The American Football Thread

[Thrice]

What a weird draft so far.
-No Bowers in the first round.
-Prince fell further than I thought.
-Cowboys taking a lineman?
-Locker over Gabbert

[Thom Yorke]

Yeah the Bowers thing is pretty crazy. People were talking about the Panthers taking him 1st overall before the Combine.

[captaincaptain]

I'm happy with Marcell Dareus for my Bills, it filled a huge void. It was better than picking a QB we didn't believe in 100%.

@Thom Yorke Sorry about the reach with Minnesota, I think they got a little scared when they saw Locker go, so they had to grab a QB.

Atlanta had a bigger reach though, because of what they lost. Is Al Davis running the Falcons now?

Overall, very interesting first round. I'm hoping Buffalo will pick up Bowers or Dalton with the 2nd pick tomorrow.

[Dirty]

I have no idea what the Vikings are doing to be honest. I am hoping for their sake they still plan on signing a veteran free agent QB like McNabb or Hasselback. They should still be trying to win now and Ponder has no business starting. Hell he had no business being considered in the 1st round in my opinion.

For my Falcons... Not sure what to think right now. I think I still like the move, but I'm not sure. Falcons have made some risky draft moves these past few years and have been really hit or miss (Hit: Matt Ryan. Miss: Jamal Anderson). I'm not even sure I spelled Anderson's name right, that's how little impact he has had as a 1st round pick a few years back.

Falcons had a deal in place with the Bengals to move up and get AJ Green, which I would have loved. I still like Julio Jones though and I think he has stud potential. Fact of the matter is that Tony Gonzalez has 1 or maybe 2 years left. Michael Turner is over 30 now. I think they saw a chance to get a rare type of receiver and went for it. And you know what? I support the aggressive move. They did give up this year's 1st, 2nd, and 4th. AND next years 1st and 4th... I view the 4th round picks as kind of expendable. Most of these guys are gonna be average players and backups. Guys with the talent levels of other players you can sign as free agents. Next years 1st rounder will probably be a low pick again so they aren't giving up a top pick or anything.

Last year Roddy White was bothered by a knee injury and I think Atlanta realized... HOLY SHIT if this guy has to miss games at some point, we are totally fucked! Their only serious concern is secondary, mainly safety and nickel/dime cornerbacks and I don't think they were gonna find anyone at #27 to come in and start right away. Nickel and Dime backs you can draft in the 3rd round or later anyways.

Still sucks they wont have a 1st round selection next year, but they arent a team with a ton of needs in my opinion. I thought receiver was probably the 2nd or 3rd most important need for them behind safety and eventually they are gonna have to draft a TE and groom him for after Tony's retirement. I don't view draft picks as valuable as most people, and instead of maybe collecting 4 or 5 average players over the next 2 years, they went out to get 1 stud player. I just hope Julio is as good as I think he'll be.

But right now, I'm ****in excited to have a potential big impact receiving threat. The problem with Atlanta (other than coverage) is that they aren't a team that can come from behind. One of the least explosive teams in the NFL. And now that will change.

[debaserr]

Julio Jones is a stud. I bet he turns out better than Green.

On your point about them becoming an explosive offensive team: that won't happen until they put more responsibility into Ryan's hands, and I'm not sure if their coaching staff wants that or thinks he has it in him, but this may be an indication they are trending that way.

and thank god, the Colts finally drafted an O-lineman. the Colts major flaw drafting in the Manning era: spending too many high picks on skill players when they could be dominant with better linemen. Manning ELEVATES the skill players around him.

[Thom Yorke]

When Gabbert fell, I couldn't believe that the Vikings wouldn't have traded up 2 spots to get him. Oh well, just another wasted first.

I don't think Julio Jones was a reach at all, I had him going 6th. I was just surprised it was the Falcons who traded up. That offense could be lethal. I doubt he'll end up better than Green though. Both are studs, but Green is a step above IMO.

And the Cardinals secondary is going to be incredible.

[Thrice]

Originally Posted by captaincaptain

I'm happy with Marcell Dareus for my Bills, it filled a huge void. It was better than picking a QB we didn't believe in 100%.

@Thom Yorke Sorry about the reach with Minnesota, I think they got a little scared when they saw Locker go, so they had to grab a QB.

Atlanta had a bigger reach though, because of what they lost. Is Al Davis running the Falcons now?

Overall, very interesting first round. I'm hoping Buffalo will pick up Bowers or Dalton with the 2nd pick tomorrow.

Ya man, I wanted him tenfold over Miller. Tonight is going to be exciting. I really don't think they will go QB, but it is possible. I'd actually be cool with taking Bowers. I think Dalton will go to Cinci right after our pick, and I think we will be set for another QB in the third round, as many teams already filled QB needs, and I believe Miami doesnt have a 2nd round pick.

[FRED HALE SR.]

Originally Posted by Thom Yorke

When Gabbert fell, I couldn't believe that the Vikings wouldn't have traded up 2 spots to get him. Oh well, just another wasted first.

I don't think Julio Jones was a reach at all, I had him going 6th. I was just surprised it was the Falcons who traded up. That offense could be lethal. I doubt he'll end up better than Green though. Both are studs, but Green is a step above IMO.

And the Cardinals secondary is going to be incredible.

I think what they gave up was a stretch. Julio Jones is a good wideout no doubt about it. But converting wideouts to NFL receivers usually takes some time. Not saying he won't be a good one, but its a timing thing. The one positive is Roddy is gonna be the one demanding double coverage leaving Julio on an island with the other DB. You gotta double Tony the tiger also, should open up their game a bit, but we'll see how it works out.

Cam Newton is gonna start from day one in Carolina and should make a run at offensive rookie of the year i believe. I like the Chargers pick being a Charger fan, they have been lean on the defensive inside since losing J-WALL. Cam has been good, but its always nice to have depth.

I thought the really bold move was Tennessee taking Locker so high. I would have waited on the Colin Kaepernick from Nevada. Guy is a flatout winner and i think he passes Locker on any depth chart in the long run.

[Sparky]

Originally Posted by Dirty

I have no idea what the Vikings are doing to be honest

yeah,i don't really know either. I'm going to try to trust them as best i can, these are the same guys who picked adrianne peterson, percy harvin, sydney rice and chad greenway. So ill wait and see for now.

[Bloozcrooz]

Im simply floored by the Cowboys decision to waste a number one pick on a tackle. Just one more example why we cant ever seem to our ducks in a row. What the hell are they thinking really? I didnt get to see the draft as it happened but when i turned on Nfl network the next day and saw it flash across the bottom. I rolled my eyes and just thought to myself...theres no end to our demise. Lets just completley ignore the fact that every team in the NFL can throw the ball down the field on Dallas. Also every team knows that and ever team does!!! Jesus Christ stop the bleeding already Jerry!! Because Romo the effin homo get hot his poor little shoulder seperated you felt that the line was more urgent or what? I dont know who's calling the shots on the draft but there couldnt have been a worse one for the Cowboys.