Post by sh17 on Apr 25, 2009 23:32:39 GMT -6
Day 1 ended about 3 or so hours ago, Rounds 1 and 2 are in the books. What does everyone think? Some quick thoughts from me
- I was quite surprised that the Rams stayed in place at 2, taking Jason Smith the Baylor tackle. Putting aside the fact I never in my menial lifetime I never would have thought a Baylor player would be going in the first round, nevertheless the top 2 of a draft, this seems like a sideways move. Not taking anything away from Smith, as he is a phenomenal player, the Rams seemed like they needed either Aaron Curry(especially since Steve Spagnuolo is a defensive minded coach) or Mark Sanchez(as Marc Bulger is not getting and younger or any better) more. Smith would have been better at 3 with Kansas City to protect new KC QB Matt Cassel. Plus, with the Rams having multiple needs it seems like packaging would have been the wise move.
- Did the first two rounds leave any doubt that Al Davis has lost whatever he had left of his mind? Passing over both Michael Crabtree AND Jeremy Maclin for a player projected in the late 20s and also projected as not that great of a player in Darrius Heyward-Bey. Not only that, but in the 2nd round taking a player that most draft experts had going un-drafted in Mike Mitchell. While this opened up better opportunities for both Crabtree(going to a new and up-coming San Francisco organization) and Maclin(joining DeSean Jackson and a re-built offensive line in Philadelphia).
- The Jets gave up essentially spare parts(though Abram Elam is an extremely underrated special teams player) to get their franchise quarterback for the next decade. Mark Sanchez will walk into a great situation in New York when he assumes the starting role(anyone want to make the bold claim that Kellen Clemens will beat him out?) next season. With a great offensive line anchored by Nick Mangold, Debrickashaw Ferguson, and Alan Fanneca and Thomas Jones running the ball he is the type of quarterback the Jets are striving for. Someone who can come in, work under center, hand the ball off cleanly to Jones, and when the system calls for it can make the smart throws and scramble around should the O-Line fail him. While most say they don't see the big deal on Sanchez, he will make the immediate impact over Matt Stafford come football season.
-Did Jerry Jones secretly buy the Browns, and the world just did not hear of it? Cleveland traded down 3 times, and ended up at pick 21 taking Alex Mack of California. But the trading down the board was reminiscent of what Double J loves to do with his own picks, and they ended up with Mack and Brian Robiskie(who the Cowboys would have had to change pants if he fell to 51) as their first day prizes. Browns fans, cheer up. Times are a changing, as the Browns finally seem to have a grasp on what they need to do.
Ok, so that wasn't really quick, but that doesn't matter. With Day 2 tomorrow, many questions remain. Will Dallas use all 11 or 12 picks they now have stockpiled, or trade some of them for consideration next year? How many times will Cleveland trade tomorrow? Where will highly talented college players James Casey, Juaqin Iglesias, and Chase Daniel end up? Only one way to find out. As of this posting, only 8 and a half hours to wait and see.
- I was quite surprised that the Rams stayed in place at 2, taking Jason Smith the Baylor tackle. Putting aside the fact I never in my menial lifetime I never would have thought a Baylor player would be going in the first round, nevertheless the top 2 of a draft, this seems like a sideways move. Not taking anything away from Smith, as he is a phenomenal player, the Rams seemed like they needed either Aaron Curry(especially since Steve Spagnuolo is a defensive minded coach) or Mark Sanchez(as Marc Bulger is not getting and younger or any better) more. Smith would have been better at 3 with Kansas City to protect new KC QB Matt Cassel. Plus, with the Rams having multiple needs it seems like packaging would have been the wise move.
- Did the first two rounds leave any doubt that Al Davis has lost whatever he had left of his mind? Passing over both Michael Crabtree AND Jeremy Maclin for a player projected in the late 20s and also projected as not that great of a player in Darrius Heyward-Bey. Not only that, but in the 2nd round taking a player that most draft experts had going un-drafted in Mike Mitchell. While this opened up better opportunities for both Crabtree(going to a new and up-coming San Francisco organization) and Maclin(joining DeSean Jackson and a re-built offensive line in Philadelphia).
- The Jets gave up essentially spare parts(though Abram Elam is an extremely underrated special teams player) to get their franchise quarterback for the next decade. Mark Sanchez will walk into a great situation in New York when he assumes the starting role(anyone want to make the bold claim that Kellen Clemens will beat him out?) next season. With a great offensive line anchored by Nick Mangold, Debrickashaw Ferguson, and Alan Fanneca and Thomas Jones running the ball he is the type of quarterback the Jets are striving for. Someone who can come in, work under center, hand the ball off cleanly to Jones, and when the system calls for it can make the smart throws and scramble around should the O-Line fail him. While most say they don't see the big deal on Sanchez, he will make the immediate impact over Matt Stafford come football season.
-Did Jerry Jones secretly buy the Browns, and the world just did not hear of it? Cleveland traded down 3 times, and ended up at pick 21 taking Alex Mack of California. But the trading down the board was reminiscent of what Double J loves to do with his own picks, and they ended up with Mack and Brian Robiskie(who the Cowboys would have had to change pants if he fell to 51) as their first day prizes. Browns fans, cheer up. Times are a changing, as the Browns finally seem to have a grasp on what they need to do.
Ok, so that wasn't really quick, but that doesn't matter. With Day 2 tomorrow, many questions remain. Will Dallas use all 11 or 12 picks they now have stockpiled, or trade some of them for consideration next year? How many times will Cleveland trade tomorrow? Where will highly talented college players James Casey, Juaqin Iglesias, and Chase Daniel end up? Only one way to find out. As of this posting, only 8 and a half hours to wait and see.