ESPN's impact rookies '08

[slash83]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/columns/story?columnist=green_jeremy&id=3409468

2. New England ILB Jerod Mayo
Though some people felt this move was a reach based on Mayo's overall pre-draft ranking, he has the potential to be a steal. Over the long haul, Mayo will be a better pro player than Keith Rivers, who was selected ahead of him. Bill Belichick's defensive scheme can be tough for a rookie to learn, but Mayo is smart and should be able to handle it. The Patriots also like versatility on defense, and Mayo played OLB at Tennessee before moving into the middle. Look for him to be the weak ILB in the Pats' scheme. This allows him to be protected a little more and use his speed and athletic ability to play sideline to sideline. Mayo could also see some time at OLB in the Patriots' nickel package on passing downs. Mayo is going to be an every-down player who can run, chase and make plays in coverage. If the pattern holds true and no rookie hits the 100-tackle mark, you are looking at your defensive rookie of the year.

McFadden was number 1.

Gholston wasnt included in the top 10.

 

[DefenseRules]

Re: ESPN's Impact rookies 08'

Gholston wasnt included in the top 10.

That is VERY SURPRISING.

 

[IcyPatriot]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/columns/story?columnist=green_jeremy&id=3409468



McFadden was number 1.

Gholston wasnt included in the top 10.

They are saving him for the top-10 BUSTS ...

 

[spacecrime]

ESPN are morons.

 

[BelichickFan]

For those who don't have insider, what's the overall list?

It's actually a reasonable list when you factor opportunity in. Leaving out the writeups :

1. Oakland RB Darren McFadden
2. New England ILB Jerod Mayo
3. Detroit RB Kevin Smith
4. New Orleans DT Sedrick Ellis
5. Kansas City DT Glenn Dorsey
6. Chicago RB Matt Forte
7. St. Louis DE Chris Long
8. Miami OT Jake Long
9. Cincinnati ILB Keith Rivers
10. Buffalo WR James Hardy

 

[jcdavey]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/columns/story?columnist=green_jeremy&id=3409468



McFadden was number 1.

Gholston wasnt included in the top 10.

if the jets had drafted mayo and the pats gholston, espn would have had gholston at #2 and no mayo in the top 10

they're picking team + opportunity/situation

 

[Pats726]

I agree...VERY surprising Gholston is not there...

 

[DarrylS]

Right now I have a love hate relationship with ESPN, hope it evolves into an abusive one..

 

[VJCPatriot]

Thanks for posting the list.

To be honest, I'm a little surprised by the top two. McFadden may be a star, but Fargas proved himself to be a very good starter last year, and they've got a crowded backfield. Mayo, meanwhile, is supposed to be a good long-term choice. Will be really be that much of an impact in Belichick's complicated system where he might not start? I actually don't know what Belichick has planned for Mayo, that's just what I see so far.

The rest of them, I definitely agree with.

LOL at Fargas. That's like saying gee we have Antowain Smith here, there's no way LT is going to get enough carries to dominate... WRONG! McFadden is the most talented skill position player at the draft. The only thing that could derail him from an explosive season is a terrible OL. But I expect him to easily get over 1,000 yards his rookie season.

Mayo is a questionmark as a rookie sure. How many times have we seen a rookie LB come in and start for the Pats... oh yeah never. This would be the first time. But if he's got the talent and brains, Mayo will make a huge impact on the defense. The Pats haven't had this much speed in the middle of their D for a long time now.

 

[stinkypete]

Sorta off topic, but I love how quickly pre-draft rankings get thrown out the windor. Kevin Smith and Matt Forte get picked by crappy teams with no running game, and they suddenly are impact rookies with TV experts pretecting big things.

 

[spacecrime]

How many times have we seen a rookie LB come in and start for the Pats... oh yeah never. This would be the first time.

Only for recent fans is this true.

 

[BritPat]

I'm surprised Matt Forte isn't on that list.

 

[drpatriot]

I'm surprised Matt Forte isn't on that list.

He is.

tenchars

 

[Kontradiction]

Not really understanding why Kevin Smith is on there. The guy is a brilliant athelete and running back, but I'm not sure he's going to have as much of an impact as ESPN thinks behind Detroit's leaky offensive line.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

While no one in this year's draft is going to a team with an OL that features Hutchison, McKinnie and several other decent players, the one player that I think will give opposing defenses fits, especially if he gets the ball in space is McFadden. There are very few LBers and safeties that can run with McFadden and offenses can do a lot of things to match up a RB on a safety or LB.
That being said however, McFadden needs to overcome a lot of ugliness to make a huge impact on the field, since Kiffin and Davis are engaged in trench warfare, Russell looks weak at QB, the Raiders offensive line is weaker then the Wal-Mart brand toilet paper and chances are for every 10 big plays McFadden makes, 7 plus will be called back due to Raider penalties.

 

[ScottieC]

Re: ESPN's Impact rookies 08'

That is VERY SURPRISING.

Not when you consider the system he's being dropped into. Mangini could not coach himself out of a paper bag, throw a rookie (no matter who it is) into that mix and you can guarantee that their talent will be mismanaged.

That being said, I love that Mayo is No. 2 - However, McFadden at 1 is suspect. I got money he's the bust of the draft and out of the league in 5 years.

 

[ScottieC]

While no one in this year's draft is going to a team with an OL that features Hutchison, McKinnie and several other decent players, the one player that I think will give opposing defenses fits, especially if he gets the ball in space is McFadden. There are very few LBers and safeties that can run with McFadden and offenses can do a lot of things to match up a RB on a safety or LB.
That being said however, McFadden needs to overcome a lot of ugliness to make a huge impact on the field, since Kiffin and Davis are engaged in trench warfare, Russell looks weak at QB, the Raiders offensive line is weaker then the Wal-Mart brand toilet paper and chances are for every 10 big plays McFadden makes, 7 plus will be called back due to Raider penalties.

McFadden falls at the first sign of contact. Throw him into the pro's and he's going to get destroyed.

 

[Kontradiction]

Re: ESPN's Impact rookies 08'

Not when you consider the system he's being dropped into. Mangini could not coach himself out of a paper bag, throw a rookie (no matter who it is) into that mix and you can guarantee that their talent will be mismanaged.

That being said, I love that Mayo is No. 2 - However, McFadden at 1 is suspect. I got money he's the bust of the draft and out of the league in 5 years.

I hate Magina and the Jets as much, if not more, than anyone on this board. I also happen to agree with you on a lot of issues. But there is no way you can say that Mangini cannot could not coach himself out of a paper bag. That's just false. His first year under them, he coached that team to a 10-6 record. Let's not forget that Chad "Noodlearm" Pennington was the starting quarterback, Leon Washington was the primary running back, and Laverneus Coles and Jerricho C(r)otchery were the primary weapons at receiver. Don't even get me started on the defense which could not and still cannot stop the Pats offense. He also made the playoffs only to have the misfortune of playing against his former teacher who promptly schooled him and the Jets in the art of playoff football. He may have slid last year but the Jets lost most of those games by a handful of points (including their second meeting against us). If they get more productive play out of the quarterback position, which was the primary reason for their downfall in 2007, the Jets would again be formidable in the AFC East.

However, it brings a smile to my face to tell you people that I do not see that happening in 2008. : :rocker:

 

[ScottieC]

Re: ESPN's Impact rookies 08'

I hate Magina and the Jets as much, if not more, than anyone on this board. I also happen to agree with you on a lot of issues. But there is no way you can say that Mangini cannot could not coach himself out of a paper bag. That's just false. His first year under them, he coached that team to a 10-6 record. Let's not forget that Chad "Noodlearm" Pennington was the starting quarterback, Leon Washington was the primary running back, and Laverneus Coles and Jerricho C(r)otchery were the primary weapons at receiver. Don't even get me started on the defense which could not and still cannot stop the Pats offense. He also made the playoffs only to have the misfortune of playing against his former teacher who promptly schooled him and the Jets in the art of playoff football. He may have slid last year but the Jets lost most of those games by a handful of points (including their second meeting against us). If they get more productive play out of the quarterback position, which was the primary reason for their downfall in 2007, the Jets would again be formidable in the AFC East.

However, it brings a smile to my face to tell you people that I do not see that happening in 2008. : :rocker:

Ok, Kontra. I hear ya, but re-vist this when Eric gets fired at the end of the season.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Dorsey will be the steal of the draft. He was hurt (very badly) last year when he was "Denvered" by one of the Aubrun O-lineman. Dorsey will be a beast on the inside.