More declare:

[condon84]

If Percy Harvin declares, I'd consider him with our early 2nd round pick. The guy is a playmaker and can line up at multiple positions. I could see the Pats using him the way the Saints use Reggie Bush. More as a receiver than a RB.

Percy Harvin is a stud. He's gonna be a fantastic player in the NFL. He can play WR or RB. He would be perfect for the Patriots in that he can catch a short pass and take it a long way. The bubble screens that we run, or the quick passes to the WRs in the open space, he would definitely excel in our system.

Here's a highlight reel of him last year. Keep in mind, he did this against SEC defenses.

YouTube - Percy Harvin for He1sman 08 Campaign video

 

[BradyManny]

Drafting a Day One WR is a greater risk, but it's also a much less expensive way to acquire a quality WR for the long term.

Agreed. Ultimately, what did Chad Jackson cost us? A blown draft pick is still a cheaper way to go than a blown FA signing. The draft will never be an exact science and busts will happen to the best of them.

 

[AzPatsFan]

This years WR suck, except for one or two 1st round underclasmen while who we have other needs to invest much more.

Older vet min "usual suspect" WR, looking for a ring is all that probably will be allocated.

 

[TheKraftyOne]

Percy Harvin is a stud. He's gonna be a fantastic player in the NFL. He can play WR or RB. He would be perfect for the Patriots in that he can catch a short pass and take it a long way. The bubble screens that we run, or the quick passes to the WRs in the open space, he would definitely excel in our system.

Here's a highlight reel of him last year. Keep in mind, he did this against SEC defenses.

YouTube - Percy Harvin for He1sman 08 Campaign video

IMO, Harvin looks like he'd be a slot recvr rather than a down the field type. He could take a short pass and eat up yards faster than Welker. He could also be used like the Titans use Johnson and looks like a slightly slower Johnson clone. He's the kind of player a D has to account for or pay the price.

 

[condon84]

IMO, Harvin looks like he'd be a slot recvr rather than a down the field type. He could take a short pass and eat up yards faster than Welker. He could also be used like the Titans use Johnson and looks like a slightly slower Johnson clone. He's the kind of player a D has to account for or pay the price.

Johnson may have a slight edge in straight line speed based on their 40 times, but Harvin IMO is more elusive and is more dangerous because of his ability to catch the ball. I would not be surprised if Bill uses our first round pick on this guy.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Johnson may have a slight edge in straight line speed based on their 40 times, but Harvin IMO is more elusive and is more dangerous because of his ability to catch the ball. I would not be surprised if Bill uses our first round pick on this guy.

I would !

 

[condon84]

I would !

I really think Bill's going to try to patch up our defense with FA. Maybe not big names, but I don't know if he'll go through another year breaking in rookies in our defense. We had a good amount of rookies in our D that received a lot of playing time so he might expect their contribution to be higher and try to create more depth with FAs. There are some guys out there that are not big names that Bill will try to get. Bill's all about winning every year, and I think our best chance is to get immediate help on D, not some rookie that we'll have to develop. We'll have two second year CBs (Wilhite, Wheatley), two second year LBs (Guyton, Mayo) that are expected to have bigger contribution. Also Crable and Redd might fight for some PT. So I think Bill will patch up with some veterans here and there.

That being said, we need to infuse our WR core with some young guys and our OL with some young guys.

 

[Jimke]

I really think Bill's going to try to patch up our defense with FA. Maybe not big names, but I don't know if he'll go through another year breaking in rookies in our defense. We had a good amount of rookies in our D that received a lot of playing time so he might expect their contribution to be higher and try to create more depth with FAs. There are some guys out there that are not big names that Bill will try to get. Bill's all about winning every year, and I think our best chance is to get immediate help on D, not some rookie that we'll have to develop. We'll have two second year CBs (Wilhite, Wheatley), two second year LBs (Guyton, Mayo) that are expected to have bigger contribution. Also Crable and Redd might fight for some PT. So I think Bill will patch up with some veterans here and there.

That being said, we need to infuse our WR core with some young guys and our OL with some young guys.

What did you think of the free agent cornerbacks from this year

namely O'Neal, Webster and Bryant?

 

[sg14]

Percy Harvin would be DeSean Jackson (#10 for Philly) on speed, if that is possible.

Percy Harvin is a stud. He's gonna be a fantastic player in the NFL. He can play WR or RB. He would be perfect for the Patriots in that he can catch a short pass and take it a long way. The bubble screens that we run, or the quick passes to the WRs in the open space, he would definitely excel in our system.

Here's a highlight reel of him last year. Keep in mind, he did this against SEC defenses.

YouTube - Percy Harvin for He1sman 08 Campaign video

 

[upstater1]

I'm going to agree with you 100%. He reminds me of C. Martin.. He has great vision and can do a lot of the little things.. Plus he has some good break away speed..

I watched a lot of him this year and I'm not seeing it. Misses holes, tendency to dance.

I would take the UConn kid over him because of his strength and outstanding balance. Kid will be pretty good in the NFL, I'm betting.

 

[upstater1]

There' a sleeper on that list. The DT from Hampton, Chris Baker. The kid had a chance to go in the first round from out of PSU until he decided to bash someone's head with a bottle. Got thrown out of school. This kid could start at DE and be very effective as a 3-4 END. Big, strong, fast. Character issues present a real risk.

 

[MetalBleachers]

There' a sleeper on that list. The DT from Hampton, Chris Baker. The kid had a chance to go in the first round from out of PSU until he decided to bash someone's head with a bottle. Got thrown out of school. This kid could start at DE and be very effective as a 3-4 END. Big, strong, fast. Character issues present a real risk.

NFL DRAFT BIBLE - Breaking News: Hampton DT To Enter Draft

8.5 sacks? I don't care if he's playing for Hampton or Hanover High, that's pretty impressive. He'll get a look, though what worries me is the second infraction. You'd hope he'd learn to behave after the first. :nono:

 

[condon84]

What did you think of the free agent cornerbacks from this year

namely O'Neal, Webster and Bryant?

Terrible. But that's not gonna stop Belichick from trying to find retread veterans and trying them out. He's been doing that for a while now and may look at last year's crop of FA failures as an anomaly.

 

[AzPatsFan]

NFL DRAFT BIBLE - Breaking News: Hampton DT To Enter Draft

8.5 sacks? I don't care if he's playing for Hampton or Hanover High, that's pretty impressive. He'll get a look, though what worries me is the second infraction. You'd hope he'd learn to behave after the first. :nono:

He is ticketed for the Bengal hoodlums...

 

[drpatriot]

Percy Harvin is a stud. He's gonna be a fantastic player in the NFL. He can play WR or RB. He would be perfect for the Patriots in that he can catch a short pass and take it a long way. The bubble screens that we run, or the quick passes to the WRs in the open space, he would definitely excel in our system.

Here's a highlight reel of him last year. Keep in mind, he did this against SEC defenses.

YouTube - Percy Harvin for He1sman 08 Campaign video

Though I like Harvin a lot, he only seems to turn it on when he has the ball. None of his highlights showed him achieving true separation from the defensive back when he's going deep. He also does not have the necessary break-tackle ability to be a runningback in the NFL. Though he could be a good slot receiver, he doesn't seem to be our man if we're grooming a replacement for Randy Moss, which is what I think we need from a WR in the draft.

Frankly, none of this year's receivers seem to be our man if we're grooming a replacement for Randy Moss. Not even Crabtree.

 

[upstater1]

Though I like Harvin a lot, he only seems to turn it on when he has the ball. None of his highlights showed him achieving true separation from the defensive back when he's going deep. He also does not have the necessary break-tackle ability to be a runningback in the NFL. Though he could be a good slot receiver, he doesn't seem to be our man if we're grooming a replacement for Randy Moss, which is what I think we need from a WR in the draft.

Frankly, none of this year's receivers seem to be our man if we're grooming a replacement for Randy Moss. Not even Crabtree.

Maclin could have been the guy, but scouts say he doesn't run good routes, so... pass.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Is tomorrow, 1/15/09, the last day to declare? From what I've seen so far, the addition of these underclassmen have mad a strong draft class in most area's even stronger.

I was surprised that Gresham decided to stay in school.

 

[Seneschal2]

Is tomorrow, 1/15/09, the last day to declare? From what I've seen so far, the addition of these underclassmen have mad a strong draft class in most area's even stronger.

I was surprised that Gresham decided to stay in school.

Yes, 1/15 is the deadline. I'm usually pleasantly surprised when some of the top ranked prospects decide to stay. Good for them however.

 

[condon84]

Though I like Harvin a lot, he only seems to turn it on when he has the ball. None of his highlights showed him achieving true separation from the defensive back when he's going deep. He also does not have the necessary break-tackle ability to be a runningback in the NFL. Though he could be a good slot receiver, he doesn't seem to be our man if we're grooming a replacement for Randy Moss, which is what I think we need from a WR in the draft.

Frankly, none of this year's receivers seem to be our man if we're grooming a replacement for Randy Moss. Not even Crabtree.

He may not have the straight line speed as Moss, but no one does. Harvin going deep would be more like Santonio Holmes or Desean Jackson. But the thing with him is that he is a weapon we can use all over the field. We'll finally have a punt returner that can take it all the way, he would also compliment or spell Hobbs in KOs. He'd be more like a Kevin Faulk/Wes Welker type that can take it to the house everytime he touches the ball. Look at what Chris Johnson did to the Ravens offense.

If we go strictly looking for Randy's replacement or a pure WR, I would go for Heyward-Bey from Maryland. He's 6'3" and can burn. He goes after the ball and can run with elusiveness after the catch. He didn't have too many catches because of Maryland's offense but he showed when given the opportunity that he can do some special things. The only thing that makes me skeptical about him is that he did go against ACC defenses.

 

[mmasterkillah]

He may not have the straight line speed as Moss, but no one does. Harvin going deep would be more like Santonio Holmes or Desean Jackson. But the thing with him is that he is a weapon we can use all over the field. We'll finally have a punt returner that can take it all the way, he would also compliment or spell Hobbs in KOs. He'd be more like a Kevin Faulk/Wes Welker type that can take it to the house everytime he touches the ball. Look at what Chris Johnson did to the Ravens offense.

If we go strictly looking for Randy's replacement or a pure WR, I would go for Heyward-Bey from Maryland. He's 6'3" and can burn. He goes after the ball and can run with elusiveness after the catch. He didn't have too many catches because of Maryland's offense but he showed when given the opportunity that he can do some special things. The only thing that makes me skeptical about him is that he did go against ACC defenses.

Chris Johnson=Titans

Heyward-Bey is a great athlete, but only a decent WR at this point. While he is very athletic, I don't see him as a first round talent. I'd also venture to guess that he is closer to 6'1" than 6'3" (I see him listed at 6'2" most of the time).

I think Harvin is the real deal, but we might be better off waiting for a Derrick Williams a bit later in the draft.