drpatriot

It's been somewhere around two weeks now and it's time for another one of my mock drafts. The mock has been expanded to include the third round and also include trades.

The draft grades are at the end.

Well, here we go...

Team Player POS School Comments
First Round
1 Houston: Reggie Bush, RB, USC: Houston makes the obvious pick, which has been cemented by Bush's pro day.
2 Denver (projected trade from New Orleans): Matt Leinart, QB, USC: In a scramble upward to pick their QB of the future, Denver runs up the board and picks Matt Leinart, the surest bet at QB this year. With Jake Plummer costing the Broncos $9.6 million over the next two years and $20.2 over the next four, they may be looking to trade up to pick a prospect at QB. The Saints receive two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick as compensation.
3 Tennessee: Vince Young, QB, Texas: Young will redshirt next year under Steve McNair and improve his throwing motion and arm strength under Norm Chow.
4 New York Jets: Mario Williams, DE, N.C. State: The Jets pick up the best defensive player in the draft to replace John Abraham at DE.
5 Green Bay: A.J. Hawk, OLB, Ohio State: After releasing Na’il Diggs, the Packers address their need at OLB.
6 San Francisco: D’Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia: Although they arguably have bigger needs in the secondary, the 49ers couldn’t allow the best offensive lineman in the draft to fall past them.
7 Oakland: Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon: The Raiders add depth at an aging position with Ngata.
8 Buffalo: Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland: This freak will be given every chance to show his moves with the Bills.
9 Detroit Michael Huff, DB, Texas: [/i]This athletic DB can play either CB or FS for the Lions.[/i]
10 Kansas City (projected trade from Arizona): Jimmy Williams, DB, Virginia Tech: With good value at CB throughout the draft, Arizona trades down with Kansas City, who picks one of the best CBs in the draft.
11 Baltimore (projected trade from St. Louis): Broderick Bunkley, DT, Florida State: The Ravens give up a fourth round pick to secure the strongest player in the draft at a need position.
12 Cleveland : Manny Lawson, OLB, N.C. State: Cleveland is happy to draft Lawson, an athletic freak who is faster than most RBs available in this draft.
13 St. Louis (projected trade from Baltimore): Tye Hill, CB, Clemson:St. Louis grabs the same CB prospect that they were eyeing at #11, Tye Hill out of Clemson.
14 Philadelphia: Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State: Philadelphia addresses their need at WR with their first pick.
15 New Orleans (projected trade from Atlanta through Denver): Chad Greenway, OLB, Iowa: Scott Fujita and Colby Brockwoldt shouldn’t be the best two OLBs on your team.
16 Miami: Jason Allen, S, Tennessee: Yeremiah Bell and Travares Tillman should not be starting safeties in the NFL.
17 Minnesota: Nick Mangold, C, Ohio State: Will either replace the injured Matt Birk or start at one of the guard positions.
18 Dallas: Marcus McNeil, OT, Auburn: Standout OT will block for Bledsoe and give him time to throw the ball, which we all know he needs.
19 San Diego: Sinorice Moss, WR, Miami: Though many scouts have Chad Jackson rated higher, the Chargers will take a chance on Santana’s brother and hope he lives up to expectations.
20 Arizona (projected trade from Buffalo through Kansas City): Antonio Cromartie, CB, Florida State: Dennis Green spends the second first rounder in two years on a CB, this time on a boom-or-bust player who could excel.
21 New England: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis: The second-best RB in the draft is worth a look by the Pats, especially with Dillon only getting older.
22 Oakland (projected trade from Washington through Denver and New Orleans): Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt: With Mangold long gone, New Orleans trades down with Oakland for its second and third-round picks, plus a fourth next year. Oakland snatches up Cutler before the Jets get to him.
23 Tampa Bay: Winston Justice, OT, USC: With OTs going fast, the Bucs select the best one available, the standout from USC.
24 Cincinnati: Leonard Pope, TE, Georgia: The Bengals select a good TE prospect to replace Matt Schobel.
25 New York Giants: Kamerion Wimbley, OLB, Florida State: The Giants fill a major hole in their defense by the well-liked prospect from Florida State.
26 Chicago: Ernie Sims, OLB, Florida State: Chicago makes an upgrade in their front seven by adding this highly touted underclassmen to their roster.
27 Carolina: Lendale White, RB, USC: Even though his stock fell during his Pro Day, the Panthers are impressed with his running at USC and take a chance on him anyway.
28 Jacksonville: DeMeco Ryans, OLB, Alabama: This speedy LB will fill a hole left by Akin Ayodele’s departure.
29 New York Jets: Eric Winston, OT, Miami: The Jets prepare to fill the hole at OT with Eric Winston, the prospect out of Miami.
30 Indianapolis: Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota: Indianapolis picks their replacement for Edge in the first round.
31 Seattle: Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State: The Seahawks pick the best 4-3 DE prospect in the draft as an upgrade to Bryce Fisher.
32 Pittsburgh: Ko Simpson, FS, South Carolina: The Steelers select their replacement for Chris Hope at FS with the final selection of the 1st round.

__________________
"Nobody in the game of football should be called a genius. A genius is somebody like Norman Einstein." - Joe Theismann

drpatriot

Second Round
33 New England (projected trade from Houston): Bobby Carpenter, OLB, Ohio State: As Carpenter falls out of the first round, the Pats trade up with their second and first third to pick him up.
34 New Orleans: Max Jean-Gilles, OG, Georgia: New Orleans picks the highest-rated guard in the draft to provide stability to their interior line.
35 New York Jets: Davin Joseph , OG, Oklahoma: The Jets continue filling holes on their offensive line.
36 Green Bay: Deuce Latui, OG, USC: Three guards in a row are picked when the Packers fill a hole present since the beginning of last season, when Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera departed.
37 San Francisco: Ashton Youbouty, CB, Ohio State: San Francisco attempts to fill a major gap in their secondary with the Best Name in the Draft award winner from Ohio State.
38 New Orleans (projected trade from Oakland): D’Qwell Jackson, MLB, Maryland: The Saints snatch up the best MLB in the draft with the 38th pick of the second round.
39 Tennessee: Abdul Hodge, MLB, Iowa: Hodge is the consensus draft pick for the Titans, who need a MLB to replace Brad Kassel.
40 Detroit: Marcedes Lewis, TE, UCLA: The Lions add a target for their next starting quarterback (McCown? Kitna? Orlovsky? Jeff Blake?) to throw to.
41 Arizona: Domonique Byrd, TE , USC: Arizona picks up another USC player in the second round, this time a well-polished TE for Kurt Warner to throw to.
42 Buffalo: Darnell Bing, SS, USC: The Bills pick a solid SS to replace Lawyer Milloy in the secondary.
43 Cincinnati (projected trade from Cleveland): Gabe Watson, DT, Michigan: Looking to gain more picks, the Browns trade this selection to the Bengals, who fill their gaping hole at DT with Gabe Watson. The Browns receive a fourth and a 2007 third for the deal.
44 Baltimore: Donte Whitner, FS, Ohio State: The Ravens pick a FS prospect to fill the hole left by Will Demps’ departure.
45 Philadelphia: Thomas Howard, OLB, UTEP: The Eagles draft this falling UTEP prospect to eventually replace Dhani Jones or Shawn Barber.
46 St. Louis Richard Marshall: CB, Fresno St.: The Rams take one of the best value picks in the draft with cornerback Richard Marshall.
47 Atlanta: Andrew Whitworth, LT, LSU: Kevin Shaffer is gone and the Falcons decide to choose his replacement in the 2nd round.
48 Minnesota: Roger McIntosh, OLB, Florida: The rising OLB prospect from Florida lands in Minnesota to compete with E.J. Henderson and Dontarrious Thomas.
49 Dallas: Pat Watkins, FS, Florida State: The Cowboys select a skilled FS to play alongside Roy Williams.
50 San Diego: Ryan O’Callaghan, OT, California: The Bolts decide that upgrading their offensive line is a priority.
51 Minnesota (from Miami): Kelly Jennings, CB, Miami: With no depth behind Winfield and Smoot, the Vikings pick Miami cornerback Kelly Jennings.
52 Houston (projected trade from New England): Chad Jackson, WR, Florida: In a massive fall from the first round, scouts performs an Aaron Rodgers-like fall from the top where scouts decide he isn't as good as he appears. Houston is happy to pick him up at #52.
53 Washington: Charles Spencer, OG, Pittsburgh, The Redskins select Spencer, the player who will eventually replace Ray Brown at guard.
54 Kansas City: Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College: Out of sight, out of mind; Kiwanuka drops like a rock in the second round past teams with bigger, more apparent needs. The Chiefs gets a pass rusher to assist Jared Allen on the outside.
55 Cleveland (projected trade from Cincinatti): Rodrigue Wright, DT, Texas: This big DT prospect from Texas lands in Cleveland, where he will be used in the rotation with Ted Washington and Jason Fisk.
56 New York Giants: Jonathan Lewis, DT, Virginia Tech: Another DT falls into the late 2nd round, this time to the Giants, who need someone to be a playmaker at the position.
57 Chicago: Joe Klopfenstein, TE, Colorado: The Bears pick up a good TE for Orton or Grossman to target next year.
58 Carolina: Anthony Fasano, TE, Notre Dame:The Panthers need a TE that can do something.
59 Tampa Bay: Derek Hagan, WR, Arizona St.: With Galloway only getting older, the Bucs could use some depth at WR.
60 Jacksonville: Joseph Addai, RB, LSU: Fred Taylor is still a concern for the Jaguars, who only have the butterfingered Alvin Pearman and still-unsigned LaBrandon Toefield to back him up.
61 Denver: Daniel Bullocks, S, Nebraska: The Broncos need an eventual replacement for Lynch, or an immediate one for Nick Ferguson.
62 Indianapolis: Jon Alston, LB, Stanford: David Thornton needs replacing. Quickly.
63 Seattle: Greg Blue, FS, Georgia: Ken Hamlin can’t stay healthy, and Blue is the best player available at the position.
64 Pittsburgh: Demetrius Williams, WR,Oregon: Antwaan Randle El is gone, and Williams is a speedster who can take his place.

__________________
"Nobody in the game of football should be called a genius. A genius is somebody like Norman Einstein." - Joe Theismann

drpatriot

Third Round
65 Houston: Roman Harper, FS, Alabama: C.C. Brown is not a permanent solution at FS.
66 Houston (from New Orleans): Daryn Colledge, OT, Boise State: The Texans select a good-value prospect for their first OL pick of the day.
67 Green Bay: DeMario Minter, CB, Georgia: Ahmad Carroll and Joey Thomas aren’t adequate, and there’s no depth, either.
68 San Francisco: Spencer Havner, OLB, UCLA: The 49ers need to replace Peterson and Carter.
69 New Orleans (projected trade from Oakland): Greg Eslinger, C, Minnesota: Eslinger is the second-best center on the board and the Saints need help at that position.
70 Buffalo (from Tennessee): Jonathan Scott, OT, Texas: Scott will be competition for either Mike Gandy or Jason Peters in training camp.
71 New York Jets: Jeremy Trueblood, OT, Boston College: More new blood (no pun intended) to bring in at tackle.
72 Arizona: Omar Jacobs, QB, Bowling Green: Dennis Green takes a QB to learn behind Warner now that McCown is gone.
73 Buffalo: Daniel Manning, CB, Abilene Christian: Small-school project pick to back up Nate Clements and Terrence McGee.
74 Detroit: Joe Toledo , LT, Washington: Tackle with tremendous upside with challenge for a starting spot in camp.
75 Houston (from Baltimore through New England): Claude Wroten, DT, LSU: Despite his drug-dealing ways, Houston takes a chance on this physical DT prospect.
76 Philadelphia: John McCargo, DT, N.C. State: The Eagles need an upgrade at the position and McCargo is the best player available.
77 St. Louis: Terna Nande, OLB, Miamo (Ohio): Nande can contribute on special teams or at WLB.
78 Cleveland : Cedric Griffin, CB, Texas: A second-round prospect who dropped, the Brown will get excellent value at this pick.
79 Atlanta: Alan Zemaitis, CB, Penn State: The Falcons need depth due to Kevin Mathis’ injury.
80 Dallas: Charlie Whitehurst, QB, Clemson: Let’s face it, Parcells isn’t satisfied with Henson. When Bledsoe retires, the Tuna will want someone there who can fill in.
81 San Diego: Dee Webb, CB, Florida: When your top two corners have a total of two interceptions, there is probably a problem.
82 Miami: Jason Avant, WR, Michigan: With recent comparisons to David Givens up in the air, Miami is happy to pick up a WR to back up Chris Chambers and Marty Booker.
83 Minnesota: Brodie Croyle, QB, Alabama: Brad Johnson won’t last forever and Croyle will need a few years to develop. A match made in heaven.
84 San Francisco (from Washington): Greg Jennings, WR, Western Michigan: The 49ers still have a need at WR even though they signed Antonio Bryant.
85 Arizona (projected trade from Kansas City): Anthony Smith, FS, Syracuse: As Robert Griffith’s career comes to a close, the Cardinals draft his future replacement out of Syracuse.
86 New England: Maurice Stovall, WR, Notre Dame: Stovall played for Charlie Weis at Notre Dame and will likely receive a recommendation due to his outstanding work ethic. Only 20 years old but with four years of college experience (he went to college at 17), Stovall has virtually unlimited upside.
87 New York Giants: Martin Nance, WR, Miamo (Ohio): WRs continue flying off the board as the Giants pick up their new slot receiver.
88 Chicago: Will Blackmon, CB/WR, Boston College: The Bears pick up a double threat at either CB or WR in the third down. A project pick.
89 Carolina: A.J. Nicholson, OLB, Florida State: Nicholson is a good value pick and will fit right into the hole left by Will Witherspoon.
90 Tampa Bay: Darrell Hunter, CB, Miamo (Ohio): There is virtually no depth behind Ronde Barber and Brian Simmons.
91 Cincinnati: Bruce Gradkowsi, QB, Toledo: With Carson Palmer injured, another option at QB would be a good draft decision.
92 Jacksonville: Fred Matua, OG, USC: Vince Manuwai is an RFA and Chris Naeole was horrible last season.
93 Atlanta (from Denver): Hank Baskett, WR, New Mexico: The Falcons continue their streak of drafting WRs, this time picking the excellent prospect out of New Mexico.
94 Indianapolis: Ryan Cook, OL, New Mexico: The Colts make a great addition to their line with Cook, who can play anywhere.
95 Seattle: Jason Spitz, OG, Louisville: Seattle needs someone to compete to replace Hutchinson in training camp.
96 Pittsburgh: Anwar Phillips, CB, Penn State: Often overshadowed by Zemaitis, this prospect will help add to depth in the Steelers’ secondary.
97 New York Jets (compensatory pick): Brian Calhoun, HB, Wisconsin: The Jets close out the first day of the draft with a backup for Curtis Martin and a potential replacement.

__________________
"Nobody in the game of football should be called a genius. A genius is somebody like Norman Einstein." - Joe Theismann

drpatriot

Evaluation
Major Risers: Nick Mangold (C), Manny Lawson (OLB), Jay Cutler (QB), Ernie Sims (OLB)
Major Fallers: Joseph Addai (RB), Claude Wroten (DT), Ashton Youbouty (CB), Chad Jackson (WR)

Draft Grades:
Arizona: (20) CB Cromartie, (41) TE Byrd, (72) QB Jacobs, (85) FS Smith: B. Although the Cardinals filled most of their needs, many experts will argue they should have taken Cutler in the first round and waited to pick a CB.
Atlanta: (47) OT Whitworth, (79) CB Zemaitis, (93) WR Baskett: B-. The Falcons did OK without a first-round pick but no one really stands out here.
Baltimore: (11) DT Bunkley, (44) FS Whitner: B-. Experts will say that the Ravens made an unneccessary trade in the 1st round to get Bunkley. However, both are quality players.
Buffalo: (8) TE Davis, (42) SS Bing, (70) OT Scott, (73) CB Manning: B. Scouts won't like the Manning pick but will feel that they have made good value picks through the rest of the first day.
Carolina: (27) RB White, (58) TE Fasano, (89) OLB Nicholson: D+. By draft day, experts will expect White to land in the second round and will feel the pick is a reach. Fasano and Nicholson were also picked above their projected rank, although both are good players.
Chicago: (26) OLB Sims, (57) TE Klopfenstein, (88) WR/CB Blackmon: B Experts will like the Blackmon pick, who the Bears will use in a Jerry Azumah-like role. The other two are solid picks.
Cincinnati: (21) TE Pope, (43) DT Watson, (91) QB Gradkowski: B-. Solid draft with no stand-out picks.
Cleveland: (12) OLB Lawson, (55) DT Wright, (78) CB Griffin: B+. The experts will like the trade-down in round 2 and feel that Wright and Lawson are excellent value at their positions.
Dallas: (18) OT McNeil, (49) FS Watkins, (80) QB Whitehurst: C+. The experts won't like the McNeil pick, saying that Winston Justice shoul have gone first.
Denver: (2) QB Leinart, (61) S Bullocks: B-. It will be argued that the Broncos could have had much better value with their two original first-round picks.
Detroit: (9) DB Huff, (40) TE Lewis, (74) OT Toledo: B. Experts will love the Huff pick but will criticize the Lions for not taking a receiver.
Green Bay: (5) LB Hawk, (36) OG Latui, (67) CB Minter: A+. Hawk, Latui and Minter will all immediately be able to contribute for the Packers.
Houston: (1) RB Bush, (52) WR Jackson, (65) FS Harper, (66) OT Colledge, (75) DT Wroten: A. Though the Texans made a lot of great picks, they will be criticized for not taking more OL on the first day.
Indianapolis: (30) RB Maroney, (62) OLB Alston, (94) OL Cook: B-. Good, but not great, draft.
Jacksonville: (28) OLB Ryans, (60) RB Addai, (92) OG Matua: B+. Good value picks at need positions.
Kansas City: (10) CB Williams, (54) DE Kiwanuka: A-. Experts will adore the Kiwanuka pick in the second round.
Miami: (16) S Allen, (82) WR Avant: C+. Allen was a reach, though Avant was a good pick.
Minnesota: (17) C Mangold, (48) OLB McIntosh, (51) CB Jennings, (83) QB Croyle: B-. Another good, but not great, draft.
New England: (21) RB Williams, (33) LB Carpenter, (86) WR Stovall: B+. Experts will like the trade up for Carpenter. Stovall will be considered a steal. Williams was a solid value pick.
New Orleans: (15) OLB Greenway, (34) OL Gilles, (38) MLB Jackson, (69) C Eslinger: A. The Saints fill needs on the line and in their linebacker core on the first day and the experts will love it.
New York Giants: (25) OLB Wimbley, (56) DT Lewis, (87) WR Nance: C+. Solid second and third rounds, but Wimbley isn't good enough in pass coverage to be worthy of this pick.
New York Jets: (4) DE Williams, (29) OT Winston, (35) OG Joseph, (71) OT Trueblood, (97) RB Calhoun: A+: The Jets look to remake their offensive line and also get great picks in Williams and Calhoun.
Oakland: (7) DT Ngata, (22) QB Cutler B: The experts will have mixed reviews on the Cutler pick but all agree that two of their biggest need positions were filled.
Philadelphia: (14) WR Holmes, (45) OLB Howard, (76) DT McCargo: B-: The Eagles have a good, but not spectacular draft.
Pittsburgh: (32) FS Simpson, (64) WR Williams, (96) CB Phillips: C Experts won't like the Philips or Williams picks, saying that they are both reaches.
St. Louis: (13) CB Hill, (46) CB Marshall, (77) OLB Nande: [/b]B-[/b]. The Rams drafted a good of three good players, some of whom will need time to develop. However, they will be criticized for drafting two CBs in a row.
San Diego: (19) WR Moss, (50) OT O’Callaghan, (81) CB Webb: B+. Most experts will like Moss's fit with the Chargers and agree that the second and third rounds have good value picks.
San Francisco: (6) OT Ferguson, (37) CB Youbouty, (68) LB Havner: A- Ferguson was a steal and both Youbouty and Havner will be upgrades at need positions.
Seattle: (31) DE Hali, (63) FS Blue, (95) OG Spitz: B. Good, but not great, draft; basically, like the Seahawks up until this year.
Tampa Bay: (23) OT Justice, (59) WR Hagan, (90) CB Hunter: B+ Justicle will be considered a steal and Nance and Hunter are solid picks.
Tennessee: (3) QB Young, (39) LB Hodge: A-. The Young pick is perfect and Hodge will fill a need at MLB. Watch out for Hodge as this year's Tatupu.
Washington: (53) OG Spencer: D+. They really shouldn't have traded a ton of picks for Campbell last year. We'll see if it ends up being worth it.

__________________
"Nobody in the game of football should be called a genius. A genius is somebody like Norman Einstein." - Joe Theismann

bosfan

That is an awesome and interesting piece of work DRP. Those are 3 good selections but don't like wasting our fourth day one pick - I like staying pat and taking Carpenter at #21, and either Addai/Klopenstein/Kiwanuka at #52. Then with #75 we go either Zamaitis or Avant and stick with Stovall at #86. Thanks it was fun.......

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Go Pats-XLII

Handel

See my comments in the quote.

DaBruinz

DRPat -
Thanks for the mock. However, I have to disagree, tremendously, on the idea of the Pats taking a RB. The only RB that BB has ever drafted in the 1st round was Tommy Vardell. And BB actually didn't draft him. BB had very little say in who they drafted while he was at Cleveland. Its one of the things that he learned both there and then in his 1st tenure with the Pats under Parcells when Grier was the one calling the shots.

In the 6 drafts that Belichick had done since coming to the Pats, he's grabbed 2 DEs, 1 NT, 2 TEs and 2 O-line with his 1st picks of the draft. The focus has been in the trenches. And I don't believe that this will change any this year, unless Belichick feels the VALUE is greater in other places. However, with the glaring need at OLB, I would find it hard to believe that it was greater in another place, but then I am not BB or Pioli.

Its my believe that the Patriots will use their 1st rounder on either an OLB or an O-lineman. There is an outside chance that they could, again use it on a TE with the potential of Graham moving on after this year, though Graham is acknowledged as one of the best, if not the best, blocking TE in the league. I also feel that Graham's receiviing abilities are under-rated. He showed what he could do, last year, when he gets the ball. And he's worked, tremendously, on his hands, making him a better than average reciever.

DaBruinz

The Draft pick value chart is just a BASIC item to work from. Its not the be all end all. And there is no saying that Denver would HAVE to give up their 1st round pick next year.

If they want Leinhart, trading up to #6 probably isn't far enough.

The other trade was possible also.


If the Vikings have Mangold rated as a 1st round talent, why would taking him there be early? Also ,its no different than the Pats taking Mankins last year in the 1st round when they took him because they felt he was marginal enough 1st round talent but wasn't going to last to their pick in the 2nd round.


Yep, he could. Or McNeil could be the pick if the team feels that McNeil's performance over his career was better and shows that he has more upside than Justice.


How do you know? Can you see the future? 2 years ago, people said that the Pats wouldn't get a whiff of Wilfork because he was a top 10 pick. The Pats got him at 21. They also had their choice of the top 3 RBs in that Draft in Kevin Jones, Chris Perry, and Steven Jackson. Of which, both Jones and Jackson were "guaranteed top 15 picks". Furthermore, last year, Aaron Rodgers, the "2nd best QB in the draft" and a "Guaranteed top 5 pick" fell to Green Bay at 24.

I mean, hell, Ernest Shazor was supposed to be a late 1st/early 2nd rounder and went UNDRAFTED. Players slide. And Jackson could as well. You never know.



Why?


Why is it a steal? Sims is an undersized OLB. He is perfect for the 4-3 from the looks of it. But, who knows. Sims might be a better Strong Safety.

It will be interesting to see what the Panthers do. With the questions about Kris Jenkins health, they may look to take a young DT instead.

patpatriot

Williams and Carpenter grade out as solid 1st round values at their respective positions. They also appear to be capable of being game-day active contributors next year. My only quibble is that our first third rounder (the one we are going to trade) could still have netted us a starting-grade CB with any luck. That's hard to give up. Still we get Cory insurance next year and a legit starting RB beyond that as well as a OLB who could start as soon as late in 06. Not bad!

I wish I could be sure about Stovall. He's kind of a boom or bust pick. Still if he turned into Keyshawn that would be quite a first day haul. Plus we'd still have lots of day 2 picks to go prospecting for diamonds in the rough. I like it!

DB15

those picks for the pats would be too good to be true