Mock By Bucky Brooks NFL.com

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by beerlover

Yes, but your forgetting a couple things. One, Texans OL is no longer holy like Swiss cheese. Two, there is a huge hole @ WR after Andre Johnson & this applies to any other team as well.

Let me be more clear on my point.

I think that St. Louis would be better served bolstering their O-line by drafting Kalil as opposed to going for the stud WR in Justin Blackmon.

I used the pre-Schaub Texans as an example for when we had a stud WR in A.J. but couldn't keep D.C. upright long enough to consistently and effectively get him the ball.
AND a stud OT cannot help but improve things for their workhorse RB, Stephen Jackson.

Regarding our draft strategy, there's no question that getting a stud WR (or two - the 2nd one to return punts) should be tops on our shopping list. We're pretty much drafting for quality depth everywhere else.

That's all I'm saying. Sorry for any confusion.

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by ObsiWan

Let me be more clear on my point.

I think that St. Louis would be better served bolstering their O-line by drafting Kalil as opposed to going for the stud WR in Justin Blackmon.

I used the pre-Schaub Texans as an example for when we had a stud WR in A.J. but couldn't keep D.C. upright long enough to consistently and effectively get him the ball.
AND a stud OT cannot help but improve things for their workhorse RB, Stephen Jackson.

Regarding our draft strategy, there's no question that getting a stud WR (or two - the 2nd one to return punts) should be tops on our shopping list. We're pretty much drafting for quality depth everywhere else.

That's all I'm saying. Sorry for any confusion.

Duane Brown is proof that you can address LT much later & be successful. Blackmon, AJ Green, Julio Jones, Calvin Jones & Andre Johnson are difference playmakers.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by Carr Bombed

What is a bigger need on this team... NT or WR? Every team that says they don't draft for need and draft for BAP is full of crap (unless you're in the top 5 and have a "franchise player" staring you in the face). Everybody drafts for needs and Houston will most likely do the same. WR is going to be the 1st round pick here. The Texans had a top notch defense and a top notch unit against the run with Shaun Cody at NT... although it's something that needs to be addressed, it isn't a glaring need for them and I think the fans have made it more of a need than the team actually feels that it is.

If Kendall Wright is @#26 he would be my pick but I am concerned he will not be. For me, no other first round WR exists. So either we reach way down into second & draft WR @ #26 or we get another need position in first and get the best WR we can #58. Dwight Jones is no Wright but he is pretty good.

My mocks are based on the belief that there is only one position that a draft pick should start game one 2012 & that is WR2. Others can disagree. Then we need a NT, OG (at least one that preferably can also play center as Caldwell was supposed to do), another WR and maybe a DE/DT Watt look alike (Derek Wolfe).

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by beerlover

Duane Brown is proof that you can address LT much later & be successful. Blackmon, AJ Green, Julio Jones, Calvin Jones & Andre Johnson are difference playmakers.

I wouldn't pass up a stud LT for a Julio "dropsie" Jones caliber player. And I don't see Blackmon on the same level as CJ or AJ. I could be all wrong about him and he may be Megatron Jr.

Think about the '03 draft. We used your strategy and we took AJ and passed on Jordon Gross - make no mistake, I looooove me some AJ. Suppose we had taken him and then, instead of Bennie Jopru we took Anquan Boldin. Would we really be worse off?

This is all speculation of course. Plus at this late date, I cannot imagine this team without A.J.

Since there's really no way to know how things would have unfolded...


We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by ObsiWan

I wouldn't pass up a stud LT for a Julio "dropsie" Jones caliber player. And I don't see Blackmon on the same level as CJ or AJ. I could be all wrong about him and he may be Megatron Jr.

Think about the '03 draft. We used your strategy and we took AJ and passed on Jordon Gross - make no mistake, I looooove me some AJ. Suppose we had taken him and then, instead of Bennie Jopru we took Anquan Boldin. Would we really be worse off?

This is all speculation of course. Plus at this late date, I cannot imagine this team without A.J.

Since there's really no way to know how things would have unfolded...


We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.

well then, what is your opinion of Duane Brown?

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by beerlover

well then, what is your opinion of Duane Brown?

I think Duane Brown is super. I liked the pick when it was made in 2008 because E. Salaam was servicable but not a long term solution. I recall some saying we "reached" and we could have gotten him in the 2nd rd or that he would be a "project". I liked the pick then because it met a need.

But that's not the point of discussion. Our discussion is, having a choice between a stud LT or a stud WR, which do you snag. Given the talent at WR and the lack of stud LTs, in this draft, what should St. Louis do?

It took five years after picking A.J. to find a stud LT to protect our QB's blindside. My thing is that Bradford was #1 overall pick. I think it's wise to protect that investment by building a stud O-line to protect him. We went for the stud WR and saw our #1 overall pick QB destroyed - and we became the laughing stock of the NFL - due to not building a superior O-line.

And in this draft, there are way more very good WRs than there are LTs. If I were running the Rams' draft, I'd go Kalil in the 1st rd and the best WR left on the board with my 2nd pick - which could be someone like Alshon Jeffery; not a bad consolation prize.

[Insideop]

Originally Posted by ObsiWan

I think Duane Brown is super. I liked the pick when it was made in 2008 because E. Salaam was servicable but not a long term solution. I recall some saying we "reached" and we could have gotten him in the 2nd rd or that he would be a "project". I liked the pick then because it met a need.

But that's not the point of discussion. Our discussion is, having a choice between a stud LT or a stud WR, which do you snag. Given the talent at WR and the lack of stud LTs, in this draft, what should St. Louis do?

It took five years after picking A.J. to find a stud LT to protect our QB's blindside. My thing is that Bradford was #1 overall pick. I think it's wise to protect that investment by building a stud O-line to protect him. We went for the stud WR and saw our #1 overall pick QB destroyed - and we became the laughing stock of the NFL - due to not building a superior O-line.

And in this draft, there are way more very good WRs than there are LTs. If I were running the Rams' draft, I'd go Kalil in the 1st rd and the best WR left on the board with my 2nd pick - which could be someone like Alshon Jeffery; not a bad consolation prize.

Don't forget too, D. Brown had a very rough 1st year. He was hardly considered a "stud." I think he ranked dead last, or close to it, on the list of OT's in the NFL that gave up the most sacks. I think most on this board considered him a bust at the time. He's come a long way since then. Kalil is way ahead of where Brown was at that stage. So, I'd have to agree, and go Kalil over Blackmon. "Trenches" first!

[beerlover]

I really don't think there is much difference between elite players @ any position, those who are, get drafted higher & paid more. My point is you can develop OL just as you can develop a WR so taking BPA approach to the draft you take the highest rated player in most glaring area of need. Jason Smith, Baylor was drafted #2 overall to be their franchise LT in 09 (you don't spend high picks on RT). OT Rodger Saffold was taken very next year #1 overall in the 2nd rd. both to set the ends for Sam Bardford who was the #1 overall pick in the 2010 draft.

So you are suggesting that the St. Louis Rams select another OT with the 2nd overall pick in the 2012 draft, because this is their most pressing need once again? Hypothetical but we probably wouldn't even be having this conversation, if Rams had a stud WR like Hakeem Nicks or Dez Bryant, but they don't unless they select Blackmon sitting right there for the taking. Studiying the draft as I do, there isn't the same drop off from Kalil to Ohio State LT Mike Adams as there is from Blackmon to Dwight Jones. So if they still require more OL help they can more easily address this later in 2nd & 3rd top of each round. Take it from me the talent evaluation of WR group, as per Texans need, gets much tougher to project after the top 3 or 4 guys come off the board while the OL continues to crank out almost certain starting material into the 3rd & 4th rounds.

cheers

[Dutchrudder]

Originally Posted by beerlover

I really don't think there is much difference between elite players @ any position, those who are, get drafted higher & paid more. My point is you can develop OL just as you can develop a WR so taking BPA approach to the draft you take the highest rated player in most glaring area of need. Jason Smith, Baylor was drafted #2 overall to be their franchise LT in 09 (you don't spend high picks on RT). OT Rodger Saffold was taken very next year #1 overall in the 2nd rd. both to set the ends for Sam Bardford who was the #1 overall pick in the 2010 draft.

So you are suggesting that the St. Louis Rams select another OT with the 2nd overall pick in the 2012 draft, because this is their most pressing need once again? Hypothetical but we probably wouldn't even be having this conversation, if Rams had a stud WR like Hakeem Nicks or Dez Bryant, but they don't unless they select Blackmon sitting right there for the taking. Studiying the draft as I do, there isn't the same drop off from Kalil to Ohio State LT Mike Adams as there is from Blackmon to Dwight Jones. So if they still require more OL help they can more easily address this later in 2nd & 3rd top of each round. Take it from me the talent evaluation of WR group, as per Texans need, gets much tougher to project after the top 3 or 4 guys come off the board while the OL continues to crank out almost certain starting material into the 3rd & 4th rounds.

cheers

But Jason Smith is terrible and will likely be cut by the new coaching staff. That's why they need to take Kalil or trade down and pick up Reiff, Martin or Adams. The Rams have too many needs to take a guy like Blackmon when they could get a Jones or Sanu with a 2nd pick and possibly get a good WR in free agency. They have the money to throw at VJax or DJax to help improve the WR corps. I think they need an OT in the 1st, just a matter of how they get him. Trading down with the Redskins puts them at 6th and they can get their pick of OTs there.

[ObsiWan]

I'm sorry. I got distracted by the Lingerie Football League on MTV...

[damn, that girl has an ARM!]

...what were we discussing?

oh yeah... the Rams.
I was unaware of them drafting O-linemen so high in recent drafts. All I know is that this past season, they gave up a league high 55 sacks. That tells me that O-line needs fixing badly.

I know Blackmon is the sexy pick but if your QB can't stay upright, you wasted a pick on Blackmon because Bradford won't be able to get the ball to him. Giving up 55 sacks tells me they need to address the O-line first and WR second.

[man.... them wimmin are HITTIN'! sorry I got distracted but have you seen those unis??]

[beerlover]

I would suggest something other than throwing high picks at something expecting it to be fixed. Clearly there are other contributing factors @ work here, doesn't mean taking sexy pick, media darling whatever it means addressing need that can springboard franchise from mediocrity to competitive.

Just checking my reference material (ourlads scouting service) the Rams top priority in the 2011 draft was, wait for it.........WR you guessed it. After WR was not OL but LB, followed by RB then OL. & what did the Rams do? Took DE Robert Quinn, guess he was just too good to pass up or the two elite WR's were already gone by #14? As noted they had spent high picks on OT's in recent drafts but since both WR's were off the board, OL still presented itself with exceptional value that they could have selected. See Nate Solder, Anthony Castonzo, Gabe Carimi, James Carpernter & Derrick Sherrod. Seems like epic fail with so much talent last year, to force need now with 2nd overall selection.

[NastyNate]

Originally Posted by badboy

Not sure I agree; Poe in first with Dwight Jones in 2nd and either Broyles or Jordan White in 4th would meet our needs imo. In fact I just created a mock exactly like this with either a OG or DT/DE in 3rd.

There's no way Broyles falls past the 3rd round. My sleeper third round WR is Tommy Street from Miami.

[steelbtexan]

I would personally like to thank HOF'er Alex Gibbs for the D.Brown selection.

Think about how many MB members thought D.Brown was a reach, was going to be a bust etc.... LOL

[badboy]

Originally Posted by NastyNate

There's no way Broyles falls past the 3rd round. My sleeper third round WR is Tommy Street from Miami.

You're probably correct but it depends on how he heals fom his injury:

More importantly, this ends Broyles' record-breaking career at Oklahoma and significantly damages his professional prospects. With recovery typically in the range of a year, Broyles faces a long road ahead as he tries to get back to where he was before the injury.

For more, visit Oklahoma blog Crimson And Cream Machine.

Nov

05

7:58p
by Brian Floyd - 0 comments

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by ObsiWan

And in this draft, there are way more very good WRs than there are LTs. If I were running the Rams' draft, I'd go Kalil in the 1st rd and the best WR left on the board with my 2nd pick - which could be someone like Alshon Jeffery; not a bad consolation prize.

In 2009, the Rams used the 2nd overall pick to select Jason Smith. 2010 they used the 33rd pick on Rodger Saffold.

Have we already seen enough? Time to select a third tackle in 4 drafts?

[gary]

Originally Posted by kiwitexansfan

Who is BPA?

Isn't that the question on a team that bad?

You need elite talent to compete in 5 years time when the whole team is ready.

Sacrificing elite talent now, for need will only end in mediocrity.

Best player available.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by gary

Best player available.

You have identified the problem, Gary. The disagreement is which player is BPA and which position betters team. Sort of like if OG David DeCastro and Kendall Wright are both available #26, who do Texans draft? I have to go with the WR & get the OL 2nd round.

[gary]

I think both Chris and Mike so we'll see.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by gary

I think both Chris and Mike so we'll see.

I don't understand your post. They are both what?

[gary]

Originally Posted by badboy

I don't understand your post. They are both what?

Resign.