Re: Questions that might effect the DRAFT
 

Trade down to 18-17th in the 1st round, then trade down to 28th in the first round, then, trade down to the 2nd round. Pick up multiple picks to replace the picks we let go in trades. Or trade down one time, I don't care, just trade down, get extra picks, and always, always think DL/OL, DL/OL. We need bigger, faster, and younger on the lines!

Re: Questions that might effect the DRAFT
 

This is a deep draft in a number of areas -- O-Line being one of those areas. While I want us to be able to move down, we may not have the opportunity with so many teams feeling they won't have to move up to get talent. We'll see. I would love to have about six picks in the 2nd round in this draft, but that's dreaming.

What I want:
Trade down in the first & pick up Duke Robinson.
Gain a 2nd round pick and nab Alex Mack.
Pick up Evander Hood in the 3rd.
Pick up Alex Boone in the 5th to play RT.

So let it be written, so let it be done.

Re: Questions that might effect the DRAFT
 

I hear what you're saying 30 about a center to replace Rabach. I've heard that Unger likely won't play Center in the NFL. I do like Luigs as a center option though. But I'm really high on Robinson though. He didn't like playing it in the past, but I'd revisit with Kendall the idea of him moving to Center. Left to Right you could go Samuels, Robinson, Kendall, Thomas, and Vernon Carey (assuming we were to sign him) with depth in Rinehart, Jansen, and Heyer. Is that great? Probably not, but with Robinson, Carey, Rinehart, and Heyer that's some youth to build on.

As for the defensive line? I've mentioned him before but I'll say it again. DE Connor Barwin in the 3rd round.

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COsA-DWCLtw]YouTube - DE Connor Barwin Highlights Cinci vs Rutgers 10/11/08[/url]

And sign Karlos Dansby for LB

Re: Questions that might effect the DRAFT
 

[quote=MeanEvilSkin;518004]This is a deep draft in a number of areas -- O-Line being one of those areas. While I want us to be able to move down, we may not have the opportunity with so many teams feeling they won't have to move up to get talent. We'll see. I would love to have about six picks in the 2nd round in this draft, but that's dreaming.

What I want:
Trade down in the first & pick up Duke Robinson.
Gain a 2nd round pick and nab Alex Mack.
Pick up Evander Hood in the 3rd.
Pick up Alex Boone in the 5th to play RT.

So let it be written, so let it be done.[/quote]

Amen and amen.

Re: Questions that might effect the DRAFT
 

[quote=#56fanatic;517867]I think you are looking at [B]Samuels, Rinehart, Rabach, Thomas, Heyer[/B]. I would like Jansen to stay for backup or depth because Heyer seems to get dinged up, but I just dont see him staying. He would have to take less money also.[/quote]

While i'm thinking mostly positive thoughts about '09, can't help but say that lineup looks like a recipe for disaster. Obviously Samuels will come back strong. But Rinehart as a starter when there is no evidence whatsoever he can play at a high level. Remember he played small ball in college and hasn't earned enough confidence to take a snap all year. Rabach is at best an average center. I'd like to think Thomas had a down year and will return strong but the neck injury could be serious so he's a wait and see. And then Heyer. Jeez. One of the worst run blockers i saw all year. Massive upper body covered in baby fat and legs that seem to struggle to hold his own weight, let alone move a DE or DT around. Honestly if this is our lineup next season looks scary.

As to the critics of a top OT @ 13, Samuels won't play forever. Let the young stud take over the RT position w/ the intent of moving to LT in a few years. Give time for Rinehart to develop or draft another franchise RT down the road. Either way a monster at tackle is a position you can build the offense around (aside from QB). Three teams did it last year: drafted OTs in the 1st round and had em start all season (Miami, Denver and I forget the third at present). IMHO we need to stop dickering around w/ "potential talent" or "diamonds in the rough" when it comes to the lines (o-line especially right now). Just grab the top talent and start to build a team around a dominant line.

Re: Questions that might effect the DRAFT
 

Orakpo goes head-up against Alex Boone tonight. Texas vs Ohio State. Should be interesting. We could end up with one or both of these guys. Some mock drafts have us taking Orakpo at #13.

Re: Questions that might effect the DRAFT
 

After watching the Sugar Bowl, I know I don't want the center from 'Bama. He looks worse than Raybach.

Re: Questions that might effect the DRAFT
 

[quote=Daseal;517836]I also would like to ignore a lineman with our first overall pick. I know our lines are in shambles, but unless you're taking an LT -- the 13th pick is too early for an offensive lineman, and defensive guys scare the hell out of me. I've heard people on this board screaming for this DE or that DE (myself included) and when you look back -- that player did jack squat in the NFL. DEs have one of the highest bust rates in the NFL.

I must say, a stud LB would be a nice choice there. McIntosh is iffy, Washington is nearly done, and Fletch has been an absolute monster -- but he doesn't have a ton of time left.[/quote]


LB would be a decent pickup, but there will be a lot of quality of linemen coming out this season, especially out of the Big 12 and Pac 10. Jansen is a stud, but face it he is aging and oft injured anymore. Ditto with Samuels and Thomas. If you have 80% of the present line as your starters for '09 don't expect much better results offensively. You know Jansen and the above mentioned guys will probably miss 8-14 weeks combined by being banged up, or worse.

Re: Questions that might effect the DRAFT
 

[quote=30gut;517834]I thought Randy was one of the weak links on the offensive line.[/quote]
I have heard allot about how bad Thomas was many times here at the Warpath. The fact is, that I cant tell if it is true or not, but he is a pro bowl alternate. I never really thought he played bad. I think to the normal football fan, it is allot harder for us to tell if interior linemen are doing their job. When it came to Jansen it was obvious that he was struggling.
I would like to see us start Heyer RT, and Rinehart at LG. The thing that concerns me about Rinehart is that when Vinny gave his press conference he never mentioned him. He spoke of the receivers and Rob Jackson as ones to watch next year. Maybe it was an over site, but it made me wonder. The fact that they played Fabini, instead of him also had me wondering.

Re: Questions that might effect the DRAFT
 

I think it is really foolish to be counting on Kendall OR Rinehardt at LG next year. Kendall is going to be 36 I think, and has arthritic knees. Rinehardt, I actually recall hearing about him getting repeatedly blown up in training camp, and the fact that we were desperate for O-line this year, and he was never even active tells me he has a long way to go. I think we need to draft a starting LG as badly as we need a starting RT. We need quality players, not just bodies. Better have somebody ready to step in for Casey also. Good luck Vinny.

Re: Questions that might effect the DRAFT
 

[quote=The Goat;518041]While i'm thinking mostly positive thoughts about '09, can't help but say that lineup looks like a recipe for disaster. Obviously Samuels will come back strong. But Rinehart as a starter when there is no evidence whatsoever he can play at a high level. Remember he played small ball in college and hasn't earned enough confidence to take a snap all year. Rabach is at best an average center. I'd like to think Thomas had a down year and will return strong but the neck injury could be serious so he's a wait and see. And then Heyer. Jeez. One of the worst run blockers i saw all year. Massive upper body covered in baby fat and legs that seem to struggle to hold his own weight, let alone move a DE or DT around. Honestly if this is our lineup next season looks scary.

As to the critics of a top OT @ 13, Samuels won't play forever. Let the young stud take over the RT position w/ the intent of moving to LT in a few years. Give time for Rinehart to develop or draft another franchise RT down the road. Either way a monster at tackle is a position you can build the offense around (aside from QB). Three teams did it last year: drafted OTs in the 1st round and had em start all season (Miami, Denver and I forget the third at present). IMHO we need to stop dickering around w/ "potential talent" or "diamonds in the rough" when it comes to the lines (o-line especially right now).[B] Just grab the top talent and start to build a team around a dominant line[/B].[/quote]
With some of the talent in this draft it's easy to get distracted. I just hope we don't lose sight of what we need to do. A dominant line would be a beautiful, beautiful thing.

Re: Questions that might effect the DRAFT
 

[quote=30gut;517971]I think that ^^ line wouldn't be much better then the line we had last year.

Dude where's Pete??

When you consider that Pete played well and stayed healthy all year, i'd say he was our best lineman last year.

Why would you want to bring back Thomas who struggled and is having offseason surgery?

A defensive tackle at pick 13? Why?[/quote]

We need to get younger on the line man. I hate to let Kendall go but he's 35. Thomas has played pretty well and I think if we cut him we'll take a hit. Honestly bro I think we will trade out and get more picks but if we're staying there I'm certain our pick will be on defense D- lineman, or LB.

Re: Questions that might effect the DRAFT
 

[quote=RMSkins;517695]I would like to see our o-line lineup look like this:

LT Samuels LG Kendall C Rabach RG Thomas RT Rookie

Backups: Jansen, Rinehart, Clark, Rabach.[/quote]

I like this with a few minor changes.

LT Samuels LG Kendall or Rinehart C Rookie RG Thomas RT Rookie or FA signing

Re: Questions that might effect the DRAFT
 

[quote=Larry Michael is Satan;518048]I think it is really foolish to be counting on Kendall OR Rinehardt at LG next year. Kendall is going to be 36 I think, and has arthritic knees. Rinehardt, I actually recall hearing about him getting repeatedly blown up in training camp, and the fact that we were desperate for O-line this year, and he was never even active tells me he has a long way to go. [B]I think we need to draft a starting LG as badly as we need a starting RT.[/B] We need quality players, not just bodies. Better have somebody ready to step in for Casey also. Good luck Vinny.[/quote]

While he's aging Jansen probably plays well on the interior and can be a force at either guard position. Just an idea since he's a guaranteed hold-over but now lacks the lateral agility to be a great RT.

Re: Questions that might effect the DRAFT
 

I'm trying, but I can't find any reason to get excited about the Texas-Ohio State match-up. It's like these two teams are running in jell-o.