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Rick Gosselin's 2007 Draft Coverage

TexFromBehind said:
Who's to say Okoye is better than Harrell or Revis/Hall than Houston? There's no value in staying.
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I agree. But, who's to say that the teams drafting below the Texans don't feel the same way? I think the 3 players teams might trade up for that could be available at #10 are Anderson, Willis, and Lynch.

Anderson is a pass rusher who can play all three downs. That's attractive to many teams.

Willis is the most athletically gifted of the top LBs. And the one with the most experience at MLB (but he could also play OLB).

Lynch is the clearcut #2 RB. If he gets clearance on the character issue, the Bills and the Pack could get into a bidding war.

Right now, I'd put the chances of the Texans moving down at less than 30%. But as Lloyd Christmas might say, they still have a chance.
 
One of Gosselin's dubious picks is Amobi Okoye to Miami when DLineman Carriker & Branch, much better suited to Capers 3-4, remain on the board ?
But another poster said that Gosselin's first couple mocks can be smoke-screens/diversions, and he waits until the last minute to post his final mock, real mock so he cuts down on the copy-cat factor.
And isn't it nice that Gosselin's mock is gratis to the NFL fan while the
mercenary Kiper-ESPN group tries to gouge us all with an inferior product ?
I love the irony !
BTW, Kubiaks requiremnt that the top pick start this year is more meaningful than most realize IMO.
 
nunusguy said:
One of Gosselin's dubious picks is Amobi Okoye to Miami when DLineman Carriker & Branch, much better suited to Capers 3-4, remain on the board ?
But another poster said that Gosselin's first couple mocks can be smoke-screens/diversions, and he waits until the last minute to post his final mock, real mock so he cuts down on the copy-cat factor.
And isn't it nice that Gosselin's mock is gratis to the NFL fan while the
mercenary Kiper-ESPN group tries to gouge us all with an inferior product ?
I love the irony !
BTW, Kubiaks requiremnt that the top pick start this year is more meaningful than most realize IMO.
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So if Caper's is so good at picking guys for his vaunted 3-4 D how do you explain the Travis Johnson pick? :D
 
Hoth-Boy said:
So if Caper's is so good at picking guys for his vaunted 3-4 D how do you explain the Travis Johnson pick? :D
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You're right of course H-B, because TJ just like Okoye is basically a 1-gapper so therefor more suited to play DT in the 4-3 than in the 3-4.
Luis Castillo, the kid the Chargers got back in '05 in the TJ Draft, is working out OK as a end in SDs 3-4. Why did Capers pass on him ?
I guess the answer is Capers screwed up some picks. Several actually.
 
nunusguy said:
Luis Castillo, the kid the Chargers got back in '05 in the TJ Draft, is working out OK as a end in SDs 3-4. Why did Capers pass on him ?
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Castillo failed a steroid test at the combine, which raised flags. Not for the Chargers, who also drafted Shawne Merriman the same year. Merriman was suspended for 4 games last season for failing a steroids test. It will be interesting to see how guys like Castillo & Merriman fare under the NFL's supposedly tougher steroid policy.
 
Lucky said:
Castillo failed a steroid test at the combine, which raised flags. Not for the Chargers, who also drafted Shawne Merriman the same year. Merriman was suspended for 4 games last season for failing a steroids test. It will be interesting to see how guys like Castillo & Merriman fare under the NFL's supposedly tougher steroid policy.
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Marty Schottenheimer, one of the best coachs of our time (excluding an unfortunate playoff record) & talent evaluator & disciplinarian, did some serious research on Castillo and drafted him to play in the same kind of D that Capers ran here after determing his steroid incident was a false red flag. Don't think Capers was that thourough ?
As far as Merriman goes, he may be more of a problem than Castillo but had no history from college IIRC and was off the Board when we came up in the first round anyway.
 
nunusguy said:
Marty Schottenheimer, one of the best coachs of our time (excluding an unfortunate playoff record) & talent evaluator & disciplinarian, did some serious research on Castillo and drafted him to play in the same kind of D that Capers ran here after determing his steroid incident was a false red flag.
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First, A.J. Smith, the Chargers GM, made those picks. His "serious research" was able to find 2 steroid offenders, plus another guy about to go on suspension for another drug offense in Terrance Kiel. Dom Capers and Charley Casserly never had the clearance to draft players with backgrounds such as that. C&C made a lot of mistakes on draft day, but you're using the wrong examples.
 
Lucky said:
First, A.J. Smith, the Chargers GM, made those picks. His "serious research" was able to find 2 steroid offenders, plus another guy about to go on suspension for another drug offense in Terrance Kiel. Dom Capers and Charley Casserly never had the clearance to draft players with backgrounds such as that. C&C made a lot of mistakes on draft day, but you're using the wrong examples.
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After his positive test, Castillo said he and his agent wrote letters to all 32 NFL teams to explain it was a one-time mistake on his part in an effort to help his elbow to heal so he could lift weights and perform at the NFL Combine in February.
Castillo explained he received “some bad advice” when he decided to take the steroids.
**
Smith and Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer said they were satisfied with the results of their investigation.
“It’s a non-issue for us,” Smith said. “We have an investigative process we went through and we’re very comfortable with it. If we were uncomfortable with it, he would not be a San Diego Charger.”
Added Schottenheimer, “I don’t think there is any question about the character of the young man, and any research you do will indicate that. To suggest that a young man did this one time and that means a lack of character is unrealistic and, frankly, unfair.”
http://www.chargers.com/news/headlines/news-111423960023026.htm
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This article lays out what I was talking about. It does appear to be a joint effort on the part of the GM & Marty.
With the Texans, Casserly was even more dependant upon Capers for input on personnel decisions re college players capable of succeeding in the 3-4, especially DLineman & OLBs.
So far, Capers obviously made a poor pick with TJ, both as a fit for the 3-4 & more importantly as a jock who can play in the NFL. Period. That was the origional point.
 
Special teams preview:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon...ies/042407dnspodraftspecialteams.28ec48c.html

Quick take: The NFL hasn't drafted a deep snapper in two years and did not use a first-day pick on either a kicker or a punter in 2006. That trend is likely to continue. But look for return specialists to be pushed up the board after the spectacular rookie season of Pro Bowler Devin Hester in 2006.
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The best
MICHAEL GRIFFIN, PUNT DEFENSE, TEXAS

If Michael Griffin weren't projected as a first-round safety, he might have projected as a first-day selection just as a special teamer. He led Texas as a freshman with 21 special teams tackles and went on to block a school-record eight punts in his career. That ranks second in NCAA history. Griffin also returned six career punts for a 20.7-yard average.

Sleeper
JARED RETKOFSKY, DEEP SNAPPER, TCU

The deep snappers of greatest value are those with NFL size who can also play a position. Retkofsky goes 6-4 ½, 265, and was part of TCU's defensive tackle rotation. He collected three sacks in 2004. He spent two seasons as TCU's deep snapper.

Best of Texas
1. DANIEL SEPULVEDA, P, BAYLOR
Sepulveda was the only Division I All-American both on the field and in the classroom in 2006. The accounting major was a four-time academic All-Big 12 pick.

Draft projection: mid-rounds

2. MASON CROSBY, K, COLORADO (AND GEORGETOWN)

Draft projection: Late rounds

3. TULLY JANSZEN, DEEP SNAPPER, TEXAS

Draft projection: Late rounds/FA
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Overall grade is a 2. Biggest surprise is that Crosby is not the #1 kicker, Justin Medlocl out of UCLA.
 
Good article about the value of cover safeties:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon...ries/042507dnsponfldraftsafeties.3f81c1a.html

Weddle was a two-time Mountain West defensive player of the year at Utah. He spent most of 2005 at safety and all of 2006 at cornerback. He can cover. Boy, can he ever. In the 2005 Emerald Bowl, Weddle lined up on Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson in man-to-man coverage and held him to two catches for 19 yards.
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This is something I hadn't heard yet. And reading about how he prepared for the game and studied tape was also impressive.

Gerald Alexander of Boise State, Dashon Goldson of Washington, Brandon Harrison of Stanford, Tanard Jackson of Syracuse and Darren Stone of Maine are other safeties in this draft who have started in their college careers at cornerback.
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That's the guy I'm starting to like.
 
The Top 100 (aka where Goose makes his rep and his money):
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/nfl/stories/042707dnspotop100.24f9573.html

The top 10
1. Calvin Johnson WR Ga. Tech
2. Adrian Peterson HB Oklahoma
3. JaMarcus Russell QB LSU
4. Joe Thomas OT Wisconsin
5. Brady Quinn QB Notre Dame
6. Gaines Adams DE Clemson
7. LaRon Landry S LSU
8. Darrelle Revis CB Pittsburgh
9. Levi Brown OT Penn St.
10. Leon Hall CB Michigan
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15. Lawrence Timmons OLB Florida St.
20. Joe Staley OT C. Michigan
21. Amobi Okoye DT Louisville
22. Aaron Ross CB Texas
23. Jarvis Moss DE Florida
24. Jon Beason OLB Miami-Fla.
29. David Harris MLB Michigan
30. Brandon Meriweather S Miami-Fla.
32. Anthony Gonzalez WR Ohio St.
33. Alan Branch DT Michigan
34. Anthony Spencer DE Purdue
35. Chris Houston CB Arkansas
36. Ryan Kalil C Southern Cal
37. Trent Edwards QB Stanford
39. Dwayne Jarrett WR Southern Cal
40. Drew Stanton QB Michigan St.
41. Sidney Rice WR S. Carolina
44. Kevin Kolb QB Houston
45. Steve Smith WR Southern Cal
48. Victor Abiamiri DE Notre Dame
49. Tony Ugoh OT Arkansas
50. Marcus McCauley CB Fresno St.
57. Eric Weddle S Utah
58. Kenny Irons HB Auburn
60. Tanard Jackson S Syracuse
61. Jason Hill WR Wash. St.
62. Jonathan Wade CB Tennessee
63. Tim Crowder DE Texas
64. Ryan Harris OT Notre Dame
68. Josh Wilson CB Maryland
69. Chris Henry HB Arizona
70. Stewart Bradley OLB Nebraska
72. Dameion Hughes CB California
74. Justin Durant MLB Hampton
77. Doug Free OT N. Illinois
79. Jacoby Jones WR Lane
83. Brandon Jackson HB Nebraska
86. Usama Young CB Kent St.
87. Tony Hunt HB Penn St.
92. Brian Robison DE Texas
93. Marshal Yanda G Iowa
94. Michael Bush HB Louisville
95. Michael Coe CB Alabama St.
96. Jermon Bushrod OT Towson St.
97. Quinn Pitcock DT Ohio St.
99. Johnnie Lee Higgins WR UTEP
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Wow, some interesting possibilities in the early second round. Trade down and pick up a second, unless AD, DR or LL are there at #10.
 
Kaiser Toro said:
Wow, some interesting possibilities in the early second round. Trade down and pick up a second, unless AD, DR or LL are there at #10.
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I don't see all that much to get excited about in the second round....most of those guys have big holes in their games or have big question marks about their character (Merriweather) or attitude (apparently Branch is a Jimmy Kennedy clone)....I see most of those guys as 2-3 year type prospects that won't start on most NFL teams as a rookie.
 
Goose's final mock:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon...aft/stories/042807dnspomockdraft.2ad4086.html

10. Houston Texans
Selection: Darrelle Revis, CB, Pitt
Needs: Left OT, pass rusher, safety

When you rank 24th in defense, 28th in offense and 29th on special teams, anyone you draft brings an automatic upgrade. Revis is a double upgrade on defense and special teams. A two-time All-Big East cornerback, Revis also averaged 10.2 yards on punt returns in his career with two touchdowns. But Denver may move up here on the clock.
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Quick notes:
-Russell goes #1
-5 LB in the first round
-Branch falls out of the first
-Okoye falls to 23
-Levi Brown goes 8
-Joe Staley goes 20
-Reggie Nelson goes 18
-Players available at 21; Jarvis Moss, Aaron Ross, Okoye, Meriweather, David Harris, Greg Olsen, Paul Posluszny, Justin Harrell, Ben Grubbs, Jom Beason, Dwayne Jarrett and Michael Griffin

Hey Vinny, Goose said, last night on the radio, that this was a 1st and 3rd round draft. He has 35 players with a 1st round grade, 23 with 2nd, and 43 with 3rd.
 
I do not see Olson falling that far with teams using the TE as much as they do and him being the best in the draft.

I see Carolina or Jacksonville taking him.
 
Hoth-Boy said:
Gosselin's grades:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon...tories/043007dnspogosselingrades.3827e9f.html

Beware, he gave Tennessee an A. This is by far the weakest part of Goose's draft coverage.

And thus ends the 2007 Gosselin draft thread.
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lots of people are giving them high marks...we may want to pay attention. Most of us fans just don't have the time to "scout" players properly enough to grade them all correctly. Each year that I go through the draft, the more I understand this and the less I comment on players until I see them on the field with their new teams.
 
Vinny said:
lots of people are giving them high marks...we may want to pay attention. Most of us fans just don't have the time to "scout" players properly enough to grade them all correctly. Each year that I go through the draft, the more I understand this and the less I comment on players until I see them on the field with their new teams.
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He also gave the Patriots a D, I am sorry but I do not buy his ratings of the draft. What major needs did the Pats have that was not addressed. DT to stuff the run and a Safety who hits like a truck and can help in some coverage.

The running back they drafted has never been a starter at any level plus while Griffin is not a bad player, they could have done a lot better in terms of addressing more pressing needs. I will not complain about the WR they got like others do because I think they got some steals in the latter rounds.

As much meligned as our O-Line has been last year we did not give up as many sacks as other teams who did not address that either.
 
Specnatz said:
He also gave the Patriots a D, I am sorry but I do not buy his ratings of the draft. What major needs did the Pats have that was not addressed. DT to stuff the run and a Safety who hits like a truck and can help in some coverage.

The running back they drafted has never been a starter at any level plus while Griffin is not a bad player, they could have done a lot better in terms of addressing more pressing needs. I will not complain about the WR they got like others do because I think they got some steals in the latter rounds.

As much meligned as our O-Line has been last year we did not give up as many sacks as other teams who did not address that either.
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Personally, I watch as much football as anyone I know (not necessarily a good thing) and I know that I have very limited information when it comes to grading out hundreds and hundreds of NFL prospects, so I really don't have too many hard conclusions like some of you guys form so early on.....that said, I've followed the NFL since around the early 70's and I've paid close attention year in, year out. Gosselin isn't perfect, but historically....he is as good as anyone...every year. He has the best scout contacts in the business and he doesn't consider himself a scout...he just compiles information as a real journalist. I don't know if he is right or wrong...but history is on his side.
 
Yes but unlike his Top 100, Mocks, and postion rankings; Gosselin's grades are the one thing he complies on his own. He has great contacts, but isn't infaliable when it comes to grading drafts.

He always goes back and re-grades each draft come the end of the year, and it's very rare to see teh same grade for each team. He even admits that the only reason he writes the grades column is that the DMN forces him to.
 
Hoth-Boy said:
Yes but unlike his Top 100, Mocks, and postion rankings; Gosselin's grades are the one thing he complies on his own. He has great contacts, but isn't infaliable when it comes to grading drafts.
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sure, but I bet he uses his very own info gathered from his very own contacts....I know he isn't using mine.
 
I think the Titans, considering all they lost after the season, did a credible job of recouping their losses. They are certainly better after the draft than before.

I thought they'd go after Nelson after Jacksonville traded down but maybe they liked Griffin better - maybe Adams just likes UT guys.

I think that the fact Tennessee and Jacksonville both got coverage guys in the first round shows how scared they are of Matt Schaub. :texflag:
 
Vinny said:
Personally, I watch as much football as anyone I know (not necessarily a good thing) and I know that I have very limited information when it comes to grading out hundreds and hundreds of NFL prospects, so I really don't have too many hard conclusions like some of you guys form so early on.....that said, I've followed the NFL since around the early 70's and I've paid close attention year in, year out. Gosselin isn't perfect, but historically....he is as good as anyone...every year. He has the best scout contacts in the business and he doesn't consider himself a scout...he just compiles information as a real journalist. I don't know if he is right or wrong...but history is on his side.
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The Patriots were in dire need of a go-to guy on the flank, but second- rounder Chad Jackson did not rise to the challenge, starting one game and catching 13 passes for the season.
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All of you WR2 fans, there's you a cheap one come august.
 
greetings y'all-

I feel like I just stepped out of the Bermuda Triangle or something.....:Tumblewee

anyway I wonder if Rick Gosselins Top 32 Draft Board fared as well as my own when I got 29 out of 32 right & Branch missed the 1st by one #33, Paul Posluszny by two #34 & Chris Houston went #41 who I all had first rd. grades on.

Justin Herrell #16 I had projected early 2nd, Anthony Gonzalez & Craig Davis all as mid 2nd rounders.
 
beerlover said:
greetings y'all-

I feel like I just stepped out of the Bermuda Triangle or something.....:Tumblewee

anyway I wonder if Rick Gosselins Top 32 Draft Board fared as well as my own when I got 29 out of 32 right & Branch missed the 1st by one #33, Paul Posluszny by two #34 & Chris Houston went #41 who I all had first rd. grades on.

Justin Herrell #16 I had projected early 2nd, Anthony Gonzalez & Craig Davis all as mid 2nd rounders.
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Of the first 35 players taken, I correctly identified 31. I think Gosling went 34/35 . Anyone know how Kiper did?
 
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