You just never know (Vontaze Burfict)

[gimmesix]

The risk of McSurdy failing is limited to McSurdy.

The risk with Burfict could extend to the locker room and could affect more than just the individual player.

Having said the above, I didn't understand the McSurdy pick. I would much prefer a high upside player that is available due to various reasons like injury, small college or possibly a player like Burfict with character concerns.

There are cries each year for Dallas to take players like Burfict when the Cowboys have made it clear since Parcells days that such players are no longer on their draft board.

I am OK with that, even if it causes Dallas to miss on a few players who go on to great careers and overcome their pasts.

 

[xwalker]

The risk of McSurdy failing is limited to McSurdy.

The risk with Burfict could extend to the locker room and could affect more than just the individual player.

Having said the above, I didn't understand the McSurdy pick. I would much prefer a high upside player that is available due to various reasons like injury, small college or possibly a player like Burfict with character concerns.

You make an excellent point but then sour it with your last seven words. Risk of a lingering bad locker room smell, known in advance, is too much of a risk when a guy's past bad behavior is not sure to be corrected (and it never is in advance).

Yes, I understand that it sounds like a contradiction. When I said "possibly" a player with character concerns, I'm leaving it to the team to make the character evaluation. We draftniks don't get to interview the player and don't always get the full story when it comes to character issues.

 

[Idgit]

McSurdy was a pick that's supposed to help you on ST his first two years, and maybe develop into a player that can steal a few defensive snaps down the road. I don't think the team even looked at him as a potential starter down the road when they made that pick.

Burfict was a Sun Devil, so I'm partial to him, but I'd much rather play it safe and have a team without any Burficts on it at all. The risk-reward is not there when you're trying to get 52 other guys all on the same page. There are enough quality players coming out of the college ranks that you can field a team entirely of guys you know you can work with.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

He did very well last year. Hopefully he continues to stay motivated and does it for the rest of his career. I don't see a real reason to wonder or rue about a player after one year. What happens if over the next 3 years he plays only about half the games, gets hurt or busted for something stupid, and is basically out of the league in 4 years? Then would he have still been worth the risk?

Probably best to wait a few years on a pick before people decide one way or another rather it was a good one or a bad one. Just my opinion.