Khyber53

No one does. Lawrence will, however, be going to the Jags (barring some crazy idea getting into their new coach) and history says he's set up to fail there. Not his fault, but bad organization fault. Lawrence is by all accounts a great player, but he's going to suffer what most #1 draft picks suffer through. Jones, on the other hand, will be picked later, either going to a team with a bit more organizational strength or to a team like the 49ers that is pretty much a good QB short of a championship. If he goes there, his play style and pro readiness put him on a better and somewhat easier track to success in the NFL.

As much as we need help with our DBs, we've got to spend our first two, maybe three, picks on OL.

What a great story. Thanks for sharing.

Are we talking about the same guy? The guy had massive numbers last year, showed poise and control in all of his games, including the National Championship one. Yes, he had great receivers but it wasn't like those receivers were constantly having to make massive adjustments to make the catches. He made throws to all parts of the field, showed touch on short, medium and long throws and didn't put his receivers inn danger to make the catches (really important when one of your best receivers has the size of a high school sophomore). Really, I've defended the guy again and again, feel free to look it up on the forum here. He's good, really good, and the most polished of the QB prospects out there. A team like the 49ers can snag him, give him the play book and send him out to start on opening day. He'll do just fine and will win right out of the gate. Playoffs first year. Put him on a team like the Jags or Jets and he gets killed and ends up with no career. Just like every QB drafted by those guys for the last 15 years. And I pity the QBs those two will draft, they are walking into their dooms.

When you are Belichick, though, you have the idea that you can turn anyone into a multi-ringed Super Bowl champ. History is beginning to show that it might not have been Bill that was ringing the bell, though. Still, if he sees something or someone he wants, there's no GM in his way to stop him from making that trade. At least no GM in his office that'd do it, there are some GMs out there that'd do anything they could to stymie him.

I have every reason to believe that the Patriots will be trying to move up and take one of the top 5 QBs out there. There's no way they are looking at Cam for a long-term answer (love ya Cam but let's realize there's more good football behind ya than in front of ya). And there are too many QB hungry teams out there to not be aggressive in their pursuit -- it's likely that all of the top five will be gone before 15.

Based on... ?

Get him on a pro team weight and nutrition program for a season and you can build your own monster. If he made it to the fourth or fifth round, I'd have to take a chance on him. Sheesh put him on special teams and make the other team's punter wet himself at each fourth down snap.

If you have a win it now team with everything in place (which San Francisco does) he's the surest bet. He might end up not being the greatest of the batch down the road, but he's going to be the best one of them under center on opening day this season. People call him Matt Ryan, as if it was a slur. As much as I don't like the Falcons, even I have to admit that Ryan has been excellent there and he's eaten our lunch more times that I want to admit. If you can get a guy and he performs at Matt Ryan level for that many years, you've had a successful draft pick.

Rush. Red Barchetta. (Or Yes and Starship Trooper. So hard to choose.)

Those are some good reads from the Riot. While I still prefer Slater, he's also among the smallest tackles in the bunch. That gives me a bit of pause when I think there are some 6'6" or 6'7" maulers in that list. Still a smaller (it's all relative) guy who has the skills and strength is better than a bigger guy that's just a goon.

The team has sent out so many mixed smoke signals that we really can't trust any of this stuff. If we did it would mean that they were either ready to trade everything for a shot at a QB, trade down to get 47 picks and a crate of footballs, or sh!t the bed by picking a WR at #8. I sure hope Rhule and Co. have a better idea of what to do than it's looking like from the outside.

He's been an intriguing prospect. If we could snag him in say third round it'd be a steal. Early second round might be a bit too early, though. From what I've seen he's going to be a great passing QB, but he is going to need a sturdy o-line in front of him. If we draft LT in the first, and OL in the second, it might be worth trying to trade back into the second to snag him before the Bucs or Saints do. He fits the mold for both of those teams.

Just another day in Iggle-land.

<shudder>

In the scout's defense, it's not like the former Jets coaches could have done anything with any QB they drafted. Had those guys coached Dan Marino right out of college, he'd have been out of the league within two years. Not sure they wouldn't have ruined either Manning.

Like a bunch of people on their first camping trip, we're reacting to every bump, chirp, snap and rustle that happens in the night. Just relax, wait it out, just 8 more days and we'll know for certain what the Panthers will do. Until then, this is just people taking the slightest rumor or hint and running with it. We fall for this crap every season.

I know you were referring to him being lost, he wasn't. He was getting others into place. It's subtle, I know, but you can tell if you watch closely. That was a team that wasn't prepared to play defense last season and we had a few players who were coasting and soaking up a last contract out there.

Shaq had a very good year, excellent if you take into account he was having to cover for Whitehead being out of place and being afraid to tackle. On just about any other team in the league, Shaq would be heralded as their best linebacker and a leader on the field. Here, there will always be Luke's Jedi-ghost image on the field to compare him to. It's not fair to the guy, but that's what happens when you play alongside one of the best to ever play the game, not to mention Thomas Davis on the other side. Honestly, Shaq's an excellent guy to have out there on every down. If we can get some decent (not even good) play from the MLB that ends up starting, then Shaq will finally get the credit he really deserves.

I like what we're doing with the defensive line... this could make for a very interesting year. We look loaded with guys who are just this close to break-out years. If two or three pop at the same time, it could be tremendous. And just the rotational opportunities... wow. To most NFL fans, this is a no-name defense. By December, they'll know, they'll know.

3. San Francisco 49ers Mac Jones, QB, ALA Nat's notes: I have been saying this since they traded up, Mac is the guy. Internet scouts (including me) severely underrate the level at which he played QB this year. The more tape you watch on him the more it makes sense. Mac Jones is the #3 QB on multiple boards, including ours. I've been beating this drum for a while now, but yeah, Jones is the third best QB in this draft and a guy I thought we'd try hard for. Darnold makes this tougher, but if Jones should happen to get past San Fran and falls, I still think we pick him up. If not, Sewell/Slater is definitely the long term best move.

But if even one is telling the truth...

This without a doubt. LT is involved as an active participant in every snap of the game. There are a lot of plays that a WR is just on the field to move the other team's chess pieces around. Even the greats weren't called on every down. But that LT, he is there battling it out every down whether it's run or pass, headed his way or moving to the right. And let's not forget the importance of having a good/great LT protecting your QB. If the QB feels safer, then they can play freer and better. And, well, we don't have one of those right now. We do have receivers, excellent to great ones. On board, ready to roll. Take the tackle, leave the cannolis.

Wouldn't be mad, but I think we'll grab more OL in the second round. There's a Wisconsin Div 3 Sasquatch that we should pick up for LG/C.

The right special teams player can win you a game. A bunch of good ones working together can make the difference in a game or two. A bunch of guys just playing special teams so they can keep a roster spot, now that'll lose you a few games every darned year.