2011 NFL Draft Thread

[Banedon]

Three 1000 yard WRs? You're off by three.

 

He had SIX?

[rawaction]

Mallett also had a ton of talent to throw to. Three 1000 yards WRs and what I think will be the best TE in this draft.

 

Plus, when the competition got tough....he didn't.

 

3 INTs vs. Alabama

2 INTs and 56% completion vs. LSU (though they won)

Got hurt vs. Auburn.

51% completion vs. Ohio St in bowl game.

 

Three 1000 yard WRs? You're off by three. Also, holding a second quarter concussion (which occurred on a pass he completed) against Mallett as an example of him not performing against tough competition is downright silly. How dare he get his head slammed into the turf while completing a pass...? Also, that's interestingly selective in terms of examples. Alabama and maybe the last drive of the Ohio State game are the only performances on that list that really deserve citation. He had 7 or 8 balls dropped, including 2 sure touchdowns, in the Sugar Bowl. He made two poor passes against Alabama. Everything else is within standard deviation. No credit for his strong performances against aTm, South Carolina, or Mississippi State, all of which finished in the top 25?

 

Man, sorry about saying anything remotely negative about your boy Mallett. I get it. You are a homer. You can talk bad about IU basketball if you want. Call Calbert Cheaney a douche if it makes you feel better.

 

As for the 1000 yard WR thing, I was probably looking at their career stats. But the point remains, he had the best arsenal to throw to in the entire SEC.

 

And it's not selective examples. The 4 games I named were teams that finished in the top 10. The 3 you named were 19th, 22nd, and 15th respectively. Obviously, not as good as the 4 I named.

 

And I wasn't really counting the Auburn game against him underperforming. I was just pointing out that he either didn't play well or didn't play long against the 4 best teams he faced all year. That fact can't be disputed no matter how much you love him.

[Warpticon]

Mallett also had a ton of talent to throw to. Three 1000 yards WRs and what I think will be the best TE in this draft.

 

Plus, when the competition got tough....he didn't.

 

3 INTs vs. Alabama

2 INTs and 56% completion vs. LSU (though they won)

Got hurt vs. Auburn.

51% completion vs. Ohio St in bowl game.

 

Three 1000 yard WRs? You're off by three. Also, holding a second quarter concussion (which occurred on a pass he completed) against Mallett as an example of him not performing against tough competition is downright silly. How dare he get his head slammed into the turf while completing a pass...? Also, that's interestingly selective in terms of examples. Alabama and maybe the last drive of the Ohio State game are the only performances on that list that really deserve citation. He had 7 or 8 balls dropped, including 2 sure touchdowns, in the Sugar Bowl. He made two poor passes against Alabama. Everything else is within standard deviation. No credit for his strong performances against aTm, South Carolina, or Mississippi State, all of which finished in the top 25?

 

Man, sorry about saying anything remotely negative about your boy Mallett. I get it. You are a homer. You can talk bad about IU basketball if you want. Call Calbert Cheaney a douche if it makes you feel better.

 

As for the 1000 yard WR thing, I was probably looking at their career stats. But the point remains, he had the best arsenal to throw to in the entire SEC.

 

And it's not selective examples. The 4 games I named were teams that finished in the top 10. The 3 you named were 19th, 22nd, and 15th respectively. Obviously, not as good as the 4 I named.

 

And I wasn't really counting the Auburn game against him underperforming. I was just pointing out that he either didn't play well or didn't play long against the 4 best teams he faced all year. That fact can't be disputed no matter how much you love him.

 

I mean, if you want to turn it into a homer deal because you're just making stuff up, then it's whatever.

 

There was no reason to mention Auburn at all. He missed nearly 3 quarters of that game. How is that relevant at all to evaluating him? That's just dumb. Also, saying he didn't play well against LSU is pushing things a bit. 320 and 3 TDs against an elite defense is kind of a decent. Yeah, you'd like to not see the picks there, but he made the plays when they had to be made. And are you seriously making a big deal about 56% completion with a sample size of 23 attempts? Come on. 99% of the QBs in America would have been happy with Mallett's line in that game--just ask Taneyhill, or, hell, Cam Newton. Mallett had the best day passing of any QB to play LSU last year, besides that bizarre game 1. So of the four games you mentioned, only 2 are even legit at all (Bama and OSU, and OSU was more about the skip balls under pressure and that last pick than it was about his completion %, because if half his drops got caught he would have been at 60%).

 

Mallett is by no means a perfect prospect. His footwork under pressure needs work, he doesn't pass with as much touch as he should, and he trusts his arm too much. He's flawed enough where you shouldn't need to make stuff up to tear him down.

[rawaction]

What did I state that wasn't fact (other than the 3 1000 yard WR thing, which I admitted was a mistake)?

 

You can say that I'm twisting the facts to work against them, but guess what...that's what the entire NFL is doing if they are interested in drafting him.

[davell]

Mallett and Locker both fell to the 3rd round in this week's walterfootball mock.

[dew1679666265]

Mallett and Locker both fell to the 3rd round in this week's walterfootball mock.

 

Too many teams need QBs for that to happen, I think.

[davell]

Mallett and Locker both fell to the 3rd round in this week's walterfootball mock.

 

Too many teams need QBs for that to happen, I think.

 

 

Yeah, I do too. They do have an actual hate for Mallett over there for some reason and they definitely think Locker's stock dropped a ton at the Senior Bowl. It probably did drop in alot of teams eyes, but all it takes is one team to think they see something.

 

Koepernick was up to 34th overall too, seeing as how they loved him at the Senior Bowl, I at least give them credit for going with their own scouting eyes, instead of listening to others and making basically the same mock as everyone else. Sure, some guys are switched around, but you don't see much variance in positioning either. The draft always has some surprises, so at least they attempt to show some.

[mul21]

What did I state that wasn't fact (other than the 3 1000 yard WR thing, which I admitted was a mistake)?

 

You can say that I'm twisting the facts to work against them, but guess what...that's what the entire NFL is doing if they are interested in drafting him.

 

I'm not a huge Mallet fan, but you can't hold the Sugar Bowl against him. That's an entirely different game if his receivers make catches they're supposed to make. The first pass of the game should have been a TD and there were a few others that were easy catches that got dropped. I don't remember the guy's name, but #5 for Arkansas was the biggest culprit on the drops. He was just bad that night.

[imb]

you really thought that a college team in the SEC had three 1,000 yard receivers?

[Warpticon]

What did I state that wasn't fact (other than the 3 1000 yard WR thing, which I admitted was a mistake)?

 

You can say that I'm twisting the facts to work against them, but guess what...that's what the entire NFL is doing if they are interested in drafting him.

 

I'm not a huge Mallet fan, but you can't hold the Sugar Bowl against him. That's an entirely different game if his receivers make catches they're supposed to make. The first pass of the game should have been a TD and there were a few others that were easy catches that got dropped. I don't remember the guy's name, but #5 for Arkansas was the biggest culprit on the drops. He was just bad that night.

 

That was Joe Adams, who had at least 4 big drops, including two sure touchdowns in the first half.

 

If Mallett and Locker are 3rd round QBs, I'm not sure there are any 1st round QBs in this draft.

[dew1679666265]

If Mallett and Locker are 3rd round QBs, I'm not sure there are any 1st round QBs in this draft.

 

He has:

 

Gabbert at 8 (Titans)

Newton at 15 (Dolphins)

Kaepernick at 34 (Bills)

Ponder at 45 (49ers)

Mallett at 66 (Bengals)

Locker at 69 (Cardinals)

Stanzi at 80 (Jags)

 

I don't see any way Mallett and Locker's stock has fallen so much that Kaepernick will go before them. Both are much closer to being starting NFL QBs than Kaepernick and will almost certainly be better than him in each of the next couple of years. He's probably the better long term option, but most coaches in the NFL don't think long term. I'd be stunned to see Ponder go ahead of either as well, though it makes a bit more sense.

[Warpticon]

If Mallett and Locker are 3rd round QBs, I'm not sure there are any 1st round QBs in this draft.

 

He has:

 

Gabbert at 8 (Titans)

Newton at 15 (Dolphins)

Kaepernick at 34 (Bills)

Ponder at 45 (49ers)

Mallett at 66 (Bengals)

Locker at 69 (Cardinals)

Stanzi at 80 (Jags)

 

I don't see any way Mallett and Locker's stock has fallen so much that Kaepernick will go before them. Both are much closer to being starting NFL QBs than Kaepernick and will almost certainly be better than him in each of the next couple of years. He's probably the better long term option, but most coaches in the NFL don't think long term. I'd be stunned to see Ponder go ahead of either as well, though it makes a bit more sense.

 

I kind of like Kaepernick better than Locker and Mallett right now. The most impressive part of his performance at the Senior Bowl was how comfortable he looked dropping back, making reads, and getting the ball out from under center when he pretty much never played under center at Nevada. That was one of the big concerns about him, and he showed great adaptability there, looking as good as or better than all the other QBs in that regard. He stands stronger in the pocket than either. He's bigger and more accurate than Locker, with similar mobility and intangibles. He doesn't have Mallett's arm strength, but it's definitely a plus for him. His footwork isn't as good as the other two normally, but it's better than either when under pressure, especially Mallett. If he didn't have such an odd delivery, there'd probably be a lot less reservation about picking him.

 

Ponder is a poor man's Chad Pennington. I'd be shocked if he goes that high. I see him and Stanzi as third round type, "safe" quarterback picks.

[dew1679666265]

I kind of like Kaepernick better than Locker and Mallett right now. The most impressive part of his performance at the Senior Bowl was how comfortable he looked dropping back, making reads, and getting the ball out from under center when he pretty much never played under center at Nevada. That was one of the big concerns about him, and he showed great adaptability there, looking as good as or better than all the other QBs in that regard. He stands stronger in the pocket than either. He's bigger and more accurate than Locker, with similar mobility and intangibles. He doesn't have Mallett's arm strength, but it's definitely a plus for him. His footwork isn't as good as the other two normally, but it's better than either when under pressure, especially Mallett. If he didn't have such an odd delivery, there'd probably be a lot less reservation about picking him.

 

I like Kaepernick more than Mallett and Locker if a team has a veteran to start immediately. There was no question about Kaepernick's physical tools coming into the offseason and honestly I might like his arm strength as much as or more than Mallett's. Both have cannons. The question regarding Kaepernick is how ready he is to step in. He did look pretty good overall in the Senior Bowl dropping back and making reads, but that was without much, if any, pressure/blitzes and against pretty vanilla coverages. His problem is going to be reading the difficult coverages, picking up blitzes and still dropping back cleanly and making good decisions.

 

He'll look good throughout the offseason workouts, but I still think he'll need more time than Mallett and Locker to be ready for an NFL offense. He has a much higher upside than either, though, and I think would be a better pick than either. I just don't think he will be picked higher than the other two (due to NFL teams' need to win now).

[Tracer Bullet]

I heard that Kyle Rudolph was told in his nfl draft grade that he'd be the #1 TE in the draft, which is why he skipped his last season. Wish we could have had more than 2.4 years of him.

[Guest]

I heard that Kyle Rudolph was told in his nfl draft grade that he'd be the #1 TE in the draft, which is why he skipped his last season. Wish we could have had more than 2.4 years of him.

 

Yeah, he's definitely the #1 TE in this draft.

[Andy]

I heard that Kyle Rudolph was told in his nfl draft grade that he'd be the #1 TE in the draft, which is why he skipped his last season. Wish we could have had more than 2.4 years of him.

 

Yeah, he's definitely the #1 TE in this draft.

He'd be a slam dunk for Atlanta if Gonzalez was retiring. Heck, they may pick him anyway.

[Splendid Splinter]

I heard that Kyle Rudolph was told in his nfl draft grade that he'd be the #1 TE in the draft, which is why he skipped his last season. Wish we could have had more than 2.4 years of him.

 

Yeah, he's definitely the #1 TE in this draft.

He'd be a slam dunk for Atlanta if Gonzalez was retiring. Heck, they may pick him anyway.

 

I hope Gonzalez doesn't retire just yet... He still got 2 more good years left in him. Mainly though, I just want to see him hit 100 TDs (need 12 more)... But like you said, I can see Falcons picking Rudolph even if Gonzalez stays for another year or 2...

[dew1679666265]

Interesting article by Wes Bunting on Ponder. I think he's overrating him, but it's worth considering.

 

He doesn’t have the same skill set as the trio of junior signal-callers in this year’s draft or even Jake Locker. But at the same time he’s the one guy in the class I would go to bat for on draft day because the guy can make all the throws for you from the pocket or on the move, he gets it from the shoulders up and knows how to handle the adversity that comes with being an NFL quarterback. Which is why I have him graded out as the second-best quarterback prospect in the nation

[rawaction]

I have an irrational love for Ponder, but I think that's a little much. I think he's an injury risk. And I think he has the tendency to get flustered. I don't think he is a guy you can put on a team with no talent and expect him to win games (like Sam Bradford, Matt Ryan). But if you put him on a team with a solid OL, a couple WRs, and a running game, I think he can be a decent QB. Of the teams that need QBs, I can see him succeeding for Minnesota, maybe Jacksonville, and possibly Miami.

[dew1679666265]

I have an irrational love for Ponder, but I think that's a little much. I think he's an injury risk. And I think he has the tendency to get flustered. I don't think he is a guy you can put on a team with no talent and expect him to win games (like Sam Bradford, Matt Ryan). But if you put him on a team with a solid OL, a couple WRs, and a running game, I think he can be a decent QB. Of the teams that need QBs, I can see him succeeding for Minnesota, maybe Jacksonville, and possibly Miami.

 

Ideally, I think, his best fit is as a backup on a good team. I agree he's not a guy you want to bring in to build a franchise around, and instead would be better being taken by a good team that will develop him behind an established starter and move him into the starting role in time (i.e. the Colts, Patriots, Seahawks, etc).

[dew1679666265]

Another Bunting article, this time arguing that Amukamara shouldn't be a top 10 pick.

 

When watching tape of Nebraska this season I got the feeling that opposing receivers and offenses were more confident at times throwing the football at Amukamara than they were at his counterpart, CB Alfonzo Dennard, who was far and away the more physical of the two in press coverage. And my theory took on even more traction when talking with Nebraska wideout Niles Paul at the Senior Bowl and he confirmed what I saw on tape, commenting that is was Dennard who was the tougher corner to match up against in practice compared to Amukamara.

[dew1679666265]

NFP Mock Draft 1.0

 

Notables:

 

1. Carolina Panthers: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

The Panthers need a guy who they can build their defense around inside. Fairley is as talented as any prospect in this year’s draft and has the ability to mature into a dominant interior lineman at the next level.

 

12. Minnesota Vikings: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

The Vikings have a lot of pieces in place, but they can’t expect to compete until they have some kind of resolution at the QB position. Mallett is a talented kid and would be a good fit throwing the football vertically down the field to the Minnesota receiving corps.

 

29. Chicago Bears: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

Carimi is a good enough athlete to play on the left side and hold his own in pass protection. However, his bread and butter is as an in-line blocker and will give the Bears some real thump on whatever side they wish to play him.

 

He has Cory Liuget falling out of the first round, but has him as the top player in the 2nd round. Mikel Leshoure is the 2nd best player still on the board in the 2nd round. Amukamara drops to 17.

[Magnetic Curses]

NFP Mock Draft 1.0

 

Notables:

 

1. Carolina Panthers: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

The Panthers need a guy who they can build their defense around inside. Fairley is as talented as any prospect in this year’s draft and has the ability to mature into a dominant interior lineman at the next level.

 

12. Minnesota Vikings: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

The Vikings have a lot of pieces in place, but they can’t expect to compete until they have some kind of resolution at the QB position. Mallett is a talented kid and would be a good fit throwing the football vertically down the field to the Minnesota receiving corps.

 

29. Chicago Bears: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

Carimi is a good enough athlete to play on the left side and hold his own in pass protection. However, his bread and butter is as an in-line blocker and will give the Bears some real thump on whatever side they wish to play him.

 

He has Cory Liuget falling out of the first round, but has him as the top player in the 2nd round. Mikel Leshoure is the 2nd best player still on the board in the 2nd round. Amukamara drops to 17.

 

that's the dumbest thing i've ever seen. i'd love for it to happen because mallett is a big lurch back there and carimi would be our LT for the next 15 years, plus, he's probably a huge packer fan and they'd love to get their stinking hand on him. haha, oh, it would be awesome for him to stick it to them in a bears uni.

[Magnetic Curses]

also, illinois has 3 players all in the top 3 at their respective positions. lol, should be good for recruiting i guess.

[Andy]

I'm coming around to Fairley as the #1 pick. We have no starting-caliber DTs on roster and he's a mutant. Not what I wanted from the top pick but he could be quite useful.