The Return Of Cb Stability

I believe the point would be that Alan Branch contributed to the nation's #1 ranking against the run, and had something to do with allowing only 43.4 yards per game on the ground.

Thanks for clarifying it, i really thought he would have figured that out on his own, but i guess not

Carriker is a great player. Unfortunately for us, he's been flying up the draft boards. NFL radio predicted he'd be a top 10 pick come draft time. Perhaps even the first DE taken by either us or Arizona.

I think we're okay at DT. Nothing great, but okay. At this point, I wouldn't even be opposed to trading away our first this year for a first and a 3rd or 1st and 2nd next year. Depending on which team we can get it from.

As you can tell from my sig, I'm with you -- but man, this guy's stock is dropping big time.

In addition to his alleged weight problem, he's been described as lazy and takes several plays off. His stats aren't all that impressive either. Now, that could be because he gathers so much attention and double teams that other guys wind up making the tackle. I'd be interested to know what other D-tackles are expected to go in the first round, but I haven't heard of any. Branch is practically the only player at his position that you hear about good or bad.

I used to be a 100% draft Alan Branch guy -- but the more negative things I hear about him, I have to admit that percentage has dropped to about 94-96%.

If we could trade down and be able to get the next best defensive tackle, and a defensive end, that would be ideal.

Amobi Okoye is the second rated DT in the draft

As you can tell from my sig, I'm with you -- but man, this guy's stock is dropping big time.

In addition to his alleged weight problem, he's been described as lazy and takes several plays off. His stats aren't all that impressive either. Now, that could be because he gathers so much attention and double teams that other guys wind up making the tackle. I'd be interested to know what other D-tackles are expected to go in the first round, but I haven't heard of any. Branch is practically the only player at his position that you hear about good or bad.

I used to be a 100% draft Alan Branch guy -- but the more negative things I hear about him, I have to admit that percentage has dropped to about 94-96%.

If we could trade down and be able to get the next best defensive tackle, and a defensive end, that would be ideal.

Isnt that the same reason Tommie Harris fell to the Bears?

I think we're okay at DT. Nothing great, but okay. At this point, I wouldn't even be opposed to trading away our first this year for a first and a 3rd or 1st and 2nd next year. Depending on which team we can get it from.

Man, I wish I the faith that others do in our defensive tackles.

To me, relying on Griffin, Salave'a, Golston and Montgomery for another season against the run leaves us about as vulnerable as walking around high school in our underwear.

Good people that's all well and good, but how does that translate to the NFL? How good was he against competition? What did the Buckeyes do against that no.1 rated rush D? The Chris Wells run alone was longer than their per game average! People there are no Northwesterns or Indianas in the NFL. All I'm sayin is the guy is okay.

Man, I wish I the faith that others do in our defensive tackles.

To me, relying on Griffin, Salave'a, Golston and Montgomery for another season against the run leaves us about as vulnerable as walking around high school in our underwear.

same here

Good people that's all well and good, but how does that translate to the NFL? How good was he against competition? What did the Buckeyes do against that no.1 rated rush D? The Chris Wells run alone was longer than their per game average! People there are no Northwesterns or Indianas in the NFL. All I'm sayin is the guy is okay.

Then you must really hate the draft -- because you can make that statement about every single college player! Pick your favorite draft prospect -- we could challenge you with the very same questions!

There is NO guarantee that any stud in college will dominate in the NFL. You still have to go by the best information that's available to you and make the best selection you can based on that info.

The draft is a crap shoot. Nothing more.

Then you must really hate the draft -- because you can make that statement about every single college player! Pick your favorite draft prospect -- we could challenge you with the very same questions!

There is NO guarantee that any stud in college will dominate in the NFL. You still have to go by the best information that's available to you and make the best selection you can based on that info.

The draft is a crap shoot. Nothing more.
Exactly! I think if we traded down he would still be there. No.6 is awfully high for a guy with a weight issue.

Isnt that the same reason Tommie Harris fell to the Bears?

Well, I don't remember what they said about Tommie Harris. He turned out to be a stud that's for sure.

Another factor that must be considered is who the draft prospects teammates are, how will they gel? Will there be good chemistry?

I go back to San Fransisco in the early 90's. They had just been eaten up by Emmitt Smith and the Cowboys in the NFC Championship game. So what do they do? They go out and promptly draft Dana Stubblefield from Kansas (who really was a good player as a 49er) in 1993, then they draft Bryant Young out of Notre Dame a year later. Next thing you know, they have the best tandem of defensive tackles in the league for years to come. Sometimes it works like that.

Then, you have your DeWayne Roberstons, Gerard Warrens, Jimmy Kennedys, Jonathan Sullivans -- you know, the busts. They're everywhere. But you have to wonder how much better those guys would have been if the right guy was lined up next to him? It's like talented musicians -- if they never find each other, one of them is unlikely to turn mediocre musicians into a great band. But when they do find each other, it's like magic.

Boy, I'm really rambling here... I'm not even sure what my point is ...

So yeah, maybe all the doubters are wrong about Alan Branch and he'll be our Dave Butz for years to come!