Friday, November 28, 2008

Quick ranking of QB's eligible for the draft...

1. Matt Stafford, Georgia (Jr)- I keep going back and fourth between Stafford and Bradford, but Stafford is much more physically gifted.
2. Sam Bradford, OU (RSoph)- He's a top five candidate. You wouldn't go wrong having either at the top. Bradford might be safer than Stafford.
3. Mark Sanchez, USC (Jr)- Very accurate, and throws a nice ball. Arm strength not elite, but can move a team.
4. Colt McCoy, Texas (Jr)- Throws well on the run, can do everything well, but not an elite QB. He's slated for the mid first.
5. Tim Tebow, Fla (Jr)- He's a mid first round pick. I believe he can be an accurate passer in the pros; he's got some good tools, and is tough as nails.
6. Nate Davis, Ball State (Jr)- He also should be a first round pick, although QB's usually fall because of needs. He's got his quirks, such as using his gloves, and not throwing the ball with the laces, but that is fixable.
7. Graham Harrell, Texas Tech (Sr)- Not getting the credit he deserves. I think he should be an NFL starter, he's much more than an system QB. I also think he's the most ready to start in the NFL right now.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Notes on some prospects...

I had a good couple of days of watching prospects lately. Here are some of my observations:

George Selvie, SF: Selvie seems to do better against the run right now than against the pass. He's being double teamed quite often, but isn't causing much trouble on pass plays. He's in the backfield on alot of running plays.

Peria Jerry, Miss: Jerry is flying up the board, right now. He's clearly the class of the weak DT class to me. He's literally unblockable at times, and rushes the passer well. He and his brother (a guard) are good looking prospects.

James Laurinaitis, OSU: He doesn't miss a play. Whenever he has a chance to make a play, he makes it. He might not run as well as USC's Maulauga (we'll see about that), but he's the better player. He'll be an elite MLB in the NFL.

Jevon Snead, Miss: As a redshirt sophomore, he's likely to spend another year or two in college, but he's a bonafide QB prospect. He's got uncanny accuracy, and has the requisite size and arm strength. I'll be watching him closely.

Jason Smith, Baylor: One of the most athletic LT's in the draft class. His emergence strengthens this class to include probably the deepest set of OT's seen in a while. His exceptional footwork reminds me of Lomas Brown's, which is a huge compliment.

Malcolm Jenkins, OSU: Great size and is very physical, but that won't matter much if cannot run well enough to cover top receivers. If he does run well enough, he's in play at the very top end of the draft though.

Aaron Curry, WF: Plays the weakside so physically, and is very dominating, I can see why others have him rated so highly. He's a bonafide superstar.

David Bruton, ND: Great size, and is a heat-seeking missile out there. Has a great feel for coverage, especially in the medium zones. He's comparable to Ed Reed.

Michael Oher, Miss: Very much a finnesse player, and a good one. I've had doubts about his ability to stay at LT in the past, which is unfounded. Physically, he shows few question marks.

Lately, this draft class has picked up the pace, and there looks to be decent talent out there. I need to see some forty times before I get too excited, though.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Lions 2009 picks...

As of today, the Lions have:
Two first round picks; their own and Dallas's...
Their own 2nd round pick...
Their own 3rd round pick plus Dallas's 3rd rounder...
No fourth round pick (traded to Dallas in last year's draft)
Their own fifth round pick...
Their own sixth, plus Tennessee's 6th, via Dallas...
No seventh round pick...

So far, that's eight picks. I would project the Lions to receive at least three comp picks; one in the fourth, a sixth, and one at the back of the seventh if their record doesn't improve.