Pat Kirwan's first mock

[TealSox]

I like both Quinn and Smith. No matter what, I'd be satisfied with either pick. Anthony Castonzo's praise of Quinn at the Combine weighs heavy on my decision, but the red flags are there and Smith just seems to be less of a risk, with the same level of reward potential.

 

[townes]

Hopefully it doesn't fall this way as so many good prospects go off the board between their #17 and #28/#33, the Patriots need some of these players to slide to them in those spots. Taylor, Pouncey, A. Smith, T. Smith etc.......

If it is looking like it will go this way they should use some picks to grab a player between the #17 and #28 pick if they can do so without using the #33, maybe their 2nd this year and a 3rd next. If they could swing it 4 in the top 33 would be a windfall for them, however knowing past precedent sliding down for 5 between #33 and #96 would be more likely.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

This makes me wonder about the board consensus...hands up everybody, if you had a choice between Robert Quinn and Aldon Smith, who would you pick?

Trade out.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Ummm.....he has a brain tumor. You pretty much nailed your own question.

I believe he was treated for a brain tumor in high school, I don't know if it required surgery.

My brother had surgery for a brain tumor and has completed one tour in Afghanistan as the senior medical officer for the Kandahar region, he had his own security detail to accompany him to the 36 field posts he supervised. He's scheduled to deploy again this year. Of course being the kind of loving brother I am, the day after I learned of the diagnosis, when all the family was still in shock, I had to point out to him that I'd known he was brain damaged since we were kids (making someone laugh when they have a splitting headache is cruel, but necessary ). After his surgery I informed him the doctors noted they'd never had so much room to work with before - laughter, the best medicine they say, it certainly helped him with everyone else around him wearing funeral faces (and he really enjoyed watching them all yell at me, a return to normalcy amidst the medical worries ).

I have no issues with Quinn's health, I just was dissatisfied with his Combine performance. It reflected poorly on a young man who had a full season to prepare for the Combine and his Pro-Day. He indicated to me he had no interest in playing OLB in a 3-4. If he'd made the effort to train for the expected drills and physical challenges, he'd be in the #1 overall conversation. Do not want.