What makes great Drafting?

[Nors]

http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=78211

Must read - Some critical items here


The best is looking for a "perfect" player. Its so true - everyone focus's on what a player can't do. But instead focus on what a player can do and use him that way.

DJ is a perfect example to me - I've read about 50 scouting reports on him. Everyone cries that he struggles to go through big Lineman. Plug the kid in on the edge and set him loose.
He has defensive playmaker written all over him. Guys are going gaga over Ware and Merriman tangibles. Huge mistake - JMO
He only had 10.5 sacks in his career but he was not used much in pass rushing roles Sr year and is a 10 sack potential All Pro performer.

The other IS NT Anthony Bryant. Read is stuff and it all says the same negative, No real push - overweight. Some question conditioning but he played all games 4 seasons.....
He's looked at as a 3rd to 4th round boom/bust. Bryant is the best Run stuffing DT in this draft. Kid can play 15-20 snaps and anchor a center of Dline in that role.
With Ellis and Ferguson thats all you are looking for - a wide body in the middle who with Pro coaching could be a future stud.

[Nors]

DJ may go top 5......

[Chocolate Lab]

I'm with you on both players, Nors. I don't know many LBs that aren't better when they aren't heads up with a guard. Brian Urlacher suffered mightily when he lost his huge NT up front, but that doesn't mean he's not a good player. And Johnson has the frame to gain some weight if he needs to anyway. But fumbles follow him, and he's great at pass defense. People forget about that, but LBs need to cover too, especially with the new contact rules.

And Bryant is just a huge, huge body, especially lower body. He has the biggest calves I've ever seen. Sure, he's not going to be Bob Lilly, but he's not going to command a high draft pick, either. Take him with a fourth, say, let him spot Ferguson occasionally, play some short yardage defense, and try to work on his conditioning and motivation. He could still help even if he's just a part-time player. It's worth a try. :)

[Nors]

I'm with you on both players, Nors. I don't know many LBs that aren't better when they aren't heads up with a guard. Brian Urlacher suffered mightily when he lost his huge NT up front, but that doesn't mean he's not a good player. And Johnson has the frame to gain some weight if he needs to anyway. But fumbles follow him, and he's great at pass defense. People forget about that, but LBs need to cover too, especially with the new contact rules.

And Bryant is just a huge, huge body, especially lower body. He has the biggest calves I've ever seen. Sure, he's not going to be Bob Lilly, but he's not going to command a high draft pick, either. Take him with a fourth, say, let him spot Ferguson occasionally, play some short yardage defense, and try to work on his conditioning and motivation. He could still help even if he's just a part-time player. It's worth a try. :)


What I like about Bryant - I watched a half dozen games. He's always double teamed and he NEVER goes backwards. He controlls LOS and if single blocked will collapse a pocket. Tremendous roatation NT.

I think DJ is our true target in draft......playmaker

[AJM1613]

New England isn't exactly an example of great drafting.

[CanadaBoys]

Didn't you have some sort of NE bet going on?

[junk]

Didn't you have some sort of NE bet going on?

I think its off, so I am sure he is taking every opportunity to post NE links. :D

[Wolverine]

New England isn't exactly an example of great drafting.


Yeah but at least they know how to win a Super Bowl. HA HAAHAHA

[CowboyChris]

what makes great drafting? obviously doing your homework for the early rounds but more importantly the ability to find those hidden gems in the 2nd day.

[Muhast]

Wierd to say, but LUCK makes great drafting.

The nfl draft is like Forrest Gumps qoute "Football is like a box of chocolates you never know which kind your going to get".

There are always workout warriors who have big potential to be boom or bust(See Merriman) and players who have proven themself but still may not be what they seem (See DJ) and finally players who were stars but at smaller level of competition(See D.Ware).

Which of the 3 may be the best? It's anyone's GUESS.

[Dale]

I think good drafting is the ability to hit on the high picks -- rounds 1 and 2, and preferably 3. Great drafting is doing that, and mixing in a successful starter or two in rounds 4-7. Expecting a hit on every pick is unrealistic. Even the best of scouts miss here and there.

But to break it down further, you're right Nors. Great drafting is a process. It takes finding and selecting the talent, but it extends to the coaching staff and their ability to use the player correctly. A good draft doesn't end in April. It ends many years later after a handful of coaches have had an opportunity to mold them.

Scouts need to find players that be used in the scheme, but coaches also need to then exercise that talent in its most effective manner.

Drafting quarterbacks is a perfect example. Jason Campbell may one day make a great quarterback, but possibly not in the West Coast Offense. If SF is running the WCO, it probably wouldn't be wise to take him with the top pick in Round 2 and try to fit that square peg in a round hole.

I think all the turnover within organizations compounds the draft process. It's not unusual to see teams consistently change coaches every 4 seasons or so. It's difficult to spread a coaching staffs' drafting phiolosophy and the types of players they like to a scouting department in one year. I realize the scouts are their own entity and must find players regardless of the coaching situation, but it'd be foolish to say the two parties don't work hand in hand.

[Nors]

Didn't you have some sort of NE bet going on?
had a bet,

BZ threw out a bold gauntlet - I accepted and he weasled out of it - threw Brainpaint under the bus. Clown

[Nors]

Wierd to say, but LUCK makes great drafting.

The nfl draft is like Forrest Gumps qoute "Football is like a box of chocolates you never know which kind your going to get".

There are always workout warriors who have big potential to be boom or bust(See Merriman) and players who have proven themself but still may not be what they seem (See DJ) and finally players who were stars but at smaller level of competition(See D.Ware).

Which of the 3 may be the best? It's anyone's GUESS.


bad scouts/gm's - yes its luck.

guess? educated guesses produce over time. Look at Eagles/Pats draft past 5-6 years.

Its knowing the kind of player you want
Actually finding and drafting those players
playing them to their strengths


I feel Parcells has the Dallas drafts going right finally......
This will be a defining draft for our front 7!

[ghettogandhi]

I love what I ve seen from DJ-true playmaker in the mold of Derrick Brooks- I would take him at 11 with no problem- it would mean we are most likely staying 4-3 .


http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=78211

Must read - Some critical items here


The best is looking for a "perfect" player. Its so true - everyone focus's on what a player can't do. But instead focus on what a player can do and use him that way.

DJ is a perfect example to me - I've read about 50 scouting reports on him. Everyone cries that he struggles to go through big Lineman. Plug the kid in on the edge and set him loose.
He has defensive playmaker written all over him. Guys are going gaga over Ware and Merriman tangibles. Huge mistake - JMO
He only had 10.5 sacks in his career but he was not used much in pass rushing roles Sr year and is a 10 sack potential All Pro performer.

The other IS NT Anthony Bryant. Read is stuff and it all says the same negative, No real push - overweight. Some question conditioning but he played all games 4 seasons.....
He's looked at as a 3rd to 4th round boom/bust. Bryant is the best Run stuffing DT in this draft. Kid can play 15-20 snaps and anchor a center of Dline in that role.
With Ellis and Ferguson thats all you are looking for - a wide body in the middle who with Pro coaching could be a future stud.

[Nors]

DJ can play in any scheme at 6-3 235 and will put on strength and some bulk in an NFL program. Same knocks on Ray Lewis - size and he moved right on up into Raven D nicely.

I thing Browns take him at #3.