nfoligno

Albert may be a guard, but he is projecting to LT in the NFL. Think Walter Jones ceiling, stud OG of your choice as a floor.

I do not post many mocks, but Gosselin is well known to be tops when it comes to his mocks. He has had a fe prior, but I was waiting for him to release his final mock, which he did today. Couple picks that would shock me, and I don't think he is calling for many/any trades. I do sure like who he has us taking http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...p.9e92cfd4.html Some surprises and of interest picks KC taking Williams at 5. I have heard before KC questions Clady's fit, so I guess it is "possible" they grade Williams ahead of Clady and Albert, but I have to think KC is going to trade down. NE taking Ellis. I have heard others mention this, and this is a great example of why I do not agree w/ best player available. Ellis is not a 3-4 fit, but BPA, thus why some think NE would take him. Bad logic IMHO. OT run w/ Den taking Clady and Carolina taking Otah, which leaves.... We get Albert! I might have to speak positively about Angelo if this plays out. Det takes Rogers-Cromartie and not RB. I have to say, I look at his draft and just do not see it. W/ few exceptions, I just can not see the draft going down like this. I would love it if it did, but he doesn't factor trades, and has teams passing on players that would just shock me. Few hours until we find out, but if Gosselin hits again this year, I think we all need to bow down because this does not represent a mock many expect to happen. Either he is a genius or fell asleep this year.

I would so love to know Angelo's board when it comes to OL. Rarely is Angelo and I on the same page. I can easily see his board looking more like this, Clady Otah Williams Cherilus Albert

I'm calling BS. Let's take a step back for a moment. The guy goes through physicals at the combine, and all this info is known, well know, and yet his value/grade remained high. Stays high through school pro day, private workouts and interviews. Now, a day or two before the draft, info begins to leak about medical issues and this and that. This is Houston putting out crap hoping Deven, who some now believe likes Williams over Clady, to think twice about taking him.

It may take even less. The value chart is a base, but circumstances cause the value to move up and down. By all reports, Buffalo wants out of their pick. There is simply no player they want worth the slot. A move w/ us allows them to drop only a couple spots w/ the two teams they drop past very unlikely to draft a WR. Win win for Buffalo. They get a pick in return and get the player they want for less money and better value. So, IMHO, I think we should be able to get the deal done for our late 3rd, if not our 4th. We are talking about their dropping past only 2 teams (we don't count as they know what we are doing). The kicker in all this could be Phily. Recent rumors have Phily looking to make a jump up, I believe for OL as well, wanting to get in front of Carolina, us, Det and others. They will offer more, but the question is, would Buffalo like to drop a little, or a lot.

Seems like Williams have moved up enough as well. In fact, many of the rumors now point to Denver maybe liking Wiliams over Clady, as some feel Williams is more NFL ready and polished, not to mention you know Cutler is pushing hard for him.

I definitely think Otah has the potential to play LT, but feel it is his lack of experience that will start him out on the Right side. He didn't play football until his senior year of HS, and then only two years in college. It is that lack of football experience and knowledge that would make him a liability on the left side his rookie year. Let Tait play on the left one more year while Otah gets his feet wet, then look at the transition.

How about Orange and Blue stripes, and #000055.

Notice he said "w/ Clady and Williams both gone", meaning he would have taken either over Mendy. Would you still be on board w/ his opinion then?

Why? Very good starting LT for one of the biggest college programs there is. Not just a one year starter, but several. May never be Walter Jones, Orlando Pace level LT (ceiling just isn't that high) but could be a very good LT for many years. Not pro bowl, but a damn good starter at a key position. What is wrong w/ that?

So you are saying Mendenhall or Stewart (not sure who you like) will become LT, Payton or Sanders? This sort of logic always makes me laugh. Anytime you have to use NFL legends, current or retired, to prove your point, I think your point is lost. The players you list are exceptions to the rule, not the rule. They are so freaking special they defy logic. So are you honestly telling me you think Mendenhall or Stewart are the next Walter Payton Ladanian Tomlinson or Barry Sanders? Hey, maybe the next Sayers or Jim Brown?

Williams - Henne Agreed that if we trade back into the 1st round, the only position that makes sense is QB. I have heard we like Henne (please ignore my vomit). I think we take Williams 1st, who after Clady is probably the top LT prospect, allowing us to move Tait to RT. Then we trade up for Henne. Basically, we copy what Cle did last year, making the move to get our (or so we hope) franchise LT and QB.

Not to be negative, but you would be surprised at what some judged would allow to be considered "community service", like playing in a charity golf tournament. I would also throw out how most of the players already do a bunch of charity events. Going to a school. Attending a kids youth football camp. Etc. It is a nice thought that he would be wearing bright orange, picking up trash on the side of the highway, but I bet his agent will work out some very cushy "community service" assignments.

Honestly, I think the main hang up for fans is whether or not he can project to the left side. Few argue against taking a LT prospect in the 1st as the hope is you are getting a 2 for 1 upgrade. Develop a stud LT and move Tait to RT, where he may again look great and hide his age. If the prospect is more likely a RT, then you upgrade the RT position, but leave Tait on the left. So I don't think most have a problem w/ Otah, or his perceived negatives. I think the problem is the position he plays. I wuold love a 2 for 1 upgrade, but a potential pro bowl RT works for me too.

But is Gholston a fit for them? Every team I have seen in the talks for Gholston (Mia, NYJ, NE) all play the 3-4, which everyone seems to believe is how he best fits. I do not see KC drafting him, as his value/grade in a 4-3 defense is simply no where close to what it is in a 3-4. Imagine we had a top 5 pick, and there was this stud DT on the board, but he was a Ted Washington type. 340lb DT that no one could run on, who could collapse the pocket, but was not a gap shooter. He may be a top 5 pick on most teams boards, but to a team like us that used a cover 2 D, I doubt he would even be a top 15 value. I agree KC would love to grab a defensive player, but assuming Long and Dorsey are gone, I just do not see it. Frankly, I think KC traded down. Assuming the draft goes: Long, Long, Dorsey, Mcfadden, I think KC trades w/ a team looking to get Ryan, like Baltimore, or a team wanting Gholston, like NY (they may pick next, but could move a spot to ensure another team doesn't move). Point is, they move down. I think they eventually take Albert. Ideal fit for their system. Fits a huge need. No DL player fit their system and is a value. Take Albert now, and a guy like Harvey later.

I would love that too, but I think he will be gone. Where he goes sort of depends on whether or not the expected OL run in the 1st happens or not. Regardless, I think he is gone by our pick. Either there is a run in the top 15 picks on OL, w/ as many as 5 taken, and thus Baker likely doesn't get out of the 1st round, or teams in the top 15 pass, but in that scenario, you would have a lot of OL needy teams picking at the top of the 2nd. The only way I see Baker falling to us is if teams begin drafting some other OTs who have a higher ceiling, but need greater development and have a great bust potential, over Baker. Brown, Collins, Cousins for example, are all OTs would a team "could" grade over Baker due to potential. W/ that said, I just don't see it happening.

Okay, what the hell. Miami - Jake Long - Hey, I am 1 for 1 Stl - Chris Long - I heard the personnel guys want Long and the coaches want Dorsey. Personnel usually wins. Atlanta - Dorsey - I think Ryan should be their pick, but hear too much they love Dorsey Oakland - McFadden - If Long is here, it could be interesting, but now, McFadden is simply too much to pass up and Fargas will not factor. Baltimore - I think Balt trades up w/ KC to get Ryan fearing the Jets take him, or another team moves up. W/ Long and Dorsey gone, KC wants OL, but feel this is too high. NYJ - Gholsten - Logic pick for them, plus they get to stick it too NE. NE - McKelvin - I think they would love to trade, but w/ McFadden and Ryan off the board, they find no takers, and replace Samuel. KC - Albert - They trade down and still get their man. Cincy - Ellis - They are doing cartwheels their guy falls to them. Their taking Ellis likely means Ellis will be a bust NO - Rivers - Needs all over, but they love Rivers, and take him. Chi - Clady - Call it wishful thinking, but it costs only our later 3rd, and we get the LT prospect we crave, moving ahead of Denver to make sure. Denver - Mendenhall - I think they go against their history and take a RB early w/ Clady off the board. Carolina - Harvey - Both lines are a big need, but they choose to address their DL issues first. Buffallo - Devin Thomas - They move down and still get their man. Det - Stewart - Could take many things, but they help their offense w/ a great RB selection. Alternative If we do not trade down, then... Buf - Thomas Den - Clady Car - Harvey Chi - Otah

I can only tell you this. Jason and I (as well as most posters and I) have gotten into plenty of heated arguments, and at the end of the day, no grudge is carried. I have never seen Jason extend a grudge to posters, or carry over a grudge from one thread to another, unless they directly relate. Now, if we take a RB in the 1st, all bets are off as he will be ticked, and may end up venting at whoever is closest

W/ the draft so close, I wanted to take a fresh look at the OL. Here is my board. 1. Albert - I have him ahead of Clady, but ask me again tomorrow, and it could change. They are that close. While I think Clady has the most potential to start right away at LT, I simply think Albert is going to be a stud somewhere on the OL. IMHO, he has a ceiling of being a Walter Jones at LT, and a floor of Ruben Brown at OG. If we had no need for OG, I might edge Clady, but we need to hit on our 1st pick, and Albert is as close to a sure thing IMHO as any. 2. Clady is next, by a hair. In Clady, you have a prototypical LT prospect who might be able to start at LT as a rookie. If not, I think he could start at RT, and move to LT in a year. If one of these two players make it to Buffalo, I would consider making a call and offering our later 3rd (which should be enough) to leapfrong Denver and Carolina. 3. Otah - I think many would list Williams here, but I simply like Otah. He may not have as great of a shot at LT as Williams, but I think his upside is sky high while his downside is also high. Everyone points to his lack of experience, as he didn't play football until his senior year of HS, and only played two years in college before entering the draft. I look at that, and then factor how he immediately took over the LT position for Pitt and starter there for two years. Even on the raw side, he was able to start and play at a high level at the most difficult position on the OL. That, IMHO, is impressive. The fact that he has barely touched his potential screams of his upside. In Otah, we have a OL w/ the sort of mentality you love. He would start out at RT, but IMHO, does have the potential to move over to the left side down the road. 4. Williams - I am not sure his upside is as great as others, but he is a solid LT prospect. Could start at OG and slide outside in a year. I wish he had more of a mean streak, and he plays a more finesse game, but that can work fine at LT. 5. Cherilus - A BIG part of me actually likes him over Williams, but Cherilus is a pure RT, and the value of LT simply puts Williams higher. Cherilus is downgraded as he will not play LT, but we need to upgrade the OL all over, and Cherilus would definitely do that, albeit on the right side. 6. Baker - Like Williams, Baker simply doesn't have the upside you love, but he is a great LT prospect, and may actually be capable of starting there as a rookie. I do not think he will ever see a pro bowl, but could be a long term, solid starting LT, which has huge value. May never be a stud, but good chance he could become a solid starter at a key position. 7. Rachal - I rank him higher than most. He was as stud on the OL for a top tier team. While some say he can play OG or OT, I see him as an OG who will dominate his position for many years. I love his ability at the 2nd level, and love his intelligence and ability to read, which our OL has lacked. He would be among the 1st I would look at in the 2nd round. 8. McGlynn - Played opposite Otah. Reports say he could play anywhere (but center) on the OL. He has the ability to slide over to the left side down the road, and might have started there in college if not for Otah. Could also move inside and be a great OG. Attitude you love in an OL. Plays whistle to whiste, and may even sit on his guy after the whistle. Doesn't block and then disengage. Another very football intelligent player who simply knows the game, which again, we are in desparate need of. 9. Collins - Like Otah, lacks the long term experience after only one year of football in HS, and leaving college early. Most believe he should have stayed in school another year, and if he did, could be a significantly higher graded LT prospect. Will need time on the right side to develop, but has all the tools to make the move to the left. 10. Schuening - Pure OG prospect, but a very good one. Smart player who plays w/ aggressiveness. Great in the trenches, and most knocks come from when he finished the year, due to team need, at RT. Has the quickness and power to dominate inside, but not the slide/foot work to play on the edge. That's fine. We need an OG. I see the top 6 as 1st round players, and the last 4 as 2nd round values. Players just off my top 10. Duane Brown - Many would have high higher due to his athleticism and potential, but I look at floor as well as ceiling. Former TE who moved to OT and was up and down. Dominant on one play, and giving up a sack (playing LT) on the next. Tremendous upside, but in need of major coaching and development, and could be a total bust, IMHO. He soared up the boards after posted great numbers for an OL, showing the athleticism that had him playing TE. While there are others w/ limited OT experience as well, he has not shown the natural propencity for the position as the others, and I simply view him more boom/bust. Either the light turns on and he is a stud, or the light doesn't turn on, and he is a dud. I do not see much middle ground for him. If we were talking later 3rd, fine, but I think w/ his athleticism and potential, he will go a round too high. Carl Nicks - Issues w/ weight and classroom (failed out of school, and went to three different colleges). Limited time as a starter on the OL. Another developmental player, who I would not mind in the late 3rd or 4th, but potential could push him too high for me. Oneil Cousins - Former DT who moved around on the OL once moved to offense. Big time developmental project, who is graded high due to potential, but that potential is down the road, IMHO. I do not see him playing OT, and while he could be a good OG, I question his ability to dominate inside also. Following the trend, another player who I would not mind later in the draft to put in the depth chart to work w/ and develop, but I think he will get drafted higher. Drew Radovich - This is an OG prospect I like a bit later (maybe 4th). His struggled and negatives appear to be regarding OT, which are negated if he simply plays OG. He needs time to develop, but has the right mental makeup and attitude you look for, and could very well develop into a very good OG down the road.

In all fairness, many of these guys often talk about how they hate to do mocks, especially early ones, but their boss' make them do it because it sells. Tell me you all would click on the link a month or two ago for a mock. These guys are told to do these mocks, and often talk out loud how stupid they think it is to do so. I am not a Kiper fan, but I will admit I enjoy the Kiper/McShay back and forth. Also, as much as we all love to bash them, sorry, but there is no question they have far more contacts w/ teams and scouts, and access to film and tape.

Wow, nice argument. Yea, case must really be closed. Thanks for the tip.

Little Angelo does shocks me anymore, but yea, that one would. Trade down and take him. I would not be a fan of that, but it would not shock me. To simply stand pat and take Henne, that would shock me.

I think that is closer to "our" top 10. Albert is w/o question in my top 10, but I have a feeling he isn't there for Angelo. Frankly, I can see Otah grading higher for Angelo than Albert. Also not so sure Angelo has Mendenhal in his top 10.

Or option 3, it is spin. You say you see 10 special players, and then after the draft, whoever you took at 14 just so happens to be one of them.

Backup plan if we don't draft a QB. They will be cutting some players, as will other teams, and if we are not happy w/ what we have, we can look then, but no way we give Oakland anything for any of them.