Teams That Can't Draft

[State]

Exhibit A: the Tennessee Titans.

Is this the team that only a few years ago nearly beat us in Foxborough with Steve McNair during the playoffs?

Gone are the imposing defensive tackles, replaced by nobodies. Our back-ups are better than these guys.

Number three pick (with a below average IQ) as your _backup_ qb for the foreseeable future? Number 45 pick (who could do only 15 bench presses at the combine and looked as if he needed a bra when he bared his chest for the weigh-in) as a perennial _backup_ rb?

http://blogs.nashvillescene.com/pitw/LenWhaleTraining.jpg

The only blatant mistake the Patriots have made during the Belichick era--that I thought so at the time--was moving up and sacrificing a lot to take Daniel Graham ahead of the Seahawks in the first round in 2002 at 21 when I was pushing for the perfectly serviceable (and surprisingly athletic, for his size) Chris Baker, whom the Jets took that year at 88.
2002 NFL Draft - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I know my Michigan State players.

But the universe has apparently righted itself.

 

[State]

Lions will try DeAndre Levy at middle linebacker.

An interesting comment among a long line of grousing Lions fans.

They don't seem to have a lot of love for the departed Paris Lenon at linebacker, either.

 

[klinefan]

Exhibit A: the Tennessee Titans.

Is this the team that only a few years ago nearly beat us in Foxborough with Steve McNair during the playoffs?

Gone are the imposing defensive tackles, replaced by nobodies. Our back-ups are better than these guys.

Number three pick (with a below average IQ) as your _backup_ qb for the foreseeable future? Number 45 pick (who could do only 15 bench presses at the combine and looked as if he needed a bra when he bared his chest for the weigh-in) as a perennial _backup_ rb?

http://blogs.nashvillescene.com/pitw/LenWhaleTraining.jpg

The only blatant mistake the Patriots have made during the Belichick era--that I thought so at the time--was moving up and sacrificing a lot to take Daniel Graham ahead of the Seahawks in the first round in 2002 at 21 when I was pushing for the perfectly serviceable (and surprisingly athletic, for his size) Chris Baker, whom the Jets took that year at 88.
2002 NFL Draft - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I know my Michigan State players.

But the universe has apparently righted itself.

Bethel Johnson was an low performing low IQ oft injujred WR with "great explosiveness" they took in the 2nd round.

That was HUGE mistake.

Chad Jackson, maybe they get a pass on.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I really wouldn't put Tennessee on that list. They drafted very well in the past several years; you clearly don't know their roster very well. I follow the Titans very closely, since I lived in Tennessee for a year. Almost all of their pro-bowl players were drafted within the past 1 - 3 years. The core of their team is young, up-and-coming players who were selected through the draft. You can look at their linemen, their running backs, their secondary, etc, and you'll see players in the top 5 - 10 at their position, almost all of whom were acquired through the draft. Just because Young and Jones didn't pan out is no reason to speak poorly of the team, especially when those players flashed immense talent at one point or another.

I'd really like to hear your reasoning behind their supposed inability to draft--your first post seemed a bit incomplete. No offense.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Roos, Chris Johnson, etc. are excellent players. I'm not sure what brought on this tirade against the Titans. At least they can't draft wide receivers either, apparently.

 

[State]

Well, I guess you guys are right. It's just the two blown picks I mentioned, the undersized DTs I've never heard of, and the fact Indy does a better job and always beats them.

I've like Tennessee, too. I really like their O-line and secondary.

But you can't do a Ryan Leaf and not expect to be laughed at.

 

[WhiZa]

Titans are decent drafters. Lions are just hideous. You could make an argument that their drafts were the sole cause of the 0-16 season. In fact, I would not be surprised if Oakland follows up next year (or soon after) with another 0-16.

 

[State]

Lions are just hideous.

They haven't figured out the Belichick method: draft from the inside (big guys) out.

 

[stinkypete]

Titans can't draft? Tell that to Cortland Finnegan.

I'd say the worst of this era has been the Raiders, who have, with the notable exception of that CB who's name's spelling I'm not about to look up, been a virgual gaurentee to draft an underachiever with every round 1 pick they get.

The Niners have also drafted terribly lately, as have the Rams.

 

[DaBruinz]

Bethel Johnson was an low performing low IQ oft injujred WR with "great explosiveness" they took in the 2nd round.

That was HUGE mistake.

Chad Jackson, maybe they get a pass on.

It always amazes me when people chime in on players and they really don't know what they are talking about. Bethel was not OFT INJURED in college. He missed one year, what would have been his senior year in 2001, and was given a medical redshirt for it. Other than that he played every chance he got. He wasn't given the chance as a freshman.

When Bethel graduated, he was ranked 1st in Texas A&M history with 117 receptions and 1740 yards. He currently ranks #2.

Bethel was a flop with the Pats, but lie about the guy's college record. And, for the record, Bethel was rated as a 2/3rd round pick. And clearly, the Pats thought he'd be able to stretch the field and be more than just a kick off returner. Unfortunately, like Jackson, he couldn't earn Brady's trust. Mainly because he couldn't run routes well.

 

[DaBruinz]

Exhibit A: the Tennessee Titans.

Is this the team that only a few years ago nearly beat us in Foxborough with Steve McNair during the playoffs?

Gone are the imposing defensive tackles, replaced by nobodies. Our back-ups are better than these guys.

Number three pick (with a below average IQ) as your _backup_ qb for the foreseeable future? Number 45 pick (who could do only 15 bench presses at the combine and looked as if he needed a bra when he bared his chest for the weigh-in) as a perennial _backup_ rb?

http://blogs.nashvillescene.com/pitw/LenWhaleTraining.jpg

The only blatant mistake the Patriots have made during the Belichick era--that I thought so at the time--was moving up and sacrificing a lot to take Daniel Graham ahead of the Seahawks in the first round in 2002 at 21 when I was pushing for the perfectly serviceable (and surprisingly athletic, for his size) Chris Baker, whom the Jets took that year at 88.
2002 NFL Draft - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I know my Michigan State players.

But the universe has apparently righted itself.

Yeah.. Sure. You know your Michigan state players.. Sure you do.

Listen, did you ever stop to think that maybe the Pats felt that Graham was the best available player who fit their needs. A player who should have come in and been a pass catching TE. Someone who they transformed into one of the best blocking TEs in the league and who overcame his dropsies of his rookie year.

People like you come in and make all sorts of claims about how you would have taken this person or that person, yet you don't stop to ask yourself how that person would have performed with the Patriots at the time. What's to say that Chris Baker wouldn't have flopped had he been on the Patriots. And who would you have drafted in place of Graham in 2002? And before you answer, please forget anything that person has done since they got into the league because it wouldn't have happened.

Now, as for the Tennessee Titans. How can you say that their starting defensive linemen are worse than our back-ups. They aren't even playing the same frigging positions. So, right there, your comparison is in a nose dive.

Here are my counters to your Vince Young and LenDale White slams.

Chris Johnson, Cortland Finnegan, Michael Roos, Pacman Jones, Bo Scaife, Reynaldo Hill, Travis LaBoy, Antwan Odom.

Now, there are certain positions that they have been less than spectacular. That is the WR position. They've drafted 8 players since 2005 and none of them have panned out yet. RB is another position where they have spent a LOT of picks.

OH, one other thing. Kevin Faulk, a 2nd round pick and perennial back-up says HI. He wanted to remind you that there is nothing wrong with being a back-up as long as you produce when you are called upon. And White has done that the last 2 years.

 

[DaBruinz]

Well, I guess you guys are right. It's just the two blown picks I mentioned, the undersized DTs I've never heard of, and the fact Indy does a better job and always beats them.

I've like Tennessee, too. I really like their O-line and secondary.

But you can't do a Ryan Leaf and not expect to be laughed at.

Indy doesn't always beat Tennessee. And, just because you haven't heard of their DTs doesn't make them bad. The Titans have also only drafted 4 DTs since 2004. 5 if you want to include Sen'Derrick Marks, whom they drafted this year. Also, why do you claim they are undersized? Do you understand that, in the 4-3 defense, the DTs aren't usually in the 325-350 range ala Jenkins and Wilfork?

I think its debatable that Indy always does a better job. Indy always adds a lot of UDFA for TC. And most of the time they do build from within. But Indy always seems to lack depth beyond their starters. Particularly in the safeties and the D-line. From 2004-2008, Indy drafted 44 players. They only have 2 players from the 2004 draft class and 4 from the 2005 draft class still on the team.. That tells me that they keep very few players beyond their rookie contracts. That tells me they are doing just enough to put a winning team on the field, but not enough to constantly take them deep into the playoffrs.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

That tells me [the Colts] are doing just enough to put a winning team on the field, but not enough to constantly take them deep into the playoffrs.

Pay-me-tons Manning says hi.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

I want to see how good this "Cortland Finnegan" guy is when he doesn't have "one year wonder" Haynesworth collapsing the pocket for him. Seriously, CB's can look better than they really are when your pass rush is forcing QB's to throw balls right at you. I can't wait to see this guy get torched by Moss this season. Oh yeah, they got extremely lucky by reaching for Chris Johnson. Most people thought the Titans were f****** morons for taking him that high.

 

[patchick]

Oh yeah, they got extremely lucky by reaching for Chris Johnson. Most people thought the Titans were f****** morons for taking him that high.

IMO you never "get lucky" by "reaching" for a fabulous pick. That's the ultimate demonstration of draft skill, a la Logan Mankins. You "get lucky" by having a Vince Wilfork slide down into your lap, or a team hand you its future in exchange for a Herschel Walker, or finding a Tom Brady in the 6th round.

 

[DaBruinz]

I want to see how good this "Cortland Finnegan" guy is when he doesn't have "one year wonder" Haynesworth collapsing the pocket for him. Seriously, CB's can look better than they really are when your pass rush is forcing QB's to throw balls right at you. I can't wait to see this guy get torched by Moss this season. Oh yeah, they got extremely lucky by reaching for Chris Johnson. Most people thought the Titans were f****** morons for taking him that high.

So Haynesworth is a "one year wonder" in your eyes??? Outside of Pat and Kevin Williams of Minnesota, Haynesworth has been one of the most consistent 4-3 DTs in the league.

What facts do you have to support the idea that:
1) Most people thought the Titans were "f******* morons" for taking Johnson that high?
2) That the Titans were extremely lucky in taking Johnson?

As for Cortland Finnegan, you clearly have never watched him play. He's one of the better young cover corners in the league. If you want to be foolish and claim that it was all because of Haynesworth, so be it. But it doesn't make you correct.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

So Haynesworth is a "one year wonder" in your eyes??? Outside of Pat and Kevin Williams of Minnesota, Haynesworth has been one of the most consistent 4-3 DTs in the league.

What facts do you have to support the idea that:
1) Most people thought the Titans were "f******* morons" for taking Johnson that high?
2) That the Titans were extremely lucky in taking Johnson?

As for Cortland Finnegan, you clearly have never watched him play. He's one of the better young cover corners in the league. If you want to be foolish and claim that it was all because of Haynesworth, so be it. But it doesn't make you correct.

haynesworth has had 2 good years.......both of them happened to be contract years...........prior to that, he was considered an underachiever and a trouble-maker

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

haynesworth has had 2 good years.......both of them happened to be contract years...........prior to that, he was considered an underachiever and a trouble-maker

So Haynesworth is a "one year wonder" in your eyes??? Outside of Pat and Kevin Williams of Minnesota, Haynesworth has been one of the most consistent 4-3 DTs in the league.

Actually, he hasn't and it's an insult to put him in the same category as guys like the Williams' duo. Prior to 2007, All he's been known for was stomping on Andre Gurode's head when the Cowboys were in Tennessee for the '06 season. The guy was a little baby because the Cowboys line were owning him the entire game. As what tanked as usual said, he's been an underachiever prior to his contract years. It took him 5 years to actually do something in the NFL. In fact, he was on bust watch prior to '07. It's hilarious that this guy got a 100 million dollar contract for having two good years in the NFL.

What facts do you have to support the idea that:
1) Most people thought the Titans were "f******* morons" for taking Johnson that high?
2) That the Titans were extremely lucky in taking Johnson?

Not that I always agree them them, but "Draft expects" projected him to be a second round pick. Also, he's not the biggest RB and it's pretty risky to take a light running back that high in the draft. That's why their lucky.

As for Cortland Finnegan, you clearly have never watched him play. He's one of the better young cover corners in the league. If you want to be foolish and claim that it was all because of Haynesworth, so be it. But it doesn't make you correct.

I've watched Finnegan play and it's hard to gauge how good a DB really is when they have a great pass rush to back them up. Haynesworth was in the pocket all year long, making it extremely easy for any DB to make plays. All I'm saying is, we will see how good this guy is when the Titans won't have a guy like Haynesworth (who was playing for a contract) collapsing the pocket like he did last season. Unless he has safety help (which he most likely will), this guy won't stand a chance against Moss when they meet next season. This "cover corner" term is being thrown around too loosely in the NFL these days.

 

[Synovia]

Roos, Chris Johnson, etc. are excellent players. I'm not sure what brought on this tirade against the Titans. At least they can't draft wide receivers either, apparently.

Their Wide recievers seem fine with Collins throwing. Seems like Vick-QB-Not-At-fault-itis going on with Young.

 

[Synovia]

Oh yeah, they got extremely lucky by reaching for Chris Johnson. Most people thought the Titans were f****** morons for taking him that high.

Football Outsiders had Chris Johnson ranked as the best back in the draft that year by one of their Metrics.


maybe most people are just f**in morons.