2009 NFL Draft Thread

[Splendid_Splinter]

You're not the only one who believes Andre Smith's best and long term position in the NFL will be LG, and NOT LT and for the reasons you mention. Personally, I think Dre will be good enough to be a swing OL in the NFL, good enough to play all the none center position on the line, but not a master or Pro Bowl at any one position. Ultimately, LG is probably Smith's best and future position.

I'll admit that I don't put a lot of emphasis on interior linemen or right tackles, so drafting Smith to fill a spot other than left tackle is a huge waste of a finite asset in my opinion. If the Packers didn't have as many holes as they do this year maybe I wouldn't care as much, but there are plenty of defensive players in the top ten that represent a much better overall value.

Don't be concerned about Smith's work ethic. I know his offseason has left a lot of people :scratch: , but ultimately he was given a great reference by Nick Saban, hence the reason why Andre Smith has remained in the Top 10, even though he could have dropped out of the Top 10. Dre is a good kid, but he does have maturity issues that I think time will have fixed. Work ethic I have no fears about it.

Knowing how demanding Saban is of his players it is a good sign that Smith was able to last the final two years that he was at Alabama. Still the one thing that you probably will never convince me on are the questions regarding his ability to stay in shape. From every scouting report I've read they all say he has had to battle the issue of gaining too much weight for his own good, but that he did respond to tough coaching in order to stay in shape. While it's nice that he does respond to coaches, I don't like players that have to be constantly prodded with a stick in order to do something. To have to have a coach make sure that Smith keeps his weight at a suitable level is a completely avoidable problem.

Give the young man a chance before you label him a bust. I think this offseason has been eye-opening experience for Dre. This is a young man who wants to get better, maybe played a diva a bit during his junior yr, but overall was one of the better players in the conference. I have no problem if the Bears took Andre Smith, if that says anything. I remember Chris Samuels (another Tide OL who had maturity ??? after missing a bowl game)a few yrs back (I think 99) had similar question marks about him and he turned out to be a 6X Pro Bowl OL. Not saying he will turn into a Pro Bowler, but I don't see him being the next Mike Williams, Robert Gallery, etc, etc.

All I'm doing is making a prediction about how I think Andre Smith's career will play out given the information that is available to me at this given point in time. Unfortunately with the draft one can't wait until a player has a few years under their belt to label them. Flames is doing no different when he calls Smith "an anchor on the offensive line for the next decade."

 

If the Packers do indeed draft Smith I will not automatically label him a bust. I may not like the pick but at the very least I would give him time to prove me right or wrong. It's just that right now I don't think he will ever be able to fulfill the expectations of the a top ten draft pick.

If the Packers don't want Smith, I am more then ecstatic about that because the Bears wouldn't have to face him. But I will say this, Andre Smith will be a fine player in the NFL for a long time.

It's not so much that the Packers don't want Smith, it's that I don't want Smith on the Packers. Yet that doesn't mean that he won't have a good career. The history of the NFL is full of guys that had good careers who were one dimensional run blockers. I'm sure that he will be able to find a home somewhere. To say otherwise would be silly of me at this point.

[Guest]

Get on with it already.

[NonProfitCow]

Here's a wacky rumor...

 

Atlanta has had talks with Kansas City about Glenn Dorsey for their first rounder. The Lions offered #20 and #33 for the Chiefs #3 pick. The Chiefs turned that deal down.

[Flames24Rulz]

I really wish I had the NFL Network. I hate Berman.

[manbearcub]

I really wish I had the NFL Network. I hate Berman.

there is a cubs game on ya know

[OleMissCub]

LOL at those goony looking Lions fans. hahaha

[Derwood]

The Raiders taking a WR makes sense since they'll inevitably be signing Michael Vick when he's out of jail

[NonProfitCow]

The Raiders taking a WR makes sense since they'll inevitably be signing Michael Vick when he's out of jail

And of all the WR they want Heyward-Bey?

[Flames24Rulz]

LOL at those goony looking Lions fans. hahaha

 

Stafford looks like he'll fit right in with those fans.

[Splendid_Splinter]

The Raiders taking a WR makes sense since they'll inevitably be signing Michael Vick when he's out of jail

And of all the WR they want Heyward-Bey?

He's the fastest WR available. All Al Davis really cares about is a player's speed.

[Guest]

LOL at those goony looking Lions fans. hahaha

 

Lions fans from Kentucky. That's awesome!

[Guest]

The Raiders taking a WR makes sense since they'll inevitably be signing Michael Vick when he's out of jail

And of all the WR they want Heyward-Bey?

 

Froim the SF Chronicle article:

 

He has the 4.30-second speed in the 40 that Raiders owner Al Davis craves

 

That should explain everything.

[Guest]

10 minutes for the first round is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better.

[Guest]

I really wish I had the NFL Network. I hate Berman.

there is a cubs game on ya know

 

Maybe on your tv there is. Not on mine. It's going to be the draft for me today.

[OleMissCub]

LOL at those goony looking Lions fans. hahaha

 

Stafford looks like he'll fit right in with those fans.

 

One of those guys reminded me of Buck Weaver:

 

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/2839/weaverfa8.gif

[Flames24Rulz]

I think that's a huge reach at #3, not that I'm complaining or anything.

[Splendid_Splinter]

Whatever pundit said that Tyson Jackson would go in the Top 5 was right. It might be a reach on the part of the Chiefs, but Jackson is an ideal 5 tech if they are moving to a 3-4.

[NonProfitCow]

Eff you Chiefs. I wanted Curry.

[shnsajax]

Whatever pundit said that Tyson Jackson would go in the Top 5 was right. It might be a reach on the part of the Chiefs, but Jackson is an ideal 5 tech if they are moving to a 3-4.

 

Things got a little more interesting now. I still think that moving to a 3-4 Curry was the best pick. Oh well I am not a Chiefs fan so it doesn't matter too much too me.

[Guest]

How could you pass on Curry there?

 

REAAAAACH.

[NonProfitCow]

How could you pass on Curry there?

 

REAAAAACH.

I wonder if it's because of the rumors of the Dorsey trade.

 

Seattle takes Curry.

[Guest]

Seattle didn't hesitate to pounce on Curry. Hope they didn't pull a hammy racing up to report their pick.

[Splendid_Splinter]

Whatever pundit said that Tyson Jackson would go in the Top 5 was right. It might be a reach on the part of the Chiefs, but Jackson is an ideal 5 tech if they are moving to a 3-4.

 

Things got a little more interesting now. I still think that moving to a 3-4 Curry was the best pick. Oh well I am not a Chiefs fan so it doesn't matter too much too me.

I was worried that the Chiefs were going to take Curry since his versatility as a LB would be perfect to ease their transition. Also Scott Piolo should understand the importance of a good ILB with Jerod Mayo last year. But it looks like he prefers to find his own Richard Seymour.

 

And now the Seahawks have smashed any hope that Curry would fall to the Packers.

[Guest]

Wow! I thought they'd take Crabtree or Sanchez.

 

I think Curry is the best player in the draft so I like it.

[OleMissCub]

I'd be crying too.

 

"I'm RICH, BITCH!"