Branch Pro-Day!

[beerlover]

anyone see what he did @ Michigans Pro-Day?

Branch ran the short shuttle in 4.81 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.50. Kansas City defensive line coach Tim Krumrie worked Branch hard during the position drills, and the scouts there said Branch did not look like he was in very good shape.

I think he falls out of the Top 10 not Adrian Peterson or Brady Quinn.

sorry all you dreamers

 

[YoungTexanFan]

anyone see what he did @ Michigans Pro-Day?

Branch ran the short shuttle in 4.81 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.50. Kansas City defensive line coach Tim Krumrie worked Branch hard during the position drills, and the scouts there said Branch did not look like he was in very good shape.

I think he falls out of the Top 10 not Adrian Peterson or Brady Quinn.

sorry all you dreamers

Falls out? Since before the season was even over I've been screaming that this tub of worthlessness wasn't a top 10 talent. In the power ranking I put out WELL before the combine, he is in like the thirties or something talent wise. Feel free to look that one up mods.

 

[beerlover]

I was interested until the Rose Bowl where he got schooled by the much smaller Ryan Kalil

its hard to imagine how people can think that Peterson/Quinn fall to #8 when a projected top 10 pick like Alan Branch just does'nt show up to workout & in fact is the one to fall. reminds me of Gabe Watson (another Michigan DT last year) who was projected early as a late 1st/early 2nd yet showed up out of shape & wound up dropping to the 4th rd. (#107 Arizona).

 

[HuttoKarl]

Sweet...maybe we can get Branch in the second.

 

[nunusguy]

I was interested until the Rose Bowl where he got schooled by the much smaller Ryan Kalil (#107 Arizona).

I taped that game and haven't got around to watching it, but really am looking forward to it now that this is guy on our radar, in spite of what
others are saying. Who knows how the Texans have him ranked on their own
Board ?
On another player but a DLineman, I watched the tape again of the
Wisc-Arkansas bowl game, and Jamaal Anderson is defininetly the real deal !

 

[beerlover]

I taped that game and haven't got around to watching it, but really am looking forward to it now that this is guy on our radar, in spite of what
others are saying. Who knows how the Texans have him ranked on their own
Board ?
On another player but a DLineman, I watched the tape again of the
Wisc-Arkansas bowl game, and Jamaal Anderson is defininetly the real deal !

since the Wisc-Arkansas game is fresh in your mind whats your analysis of how Joe Thomas blocked against Jammal Anderson?

 

[nunusguy]

since the Wisc-Arkansas game is fresh in your mind whats your analysis of how Joe Thomas blocked against Jammal Anderson?

Unfortunatly that match-up didn't occur very often because Anderson was
on the other end of the line playing stronside DE for Ark, while Thomas is
of coures a LT.
I've only watched the first half, but Anderson picked up 2 sacks in just that half. But what's interesting is that he was so active, with much success, that
they did move Thomas to RT on a few plays apparently to go up against
Anderson. Just a few plays, not enough to draw any real conclusions.
But if the Texans had a chance to take this guy at the #8 dunno how they'd
feel about taking another DLineman who's college position was strongside DE
like Mario ?

 

[awtysst]

Unfortunatly that match-up didn't occur very often because Anderson was
on the other end of the line playing stronside DE for Ark, while Thomas is
of coures a LT.
I've only watched the first half, but Anderson picked up 2 sacks in just that half. But what's interesting is that he was so active, with much success, that
they did move Thomas to RT on a few plays apparently to go up against
Anderson. Just a few plays, not enough to draw any real conclusions.
But if the Texans had a chance to take this guy at the #8 dunno how they'd
feel about taking another DLineman who's college position was strongside DE
like Mario ?

Question, how did JT do at RT. Many people believe he falls to the Cards and my main disagreement point was that he was a LT and that a RT could be found cheaper elsewhere. How did JT play on the right side? Did he play well, or did he seem out of place?

 

[Vinny]

Unfortunatly that match-up didn't occur very often because Anderson was
on the other end of the line playing stronside DE for Ark, while Thomas is
of coures a LT.
I've only watched the first half, but Anderson picked up 2 sacks in just that half. But what's interesting is that he was so active, with much success, that
they did move Thomas to RT on a few plays apparently to go up against
Anderson. Just a few plays, not enough to draw any real conclusions.
But if the Texans had a chance to take this guy at the #8 dunno how they'd
feel about taking another DLineman who's college position was strongside DE
like Mario ?

I don't see how they pass on him under any circumstance. His skills suit a weakside end just fine since he is tall lanky and explosive, so I don't see why you would be concerned.

 

[keyfro]

it's really unforunate about branch...i think he really could be something along somebodies d-line...he just can't fall into the same habits that jonathan sullivan did...it's ok if your 6'5'' and 330lbs if you're going to stay in shape but you gotta keep your weight under control...showing up to camp out of shape and 360lbs is what killed sullivan's career and if branch doesn't get serious about what he's doing he'll end up the same way

 

[BattleRedToro]

Question, how did JT do at RT. Many people believe he falls to the Cards and my main disagreement point was that he was a LT and that a RT could be found cheaper elsewhere. How did JT play on the right side? Did he play well, or did he seem out of place?

I see what you are getting at with Leinart being left-handed, but to clarify things better it should be called Strongside Tackle, ST, and Weakside Tackle, WT, because that is how they will lineup. Whether the QB be left-handed or right-handed that will only determine which side will be Strong or Weak and then the Offense will set up accordingly. In other words, Joe Thomas will lineup at the RT spot if drafted by Arizona or any other team with a left-handed QB and LT for any other team with a right-handed QB. Against a RT as Weakside alignment most defenses will place their elite pass rusher at Left Defensive End, LDE, instead of the normal Right Defensive End, RDE. Likewise RDE and LDE should be refered to as SDE and WDE to curtail any confusion just as LB's are refered to as SLB and WLB and not LLB and RLB.

 

[nunusguy]

Question, how did JT do at RT. Many people believe he falls to the Cards and my main disagreement point was that he was a LT and that a RT could be found cheaper elsewhere. How did JT play on the right side? Did he play well, or did he seem out of place?

As I said, Thomas played primarily LT and I my focus was on the other side of the line where Anderson played on the theory that realistically we wouldn't have a chance to draft Thomas, but Anderson very easily could still be in play
at #8.
BTW, I understand what you're saying about Thomas being a LT but Arizona needing a RT to protect lefty Leinerts blind side. But I would imagine Arizona will put Thomas at RT and he will be on "an island" since they may have a dominant left-handed formation where the TE would play next to the LT. Others may have thoughts on that ?

 

[nunusguy]

I see what you are getting at with Leinart being left-handed, but to clarify things better it should be called Strongside Tackle, ST, and Weakside Tackle, WT, because that is how they will lineup. Whether the QB be left-handed or right-handed that will only determine which side will be Strong or Weak and then the Offense will set up accordingly. In other words, Joe Thomas will lineup at the RT spot if drafted by Arizona or any other team with a left-handed QB and LT for any other team with a right-handed QB. Against a RT as Weakside alignment most defenses will place their elite pass rusher at Left Defensive End, LDE, instead of the normal Right Defensive End, RDE. Likewise RDE and LDE should be refered to as SDE and WDE to curtail any confusion just as LB's are refered to as SLB and WLB and not LLB and RLB.

Far better and more comprehensive than I put it.
Excellent !

 

[HuttoKarl]

If Anderson were available at 8 by some miraculous twist of fate, I'd LOVE to get him and move Weaver to DT predominantly. Then look hard for secondary help in the second.

 

[nunusguy]

His skills suit a weakside end just fine since he is tall lanky and explosive

I dunno, but isn't this player what we really expected Mario to be ?

 

[kastofsna]

Falls out? Since before the season was even over I've been screaming that this tub of worthlessness wasn't a top 10 talent. In the power ranking I put out WELL before the combine, he is in like the thirties or something talent wise. Feel free to look that one up mods.

amazing!

branch is top 10 talent, there's no question about it. a man-child. he's had games where he completely brutalized everyone in his path. but...just needs to keep it together.

 

[Vinny]

I dunno, but isn't this player what we really expected Mario to be ?

After watching Mario play I never considered him a weakside end. Mario is more Richard Seymore than Bruce Smith in the fact that Seymore is a good all around player but not a great pass rusher. Anderson is more of a pure pass rusher but can hold up against the run...we would have great bookends.

 

[HuttoKarl]

I dunno, but isn't this player what we really expected Mario to be ?

All I know is that pairing him with Mario and putting Weaver inside would be scary for O-Linemen.

Before complaining about Mario's production, I want to see him play without the plantar fasciitis...he was starting to throw people around before it became a big issue.

 

[Blake]

Wow, I cannot understand how some of you think.

Branch is an amazingly nimble 6'6" 330lbs defensive lineman. The term dancing bear could be used on this guy.

I think that he has a very good chance to slid to #8 due to the Smith's being signed for the browns d-line, which gives them a clear shot at Peterson. I still think that a QB is worth more than a WR, and I still think that the Lions want a franchise QB in the worst way. Thats why my top 8 looks like this...

Oakland: Russell
Detroit: Quinn
Cleveland: Peterson
Bucs: Johnson
Arizona: Thomas
Washington: Jamaal Anderson (Might Be Adams)
Minnesota: Gaines Adams (Might be Anderson)
Houston: LaRon Lanry or Alan Branch

And I am fine with either.

 

[keyfro]

yeah it would be scary our two D-ends would be 6'6'' and 6'7''...with talent and size that would be scary...not sure who would emerge has the better overall d-end

 

[HuttoKarl]

Wow, I cannot understand how some of you think.

Branch is an amazingly nimble 6'6" 330lbs defensive lineman. The term dancing bear could be used on this guy.

I think that he has a very good chance to slid to #8 due to the Smith's being signed for the browns d-line, which gives them a clear shot at Peterson. I still think that a QB is worth more than a WR, and I still think that the Lions want a franchise QB in the worst way. Thats why my top 8 looks like this...

Oakland: Russell
Detroit: Quinn
Cleveland: Peterson
Bucs: Johnson
Arizona: Thomas
Washington: Jamaal Anderson (Might Be Adams)
Minnesota: Gaines Adams (Might be Anderson)
Houston: LaRon Lanry or Alan Branch

And I am fine with either.

As am I...I'm not going to complain about any first round pick we take because chances are better than not that the player selected will be an upgrade over what we're starting at that spot. If we end up with Quinn, of course, I'll say "he'll be better than what we've got given time and tutelage."

 

[blockhead83]

After watching Mario play I never considered him a weakside end. Mario is more Richard Seymore than Bruce Smith in the fact that Seymore is a good all around player but not a great pass rusher. Anderson is more of a pure pass rusher but can hold up against the run...we would have great bookends.

If we're going defense would you prefer to see us go with a pass rusher in Anderson, or beef up the secondary with a guy like Landry or Hall? At this point I'm kind of enamored with Landry like most others around here, and I'd like to see our secondary with another play maker back there. I agree Mario's not best suited to be a weakside end. We have two guys in Weaver and Mario who are more suited to be strongside ends IMO, and I think Babin's more of a situational guy at this point.

 

[Texian]

If we're going defense would you prefer to see us go with a pass rusher in Anderson, or beef up the secondary with a guy like Landry or Hall? At this point I'm kind of enamored with Landry like most others around here, and I'd like to see our secondary with another play maker back there. I agree Mario's not best suited to be a weakside end. We have two guys in Weaver and Mario who are more suited to be strongside ends IMO, and I think Babin's more of a situational guy at this point.

BH83 you havea couple of options, which do you think is the stronger play?

1. Landry in the 1st and Charles Johnson or Quentin Moses or Anthiony Spencer or Victor Abiamari in the 2nd

or

2. Jamaal Anderson in the first and Griffith or Merriweather in the 2nd?

 

[HuttoKarl]

BH83 you havea couple of options, which do you think is the stronger play?

1. Landry in the 1st and Charles Johnson or Quentin Moses or Anthiony Spencer or Victor Abiamari in the 2nd

or

2. Jamaal Anderson in the first and Griffith or Merriweather in the 2nd?

I know you didn't ask me, but either way would be great. I think the dropoff between Landry and the other FS's isn't as steep as the dropoff between Anderson and the others. I think Anderson will be taken by the time we pick though. I'd be more than happy snagging Landry, who is what the doctors refer to as "totally awesome".

 

[beerlover]

GBN - http://www.gbnreport.com/

There is a bit of a buzz around the NFL that there is some movement going on in the 2007 draft DT class. In particular, Michigan DT Alan Branch appears to be slipping on draft boards around the league. The 324-pound junior’s number at the combine were actually pretty good as he ran a very respectable 40 time of 5.07 and had 33 reps pressing 225 pounds. Branch, though, reportedly didn’t come across very well in the interview process; Gil Brandt also reports in his pro day update at NFL.com that some scouts thought Branch looked out of shape at Friday’s on-campus workout in Ann Arbor. That combined with the fact that there have been concerns that Branch has a sometimes inconsistent motor on the field has teams with top 10 picks taking a second look at Branch and for now it appears that Louisville’s Amobi Okoye may have replaced Branch as the #1 DT on most draft boards around the NFL.


Amobi Okoye 6-2, 302 5.07 Louisville
Alan Branch 6-5.5, 325 5.07 Michigan
Justin Harrell 6-4, 300 5.04 Tennessee
Brandon Mebane 6-1, 310 5.15 California
Tank Tyler 6-2, 306 5.30 N.C.St.
Quinn Pitcock 6-2.5, 300 4.93 Ohio State
Marcus Thomas 6-2.5, 314 4.95 Florida (O)
Antonio Johnson 6-3, 310 5.15 Mississippi State
Jay Alford 6-3, 304 5.17 Penn State
Kareem Brown 6-4, 290 5.40 Miami
Ryan McBean 6-4, 286 4.98 Oklahoma State
David Patterson 6-2, 285 5.10 Ohio State
Jeremy Clark 6-2.5, 310 5.02 Alabama
Joe Cohen 6-2.5, 313 5.10 Florida
Larry Brown 6-2.5, 297 5.20 Oklahoma State
Keith Jackson 6-0, 305 5.05 Arkansas

 

[blockhead83]

BH83 you havea couple of options, which do you think is the stronger play?

1. Landry in the 1st and Charles Johnson or Quentin Moses or Anthiony Spencer or Victor Abiamari in the 2nd

or

2. Jamaal Anderson in the first and Griffith or Merriweather in the 2nd?

That's a tough call, but it's nice to have both of those options possibly be available. I'm not as high on Merriweather due to off the field issues. I don't want a Pac Man type player, regardless of natural ability and talent. I think I'd opt towards the option with Landry in the first. I've read/heard that Anderson has great upside, but he doesn't have alot of polish at this point, and I think Landry would be able to make a more immediate positive impact on our D.

 

[Ole Miss Texan]

BH83 you havea couple of options, which do you think is the stronger play?

1. Landry in the 1st and Charles Johnson or Quentin Moses or Anthiony Spencer or Victor Abiamari in the 2nd

or

2. Jamaal Anderson in the first and Griffith or Merriweather in the 2nd?

I'd take Landry and Charles Johnson (also a stud)

I just like the way landry plays more than any other FS in this draft...i think he's the right fit for the texans franchise and defense as far as FS goes.

I like Adams and Anderson at 8...but charles johnson is really good he could potentially go in the 1st...but then again all of these guys can make that case...some people have to fall.

that's why i don't want us moving up. we're guaranteed a super stud at 8 and another 1st round talent stud in the 2nd round. 2 starters for us....off topic..but that's why i wouldn't want us to trade up for joe thomas. I'd rather take Brown at 8 (while he's not as good as thomas) and then get another starter with our 2nd rd pick....we'd prob. have to give up next years 2nd too. booo.

 

[Navy_Chris]

I'd take Landry and Charles Johnson (also a stud)

I just like the way landry plays more than any other FS in this draft...i think he's the right fit for the texans franchise and defense as far as FS goes.

I like Adams and Anderson at 8...but charles johnson is really good he could potentially go in the 1st...but then again all of these guys can make that case...some people have to fall.

that's why i don't want us moving up. we're guaranteed a super stud at 8 and another 1st round talent stud in the 2nd round. 2 starters for us....off topic..but that's why i wouldn't want us to trade up for joe thomas. I'd rather take Brown at 8 (while he's not as good as thomas) and then get another starter with our 2nd rd pick....we'd prob. have to give up next years 2nd too. booo.

I look at it like this...Houston brought in a new D-Line coach in Jethro Franklin and signed a quality veteran DT in Zgonina. They're GOING to make a D-Line improvement....AGAIN....early in the draft. Question is...Who are they going to take? Will they go with Okoye in the 1st? Adams? Anderson? What about Mebane, Branch, McBean?? As much as I may not like it, the D-Line is getting jacked with in this draft.

 

[BattleRedToro]

After watching Mario play I never considered him a weakside end. Mario is more Richard Seymore than Bruce Smith in the fact that Seymore is a good all around player but not a great pass rusher. Anderson is more of a pure pass rusher but can hold up against the run...we would have great bookends.

I don't think it is fair to say that Seymour is not a great pass rusher because that isn't what he is asked to do, so we don't really know what he is capable of doing. Seymour plays 3-4 DE for the Patriots and is therefore asked to control 2 gaps on almost every play, not to mention that he doesn't line up to the outside of an OT like a 4-3 end does. He may be much better at pass rushing than you think, but we haven't seen him line up as a 4-3 DE to be able to know this or not.

 

[beerlover]

I saw the same thing guys & mentioned it during the season why even change schemes when we finally have the personel to effectively run the 3-4 with Mario being that proto-type 3-4 DE like Seymore was for New England. that being said I guess he's some kind of hybred 4-3 strong-side pass rushing end. he can play either position & still make a difference, over a fanchise QB, RB & LT however I'm still not convinced

 

[BattleRedToro]

I saw the same thing guys & mentioned it during the season why even change schemes when we finally have the personel to effectively run the 3-4 with Mario being that proto-type 3-4 DE like Seymore was for New England. that being said I guess he's some kind of hybred 4-3 strong-side pass rushing end. he can play either position & still make a difference, over a fanchise QB, RB & LT however I'm still not convinced

Well, I'm not convinced that he was picked over a franchise QB or RB.
Although, I will agree that Ferguson is a franchise LT.

 

[Blake]

GBN - http://www.gbnreport.com/

There is a bit of a buzz around the NFL that there is some movement going on in the 2007 draft DT class. In particular, Michigan DT Alan Branch appears to be slipping on draft boards around the league. The 324-pound junior’s number at the combine were actually pretty good as he ran a very respectable 40 time of 5.07 and had 33 reps pressing 225 pounds. Branch, though, reportedly didn’t come across very well in the interview process; Gil Brandt also reports in his pro day update at NFL.com that some scouts thought Branch looked out of shape at Friday’s on-campus workout in Ann Arbor. That combined with the fact that there have been concerns that Branch has a sometimes inconsistent motor on the field has teams with top 10 picks taking a second look at Branch and for now it appears that Louisville’s Amobi Okoye may have replaced Branch as the #1 DT on most draft boards around the NFL.


Amobi Okoye 6-2, 302 5.07 Louisville
Alan Branch 6-5.5, 325 5.07 Michigan
Justin Harrell 6-4, 300 5.04 Tennessee
Brandon Mebane 6-1, 310 5.15 California
Tank Tyler 6-2, 306 5.30 N.C.St.
Quinn Pitcock 6-2.5, 300 4.93 Ohio State
Marcus Thomas 6-2.5, 314 4.95 Florida (O)
Antonio Johnson 6-3, 310 5.15 Mississippi State
Jay Alford 6-3, 304 5.17 Penn State
Kareem Brown 6-4, 290 5.40 Miami
Ryan McBean 6-4, 286 4.98 Oklahoma State
David Patterson 6-2, 285 5.10 Ohio State
Jeremy Clark 6-2.5, 310 5.02 Alabama
Joe Cohen 6-2.5, 313 5.10 Florida
Larry Brown 6-2.5, 297 5.20 Oklahoma State
Keith Jackson 6-0, 305 5.05 Arkansas

Complete speculation. And nobody knows what most teams draft boards look like. Sometimes I cannot stand these mock websites, because they, like Todd McShay get into a players numbers far to much. If a player is the best DT all season long, and then slips in the offseason because of his "numbers" I laugh a little bit.

You take players based on their 40, and ill take players based on their on field production.

 

[bigcarlos]

Interesting

 

[Vinny]

After watching Mario play I never considered him a weakside end. Mario is more Richard Seymore than Bruce Smith in the fact that Seymore is a good all around player but not a great pass rusher. Anderson is more of a pure pass rusher but can hold up against the run...we would have great bookends.

I don't think it is fair to say that Seymour is not a great pass rusher because that isn't what he is asked to do, so we don't really know what he is capable of doing. Seymour plays 3-4 DE for the Patriots and is therefore asked to control 2 gaps on almost every play, not to mention that he doesn't line up to the outside of an OT like a 4-3 end does. He may be much better at pass rushing than you think, but we haven't seen him line up as a 4-3 DE to be able to know this or not.

The Pats run plenty of 4-3 looks. Seymour is a great all round end but he isn't a "great" pass rusher. He is a very good pass rusher like Ray Childress was a good pass rusher...but while Childress was an outstanding all around lineman, he was not a great pass rusher.

 

[beerlover]

Interesting

so hilarious it hurts

 

[BattleRedToro]

The Pats run plenty of 4-3 looks. Seymour is a great all round end but he isn't a "great" pass rusher. He is a very good pass rusher like Ray Childress was a good pass rusher...but while Childress was an outstanding all around lineman, he was not a great pass rusher.

Ray Childress might have been able to be a great pass rusher but he did what was best for the team and moved to DT to allow Sean Jones and William Fuller play DE.

 

[Insideop]

anyone see what he did @ Michigans Pro-Day?

Branch ran the short shuttle in 4.81 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.50. Kansas City defensive line coach Tim Krumrie worked Branch hard during the position drills, and the scouts there said Branch did not look like he was in very good shape.
I think he falls out of the Top 10 not Adrian Peterson or Brady Quinn.

sorry all you dreamers

I for one hope the Texans don't even consider this guy. He is more of a NT in a 3-4 defense and a "space eater." I have never been on his "bandwagon" and seeing statements that question his "motor' or that he looked out of shape really would scare me off. We already have Travis Johnson on this team, who some questioned his work ethic before he was drafted, we don't need another DT like that.

The DT that fits our 4-3 defense better is Okoye. He is more of a pass rusher and he has a "high motor." I don't think anyone could question his drive. He's only 19 yrs old and has a college degree, and his ceiling is alot higher than Branch's. JMHO!

 

[BattleRedToro]

I for one hope the Texans don't even consider this guy. He is more of a NT in a 3-4 defense and a "space eater." I have never been on his "bandwagon" and seeing statements that question his "motor' or that he looked out of shape really would scare me off. We already have Travis Johnson on this team, who some questioned his work ethic before he was drafted, we don't need another DT like that.

The DT that fits our 4-3 defense better is Okoye. He is more of a pass rusher and he has a "high motor." I don't think anyone could question his drive. He's only 19 yrs old and has a college degree, and his ceiling is alot higher than Branch's. JMHO!

I disagree that Okoye fits the 4-3 scheme any better than Branch. There are 2 types of DT's in a 4-3 scheme. If Okoye doesn't grow any more skeletally then he would fit 1 type and Branch already fits the other type. In addition, the Texans already have plenty of the type of DT that Okoye is and they don't have any that fit the type that Branch is. By the way, you may not realize it but the 4-3 also utilizes NT's. I also don't think Branch currently projects to a 3-4 NT. He would be a 3-4 DE or a 4-3 NT. Although he could play NT in a 3-4 if need be but ideally they are even bigger than he is.

 

[Wolf]

http://www.draftdaddy.com/prospects/rankedSeniors.cfm

FWIW

 

[BattleRedToro]

I wonder why they have Gaines Adams stock listed as falling. I would love for the Texans to draft him, especially if they were able to trade down and get him. I just can't see him falling past Miami and Atlanta. Miami has to be concerned with the potential retirement of Jason Taylor and Atlanta just lost Patrick Kerney.

 

[beerlover]

I wonder why they have Gaines Adams stock listed as falling.

I don't think its as much about Gaines as his competition @ DE like Anderson & Carriker both athletic, bigger & stronger.

 

[Trap_Star]

Im not a "Draft Expert" like some guys here, but of the michigan games i saw, nothing that made saw wow. I rather be laughed on by "reaching" for Okoye than to draft this guy...

STAY AWAY FROM SUGE KNIGHT...

 

[kastofsna]

I wonder why they have Gaines Adams stock listed as falling. I would love for the Texans to draft him, especially if they were able to trade down and get him. I just can't see him falling past Miami and Atlanta. Miami has to be concerned with the potential retirement of Jason Taylor and Atlanta just lost Patrick Kerney.

no one is concerned about taylor retiring. not happening.

 

[BattleRedToro]

no one is concerned about taylor retiring. not happening.

Oh really? He is going to play forever is he?


Dolphins Jason Taylor considering retirement
By Associated Press

Monday, January 1, 2007

DAVIE — After his best season, Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor says he’ll consider retirement at age 32.


Associated Press

Dolphins end Jason Taylor celebrates after sacking Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson in a game earlier this season.
Taylor scored twice on interceptions, had 13.5 sacks and is a contender for NFL defensive player of the year. But after Sunday’s season-ending loss at Indianapolis, he said retirement is a possibility.

“Yes, I will have to think about it, and there are no guarantees,” Taylor said.

At 6-10, Miami failed to make the playoffs for the fifth year in a row.

Coach Nick Saban is hoping the offseason will rekindle Taylor’s enthusiasm for the game.

“He plays and competes so hard, that guy is worn out right now,” Saban said Monday. “We discussed it. He said, ‘I just need to go get some rest and get my batteries charged.’”

 

[BattleRedToro]

Dolphins' Taylor named NFL Defensive Player of the Year

By Alex Marvez
sun-sentinel.com
Posted January 5 2007, 7:25 AM EST


Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor was named Friday morning as the 2006 NFL's Defensive Player of the Year.

Taylor received 22 of 50 first-place votes to edge Denver cornerback Champ Bailey, who finished with 16 votes. San Diego outside linebacker Shawne Merriman was third with six votes, followed by Chicago's Brian Urlacher with four.

Balloting was conducted by the Associated Press. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel doesn't participate in awards voting.

Taylor enjoyed the best season of his 10-year career, finishing with 62 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles and two touchdowns off of turnovers. Taylor is only the fourth winner of the award in the past 19 seasons whose team didn't reach the playoffs, as the Dolphins finished 6-10.

"He's at the top of his game right now," Dolphins defensive chief Dom Capers said of the 32-year-old Taylor "I was just thoroughly impressed with the way he played all year. He was consistent. In almost every game, he impacted that game and made a big play, which is what great players do. You see him cause a fumble or sack the quarterback or intercept the ball and score touchdowns. He did it all."

The Dolphins, whose last NFL Defensive Player of the Year was defensive end Doug Betters in 1983, are hoping Taylor returns in 2007. The NFL's web site reported that Taylor is weighing whether to retire or pursue an acting career.

Taylor plans to take the next month before making the decision, NFL.com reported. Taylor, who has previously expressed an interest in a movie career, didn't discount the possibility of retiring after the Dolphins' season-ending loss to Indianapolis.

"I've not spoken with Jason since that took place, but I have no indication to think that he was considering that," Capers said.

 

[keyfro]

i still don't see gaines adams falling that far to begin with...i think teams who need more of a pass rushing end will tend to lean towards adams before looking at anderson or carriker...i see carriker going to a 3-4 defensive team and i think anderson is probably going to washington unless they choose to go with alan branch

 

[Blake]

Im not a "Draft Expert" like some guys here, but of the michigan games i saw, nothing that made saw wow.

huh?

 

[BSofA04]

If Anderson were available at 8 by some miraculous twist of fate, I'd LOVE to get him and move Weaver to DT predominantly. Then look hard for secondary help in the second.

I feel the same way, we need a pass rushing end. kudos!

 

[kastofsna]

Oh really? He is going to play forever is he?

yup.