OT: Who is going to be this year's Vernon Gholston at the combine?
I just read that the Jets are going to give Vernon one last shot to prove he's not a bust. They will give him more playing time and hope he pans out.
Even more interesting is this article:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/351962-nfl-combine-doesnt-tell-whole…
But the question/poll is, who will end up being the big bust in this draft?
I say Jimmy "the pickle" Clausen.
February 27th, 2010 at 4:46 PM ^
It's science.
February 27th, 2010 at 4:56 PM ^
Dude is an athletic freak that will disappoint whoever drafts him.
February 27th, 2010 at 5:43 PM ^
His instincts are turrible, he's pretty much a clone of Roy Williams.
February 27th, 2010 at 5:59 PM ^
distinctly more athletic than Williams. Most would agree about his poor instincts.
February 27th, 2010 at 5:04 PM ^
Jason Pierre-Paul from South Florida.
February 27th, 2010 at 5:07 PM ^
I think that's the general assumption. Assumption becomes fact if/when Al Davis uses his #1 on him.
February 27th, 2010 at 5:10 PM ^
Darius Hayward-Bey would have been a solid selection between the middle of the 2nd to early 3rd round last year. But he'll (probably) never live up to the hype of a #7 overall selection.
If it's any consolation, he got a pretty big signing bonus out of the deal.
February 27th, 2010 at 5:14 PM ^
Al Davis does draft bat-shit crazy, Jamarcus Russell is never going to be a workable pro--and that was obvious, which is why I made the joke. Heyward-Bay is a little different, because he will probably be a descent pro given time to develop.
I never blame the kid for getting that kind of money--I'd take it, and I got cut before my Freshman year in D-III.
February 27th, 2010 at 5:23 PM ^
Has a great year opposite Selvie, in the Big east and I have seen him as high as #3 on mock drafts! There is no way he should go 3 in my opinion.
February 27th, 2010 at 10:26 PM ^
He didn't even have that great of a year that's whats so sad. It's just his 6-6 265 frame really
February 28th, 2010 at 11:51 AM ^
This. What's hilarious to me is McShay writing that taking guys based just on physical attributes is a draft mistake high in the draft, and he wrote this with a straight face a few days after he projected Pierre-Paul with the #3 pick.
The guy had like, what, 6 sacks playing opposite Selvie? This is worthy of a top 10 pick?
February 27th, 2010 at 5:11 PM ^
I disagree on Clausen. I actually think he's going to end up as a pretty solid pro. He was really excellent last year, despite injuries to him, injuries to his receivers, his offensive line, and Charlie Weis.
I hate to say it, but he kept getting up and played really well. He may not be a top ten level talent, but that's very different than Vernon Gholsten.
Besides, Clausen can't do too well at the combine--he isn't participating in anything besides interviews.
February 27th, 2010 at 7:20 PM ^
I could really go either way on Clausen. I always got the feeling that if there was any pressure on him in the pocket that he just couldn't make plays, even easy ones. On the other hand, when given the time to stand back there he has proven to be good. Potential bust there.
February 27th, 2010 at 5:12 PM ^
On a combine-related note, Zoltan put up 16 reps at 225 pounds.
http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers#tp-tab-set-1:tp-grid-containe…
February 27th, 2010 at 5:17 PM ^
Did you see that Joe Hawley had a 105" vertical? Pretty impressive and probably a typo--next best lineman had a 34 (which is pretty awesome).
February 27th, 2010 at 6:35 PM ^
Did you see Bruce Campbell put up a 4.85 forty!
At his age thats amazing. Maybe he's been working out on the set of Burn Notice.
February 27th, 2010 at 5:33 PM ^
There is no better indicator of how good a punter will be than how many times he can push 225 lbs. into the air with his arms.
February 28th, 2010 at 10:59 AM ^
Somebody had to point that out.
February 27th, 2010 at 5:25 PM ^
agreed on jimmy clausen
February 27th, 2010 at 5:28 PM ^
Offensive tackle from Maryland. Dude is a physical freak, amazing shape, great athleticism. A second round pick that will shoot up the charts because of his combine numbers.
February 27th, 2010 at 5:29 PM ^
he is going to be Bust-city.
February 27th, 2010 at 5:56 PM ^
Bradford played in a spread and history shows they almost never make it in the NFL. The only college spread QB to have a successful NFL career is Drew Brees.
That being said, does Bradford's shoulders go the first time he is sacked and lands on it? That has to be the question of the day.
February 27th, 2010 at 6:11 PM ^
I'm sure your bias against all things Notre Dame has nothing to do with the fact that you think Clausen will be a bust, despite him putting almost every other quarterback in the country to shame this year, flourishing in a pro-style offense, and leading his offense down the field an almost comical amount of times due to the defense not being able to stop anything whatsoever.
As for Bradford, he reminds me a lot of Henne for some reason, despite his coach, you know, actually designing the offense around him and letting him produce.
February 27th, 2010 at 7:04 PM ^
First time I've heard that comparison.
He really reminds me of Joey Harrington.
February 27th, 2010 at 8:16 PM ^
Bradford reminds me more of Colt Brennan than Joey Harrington, but better and with better talent around him. He was in a passer friendly system and never got touched. He always struggled when forced to move and improvise.
Bradford doesn't play the piano.
February 27th, 2010 at 7:22 PM ^
Brady Quinn was a bust, I think Claussen will be too
February 27th, 2010 at 7:32 PM ^
I actually think Clausen will be a better pro than Bradford. From what I've seen of Bradford, he plays well in the system Stoops gives him, but he has also been surrounded by top-notch talent. Clausen played through injuries all year, with mediocre protection and a bad defense (though when he had both Floyd and Tate he certainly had some advantages), and still had that team competitive in most games. I'm by no means a Notre Dame fan, but I am generally impressed with him and his ability to lead a team. All things being equal physically (and that seems to be the case with all the QBs this year), I'll take a guy who has shown some really ability with a less-than-stellar supporting cast.
In terms of busts, I actually think Spiller will be less than spectacular in the pros. RBs in college always seem like crapshoots, and from what I saw he seemed like one of those homerun, change-of-pace RBs, not the every-down back the team will likely draft him a la Reggie Bush. I know people will say Chris Johnson, but I just don't see it.
February 27th, 2010 at 7:38 PM ^
has been a huge crapshoot as of late.
One example off the top of my head:
Everyone (self included)though Darren McFadden would be amazing, now he is pretty meh (although I'm not sure if it is entirely his fault as he is a Raider).
When the Titans drafted Chris Johnson - many people were saying he was just a workout wonder, and look how that turned out.
But I agree with you on Spiller, I don't think he will be a star, I do think he will be a solid but highly un-spectacular player.
February 27th, 2010 at 8:23 PM ^
for the record that I never thought McFadden would be good let alone amazing. I thought Jones was better and I never really thought McFadden was all that great at Arkansas.
February 27th, 2010 at 11:59 PM ^
had a cannon for an arm that Bradford, and all his contemporaries, ie. McCoy, Tebow never had. They had other qualities, but could never compete with his velocity.
February 27th, 2010 at 8:05 PM ^
There has been talk on the street about Rich Eisen training and knocking off about .2 from his 40 yard dash, but I think he won't pan out on the field.
February 27th, 2010 at 8:51 PM ^
Not Brandon Graham.
February 27th, 2010 at 10:49 PM ^
I think Bradford will be the biggest bust. I agree on Mays too.
February 28th, 2010 at 12:00 PM ^
I don't remember his name but he is the LB from UF, he will look great at the combine no doubt but doesn't have much production on the field. Scouts will drool over him I am sure.
February 28th, 2010 at 12:46 PM ^
Brandon Spikes?
February 28th, 2010 at 12:55 PM ^
If he did mean Spikes I agree. He always seemed slowto me.. especially when Hart ran past him in the capital one game repeatedly lol. TBH I think he's overrated. Not to mention he was always riding the coattails of that story of why he chose UF.
February 28th, 2010 at 3:14 PM ^
no I think it was carlos dunlap, but spikes hasn't really impressed me either
February 28th, 2010 at 6:12 PM ^
Dunlap is a defensive end. Spikes is a MLB.
February 28th, 2010 at 7:05 PM ^
thanks, yeah I saw that after I posted
February 28th, 2010 at 3:08 PM ^
Spikes didn't produce on the field? Man, I'd say he did plenty, especially during '08. I wish Obi Ezeh had a nasty streak like that.