Official 2012 Mock Draft FAIL thread

[Shelterdog]

Originally Posted by AzPatsFan

He lost out to Dan Koppen and developing Center candidates, youngsters Ryan Wendell and Rich Ohrnberger. I believe Dan Connelly has also worked at Center, as well. How bad can all these guys be to beat out Ted Larsen? Do we really need to draft a Center?

Ohrnberger didn't beat out Larsen-they both got cut at the same time. I agree with your overall point though-Connolly/Ohrnberg/Wendell are all good enough to have stuck around on the squad for a while, so they've got to have something going for them.

I think the team needs at least 1, and probably 2, impact players on the interior line going forward, but if you have Mankins and if Cannon develops then I'm sure you could do reasonably well with a Wendell/Connolly type at center.

[BoyWonder]

No Michael Floyd or Manti Te'o? Failed mock draft.

[BlueThunder]

I have a feeling that BB grabs a Center for the OL next year....unless Ohrnberger breaks out and is a solid backup to Koppen.
Koppen makes the blocking reads for the OL and that's not something that's learned overnite..

Overall it looks like BB had a decent draft, and according to Outlads Scouting grabbed the #1 and #4 rated OL as well as the #11 rated RB in Vereen.

Dowling isn't a slouch eiither while Mallet didn't workout so gets no ranking.

Ridley looks to be graded average in their system....

Ourlads' 2011 NFL Combine Player Ratings

[Snake Eyes]

So far I like Mike Brewster (C) and Kenny Tate (S/LB).

[DaBruinz]

Originally Posted by NEGoldenAge

I'm not suggesting he ever tried that. I just look at the size and athletisism of the guy, and he looks like he could play either NT or DE in the Pats system. That doesn't mean that he can play those, he's just a good physical match for that. I also suspect that BB will try him there in camp, and if it doesn't work out, will stick to OL.

Cannon will be at RG, supplanting Connolly by the start of the 2012 season at the latest.

[DaBruinz]

Originally Posted by NEGoldenAge

Is converting a wrestler to OL a dumb idea? How about converting a small QB to slot receiveer or an OLB to a TE red zone threat? It's called thinking outside the box, which BB does more than any other head coach in the NFL.

Umm.. there's a few problems with your whole schtick..

1) The "converting a wrestler to an OL" is a matter of SKILL SET. Understanding the technique of leverage and the mobility.

2) Converting a small QB to slot receiver - As a QB, Edelman had intimate knowledge of what receivers are supposed to do. He also had the speed and agility to make the move.

3) What you fail at is the understanding that Vrabel was a TE in High School.

You clearly misinterpreted what he was suggesting. His answer was a general answer regarding ALL the prospects, not just Cannon.

[TheComeback]

Originally Posted by NEGoldenAge

Is converting a wrestler to OL a dumb idea? How about converting a small QB to slot receiveer or an OLB to a TE red zone threat? It's called thinking outside the box, which BB does more than any other head coach in the NFL.

I hear what you're saying, but unless Cannon played some DL in college, I don't see it happening. The skill sets are completely different for OL and DL.

For one thing, Cannon would have to learn how to tackle. Not so easy to do when the guys you're practicing against are NFL players.

For another, Cannon would need to forget everything he's learned about playing o-line and start from scratch, learning all sorts of new d-line techniques. As we've seen with a guy like Ron Brace, it takes more than size, strength, or athleticism to become a good DL.

Third, I believe we have a far greater need for Cannon's talents on the OL. He was an offensive guard in college, and we need potential starters at guard this year in the event that Mankins holds out or Koppen/Connolly gets hurt. Not to mention that making Cannon a starter at RG and moving Connolly to C could be a huge upgrade to our line from a physical standpoint (and is a plausible scenario if Koppen misses a few games). Unless you want to count on Ryan Wendell as a potential everyday starter, we need Cannon on the OL.

On the DL, we already have a ton of young talent. They all need a chance to develop and prove whether or not they can play in the NFL. Brace, Deaderick, Pryor, and Kyle Love are all guys who can offer the same strength and size that Cannon could as a DL. But none of them are starting from the ground up when it comes to technique, as Cannon would be.

From a pure size/strength standpoint, moving Cannon to DL might make some sense. But when you actually look at the roster, I think it becomes clear pretty quickly that we need talented youth at the interior o-line positions. And I think it's much harder to move from OL to DL than you might imagine.

[TheSolderKing]

IR the CANNON let him comeback in year 2 as a BIGGER BEAST as he learns from the practice field w/ the Cancer IR thing

[Oswlek]

Originally Posted by TheSolderKing

IR the CANNON let him comeback in year 2 as a BIGGER BEAST as he learns from the practice field w/ the Cancer IR thing

OG might be the most up-in-the-air position on the entire team. Why IR a guy who might be a valuable contributor?

[BlueThunder]

Originally Posted by Oswlek

OG might be the most up-in-the-air position on the entire team. Why IR a guy who might be a valuable contributor?

Agree...PUP him if anything to give him additional time to recoup from his cancer treatments....He may even be ready to go after TC ...would LOVE to see this guy at RG to start off the season.....