Bought the PFW Draft magazine

[PonyExpress]

That's different from the "book", which comes out in early april. Kind of a shorthand version for unwashed masses. Couple observations:

1. Nawrocki loves the pats players. His protoypical QB is Brady, prototypical WR is Moss, prototypical OG is Mankins, and prototypical DE is Ty Warren. Cool.

2. He is a big fan of M. Ryan and thinks Miami should draft him #1.

3. Not a fan of Jonathan Goff, Quentin Groves, Kenny Phillips. Questions Goff's stiffness, instincts, open field tackling, Groves' competitive character, Philips overall ability. Likes Beau Bell at ILB in the 3-4.

4. Likes J. Long alot, but says he will be better off at RT. Not sure how that equates to a top 5 pick.

5. Likes Harvey alot. Compares him to Willie for strong side 3-4 OLB.

6. Says Gholston and Long are both great 3-4 OLB prospects. Gholston may be the player with most upside in the draft. Merriman with not as much of a mean streak. Long is the safest pick in the draft.

BTW: Vrabel is a big fan of Gholston. Here are his quotes:

"Vrabel has gone back to Columbus several times to help Gholston work on his technique. 'He's a big kid, physical, fast. He's got all the tools. If anything, I think his technique would have to get a little bit better. When you're that strong and that powerful, you can kind of get away with alot. But at this level, he'll have to work on that. And I'm sure he will. He's a great kid and a hard worker.'"

 

[BelichickFan]

ILB Curtis Lofton was a guy who interested me after my first look through the magazine. WIth a high #1 and low #2, though, we don't have a good fit to pick him barring a trade.

 

[PonyExpress]

Something I'm starting to find very interesting is the divergence of opinion over Matt Ryan. Most of the draft message boards, college football fans, college football journalists claim he's incredibly overrated, almost sneering at the idea he is an elite prospect. OTOH Nawrocki, Gosselin, Mayock, say he should be the #1 pick.

 

[primetime]

ILB Curtis Lofton was a guy who interested me after my first look through the magazine. WIth a high #1 and low #2, though, we don't have a good fit to pick him barring a trade.

Lofton and Beau Bell are both guys who would be perfect at the number 31, along with Cason... unfortunately, that pick doesn't exist anymore.

 

[Seneschal2]

Why am I not surprised...

BTW: Vrabel is a big fan of Gholston. Here are his quotes:

"Vrabel has gone back to Columbus several times to help Gholston work on his technique. 'He's a big kid, physical, fast. He's got all the tools. If anything, I think his technique would have to get a little bit better. When you're that strong and that powerful, you can kind of get away with alot. But at this level, he'll have to work on that. And I'm sure he will. He's a great kid and a hard worker.'"

patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showthread.php?p=786839

Regarding Gholston...

As I mentioned a while ago, Vrabel would be the best scout for the Pats for the inside scoop on him. With his close ties to Ohio St, Vrabel will know if Gholston has the intangibles and smarts to play in the Pats D. And playing the same position will certainly help. Of course Vrabel won't be posting any profile for you to read however. Oh well...

---

Of course, this doesn't mean we'll draft him. But we may indeed like his upside enough to take him at #7 -- especially if we're unable to trade down.

Hey Pony. Thanks for posting this -- spirits are now lifted. :singing:

 

[sebman2112]

That's different from the "book", which comes out in early april. Kind of a shorthand version for unwashed masses. Couple observations:

1. Nawrocki loves the pats players. His protoypical QB is Brady, prototypical WR is Moss, prototypical OG is Mankins, and prototypical DE is Ty Warren. Cool.

2. He is a big fan of M. Ryan and thinks Miami should draft him #1.

3. Not a fan of Jonathan Goff, Quentin Groves, Kenny Phillips. Questions Goff's stiffness, instincts, open field tackling, Groves' competitive character, Philips overall ability. Likes Beau Bell at ILB in the 3-4.

4. Likes J. Long alot, but says he will be better off at RT. Not sure how that equates to a top 5 pick.

5. Likes Harvey alot. Compares him to Willie for strong side 3-4 OLB.

6. Says Gholston and Long are both great 3-4 OLB prospects. Gholston may be the player with most upside in the draft. Merriman with not as much of a mean streak. Long is the safest pick in the draft.

BTW: Vrabel is a big fan of Gholston. Here are his quotes:

"Vrabel has gone back to Columbus several times to help Gholston work on his technique. 'He's a big kid, physical, fast. He's got all the tools. If anything, I think his technique would have to get a little bit better. When you're that strong and that powerful, you can kind of get away with alot. But at this level, he'll have to work on that. And I'm sure he will. He's a great kid and a hard worker.'"

I won't get into any of his other points (some I disagree with), but I personally challenge that particular opinion. Tell me, how is a guy who played through dislocated toes, and still lead the SEC with 23 QB pressures (in 11 games) not "competitive"? Also, only 59 yards were gained on the 35 plays Groves made against the rush, which equals out to 1.69ypc, and he recorded 28 stops on third down, 7 tackles for loss, 8 tackles for no gain, and 6 goal-line stops.

Also, what Vrabel actually said is that he thinks Gholston has all the physical tools in the world (which he obviously does), but still needs work on his tech. That's what anyone who's scouted him should tell you, though.

 

[PonyExpress]

I like Groves. I'm just telling you what Nawrocki wrote.

Oops. Edit, got your point on Gholston. My eyes are blurry at this hour.

 

[BelichickFan]

I won't get into any of his other points (some I disagree with), but I personally challenge that particular opinion. Tell me, how is a guy who played through dislocated toes, and still lead the SEC with 23 QB pressures (in 11 games) not "competitive"?

NFL Draft Scout (through Lindy's magazine) says Groves "plays with effort and toughness . . . self starter . . . hard worker . . . respected and vocal leader in the clubhouse".

I still don't think we're taking a LB in the first round though

 

[JoePats]

Something I'm starting to find very interesting is the divergence of opinion over Matt Ryan. Most of the draft message boards, college football fans, college football journalists claim he's incredibly overrated, almost sneering at the idea he is an elite prospect. OTOH Nawrocki, Gosselin, Mayock, say he should be the #1 pick.

College football fans view everyone in conference and program vaccums. Being at BC who doesn't compete for national championships ever and being in the ACC they will look down on him for that. That's definately where the sneering comes from. And that he's a quarterback. It's different with say, Chris Long.

Personally, I say look at his skill position players compared to everyone else and Miami should take him first overall.

 

[sebman2112]

I like Groves. I'm just telling you what Nawrocki wrote.

Oops. Edit, got your point on Gholston. My eyes are blurry at this hour.

I understand that. I was question what he said, not your personal opinion.

 

[PonyExpress]

I understand that. I was question what he said, not your personal opinion.

Here's the funny thing about Groves. He wanted to come out as junior off a great season, submitted his paperwork to the advisory board and was told to stay in school, he was just a 3rd rdr. Then he gets injured as a senior, and NFL team are now saying, "yeah, but if you look at his junior tape, he's worth a 1st rdr." What a joke.