drafted there didn't seem like a good decision from the Rams anyway. Granted, it didn't hurt them (and helped the NFL as a whole, I think), but it wasn't a pick that made sense beyond the social implications. Which, IMO, is a shitty reason to draft someone. Even if I do agree it was a good thing an openly gay player was drafted.

 

[dougp]

I could see the Cowboys going after him, they need DBs bad.

 

[smackababy]

Michael Sam isn't a DB? I couldn't imagine this big fucker running around in pass coverage.

 

[dougp]

Michael Sam isn't a DB? I couldn't imagine this big fucker running around in pass coverage.

He's a DE, apologies.

 

[Retro Rob]

Sam's problem is not his play, he is playing well, its that he's on a team that was already loaded with talent on defense and another rookie is real hot right now.


I was hoping he get more time with the first strings but he has done well against other rookies and undrafted players.

This is why I literally hate NFL preseason football...I think they are the worse games that are used to judge a player and/or team out of the 4 major sports.

I mean, the 08 Lions won the pre-season super bowl just to turn right around and take their off-season in celebration. But on the flip side, if you can't play well against an opposing team's second and third string scrubs, then you probably will get cut.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Most I listened to didn't think it was a bad hit.

Niners put bowman and lattimore on the pup, out till at least week 7.

Yeah I didn't think it was and I don't believe it got flagged. But because of all the publicity the whole thing ended up with (granted the bigger story was Manning talking shit to the DB), I was curious f the league would fine it or not.

How do any of you think the world would react if Michael Sam was cut from St Louis?

I see it as a catch-22 -- Fisher ends up keeping a potentially usless player out of fear of the gay community (filling a spot which could be filled by a better player), or he cuts him and has to deal with backlash...

...or Sam is simply a good player worth keeping.

Thoughts?

I wouldn't expect an uproar over it if it happens, or if there is one, I'd expect Sam to try to calm it down by saying that its not the end and he's just got to work hard, that he has to earn his spot in the league with his play. I'm sure he'll show up elsewhere if the Rams do cut him, don't know if he'll ever get to play or amount to anything but I don't think it'd be the end for him in the NFL just yet. Minimum, I bet some teams will want to bring him in just so they can look like they have no problem with gay players (wouldn't be surprised to see him show up in Minnesota after the Chris Kluwe deal).

As has already been explained Makins was overpayed for what he was producing and Wright is a much needed replacement, as Hernandez is busy killing people and Gronk is going to be hurt again soon.

And a 4th round pick is enough for ol' Bill to work his magic.

Haven't the Pats been doing weird things with their line this offseason? Weren't they playing their starting LT at TE some?

Seems to me that if I had a great veteran QB, who has never been all that mobile, I'd want to do something to keep some consistency in the line.

But then their line always seems to rank pretty decently after the season is over, and I thought the last two times they went to the Super Bowl they had really good lines, but that still didn't stop Brady from ending up on his backside, so maybe Bill doesn't think it matters all that much.

Guess maybe he's trying to send a message, doesn't matter what your name is, how much you're paid, or what you've done in the past, you've still got to play well to earn your spot.

 

[Fern]

How do any of you think the world would react if Michael Sam was cut from St Louis?

I see it as a catch-22 -- Fisher ends up keeping a potentially usless player out of fear of the gay community (filling a spot which could be filled by a better player), or he cuts him and has to deal with backlash...

...or Sam is simply a good player worth keeping.

Thoughts?

I've been hearing that he under performs (not much effort etc) in practice but actually plays pretty well in games.

As a 7th round draftee I believe his prospects of making the 53 man roster are pretty slim, particularly given that the team was already strong at his position.

Fern

 

[Fern]

Sadly, the more important issue is that the SEC defensive player of the year can't make a roster spot on an NFL team. Straight/gay or otherwise that only matters to media. It's a bigger question as to why a dominant player in arguably the the most defensively minded college division can't make a roster.

Tebow was an aberration in the college format and a player that happened to land on the right team with the right coach. And his skillset and position is one of the hardest to transition to the NFL.

Defensive players are usually more adaptable.

I think the DE position is one of the most difficult as far as adaptability.

There's the whole 4-3 versus the 3-4 thing. There have been some very good DE pass rushers in college that don't make it in the pro's. In many pro sets what is basically the DE position the player will have pass coverage responsibilities. Some simply can't do it, no matter how good they were at containing the edge or rushing the passer.

I think Sam may have the same problem as many other good college DE's - he's a 'tweener'. Too slow for effective pass coverage and too small to play primarily run stuffer.

Fern

 

[lupi]

supposedly the gordon decision has been made, when it will be announced is unknown.

 

[KeithTalent]

supposedly the gordon decision has been made, when it will be announced is unknown.

This has to be the most drawn out suspension in history. Ridiculous. Glad I have not had any fantasy drafts yet.

KT

 

[glenn1]

This has to be the most drawn out suspension in history. Ridiculous. Glad I have not had any fantasy drafts yet.

KT

Doesn't matter, someone is going to overpay for him regardless. They'll put a WR2 price (or even bottom-end WR1) on him when it's likely he's going to miss the majority of the season. I'm guessing 8 games minimum. All in keeping with the NFL stupid mindset of suspending someone who plays "knockout game" with his fiancee 2 games and someone who smokes a bit of MJ 8x as long.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Haven't the Pats been doing weird things with their line this offseason? Weren't they playing their starting LT at TE some?

Seems to me that if I had a great veteran QB, who has never been all that mobile, I'd want to do something to keep some consistency in the line.

But then their line always seems to rank pretty decently after the season is over, and I thought the last two times they went to the Super Bowl they had really good lines, but that still didn't stop Brady from ending up on his backside, so maybe Bill doesn't think it matters all that much.

Guess maybe he's trying to send a message, doesn't matter what your name is, how much you're paid, or what you've done in the past, you've still got to play well to earn your spot.

Yes, NE has a number of line-ups which they throw a tackle as a TE. Part of it has to do with Gronk(one of the best blocking TEs) out but NE is always trying to create mismatches.

In regards to the line, up til Mankins trade, 3 of the 5 linemen were 1st(2) and 2nd(1) picks. Mankins can still run block but his pass blocking has become below average which I think, along with his salary(one of the highest for a OG) caused the trade to occur. But I see the interior OL to be a big question mark and nobody is set in stone as starters yet which is scary.

With or without Gronk, NE still needs another redzone threat and the new TE looks to fill that need.

NE in the past has made big waves prior to the start of season. Trading or releasing the likes of Lawyer Malloy, Richard Seymour in the past.

 

[Imported]

This has to be the most drawn out suspension in history. Ridiculous. Glad I have not had any fantasy drafts yet.

KT

They should be announced Friday. Teams gotta get the roster down. Awaiting suspension news on Aldon too for what seems like forever.

 

[Retro Rob]

supposedly the gordon decision has been made, when it will be announced is unknown.

Its official,...dude's done for the year.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000384185/article/josh-gordon-suspended-one-season-by-nfl

 

[Imported]

Its official,...dude's done for the year.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000384185/article/josh-gordon-suspended-one-season-by-nfl

Ouch.. for pot. Jesus.

 

[lupi]

As I heard one analyst say; the nfl pays well for these arbitrator's services...why use common sense and rule how the majority would see the issue and risk losing the easy paycheck.

For a positive result based on a technicality, at a level lower than established for the olympics, kinda a shitty deal.

 

[zinfamous]

Its official,...dude's done for the year.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000384185/article/josh-gordon-suspended-one-season-by-nfl

Ouch.. for pot. Jesus.

effing goddamn ridiculous. Now watch Ray-Ray get his two games.


NFL: bunch of cunts

 

[KeithTalent]

What a joke.

KT

 

[Retro Rob]

effing goddamn ridiculous. Now watch Ray-Ray get his two games.


NFL: bunch of cunts

Apples to asteroids.

I don't recall this being Rice's THIRD domestic violence infraction, with the last two during his NFL career.

Gordon's an ignorant idiot, plain and simple.

 

[Jimzz]

Apples to asteroids.

I don't recall this being Rice's THIRD domestic violence infraction, with the last two during his NFL career.

Gordon's an ignorant idiot, plain and simple.

yea I don't have much lose for him or Ricky Williams for doing the same thing.

If you get caught once then yea but if you keep doing drugs/getting caught then be ready for the punishment.

Pick one; Weed or NFL.

 

[Gibsons]

Apples to asteroids.

I don't recall this being Rice's THIRD domestic violence infraction, with the last two during his NFL career.

Gordon's an ignorant idiot, plain and simple.

I don't care if he smokes every day for the rest of his life, it's not as bad as knocking a woman out.

 

[zinfamous]

Apples to asteroids.

no it isn't.

seriously, look up Michael Pittman, that human filth stain, if you want a good example of how the NFL deals with repeated wife beaters in comparison to how they deal with victimless smokers.