NFC East Grades And Breakdowns To Critique
by 3rdStoneFromTheSun
http://www.sportingnews.com
NFC EAST
DALLAS
1. Felix Jones RB **
1. Mike Jenkins CB *
2. Martellus Bennett TE *
4. Tashard Choice RB
5. Orlando Scandrick CB
6. Eric Walden DE
Jerry Jones sure makes the draft interesting. It seems to be his playground and he loves the art of wheeling and dealing. So much, he even cut a deal with the Tuna too. Felix Jones is the guy I said a long time ago was going to Dallas and would be Rookie of the Year. Jenkins was a real find. I had him rated as my top CB, but his off the field issues dropped him on the board after fascist Goodells mandate/ order. But Jerry would hire Hitler if he could play good football. Bennett is a real steal. I had him rated my top TE. Choice is a big back who will add depth in case Barber breaks down. Scandrick is a nickel type who needs seasoning. This choice tells me Newman won't be re-signed. But for now : imagine their nickel and dime packages. They can move Henry to FS, Hamlin to SS, the very slow Williams to LB with Newman, Jones and Jenkins at CB. S-C-A-R-Y!!! This right now on paper is the best secondary in the NFL maybe. Walden is best suited as a SLB in the 3-4. He may be a pass rush specialist at DE for the Boys. Yes, I'm a Redskin fan, but they drafted 3 guys I rated #1 in their positions. Can it be any less a grade? Nope. Super Bowl bound? Great shot at it, but the injury factor and play on the field answers that.
GRADE : A +
NEW YORK GIANTS
1. Kenny Phillips S *
2. Terrell Thomas CB *
3. Mario Manningham WR *
4. Bryan Kehl LB *
5. Jonathon Goff LB
6. Andre Woodson QB
7. Robert Henderson DE
Jerry Reese attacked need and scored. Most had to be surprised Phillips fell to the Big Blue. Phillips replaces Wilson, but can play either S position. Thomas, as I told my buddy (and Jint fan) Bartolis, was a need pick. McQuarters and Madison are near done and very old. Thomas also has S ability. Manningham could be a gem if he gets his head right. He is used to the cold weather too. They need to get Plaxico help and Mario may be the answer. Kehl has good speed and smarts to go with experience. He may start right away. Goff adds depth, but needs to work on his technique and reads. Woodson needs technical work, but I'd keep him over Carr as the #3 guy. Henderson has the size and speed. He will be brought along slowly behind their fine DE's. The Giants smartly hung on to Shockey. His value will increase if he shuts his mouth, gets a positive attitude, and proves he is healthy. If not, they will be fine with Boss. They filled the voids left by free agency with possibly better players too. It was a solid draft for the Champions, and should enable them to compete for a repeat.
GRADE : A
PHILADELPHIA
2. Trevor Laws DT *
2. Desean Jackson WR *
3. Bryan Smith LB
4. Mike McGlynn G
4. Quintin Demps S
4. Jack Ikegwuonu CB
6. Mike Gibson G
6. Joe Mays LB
6. Andy Studabaker LB
7. King Dunlap OT
This may not have been the flashiest draft in the NFL, but it was solid for the most part. Laws was a no brainer for the Iggles. He is smart and fits their scheme. He will be part of the rotation. Jackson is blazing fast. The Eagles haven't had that kind of speed at WR since Harold Jackson. He will stretch the seam and maybe return a few kicks. He will open up the underneath stuff for Westbrook, Curtis, L.J. Smith, and Brown too. Bryan Smith is very light, but is the type of pass rushing demon Jim Johnson craves. McGlynn is nasty and tough. He has a kindred spirit in Runyan at camp to show him the ropes. Demps is a need pick. Dawkins will mentor this blazing fast kid and try to get him tougher. Ikegwuonu has legal and character issues, but solid talent and size that may project to S. He may have to sit a year on IR, but is worth the gamble at this spot. Gibson is versatile and adds depth. Mays is small, but loves playing on special teams. Studabaker needs more bulk, but has decent instincts to with good speed and strength. He adds depth and projects as a special teamer as he develops. Dunlap had the worst senior year of probably any player drafted. He was benched for a freshman last year. His desire is in question, but up until last year he was projected as a 1st day pick. Maybe Runyan and Thomas will light a fire under him? Reid filled all their key needs while ensuring extra picks. He got decent depth, and possibly the home run threat McNabb has been asking for. They are a veteran team who smartly got a few blockers for the future, while helping the D. Maybe some Eagle fans wanted fireworks, but instead they got a possible foundation to build on down the road.
GRADE : B
WASHINGTON
2. Devin Thomas WR *
2. Fred Davis TE
2. Malcolm Kelly WR
3. Chad Rinehart G *
4. Justin Tryon CB *
6. Durant Brooks P *
6. Kareem Moore S
6. Colt Brennan QB
7. Rob Jackson DE
7. Chris Horton S
Here is the worst draft day by a team in the NFL. Vinny Cerrato is THE worst GM in all of sports! I am convinced he is sabotaging the Redskins to repay The Dan for firing him years ago. They needed a S, CB, LB, run stopping DE, WR, OL. They got lucky Thomas fell to them and he should provide what Lloyd could not : a tall WR who can stretch the seam. Davis was a STUPID waste of a draft pick. Their explanation was "best athlete available" , but this guy plays the same game as their ALL PRO Cooley and is even less a blocker. Kelly is as slow as molasses running uphill on a winter day and has 2 bad knees. This is a big gamble here. Rinehart was a find and probably will have to play soon when Randy Thomas goes down with his annual injury. Tryon is tiny and projects as a nickel back at best. They then WASTED a pick on a punter! Only a boob like Cerrato could pull this off. Brooks is like current P Frost : big leg, but inconsistent. He probably gets handed the job to substantiate the pick even if Frost outperforms him. Moore is a project who will play special teams. Brennan may fit the new West Coast scheme, and Zorn might be trying to emulate Joe Gibbs by trying to develop a QB, but there were better QB's out there. He will sit on IR most likely anyways next year. Jackson is strictly a pass rusher who offers what Wilson does already. Horton wasn't even the best S on his college team. If it weren't for the Thomas and Rinehart picks, I would call this perhaps the worst draft in Redskin history. That is saying something if you have any knowledge of the George Allen era (he traded picks for veterans). They never got a quality LB and one starter is hurt. They recently picked up Curtis Gatewood as a free agent, but that still isn't enough bodies. The neglect of getting a run stopping DE (Calais Campbell was bypassed for Davis) has a good chance of haunting them all season long. They had difficulty stopping the run last year, and after this draft : it looks like more of the same. They also neglected the S position, instead choosing a punter, then trying to recover by picking a project and a guy who may not make the team. Waiting until the 4TH to get a CB was also a very stupid move. But that is what Vinny Cerrato does best = make stupid moves (like running Shottenheimer out of town). Notice no one came knocking on his door after he was fired and had to take a job on ESPN as a know nothing talking head? The Dan didn't.
GRADE : F
http://www.sportingnews.com
NFC EAST
DALLAS
1. Felix Jones RB **
1. Mike Jenkins CB *
2. Martellus Bennett TE *
4. Tashard Choice RB
5. Orlando Scandrick CB
6. Eric Walden DE
Jerry Jones sure makes the draft interesting. It seems to be his playground and he loves the art of wheeling and dealing. So much, he even cut a deal with the Tuna too. Felix Jones is the guy I said a long time ago was going to Dallas and would be Rookie of the Year. Jenkins was a real find. I had him rated as my top CB, but his off the field issues dropped him on the board after fascist Goodells mandate/ order. But Jerry would hire Hitler if he could play good football. Bennett is a real steal. I had him rated my top TE. Choice is a big back who will add depth in case Barber breaks down. Scandrick is a nickel type who needs seasoning. This choice tells me Newman won't be re-signed. But for now : imagine their nickel and dime packages. They can move Henry to FS, Hamlin to SS, the very slow Williams to LB with Newman, Jones and Jenkins at CB. S-C-A-R-Y!!! This right now on paper is the best secondary in the NFL maybe. Walden is best suited as a SLB in the 3-4. He may be a pass rush specialist at DE for the Boys. Yes, I'm a Redskin fan, but they drafted 3 guys I rated #1 in their positions. Can it be any less a grade? Nope. Super Bowl bound? Great shot at it, but the injury factor and play on the field answers that.
GRADE : A +
NEW YORK GIANTS
1. Kenny Phillips S *
2. Terrell Thomas CB *
3. Mario Manningham WR *
4. Bryan Kehl LB *
5. Jonathon Goff LB
6. Andre Woodson QB
7. Robert Henderson DE
Jerry Reese attacked need and scored. Most had to be surprised Phillips fell to the Big Blue. Phillips replaces Wilson, but can play either S position. Thomas, as I told my buddy (and Jint fan) Bartolis, was a need pick. McQuarters and Madison are near done and very old. Thomas also has S ability. Manningham could be a gem if he gets his head right. He is used to the cold weather too. They need to get Plaxico help and Mario may be the answer. Kehl has good speed and smarts to go with experience. He may start right away. Goff adds depth, but needs to work on his technique and reads. Woodson needs technical work, but I'd keep him over Carr as the #3 guy. Henderson has the size and speed. He will be brought along slowly behind their fine DE's. The Giants smartly hung on to Shockey. His value will increase if he shuts his mouth, gets a positive attitude, and proves he is healthy. If not, they will be fine with Boss. They filled the voids left by free agency with possibly better players too. It was a solid draft for the Champions, and should enable them to compete for a repeat.
GRADE : A
PHILADELPHIA
2. Trevor Laws DT *
2. Desean Jackson WR *
3. Bryan Smith LB
4. Mike McGlynn G
4. Quintin Demps S
4. Jack Ikegwuonu CB
6. Mike Gibson G
6. Joe Mays LB
6. Andy Studabaker LB
7. King Dunlap OT
This may not have been the flashiest draft in the NFL, but it was solid for the most part. Laws was a no brainer for the Iggles. He is smart and fits their scheme. He will be part of the rotation. Jackson is blazing fast. The Eagles haven't had that kind of speed at WR since Harold Jackson. He will stretch the seam and maybe return a few kicks. He will open up the underneath stuff for Westbrook, Curtis, L.J. Smith, and Brown too. Bryan Smith is very light, but is the type of pass rushing demon Jim Johnson craves. McGlynn is nasty and tough. He has a kindred spirit in Runyan at camp to show him the ropes. Demps is a need pick. Dawkins will mentor this blazing fast kid and try to get him tougher. Ikegwuonu has legal and character issues, but solid talent and size that may project to S. He may have to sit a year on IR, but is worth the gamble at this spot. Gibson is versatile and adds depth. Mays is small, but loves playing on special teams. Studabaker needs more bulk, but has decent instincts to with good speed and strength. He adds depth and projects as a special teamer as he develops. Dunlap had the worst senior year of probably any player drafted. He was benched for a freshman last year. His desire is in question, but up until last year he was projected as a 1st day pick. Maybe Runyan and Thomas will light a fire under him? Reid filled all their key needs while ensuring extra picks. He got decent depth, and possibly the home run threat McNabb has been asking for. They are a veteran team who smartly got a few blockers for the future, while helping the D. Maybe some Eagle fans wanted fireworks, but instead they got a possible foundation to build on down the road.
GRADE : B
WASHINGTON
2. Devin Thomas WR *
2. Fred Davis TE
2. Malcolm Kelly WR
3. Chad Rinehart G *
4. Justin Tryon CB *
6. Durant Brooks P *
6. Kareem Moore S
6. Colt Brennan QB
7. Rob Jackson DE
7. Chris Horton S
Here is the worst draft day by a team in the NFL. Vinny Cerrato is THE worst GM in all of sports! I am convinced he is sabotaging the Redskins to repay The Dan for firing him years ago. They needed a S, CB, LB, run stopping DE, WR, OL. They got lucky Thomas fell to them and he should provide what Lloyd could not : a tall WR who can stretch the seam. Davis was a STUPID waste of a draft pick. Their explanation was "best athlete available" , but this guy plays the same game as their ALL PRO Cooley and is even less a blocker. Kelly is as slow as molasses running uphill on a winter day and has 2 bad knees. This is a big gamble here. Rinehart was a find and probably will have to play soon when Randy Thomas goes down with his annual injury. Tryon is tiny and projects as a nickel back at best. They then WASTED a pick on a punter! Only a boob like Cerrato could pull this off. Brooks is like current P Frost : big leg, but inconsistent. He probably gets handed the job to substantiate the pick even if Frost outperforms him. Moore is a project who will play special teams. Brennan may fit the new West Coast scheme, and Zorn might be trying to emulate Joe Gibbs by trying to develop a QB, but there were better QB's out there. He will sit on IR most likely anyways next year. Jackson is strictly a pass rusher who offers what Wilson does already. Horton wasn't even the best S on his college team. If it weren't for the Thomas and Rinehart picks, I would call this perhaps the worst draft in Redskin history. That is saying something if you have any knowledge of the George Allen era (he traded picks for veterans). They never got a quality LB and one starter is hurt. They recently picked up Curtis Gatewood as a free agent, but that still isn't enough bodies. The neglect of getting a run stopping DE (Calais Campbell was bypassed for Davis) has a good chance of haunting them all season long. They had difficulty stopping the run last year, and after this draft : it looks like more of the same. They also neglected the S position, instead choosing a punter, then trying to recover by picking a project and a guy who may not make the team. Waiting until the 4TH to get a CB was also a very stupid move. But that is what Vinny Cerrato does best = make stupid moves (like running Shottenheimer out of town). Notice no one came knocking on his door after he was fired and had to take a job on ESPN as a know nothing talking head? The Dan didn't.
GRADE : F
posted by The Gryphon at 9:17 PM
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