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Matt McQuires Mock Draft 1/18/08

beerlover

Hall of Fame
http://walterfootball.com/draft2008matt.php

Houston Texans: Sam Baker, OT, USC
Somewhat of an uncanny pick here (and one of those that surprises you in the draft), but Sam Baker is a perfect for Houston. First of all, he is a prototypical zone-blocking left tackle. He has great athleticism and is a finesse player. Gary Kubiak will like Baker a lot - I guarantee it. The Texans could use more talent on their offensive line. Baker can also play guard, so he brings versatility to the table as well.
 
Baker seems like a good WCO type of LT. However, the only time I was able to watch him I was very un-impressed. Might have just been a bad game, but didn't look good in it.
 
He's also got us taking Steltz in the 3rd. I like this guys thinking.

He also has 9 corners going in the first 2 rounds, and 13 before our pick at #18 in the 3rd round.

Something that had my head scratching was Antoine Cason wasn't picked until 52. 6 corners were taken before him. Seems unlikely.

He also has Xavier Adibi dropping to the third round past our pick. I'd take him in the 3rd easily.
 
He's also got us taking Steltz in the 3rd. I like this guys thinking.

He also has 9 corners going in the first 2 rounds, and 13 before our pick at #18 in the 3rd round.

Something that had my head scratching was Antoine Cason wasn't picked until 52. 6 corners were taken before him. Seems unlikely.

Love me some Craig Steltz! Had fun watching him this year.
 
One way or another A good LT prospect will be there if that's what we want to do.

Does Clady go to Denver? Not really sure I thought the offense wasn't the bad point this year but the defense was more suspect. I really think they missed Al Wilson and Lynch is getting up there in age...Not sure Phillips goes to N.E. myself.

No problem with Steltz in the third. Know it's early though and it'll be interesting to see as the draft gets near whose status rises and falls.
 
Sam Baker looks as if he'd be a super fit for the Texans, and I hope he is in fact on the Board when we are picking our first rounder in April if the Texans
would value him that highly.
Downside: I don't think he's real durable, as he's had some problems about missing time because of being nicked-up. Another thing is in the RB game this year I watched him get beat real bad by an Illini pass-rushers inside move.
He looked real bad. But that was just one play, and he's scheduled to be in the Senior Bowl so we should get a real good look at him that week next month.
 
Sam Baker looks as if he'd be a super fit for the Texans, and I hope he is in fact on the Board when we are picking our first rounder in April if the Texans
would value him that highly.
Downside: I don't think he's real durable, as he's had some problems about missing time because of being nicked-up. Another thing is in the RB game this year I watched him get beat real bad by an Illini pass-rushers inside move.
He looked real bad. But that was just one play, and he's scheduled to be in the Senior Bowl so we should get a real good look at him that week next month.

On the surface Baker looks like a prototypical (sp) WCO LT. However, in the one game I was able to see him in, he didn't look very good. Doesn't seem real strong at the point of attack either. Frankly, the guy scares me as the teams top pick to be the franchise LT and I very much want us to get a LT in the draft. Hopefully that was just a bad game for him.
 
On the surface Baker looks like a prototypical (sp) WCO LT. However, in the one game I was able to see him in, he didn't look very good. Doesn't seem real strong at the point of attack either. Frankly, the guy scares me as the teams top pick to be the franchise LT and I very much want us to get a LT in the draft. Hopefully that was just a bad game for him.

I don't think you can judge him on one game.
 
I wonder what got him off of double R ? anyway makes sence to me of course. Be sweet if we move down get the extra pick and still hit the guy. Wonder if he'll pass the Gibbs sniff ?

I had realy scary thought along these lines tonight....they project 'nother twenty pounds on the 6'-7 TE out of Texas Agricultural & Mechnical and select him late day 2 to groom for the '09 season.

I see different guy mocking.

Just a note this guy has Anthony Collins going right behind our safty pick.
 
On the surface Baker looks like a prototypical (sp) WCO LT. However, in the one game I was able to see him in, he didn't look very good. Doesn't seem real strong at the point of attack either. Frankly, the guy scares me as the teams top pick to be the franchise LT and I very much want us to get a LT in the draft. Hopefully that was just a bad game for him.

Baker look disinterested in the Rose Bowl. I saw no fire in him and that worries me. Give me some fire, Otah anyone?
 
Baker look disinterested in the Rose Bowl. I saw no fire in him and that worries me. Give me some fire, Otah anyone?

I am not pro or anti Baker - honestly I don't like USC so I don't watch them, BUT it would not suprise me to see the top level prospects taking it easy during this game. Injuries have to be a concern and I don't think Baker's performance in this game will make or break him. He has had a first round grade on him since last season began. I just want guys that can play and stay healthy.
 
the only opinion that probably matters @ this point is Gibbs. if he tells Gary/Rick this a guy we need to bring in for a private workout, like what they see (but keep it quiet) & if he's still available @ #18 he just might be the Houston Texans 08 1st rd. pick. I've seen enough game footage of Baker to know he would be an excellent addtion to this offensive line & this system with enough ability to come into camp & compete for the starting LT position day one. although I share most of this board concerns about his strength @ point of attack, most of that will be negated in the ZBS, intelligence, proper technique such as hand placement/footwork is more key than brute force.
 
the only opinion that probably matters @ this point is Gibbs. if he tells Gary/Rick this a guy we need to bring in for a private workout, like what they see (but keep it quiet) & if he's still available @ #18 he just might be the Houston Texans 08 1st rd. pick. I've seen enough game footage of Baker to know he would be an excellent addtion to this offensive line & this system with enough ability to come into camp & compete for the starting LT position day one. although I share most of this board concerns about his strength @ point of attack, most of that will be negated in the ZBS, intelligence, proper technique such as hand placement/footwork is more key than brute force.
You're reminder about Gibbs is reassuring BL since he's one of the NFLs true experts on OLine personnel and with him on the Texans payroll we stand less
chance than about any other NFL team of missing it on the assessment of
a college Oline prospects And that's a very good thing for the Texans because
a lot of very overrated players come out of USC, and I'm not talking about Reggie Bush.
Winston Justice was a very highly rated OT coming out of there
a couple years ago. All the mockers had him first round, many top 10 and yet
he fell way down into the second or third round to the Eagles and has not done anything there. As a matter a fact, I think he's the OT that the Giants
DE got 5 or 6 sacks against in a single this year ?
But we will all get a good look at Baker because he'll be in the Senior Bowl next month, so we should see him in a lot of 1-on-1 drills in the week of practice before the actual weekend game.
 
You're reminder about Gibbs is reassuring BL since he's one of the NFLs true experts on OLine personnel and with him on the Texans payroll we stand less
chance than about any other NFL team of missing it on the assessment of
a college Oline prospects And that's a very good thing for the Texans because
a lot of very overrated players come out of USC, and I'm not talking about Reggie Bush.
Winston Justice was a very highly rated OT coming out of there
a couple years ago. All the mockers had him first round, many top 10 and yet
he fell way down into the second or third round to the Eagles and has not done anything there. As a matter a fact, I think he's the OT that the Giants
DE got 5 or 6 sacks against in a single this year ?
But we will all get a good look at Baker because he'll be in the Senior Bowl next month, so we should see him in a lot of 1-on-1 drills in the week of practice before the actual weekend game.

Next month? More like next week.
 
You know, with all the talk about going out & getting a 1st round LT, I haven't seen anyone suggest that Gibbs might consider moving Winston to LT. I know he's established himself as a solid RT, but if Gibbs feels he can be our LT, that leaves us lots of options at replacing him with a RT in free agency, or later in the draft. Thus, allowing us to fill one of the other big holes with the #1 pick (CB, RB, BPA). Max Starks, anyone? Perhaps, Carl Nicks in the 4th round? Just a thought.
 
You know, with all the talk about going out & getting a 1st round LT, I haven't seen anyone suggest that Gibbs might consider moving Winston to LT. I know he's established himself as a solid RT, but if Gibbs feels he can be our LT, that leaves us lots of options at replacing him with a RT in free agency, or later in the draft. Thus, allowing us to fill one of the other big holes with the #1 pick (CB, RB, BPA). Max Starks, anyone? Perhaps, Carl Nicks in the 4th round? Just a thought.
Good point. He just might do it. Several of us have been wondering why not make that move ?
I dunno, but since we're speculating about moving players back to their former position, Gibbs might move Chester back to LT for all we know ?
And thanks for giving me a heads-up 'bout the Sen-Bowl Tulexan. I'll have to fire up the ole NFLNet channel this week 'cause I think they've got exclusive coverage again.
 
I think that Sam Backer is a solid football player but he reminds me a lot of Former USC LT - Winston Justice who was projected as a mid 1st round pick when he came out but was only a 2nd round pick in the draft and he still can't break into the lineup. If we are able to trade to the back end of Round #1 I think that is a better spot to draft a running back and then draft a OLT with the 2nd Round pick that we would acquire. I think that OT Rayn Clady is a bit over rated as well and I think the combine will tell it all for the prospects lets not judge to quick.

:shades:
 
I think Butler is going to be the wild card for us and a major factor in whether we draft a LT in the 1st.
 
I think Butler is going to be the wild card for us and a major factor in whether we draft a LT in the 1st.

I hope your right, lets hope he's eating well gaining weight & working out every day (gaining strength).
 
I am not pro or anti Baker - honestly I don't like USC so I don't watch them, BUT it would not suprise me to see the top level prospects taking it easy during this game. Injuries have to be a concern and I don't think Baker's performance in this game will make or break him. He has had a first round grade on him since last season began. I just want guys that can play and stay healthy.

Eric Winston had a 1st round grade all season also. Then the Senior Bowl happened. He had cement shoes and was beated badly in his one on one drills. He dropped to a 2nd round projection, well at least he was projected to be our pick at #33. He fell all the way to us in the 3rd. So carrying a 1st round grade all season and thinking you will coast in on a deep draft, not a good plan. Plus I want a guy who competes on every snap, not just when he thinks it matters.
 
Eric Winston had a 1st round grade all season also. Then the Senior Bowl happened. He had cement shoes and was beated badly in his one on one drills. He dropped to a 2nd round projection, well at least he was projected to be our pick at #33. He fell all the way to us in the 3rd. So carrying a 1st round grade all season and thinking you will coast in on a deep draft, not a good plan. Plus I want a guy who competes on every snap, not just when he thinks it matters.

When talking about Winston, I think you have to factor in he didn't play as well after his injury. It can take awhile after major knee surgery to get back to 100%. Guys can get on the field in about 9 months but they won't be 100% for awhile. You may be right about Baker, like I said I am not a USC fan so I don't watch their games.
 
Can anyone identify exactly what leg injury Baker had this season and if he is expected to be 100% by OTAs?
 
You're reminder about Gibbs is reassuring BL since he's one of the NFLs true experts on OLine personnel and with him on the Texans payroll we stand less
chance than about any other NFL team of missing it on the assessment of
a college Oline prospects And that's a very good thing for the Texans because
a lot of very overrated players come out of USC, and I'm not talking about Reggie Bush.
Winston Justice was a very highly rated OT coming out of there
a couple years ago. All the mockers had him first round, many top 10 and yet
he fell way down into the second or third round to the Eagles and has not done anything there. As a matter a fact, I think he's the OT that the Giants
DE got 5 or 6 sacks against in a single this year ?
But we will all get a good look at Baker because he'll be in the Senior Bowl next month, so we should see him in a lot of 1-on-1 drills in the week of practice before the actual weekend game.

Here is the knock on Winston Justice. He had some character issues going into the draft. They were kinda silly on the surface but when teams interviewed him at the combine he came across as a punk looking for a payday. He apparently wasn't showing a great love for the game. That is why he dropped to the 2nd round and alot of people dropped him in their rankings after the combine. And Justice came out early, and Baker didn't. So, I wouldnt put that tag on Baker just yet.
 
Well beerlover already posted they may do something completely different than we are all thinking about. I would love to have an athletic OLT. And if we pick one that'll mean gibbs loves the guy. If they make the move to swing Erick on to the other side....that would mean they could come back and take a C/G or T prospect later in the draft.Which would bring in the RB CB pick in the first. The question with all of our injured o-line guys is that you won't know who's locked and loaded and who's Puped untill July. I'm guessing Spencer will either be locked & loaded or gone. I'm also guessing they are not going to put him on the QBs blind side with that much rust on him. Like no way Jose.

Now I'm not a guru, but if I was going to switch things in the oline for '08, I would make sure if we have two new starters that they have someone in the middle who knows what the hell he's doing. I can see Winston being moved inside to LG. I think it would be a long shot if he can flip sides to OLT. But I do agree he played well enough to earn a look there.

So it comes down to what did this man come out of retirement for ? Is he the ax man come to chop off a couple of long time heros off the roster ? Is he a guru passing down the craft to our young o-line coach ? Is he going to rework the group as a whole ? Three new starters ? I dunno. But it's going to be fun to watch.
 
Well beerlover alredy posted they may do something completely different than we are all thinking about. I would love to have an athletic OLT. And if we pick one that'll mean gibbs loves the guy. If they make the move to swing Erick on to the other side....that would mean they could come back and take a C/G or T prospect later in the draft. The question with all of our injured guys is that you won't know who's locked and loaded and who's Puped untill July.

Now I'm not a guru, but if I was going to switch things in the oline for '08, I would make sure if we have two new starters that they have someone in the middle who knows what the hell he's doing. I can see Winston being moved inside to LG. I think it would be a long shot if he can flip sides to OLT. But I do agree he played well enough to earn a look there.

So it comes down to what did this man come out of retirement for ? Is he the ax man to chop off a couple of long time heros off the roster ? Is he a guru passing down the craft to our young o-line coach ? Is he going to rework the group as a whole ? Three new starters ? I dunno. But it's going to be fun to watch.

Gibbs will serve as Guru :vinny:
 
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