top dawg

I don't see how anyone can argue with that opinion. I didn't believe that they would discount DGB out of hand, but that's apparently exactly what they've done. I could be wrong, but I believe that J-Rich has put his foot down about DGB. Gman seems a little bit more judicious and in tune with the times than to summarily discount a player who has shown---at the very least---a semblance of improvement. J-Rich has spoken! Whoever disagrees can flame away, but you're not going to change my opinion on this matter. Leaving no stone un-turned when it comes to a guy with DGB's upside is arguably the smarter and more shrewd way to go about building a winner, even if you ultimately decide that you don't want him. And before someone says "We may have done our due diligence on him", I seriously doubt it because Gman was pretty emphatic even before the draft season season began in earnest, plus we all know how crying J-Rich thinks about players with troubled pasts, particularly since the 2014 incidents.

I think that it's a little early to label DGB as the next Gordon or Blackmon. I believe that he has apparently been clean for a longer period than either one of them when they entered the league (or while they have been in the league). Stereotyping is really not productive on a lot of levels. Moreover, I can easily understand why some would not have anything to do with him, but I also understand why someone would be willing to take a chance on him. Neither position is inherently crazy or stupid. It is a judgment call.

I do believe that it was mostly him, but sometimes a person needs a change of scenery to gain a better understanding of themselves and their capabilities. Lafell noted the differences between the two teams' cultures after he left. Some just saw it as spilled milk, but it may have been all too real for LaFell. The proof is in the pudding. Now this is not to say that one system is inherently better (even though it would be easily arguable that the Pats' way is the gold standard), but perhaps there was too much pressure here for Brandon to be the man. Perhaps we didn't have enough veteran leadership and direction on the team to where he felt like he could succeed. I mean we still are a relatively young squad with a relatively young coach and GM who are still learning on the fly and developing the team's way of doing things. Maybe this just wasn't the best atmosphere for him to succeed. Perhaps he thought consciously or subconsciously, "Been there, done that, and I am not going to take less than I am worth to continue on in that less than optimal situation." Our guys on the other hand didn't have a choice, except for Cotchery, and most of them were just happy to be getting an opportunity. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe we signed Cotchery after LaFell was long gone. Anyway, the older and experienced Cotchery obviously did not mind all the challenges, and I believe that Benjamin wanted to be here also. He doesn't mind the challenges, and he wants to grow with Cam. Lafell had other plans, and it worked out for him.

? Lafell only dropped two out of 119, with a 1.7% drop rate.

Kelvin Benjamin hit the rookie wall last season, admitting that he got mentally tired. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/20/kelvin-benjamin-i-got-tired-mentally-last-season/ “I’m working coming out of my breaks on curl routes, my footwork and getting timing down with Cam,” Benjamin said, via Steve Reed of the Associated Press." Nothing much, but at least you get a glimpse into his mindset, have a reason as to why he may have let a few get away last year (not that he is using that as an excuse), and another reason to think that some marked improvement is coming.

The point was is that Damarious Randall may ultimately be a better safety, if not better value in general. I wouldn't draft Collins in the first round. I have a hard time believing that he would be the BPA under any scenario. All of them need work, especially in coverage.

Well, actually they are not far apart in their grades, and one could easily make the argument that being that Geathers is a four year starter who is much more seasoned, that he could be coached up to meet his upside much quicker. I certainly don't see it as outlandish. Both need to be coached up, and both have weaknesses in coverage, but Geathers is much more instincitve. The downside of Geathers right now is that sometimes he is too aggressive. He is definitely a force in the box and sometimes that aggressiveness on the run is to the detriment of his pass coverage. Sample relies on reading the receiver or runner too much, and waits for the play to come to him than being instinctive, but he is the better tackler. It just depends on what the coaches are looking for, and what they believe the aptitude for learning the skills necessary to play the position, and how fast each can learn. I will say this: you really can't teach instinct or aggression, or leadership abilities (something that Geathers has also displayed). One guy that could be a better safety than either is Damarious Randall, the main knock on him being size. But he is arguably the best coverage safety in this draft, even above Collins. Randall was also productive in the box. Scouts will just have to determine if they think that his skills can translate to the NFL due to his smaller size. He may be viewed as a better CB. You can't argue with Randall's skills though.

If I had a young family, I wouldn't want to visit Baltimore, much less live. Baltimore is a place that is too North to be South and too South to be North. You have fast walkers clutching their cultural purses amid forever waxing northern slickness that just connotes a sense that the fast talkers are continually trying to get over amid the eternally waning undertone of rebellious southern charm. The result is akin to a storm, where cold and warm fronts constantly collide in the form of political corruption, economic malaise, crime and blight. Anyone who had a choice as to where they would raise a family would not voluntarily choose B-more.

Like I said, everyone has an opinion. Agholor is not a project receiver. He will get up to speed and be ready to go. Every guy you mentioned is a project in one form or another. We aren't taking DGB, and Strong is far from ready and needs to be coached up in nearly all aspects. He is arguably just a lesser version of KB in every aspect that counts except for hands. No one, absolutely no receiver in this draft but for Cooper runs polished routes like Agholor. So you can poo poo that all you like, but we absolutely need guys that can get separation and YAC. There are more than a few guys in the league with average strength and size who put larger receivers to shame on a consistent basis. I don't believe that Gettleman is interested in taking a Benjamin clone. And we already have pretty big sized guys on the PS, as well as picked up a potential bargain in another big guy in Boykin. He probably sees a great need to diversify Cam's targets, putting a premium on YAC (which Boykin has been good at BTW).

It depends on whether the CB or the WR is the better player. Just because someone is the best corner in a draft doesn't always equate them to being better than the 6th best receiver. And as far as this draft is concerned the best this or that will likely be gone, as is the case most of the time when you are picking so late. As to nothing special about Agholor...well, that's an opinion. Agholor is definitely a superb route runner with good, natural hands and speed---speed that translates to the game, with at least average size, and who is a legitimate threat as a returner. He is as fluid and smooth as any receiver in the draft, save for maybe Coop. It's not like I have researched every prospect out there, but I have looked at the top 10-12 or so, and I don't believe that we are going to get that definite of a solid skill set after round 2, at least not someone that is as pro ready from day one. Hardy may be the only one, and he is just not as fast or explosive. It may take years for some of the others to put it all together, if they ever get there. Agholor is arguably the safest receiver pick in the draft besides Cooper.

Kelvin Benjamin wasn't worth a first either...

That's what this offense needs. We could do worse in later rounds. Other than catching and the ability to break cleanly off the line and in the routes, straight line speed and an explosive vertical are arguably the most important things.

He can catch, but he has had some drops. He needs to learn to catch with his hands more consistently. He uses his body to catch way too much. Otherwise, he may turn out to be a diamond in the rough on day 3.

Like I said earlier, it's a slow news cycle.

The butthurt when it comes to Jennings is clearly incredible.

Some of you are terrible human beings...j/k Your creativity is kind of lacking, fo' real tho'.

I am considering actually updating the free agency thread just to make a point. LOL People are getting their panties all up in a wad for nothing.

I would have put this in the FA thread. Perhaps there wouldn't have been so much whining. Edit: And to those who are saying it's not relevant, I laugh. Until Jennings signs, news regarding his visits is obviously still very much on the menu.

I am going to be honest, the only way that I'd be happy with this draft is if all the guys that we have been discussing over the weeks are gone when we are picking. We can do better than picking arguable projects from the second round on.

BTW, that still doesn't invalidate or change my mind about anything I've said. Nothing!

The Eagles were a better team last year overall, but I don't believe that they are the better team long term. If you do, then you can go root for them.

We earned the right to be in the playoffs, the Eagles didn't. Just deal with it, CC. You can argue all you like. You can attempt to legitimize that fact all you like, but it's not going to change history, or anything else. You call m argument illegitimate, but at least mine is based in reality and not my imagination and desires. Like i alluded to when we first began, we will see which team gets a championship first. Until then you can keep lamenting about the proven and successful system that the NFL has had for decades.

There is really no one out there, unless you want to sign Umeniora who was basically misused last year. I don't see it as a huge hole. I believe that Ealy is going to continue his gradual growth which was pretty obvious from the beginning to the end of his rookie season. And, not only that, Big Frank (as long as he can keep off the pot) only needs the consistency of playing time to recognize the depth of his potential. Moreover, I believe that Star and Short's development and presence is only going to help Alexander, Ealy and Addison. All this being said, I expect Gman to draft a DE if he is the obvious BPA along the way. He has nine picks, and unless he trades a couple of them away in an effort to move up, I would be mighty surprised if he doesn't snag at least a "project" in the mid to late rounds. I still don't believe he will reach though.

And your argument is based upon moving goal posts. You essentially cry "foul" about a system that has worked for decades, and last year was no different. Deal with it! I have already intimated to you that teams who miss the playoffs are "better" than teams that don't every year. Hell, the championship team is not always the "best" team, just the "better" or "best" (or "luckiest") team when it counts. That's just the nature of the beast. Deal with it! "Math" is just a part of it. Statistics are just a part of it. The anatomy of a playoff team---a championship team---is more than just about what you view on paper. Perhaps when Kelly realizes this, he will actually win a championship.

Actually, that's not bad. It's a lot better than last year.