Declaring / Not Declaring

[Wilfork#75]

WHOA.

That's pretty BOLD, my bold friend!! :rocker:

Frankly, I wouldn't make that play ~ at least not on my current level of understanding ~ as I don't see any "Center" experience on his Resume...but I am REALLY excited about the notion of drafting him next year...but at O Guard.

Man, I would LOVE to read a persuasive Argument from you ~ for your Credit, my friend, is Good ~ about why you think he's going to Center, and why you think he'll be good, there. Is there nobody else besides Vlachos?? If not, it'd be very interesting, indeed, to see how he does...

I know he has played a bit of C this year, as well as OG and RT so I love his versatility. I have also heard rumors that he could start at C next year, probably because Alabama has Fluker and a few top recruits at OT. There are a few reasons I really lie him at C. First, he has good size at 6'4" 314lbs, with the ability to anchor against bigger D-Lineman. He is also really quick in his stance and has fast and active hands which are necessary out of a C. And most importantly I think he has the football inteligence to really be an asset at C. His football IQ allows him to understand the defence, identify the pass rush and set the blocking assignments necessary out of a quality C and leader. Then you add in the sound technique, competetiveness and experience playing under Saban in the SEC and I think he has all the makings of an All-Pro C.

I also think he is best suited to C because I don't think he quite has the athletecism to play LT, and his arm length could be an issue that would be lessened inside. But I do think he has enough agility to be effective in the Pats system at either OG or C. I just prefer him at C because I think its a lot harder to find a quality C than OG.

 

[manxman2601]

So I may well end up advocating for Ben Jones, as I do find his arsenal a pretty damned impressive one...and who better to elevate this guy's game to the next level then Dante the Great?? :rocker:

Chris Polk
Chandler Jones
Nick Toon
Andre Branch
Travis Lewis
Alameda Ta'amu
Sean Spence
Kirk Cousins
Ben Jones
Kelechi Osemele
Brandon Lindsey
Sylvester Williams
Markelle Martin
Doug Martin
Trumaine Johnson
Aaron Henry
Brian Quick
Brandon Boykin
Andrew Datko
Antonio Allen


These are the names CBSsports has around our 2B pick right now. There are a couple I quite like (Branch, Quick) but there's nothing really compelling over Ben Jones. Of course things will change but I'd be happy with a Ben Jones selection @2B right now, particularly with defense and a 2013 pick from our first three.

 

[ay-yo]

^^^^^ I'd be pretty happy with Ta'amu at 2b. Even as a back-up to Vince he provides the team with a lot of value.

 

[Wilfork#75]

^^^^^ I'd be pretty happy with Ta'amu at 2b. Even as a back-up to Vince he provides the team with a lot of value.

He has certainly flashed the ability, but the inconsistency scares the crap out of me. But like you said, at 2b I would take a shot. You just don't find many guys that big an athletic.

 

[manxman2601]

^^^^^ I'd be pretty happy with Ta'amu at 2b. Even as a back-up to Vince he provides the team with a lot of value.

Thought he was horrible in his bowl game, admittedly the only time I've seen him.

 

[MaineMan]

Unless I'm mistaken, Jones has played exclusively ~ or virtually so ~ at Center for Georgia...Could you be thinking of Brother Wilfork's Barrett Jones, the Guard who moonlights as a Tackle??

Ben Jones has the perfect build for the job, and commands exceptional Launch Velocity, as well as superior anchoring Strength and decent Power...Furthermore, he's proven to be durable, and is extremely battle tested, having banged heads with the DT's of the SEC for the last 4 years...I'm on the fence as to whether'r not I'd pull the trigger on'm in the late 2nd...Should he drop to the mid 3rd, I'd be all over'm.

Mike Brewster, I've cooled on. I still see'm as a solid Center, but "solid" holds no interest for me at this position that is absolutely critical to our Championship Quest.

As a Center, Peter Konz should make an excellent Guard. Pass.

***

Honestly, I don't think very highly of this crop of Centers, nor last year's. I'd rather replace Koppen sooner rather than later, but the position is so important to me ~ #3 on the entire roster, in my book, perhaps even #2 ~ that I'd rather not take half measures: I would prefer our next move at Center be to draft an elite Prospect, which is why I was so fervent about the too-tall yet athletically freakish and dominant Marquis de Pouncey, 2 years ago...The problem is that I don't see any "elite" Center prospect in this year's class, nor do I have the eye to discern any in the pipeline...So I may well end up advocating for Ben Jones, as I do find his arsenal a pretty damned impressive one...and who better to elevate this guy's game to the next level then Dante the Great?? :rocker:

I'll confess that I haven't watched Georgia at all this season (or even much last season) and was going off something I'd read recently about his prospects at OG combined with the "P" (position change) qualifier accompanying his NFP rating. Having done follow-up research on Jones since I posted, I was clearly mistaken about that aspect.

 

[manxman2601]

ESPN's Joe Schad is reporting that Alabama's FS Robert Lester has told coaches he's staying for another year

 

[VrabelJr]

With Lester going back I can pretty much guarantee we won't be drafting a Safety in round 1 or 2. That's going to drive the price up for Barron and Martin to a range that just isn't worth it for us. This years Safety class was pretty lackluster to begin with.

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

ESPN's Joe Schad is reporting that Alabama's FS Robert Lester has told coaches he's staying for another year

This is going terribly.

(Crosses fingers for Rashard Hall)

 

[DaBruinz]

With Lester going back I can pretty much guarantee we won't be drafting a Safety in round 1 or 2. That's going to drive the price up for Barron and Martin to a range that just isn't worth it for us. This years Safety class was pretty lackluster to begin with.

You can't guarantee squat. You have no idea what the Pats have in mind. Especially with the likes of Stephon Gilmore and Trumaine Johnson in the draft. Both players project as hybrid CB/FS. And both like to tackle in the running game. And both have the size (6'1-6'3) that people like to see in the FS.

 

[patchick]

You have no idea what the Pats have in mind. Especially with the likes of Stephon Gilmore and Trumaine Johnson in the draft. Both players project as hybrid CB/FS. And both like to tackle in the running game. And both have the size (6'1-6'3) that people like to see in the FS.

Which brings up the fascinating riddle that is Ras-I Dowling. Dowling shapes up to be a major wild card in projecting this draft, in terms of how much they're counting on him and in what role.

 

[kennyb]

Which brings up the fascinating riddle that is Ras-I Dowling. Dowling shapes up to be a major wild card in projecting this draft, in terms of how much they're counting on him and in what role.

He's a riddle wrapped in an enigma, something like that. He's kind of like one of those 5 star sodukus which are so hard to get. You kind of have to make a guess and follow it along to see if it will work.

Anyway, maybe they will draft Donnie Fletcher of BC. He is a tall CB and pretty good.

 

[VrabelJr]

You can't guarantee squat. You have no idea what the Pats have in mind. Especially with the likes of Stephon Gilmore and Trumaine Johnson in the draft. Both players project as hybrid CB/FS. And both like to tackle in the running game. And both have the size (6'1-6'3) that people like to see in the FS.

Sure I can. I guarantee it.

 

[patchick]

Sure I can. I guarantee it.

That you, Rex?

I think DaBruinz has a good point, that drafting a safety this year doesn't necessarily mean drafting a college safety. Last year all of the best FS prospects were college CBs, seems to be a trend. Gilmore is one who could fit the FS mold well, IMO.

 

[patsfaninpa]

That you, Rex?

I think DaBruinz has a good point, that drafting a safety this year doesn't necessarily mean drafting a college safety. Last year all of the best FS prospects were college CBs, seems to be a trend. Gilmore is one who could fit the FS mold well, IMO.

Here's another guy to keep an eye on. D'Anton Lynn - CB - Penn St. He's 6'1" 208lb. No idea on 40 time. PSU plays a soft zone. Sound familiar? He was basically asked to drop into coverage and make the tackle. Finished last season strong and was playing well this year until all hell broke loose at PSU. Struggled after that along with the rest of the team. I don't blame the players for that. His dad Johnny Lynn is the NFL db COACH. Might be worth a late round look 5-7. Curious to see his workout times. Here's an interview with him from last summer. Good kid. Never in trouble. Team leader. You see in 2nd clip he's a good sized player.

BlueWhiteIllustrated.com - Lynn gets back to work

D' Anton Lynn Big Hit.mov - YouTube

 

[DaBruinz]

Sure I can. I guarantee it.

Ok, Nostradamus.

 

[DaBruinz]

Trent Richardson, Dre Kirkpatrick, and Dont'a Hightower have all declared for the draft..

Richardson is almost certain to be the top RB.

Hightower will be a late first/early 2nd pick, more than likely.

Kirkpatrick will probably be mid/late 1st rounder.

 

[manxman2601]

Trent Richardson, Dre Kirkpatrick, and Dont'a Hightower have all declared for the draft..

Richardson is almost certain to be the top RB.

Hightower will be a late first/early 2nd pick, more than likely.

Kirkpatrick will probably be mid/late 1st rounder.

If that were true, I'd be on board trading up for him. love his game. Unfortunately I think he's more likely gone in the top ten.

 

[manxman2601]

Mo Claiborne is declaring. Awaiting news on Rueben Randle and Brockers from LSU now.

 

[mrscruff]

Michael Brockers declares for the 2012 draft.
Mac's Football Blog: LSU DT Michael Brockers Enters 2012 NFL Draft