Dallas' two picks

[mcbee]

If Pats trade down they could get guys like K. Phillips, Aqib Talib, Vern. Ghoston in the first round.

Not sure if Laurinitis is worth it.

Be interesting to see if they draft someone like Rashard Mendenhall (jr.) in the 2nd or Tashard Choice (although he's kind of small). I'm sure they could find someone.

Trae Williams in the 3rd could be good.

McFadden may be the 2nd coming, but it's usually not worth a lot to draft a RB that high...also he has an upright running style which isn't good.

J Lehman in the 3rd/4th would be smart, I think.

 

[Patsmaniac]

I watched the Illimois/Ohio St game and the announcers were in love with Lehman. He was all over the field. Seems like a smart kid alsoacademically). He could be a great Pats type player..Seems to love contact...

 

[Ochmed Jones]

There is no doubt that Lehman is a tackling monster, but he only runs a 4.7 at best and in coverage he is extremely weak. I am not sure he could take on OG's for 16 games and have a pulse by early January.

However he could project into a special teams demon in the NFL and this is Izzo's contract year, I think.

 

[ayjackson]

If we're in position to draft McFadden, and Jerry Jones truly covets him, then we should ask for:

Cleveland's 2008 #1
Dallas' 2009 #1
Marion Barber III
Bobby Carpenter

Parcells viewed Carpenter as an ILB project. Son of Bum has soured on him. He can be had.

 

[mcbee]

There is no doubt that Lehman is a tackling monster, but he only runs a 4.7 at best and in coverage he is extremely weak. I am not sure he could take on OG's for 16 games and have a pulse by early January.

However he could project into a special teams demon in the NFL and this is Izzo's contract year, I think.

4.7 is pretty fast. What do you think Bruschi runs? 4.9?

I don't know what his weight is but if he has experience and instincts playing ILB and taking on guards...well that's as good a place as any to start.

 

[chunkypony]

If we're in position to draft McFadden, and Jerry Jones truly covets him, then we should ask for:

Cleveland's 2008 #1
Dallas' 2009 #1
Marion Barber III
Bobby Carpenter

Parcells viewed Carpenter as an ILB project. Son of Bum has soured on him. He can be had.

I dont think the Cowboys do this unless you remove something form the equation. I like the two #1s and Carpenter. I think that is fair. Barber would be icing on the cake for me.

 

[cstjohn17]

4.7 is pretty fast. What do you think Bruschi runs? 4.9?

I don't know what his weight is but if he has experience and instincts playing ILB and taking on guards...well that's as good a place as any to start.

I seen him in a couple of games, he is not afraid to mix in up and appears to be tall enough to put on additional weight. As Ochmed said his coverage is suspect (as it is for most college LBs), I rate him as a nice 5th or 6th round pick but not starting caliber.

The way the draft is shaping up, the top ILBs are staying in school or injured, 2009 looks to be a very strong year for ILBs. Also Channing Crowder from Miami becomes a free agent.

2008 looks like a down year for ILBs both in the draft and in free agency. I don't see any college player who can even come close to starting so it looks like we will go the veteran route and hope we get a little Seau and no Beisel.

Laurinaitis (Jr. staying in school), Maualuga (Jr. staying in school) & Casper Brinkley (injury)

OLBs - A lot of promising players Harvey, Gholston, Ellis, Blake, etc. Rivers. maybe a developmental player is taken for Rosie's spot in 2009. Also Erin Henderson, OLB, Maryland is the brother or EJ Henderson, EJ has turned into a pretty good MLB. If his brother declares maybe he can become a good pro.

Back to the question at hand, Dallas's two picks... On paper I like the idea of trading a high price top 5 pick for 2 first rounders plus an additional pick (likely a 2009 second rounder). That gives the Pats 3 chances to find players at CB, LB. Names like Gholston in the mid first round ot Jenkins (Ohio State) and then Jenkins(South Florida) or Erza Butler, Beau Bell, Chris Ellis at the bottom of round 1.

My early, early early picks if the Pats pick was traded for the #15 and #30 overall.

#15 - Malcom Jenkins CB (Ohio State)
#30 - Beau Bell ILB (UNLV)
#63 - Tommy Blake OLB (TCU)
#70 - from Oakland - Williams CB (South Florida)
#95 - Greco OT/OG (Toledo)

There you go, scratch these guys off your list and replace them with the punter, QB, DT or your choice and you will be closer than I ever get....

 

[cstjohn17]

More Lehman from football futures
http://www.footballsfuture.com/2008/review11.html

At 6’3, 243, Jeremy Leman has great size a linebacker. He adds good strength and intangibles in the middle to lead the Illinois defense in tackles. They shut down an explosive offense to 21 points, the key to victory. With every win for the Illinois program, his stock continues to increase, but in reality will be limited by mediocre athleticism in the NFL. We’ve seen many players overcome this, but that just makes it all the more difficult for him. However, I don’t doubt pure football players…ever.

 

[alexthered]

Not sure about Lehman, he could be a nice pro, but speed must be a concern.

 

[patchick]

More Lehman from football futures
http://www.footballsfuture.com/2008/review11.html

At 6’3, 243, Jeremy Leman has great size a linebacker. He adds good strength and intangibles in the middle to lead the Illinois defense in tackles. They shut down an explosive offense to 21 points, the key to victory. With every win for the Illinois program, his stock continues to increase, but in reality will be limited by mediocre athleticism in the NFL. We’ve seen many players overcome this, but that just makes it all the more difficult for him. However, I don’t doubt pure football players…ever.

Uh-oh...a "pure football player" with "mediocre athleticism" at ILB? I'm getting flashbacks to that old Jon Abbate thread...
http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showpost.php?p=377031&postcount=22

 

[cstjohn17]

Uh-oh...a "pure football player" with "mediocre athleticism" at ILB? I'm getting flashbacks to that old Jon Abbate thread...
http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showpost.php?p=377031&postcount=22

We love our clunkers, at Lehman is not 5'2

 

[patchick]

We love our clunkers, at Lehman is not 5'2

Yeah, he does have the size, I'll grant you that. I'm just twice-shy about over-achieving ILBs at this point -- would be happy to be proven wrong!

You know who's a sucker for those guys? Drew Boylhart at TheHuddleReport.com. He falls hard for one or two every year and they never pan out. Last year he called Mark Zalewski a 1st-round talent!

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I still consider Lehman a shorter version of Goff from Vandy. Both play at the same speed, both have awesome instincts, both are extremely intelligent, both have similar athletic limitations and both look lost in coverage.
Until the Vandy Florida game I was a huge proponent of Goff's, but now I am not so sure. Florida's speed pretty much made him invicible and he did not look really good rushing the passer.

I see Lehman struggling the same way Goff did in a similar circumstance.

I would be really hesitant to take Blake from TCU. He has issues in his personal life and those issues could bleed over into his professional life.

 

[dryheat44]

Yeah, he does have the size, I'll grant you that. I'm just twice-shy about over-achieving ILBs at this point -- would be happy to be proven wrong!

You know who's a sucker for those guys? Drew Boylhart at TheHuddleReport.com. He falls hard for one or two every year and they never pan out. Last year he called Mark Zalewski a 1st-round talent!

That was classic. Abraham Eliminiam was another one from maybe 3 years ago that was "as good as any CB in the Country".

I'm assuming Lehman is the younger brother of former Sooner, current Lion Lehman? I liked him a lot coming out.