OT: NFL Draft Day 1 recap/Day 2 open thread
Slow morning, so what did you think of the first round of the draft? What do you think of your team's pick(s)? My 3 favorite NFL teams are the Lions, Bengals, and Pats:
Lions - took Ezekiel Ansah 5th overall. I had never heard of him, but it sounds like he's got insane physical tools a lot of potential. I don't know enough about the guy to feel one way or another about him, but DE was a need.
Bengals - took Tyler Eifert 21st overall. While a good pick, I was a bit confused. It's like not the Bengals really NEEDED to take a tight end in the first round. But I think he'll fit in well, and the Bengals passing attack is going to be sick next year.
Patriots - traded their pick to Minnesota, so they have the 20th and 27th picks in the 2nd round. I'd like to think they will take Denard in the second round, especially since Kiper projects that they will take a WR with the 27th pick (he says Aaron Dobson, who is clearly inferior to Denard).
What are your thoughts?
April 26th, 2013 at 12:22 PM ^
In other words, pot is not the underlying issue. There's clearly something else going on with the guy, which makes me think he's a risky pick.
Not to say he shouldn't be drafted, but that I wouldn't want to pick him up too early.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:40 PM ^
The Lions do not need another Titus Young.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:50 PM ^
I agree that he has had a very tough life, but a lot of people use marijuana without that being the case. I also agree that he is a risky pick, but his upside is very high, certainly as high as Ansah's I would say.
The guy got caught doing things he wasn't supposed to be doing and got in trouble for it because those things happen to be illegal. With that said, he didn't get in a fight, he didn't steal anything, he didn't hit his girlfriend, he did nothing that makes me question his morals. He made some bad, immature decisions like most 20 year olds do, but I don't think his actions are enough to not pick him up in the second round. The guy would have been a top 10 draft pick more than likely had these issues never happened. For every Charles Rogers there are likely a dozen NFL players who smoke weed occasionally, are "smart" about it, and do not get in trouble.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:57 PM ^
Did you really just say he did something illegal, then say he did nothing to make you question his morals? Regardless of how you feel about marijuana, it's against the law to use it. He broke the law. That makes me question his morals.
Um... yeah I did say that, because illegal does not always = morally wrong. It would be nice if the world was that black and white, but to me it is not.
Obviously it is not in one's best interest to go around breaking every law they don't agree with, but there are certainly tiers of wrong-doing, some of which I do not think warant judging someone's character. Do I question Mathieu's judgement and maturity? Sure. But I do not know enough about the guy to question his morals, like I do for say, Brandon Marshall.
Having questions about someones decision making and maturity are enough to warrant passing over in the draft though, and I would understand if the Lions didn't pick him up, especially with their history f off the field issues. However, I think he is worth taking a flier on, certainly as much as Ansah was with the 5th pick
I didn't really intend to start a big discussion about Mathieu's character though, so I am wshing my hands of this discussion.
This months ESPN The Mag had a big sob story about how much he has changed and keeps changing his cell phone number so his "bad influnces" cant come back into his life.
.....and then 2 days ago a flyer and tweet from his verified account is circulated about his upcoming draft party at a club in NYC (I think it was NYC). Of course it gets picked up by the media and he says oh no man that wasnt me.
Kid is a head case and has not changed at all, you want to know who he is going to be like? Pacman Jones another famous short DB with a cool nickname.
Yes, because all laws are perfect. Clearly.
Don't go fucking a pig in a kitchen while eating Doritos with your left hand in upper north eastern Mississippi!
April 26th, 2013 at 12:49 PM ^
Floyd would've have been a great pick, but I'm more than ok with Banks. I'm a little upset that most of the really good TE are gone.I guess they should take their highest rated TE or DT.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:23 PM ^
On one level, this could be the pick (or one of them) that plays some telling role in the ultimate legacy of Mayhew and Lewan because they have taken a risk on a dominant athlete with the potential to be an excellent pass rusher, but someone who also lacks the resume that you would want from a DE in the draft when it comes to experience.
According to Kevin Seifert, it is his understanding that the Lions worked on trading down as soon as tackles began flying off the board, which leads me to believe that Ansah may not have been their Plan A after all. At the same time, it didn't seem like they had shied away from him, as the Lions defensive line coach actually expressed his approval of Ansah, I believe. I have to think that Washburn saw something he believes he can work with. To me, the question is this - how quickly could he help the 2013 campaign? I don't know if there is a clear answer to this right now.
If it works out, the upside is potentially huge, but it was anything but the conventional pick at #5.
April 26th, 2013 at 12:34 PM ^
It's Ghana be a long season in Detroit.
something about not being willing to practice
Why does anyone need three favorite teams? Isn't that just beeing greedy? Pick a team and stick with 'em fergoshsakes!
Yeahh, about that. As someone originally from Detroit who grew up in Cincinnati in the 90's/early aughts, NFL seasons weren't very fun for me... until Tom Brady filled in for Drew Bledsoe on that one fateful day. I actually remember watching that game, Bledsoe's injury, and then being excited to see Tom Brady get in. After that, well, it was easy to root for the Pats.
3 favorite teams? That's a clown way to be a fan, bro.
Yep, I know. That's why when people ask me what NFL team I'm a "fan" of, I just say "None really, but I follow these three..." I know what fandom is, and I know I'm not a fan of an NFL team.
Three cheers for your honesty.
As a Lions fan, I hate when people claim to be a legit fan of numerous teams. I do let slide in MLB a little because of the two leagues and the difference in the game, but even then if those two teams met in the World Series you better have a team.
Anywho, I am glad you don't claim to be a legit fan of three NFL teams.
...but also follow other teams (Baltimore - lived there, Philly - just like their players, San Fran - Childhood favorite)?
This is my report on Ziggy:
Strength:
- Size: 6'5" 270 lbs DE, Protypical DE size
- Outstanding athlete. Showed burst, quickness and outstanding closing speed
- Strength: When he get proper leverage/pad level, he absolutely dominates at POA
- Instinct: For a guy who played such a short amount of time, he has outstanding instincts. Always know what to do which is a great sign as he gain more experience in football
- Run Stuffer: Has size/athleticism/strength/instincts to be an elite run stopper. Ton of tackles and tackle for loss to show for it
- Versatility: Played at DE, DT, NT and OLB at BYU but lined up mostly at 1, 3 and 5 tech at BYU. Very compentent in a lot of things but master of none (except maybe against the run where he showed elite skill set).
- Intelligence: Pick things up quickly in a short span. Blank canvas.
Weaknesses:
- Experience: He is inexperienced but not raw. Two totally different meanings. He showed good techniques and pick things up quickly.
- Pad Level: He has a tendency to stand straight up off the snap thus losing leverage. Once he learns how to lower his pad level, he'd be nearly unblockable.
- Hand usages: He showed flashes of it, but often hand fight against OL instead of disengage blocks quickly.
- Pass Rush Productivity: 4.5 sacks in his senior season. However, JPP and Aldon Smith also had 4.5 sacks in their final year at college. A cause for concern? Yes, but may not be a big deal considering both are outstanding pass rushers in the NFL.
Overall Thoughts:
There is a reason why he is a highly regarded prospect in the NFL circles. He has tools that you cannot teach like size/athleticism/strength/instincts. A classic Boom/Bust prospect. Needs work on pad level/leverage and hand usages. Both are coachable traits. He couldn't have come into a perfect team as a prospect because the Lions have two of the best DL coaches in the league in Kocurek and Washburn, and they have Suh and Fairley to draw OL attention so Ziggy can have freedom to work one on one. As inexperienced Ziggy is as a player, he pick things up quickly and apply it on the field. He gets more freedom at DE in wide 9 scheme where the Lions can tell him to go after the QB which is scary once he figures it all out. I believe that he is closer to a boom prospect than a bust prospect for the reasons I stated above. The Lions had to take the best talent available since the top 3 OTs plus Dion Jordan are gone before #5 overall pick. Despite the perception that he is not ready to start, he is ready to start at Day 1. If the Senior Bowl game is any indication, Lions fans should be extremely happy with the pick. He fills the talent and needs in which the Lions desperately need help at DE especially on pass rush.
Pro Comparison: Bruce Smith
Their 1st round pick sheds some light on the real reason Harbaugh spurned UM for the NFL. He tried to recruit Reid to Stanford, and after trading up to get him last night said, "This time, Eric had no choice in the matter."
http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2013/04/25/second-times-a-charm-harbaugh-finally-reels-in-reid/
Ego had nothing to do with it after all, Jim just really really wanted to be Reid's coach.
What with having few needs and all of the picks, the Niners can now take a few shots at some high risk/high reward guys. Obviously I'm hoping Denard is one of them, BWC would be cool too.
If the Lions struggle and Stafford gets hurt on a sack, buh-bye Jim Schwartz
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/drafttracker
Darius Slay, CB 
Height: 6-0 Weight: 192Class: Sr Hometown: Brunswick, GA
Prospect Rank: 63 Position Rank: 8 Drafted by:
Close| PLAYER ANALYSIS |
|
Overshadowed by Johnthan Banks but Slay has more fluidity and speed. He must improve vs. the run. Good quickness, fluidity and straight-line speed. Better than expected route-recognition given his lack of experience and has coverage ability. Reads the QB's eyes and shows a burst to close on the ball. Good hand-eye coordination to disrupt the pass. |
Did the Lions just draft a guy who should have gone in the 3rd round at best, at the beginning of the second round?
He was widely viewed as a late first rounder but teams didn't pull the trigger b/c of how the cards fell and he has a minisicus issue. Teams were impressed with his workouts and said his issue was fine. Not a bad pick....could put some pressure on Bentley to step up and he looks like he could play a little nickel too.
Thanks for the honest reply. I seriously had no idea, and I hadn't heard much about this guy. Defense definitely needed help! Hopefully they go with a lineman in the third, unless someone drops that fills another position of need.
He has the speed and is very physical. Can run with WR step for step. Explosive CB.
He has a tendency to give up too much cushion and can be late to diagnose. Huge upside though.
Yeah it looks like he has a legit 40 time. Again, thanks for the info. I wasn't being sarcastic or anything in my reply. Just not the guy I expected the Lions to take, but sounds like he was a solid choice.
I don't hate the pick. The guy has a huge upside at a position of need. The OT from FSU is very similar to Ansah in that he has only played football for a few years and is 23 years old, so I wasn't enthralled with him either. I bet they pick up an OT in the third.
| Rank | Player |
Pos.
|
Pos. Rank |
School
|
Class | Ht. | Wt. | Proj. Round |
| 22 | *Menelik Watson | OT | 5 | Florida State | Jr | 6-5 | 310 | 1 |
| 48 | Terron Armstead | OT | 7 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | Sr | 6-5 | 306 | 2 |
| 76 | *David Bakhtiari | OT | 8 | Colorado | rJr | 6-4 | 299 | 2-3 |
| 91 | Dallas Thomas | OT | 9 | Tennessee | rSr | 6-5 | 306 | 3 |
| 101 | David Quessenberry | OT | 10 | San Jose State | rSr | 6-5 | 302 | 3-4 |
| 103 | Brennan Williams | OT | 11 | North Carolina | Sr | 6-6 | 318 | 3-4 |
| 126 | Vinston Painter | OT | 12 | Virginia Tech | rSr | 6-4 | 306 | 4 |
I bet they go w/ D. Quessenberry. I heard he stays low and is good coming from the side.
|
Detroit Lions
|
||
| Rd 1 - #5(5) | Ezekiel Ansah (DE) BYU | |
| Rd 2 - #4(36) | Darius Slay (CB) Miss St | |
| Rd 3 - #3(65) | ||
| Rd 4 - #35(132) | ||
| Rd 5 - #4(137) | ||
| Rd 6 - #3(171) | ||
| Rd 7 - #5(211) | ||
| Rd 7 - #39(245) | ||
Any Eagles fans out there have to be pretty happy with the way they've drafted so far.
per se, but since I am not a huge NFL junkie, I just try to follow the team from the area I am in, and I will be in Philly next year. If Denard ended up there somehow, that would be pretty cool too.
Stafford is a dead man.
Martin Mayhew is drafting projects. It's like he wants to get fired.
Bell picked before Lacy...interesting for sure. Steelers usually draft pretty well too.
Was a reach for sure, and IMO the Steelers have more pressing issues than RB. The defense is a rolling wheelchair and they draft...a slow, over-worked RB in the 2nd. FML.
It's amazing how well Hoke has done without elite (experienced) NFL talent...
That said, we've got plenty of guys who have a shot to get drafted high over the next few years.
Actually THIS season will tell us a lot (Green, Smith, Darboh, Chesson, Funchess, Butt, Braden, Kalis, Schofield, Clark, Pipkins, the SDE starter, Ross, Ryan, Countess, Thomas, and Wilson)
*didn't mention Lewan as we already know he's a top draft pic
Then page froze and I had to retype...he absolutely is on that list. He's NFL draft talented, obviously this year and hopefully next will make him a top round pick.
Is it too late to worry about OT?
I'm starting to feel like there's no point in drafting a mediocre player just because it's a position of great need.
I'd prefer they trade to get a OT in a trade. Hell, trade for Albert from KC after the draft.
There are still some solid tackles on the board.
I want "ELITE" or "near elite."
The Lions throw more than any other team in the league. There is no reason to draft a guy who's only going to be as good or even a slight upgrade.
The Lions need a tackle that is going to be there for 8-10 years. And sure, just about every team can say this. But the Lions absolutely MUST have a top tackle with what they do on offense.
IMO, there's solid backups, maybe some guys that can start and be the 4th or 5th best lineman on your team. But I just think that position has more importance for the Lions than most.