The 2008 NFL Draft Thread

[eazye76]

I'm really starting to worry about my Titans, they aren't very creative when it comes to the draft and have a tendency in recent years to pick the guy who benched the most and ran the best 40, as opposed to the best player available, or drafting what they need. On top of all that, I don't see a whole lot to get excited about in the 20's as far as what we need. I think out best bet is to pick up an O-lineman, but we'll probably take one of the WR's - I'd like to get Kelly, but we'll probably have to take whoever is left between DeShaun Jackson and Limus Sweed. I really don't want Jackson b/c of his size, Vince needs a big guy to throw it to, if he has Alge Crumpler, a 215 lb 6'4 wide out, and all the underachieving #3 WR's we have, we might be able to do something in the passing game.

[Afro]

If you ask me the best WRs in the draft are Malcolm Kelly, Mario Manningham, and Desean Jackson. Wouldnt label anyone else as having star potential

[Palma]

Originally Posted by Afro

Has anyone read the articles about Kiffin and Al? McFadden isnt getting picked, Kiffin already said he wont take him and him and Al are on the same page right now.

Yeah, they had an online Q & A with Jerry MacDonald (Oakland Tribune writer) and I asked him what was made up and what was substantiated in regards to the rumors that the media reported on... he wouldn't answer my questions.

I think that kiffin trying to fire Ryan was bogus, but I think Al did ask Kiffin to resign although I doubt he drafted a letter of resignation for him.

[Afro]

What I read was that Kiffin was not trying to fire Rob Ryan but Rob Ryan and Kiffin agreed that this was not the team for him, and Rob Ryan was trying to walk away but Al told ihm he has one year left on his contract.

[Palma]

Originally Posted by Afro

What I read was that Kiffin was not trying to fire Rob Ryan but Rob Ryan and Kiffin agreed that this was not the team for him, and Rob Ryan was trying to walk away but Al told ihm he has one year left on his contract.

That makes sense and what didn't make sense and why I was sceptical was why would Kiffin fire Ryan when he is trying to create solidarity with the team. The defense would have dispised Kiffin for firing Ryan against his will and of course Kiffin knows this.

At the time I was excited at the possiblities of who Kiffin might bring in to replace Ryan if he was fired since I think the cover two just doesn't consistenly work with personal they have, but with Hall and Wilson I think they can basically keep 7 guys in the box and their secondary can cover everything else that happens.

[azur_dog]

Originally Posted by Afro

Has anyone read the articles about Kiffin and Al? McFadden isnt getting picked, Kiffin already said he wont take him and him and Al are on the same page right now.

If thats true that makes this draft pretty interesting. Im not sure they'll trade out of that pick, but I could be wrong. And whatever happened to Al wanting to can Kiffin? Thats one hell of a turn around if there on the same page now.

But say Atlanta doesnt pick him up (being that I think Matt Ryan is a lock #1 with Mia as well as the Rams going D with their pick) and the Raiders pass on him McFadden could very well fall out of the top ten. With everyone up until Carolina at 13 with running backs under long term deals unless someone goes for talent over need like Minnesota did last year, somebody could get a steal. Personally I think Mcfadden's more talented than Peterson so man that could be something.

[Afro]

McFaddens no where near Petersons level of talent if you ask me, he has a high bust ratio.. hes very atheltic but in terms of running back skills.. I dont see the need for an open field runner that lacks the ability to get into the open field without great blocking.

Just look at the obvious knocks on Mcfadden..

the inability to turn the corner

the lack of stop and go speed

the size

The guy has amazing straight away speed, but he lacks power so he cant run between the tackles effectively. He doesnt have great moves cutting to the outside or anything like that.. what makes McFadden dangerous is when he gets into the open field, hes a home run hitter.. but he needs his blockers to get him to the open field.. hes lacked the ability to get there off of his own skills. Hes gonna turn out to be another Reggie Bush if you ask me.

[azur_dog]

Originally Posted by Afro

McFaddens no where near Petersons level of talent if you ask me, he has a high bust ratio.. hes very atheltic but in terms of running back skills.. I dont see the need for an open field runner that lacks the ability to get into the open field without great blocking.

Just look at the obvious knocks on Mcfadden..

the inability to turn the corner

the lack of stop and go speed

the size

The guy has amazing straight away speed, but he lacks power so he cant run between the tackles effectively. He doesnt have great moves cutting to the outside or anything like that.. what makes McFadden dangerous is when he gets into the open field, hes a home run hitter.. but he needs his blockers to get him to the open field.. hes lacked the ability to get there off of his own skills. Hes gonna turn out to be another Reggie Bush if you ask me.

You could be right and I dont disagree with you he has knocks on him (not that I think they are as glaring as you do), but you cant doubt his athletic ability and his durability (which is something Peterson hasnt demonstrated). and whats wrong with his size? He's only an inch taller than Peterson is and there within two pounds of each other weight wise which means nothing(215,217 respectively). There's been a lot of great running backs that were that tall Eddie George(6'1''), Eric Dickerson(6'3''), Marcus Allen (6'2'') and all were around 210-15. Given the right team he could do very well next year, however I believe his bust potential lies not on the field but off.
Now why you compare Reggie Bush and Darren Mcfadden I dont know. Reggie was smallish (weightwise) in college and often was split as a wideout. He didnt achieve the yards on the ground that Mcfadden has and never ran between the tackles consistently despite the perennially great offensive line that USC has produced under Carrol. Where as Darren McFadden most of his carreer in college has been spent lining up behind the QB and running behind an very good line in Arkansas.

[Afro]

Darren McFadden is nopt 215, hes 200 lbs.. he runs small, hes a lengthy 6'1, and its not his listed size that im talking about.. its his size on the field.. Eddie George and Marcus Allen had small listed sizes but if you look at them on the field, they had a running backs bulk.. something McFadden doesnt have.. he has the bulk of a WR.

IMO, McFadden is the running back version of Dante Hall.. hes gonna be a highlight reel player with a lot of homerun Touchdowns but his everydown play will not measure up to the elite.

AP may have a little trouble staying healthy, but I highly doubt McFadden has the power, or running abilities to measure up to the stats AP is gonna put up.. McFadden is faster at a smaller size, and he doesnt run as big as AP does plus its like comparing apples and oranges when u compare AP and McFaddens speed

correct me if im wrong but AP ran a 4.39 and McFadden ran a 4.32?

plus McFadden doesnt have the moves AP does, never shown it in college.. all McFadden has shown that when he gets into the open field and runs foward that he is hard to catch.

AP has shown that he can run inside, outside, make you miss, or run you over.. thats the traits of an elite back

McFadden IMO has shown the traits of another Brian Westbrook or Reggie Bush.

[azur_dog]

Well according to every internet source Ive found Mcfadden is listed at 215 not 200 (rivals.com,his personal site, and the arkansas site). As far as the lankyness goes that will get solved with an NFL work out program.
Depending on which 40 you go with Mcfadden ran an unofficial 4.27 or the official 4.32, but that hardly matters once you get on the field.
As far as the moves go we'll see once he hits the pros, but something tells me he's gonna be a more emmitt smith style back vs AP's barry sanders.
And if ends up no better than Brian Westbrook, a guy with 1,000/1,000 seasons under his belt and a probable hall of famer I think McFadden will be okay with that.