Brian Leonard vs Garrett Mills

[GoWesleyan]

I've seen a couple of mocks showing the pats getting Brian Leonard.

It seems to me that he is sort of a clone of Garrett Mills. Both about 6' 1"-6'2" 235lbs Both quick, neither is fast.


I think people forget about Garrett Mills.

Garrett Mills was faster than Vernon Davis in what are arguably the MOST IMPORTANT speed drills - 3 cone, long and short shuttle.

In fact, Garrett Mills was faster in those 3 drills than ANY TE last year or this year.

Last Year
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/9270956
This Year
http://www.nfldraftdog.com/2007_Combine__OL_TE.html

but it's not like the guy was simply a workout warrior. He was INCREDIBLY PRODUCTIVE.


So, I'm wondering... is this draft so much weaker than last year's that you have a guy like Brian Leonard going in the first this year and Mills went at the end of the 3rd last year?

Is there something about Mills's versatility vs Leonard's. Mills has had a year in the system to learn, gain strength etc. Would Leornard be an upgrade?

[cstjohn17]

I'll take Leonard or Davis over Mills.

But I doubt we draft Leonard at 28 and I doubt he drops to 91 and I don't think SF is going to trade us Davis.

Mills is fighting for a spot on the roster, either as the 4th TE or 2nd FB.

[harveyw]

Originally Posted by cstjohn17

I'll take Leonard or Davis over Mills.

But I doubt he draft Leonard at 28 and I doubt he drops to 91 and I don't think SF is going to trade us Davis.

Mills is fighting for a spot on the roster, either as the 4th TE or 2nd FB.

Can you enlighten us as to why?

[hobbsownscoles]

Originally Posted by cstjohn17

I'll take Leonard or Davis over Mills.

But I doubt he draft Leonard at 28 and I doubt he drops to 91 and I don't think SF is going to trade us Davis.

Mills is fighting for a spot on the roster, either as the 4th TE or 2nd FB.

nobody's talking about trading for davis or even comparing davis to leanord because they don't have anything in common, he was just comparing his short speed to mills' s short speed

[kas]

I think it's very easy this time of year to get caught up with the FA's and rookies. It's easy to forget about Mills because he had to undergo a position change and didn't play. However, like any DE-LB we'd draft patience is key with young players in general, but especially with players learning a new position.

Mills has great hands, excellent understanding of routes and finding zones, and good athletic ability. He's not a great blocker, but I'm sure he's learning and improving. I expect some nice things out of him this year as our pass catching FB/H-back. He should cause some nice matchup problems. He won't be the focal point every game, but I expect him to make serious contributions at least 3-4 times this year against teams that like to blitz their OLB's (thinking about it now, he would be a nice weapon to split out in the slot against a 3-4 team to force a pass rushing OLB wide into coverage).

Aside from me not really seeing the need for Leonard since we have signed Sammy Morris (a similar type of player in a similar type of role), I actually like the guy's skills.

[cstjohn17]

Originally Posted by hobbsownscoles

nobody's talking about trading for davis or even comparing davis to leanord because they don't have anything in common, he was just comparing his short speed to mills' s short speed

I thought the questions was would Leornard be an upgrade?

Mills was a great college TE, but he is a too small the play the position at a consistent level in the NFL and doesn't have a lot of experience as a RB/FB. Leonard is a running back and has the size the play the position in the NFL. So, yes Leonard is an upgrade because he can play 1 or more positions at the high level in the league (RB/FB).

[sebman2112]

I like Mills, and think he could turn into a good player, but he hasn't proven any ability to run the ball, and is not a RB. Does this mean Mills can't run the ball? No, but it remains to be seen. Leonard is a RB, and a pass catcher. Until I see Mills bust it up the gut I'll only consider him to be a Pass catcher, and nothing more, so they are different players.

Now, does this mean I want Leonard in the first round? NO!
NE has a good RB/FB in Evans, and both Faulk, and Mills can catch very well, so I don't see the need for Leonard in the first. However, If NE traded into the second and pulled the trigger on Leonard I would be upset. Also, Morris is a good runner, and a good pass catcher, and he runs with some power, so I can't really see Leonard as being a need player.