Jim Thomas: Monroe the Likely Pick
by ViperLjs on Apr 18, 2009 8:52 AM CDT
30 comments
Thomas came on Bernie Miklasz's radio show today to discuss the draft, and revealed that there are indications coming from the organization that Monroe will be the pick. This corresponds with glowing comments made by Devaney in his assessment of Monroe.
I am one of the few who prefers Monroe to Curry; I'm consistently seeing doubts about his lateral mobility and ability to be a game changer at the MLB position.
The Rams absolutely cannot whiff on this pick, and historically OT's taken early in the first round have a high rate of success in the NFL. Additionally, Monroe is regarded as having a very high floor; he might be the most "bust-proof" player available in the draft.
Monroe's skill set fits with our new offensive philosophy as well, i.e. he is considered very adept at run blocking as well as pass protection :
(per nfldraftscout.com)
Compares To: WALTER JONES, Seattle -- Both players are blessed with excellent athleticism and agility, along with the quick feet to mirror speedy edge rushers. Monroe is a solid run blocker, plays on his feet with very good balance and has excellent body control. He has the strength to gain position when working in-line and creates and widens rush lanes. He is capable of staying on his feet and sustaining blocks, using his hand strength well to lock on and control his man. He competes until the whistle and plays with good aggression. His field vision and awareness are evident by his ability to pick up line games and blitzes. His body control lets him readjust and deliver crunching blocks in the second level. With his fluid body flexibility, he has no problem sinking his hips and anchoring to protect the pocket. By remaining healthy as a senior, he has the athletic ability and pedigree to be the first offensive lineman taken in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Scouts are divided over who is better between Monroe and Jason Smith, but I think at the No. 2 pick, Smith's lack of experience at the position makes him something of a project; he carries significantly more risk than does Monroe.
Nflhouse.com had this to say:
In my opinion, Monroe has the highest floor of any play in the draft, meaning that his worst case scenario is better than most other of the draft. He has the potential to become the next Jonathan Ogden or Tarik Glenn, but at worst could become an above average right tackle in the mold of a Jon Runyan. He deserves to be a Top 5 pick, and I really feel that he could be the best player to emerge from this draft, at least offensively.
Teams live and die with their offensive tackles; Monroe has the ability to be a very solid, and maybe elite, LT for years to come, and he is polished enough to step in immediately. Curry, while a great player in his own right, will struggle to make the same overall impact at MLB; it's simply much harder to do at that position.
Monroe, while he does have his weaknesses, deserves the No. 2 pick.
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If we take Monroe
Who starts at LT and who starts on the right?
Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.
by 3k on Apr 17, 2009 5:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I would put Monroe at LT and Barron at RT.
Monroe, by all accounts, is polished and ready to contribute at LT immediately. I see no reason to stunt his development by swapping positions with Barron.
by ViperLjs on Apr 17, 2009 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My only concern
is that Barron has sucked at RT for years, and many here would advocate the move over to LT. It’s a situatoin that has no right answer for me.
Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.
by 3k on Apr 17, 2009 8:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't say
he’s “sucked” exactly; I think he’s at least been mediocre.
But whatever Barron’s problems are, if we draft Monroe, he gets the priority in positioning. Barron has already demonstrated that he is average at best, and he is a FA after this season. It is in the team’s best interest to have Monroe spend as much time at LT as possible to speed his learning curve.
by ViperLjs on Apr 17, 2009 9:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If that's the case
would we be better off (given the hypothetical Monroe at #2 pick) drafting a RT later in the draft? That way, we’re set up two ways:
1.) If Barron falters, we have a rookie ready to step up and prove himself
2.) If Barron does well, he sets himself up to hit the free agent market and we have a replacement on the roster, so that we don’t have to draft an OT in the ’10 draft.
Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.
by 3k on Apr 17, 2009 10:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Barron...
only gave up 3.5 sacks in 15 games as a starting LT in 07’, and an average of 7.5 sacks in 3 years as a RT. To me it makes no sense to move him back to RT when he’s a better LT, and in that case you don’t draft a RT #2.
As far as him being a F/A I’m pretty sure that as long as there is no change to the changes that will happen next year(no cap room, RFA moved to 6 years exp) Barron would be a RFA next year, which with a LT’s tender he will either sign with us or we’ll get a 1st rounder+.
by Caruso on Apr 17, 2009 10:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
I think Barron can be a good LT. I think they should draft Crabtree (or Curry but I think he will be gone) and then take Loadholt or another tackle but a good run blocker to put at RT. Keep in mind that Devaney wants a power running offense so a run blocking Tackle make sense
by MathB on Apr 18, 2009 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting thought.
I could go either way on it, honestly. I think we’d probably be fine with Barron for this year at RT and drafting one next year, but doing so leaves us dangerously thin in OT depth. On the other hand, spending 2 picks on OT’s this year hampers our ability to fill other needs.
If it were a mid-late round guy with some upside, I would definitely consider it.
by ViperLjs on Apr 17, 2009 11:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why Not...
test both out at the position. It would be a good competition between Barron and Munroe. However it would be nice to stick Munroe in the position that we plan to put him in years to come so he can develop.
by PCarn on Apr 18, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
beware the smokescreen
Thomas is making an educated guess, but it’s still a guess. The team will do a lot of talking, internally and externally, in the next week.
by VanRam on Apr 17, 2009 8:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I would be more skeptical
if this pick didn’t make sense from so many angles. Devaney has been spouting praise for Monroe for a while, the team is in dire need of an OT, and Monroe is a safe pick in a draft that is crucial for the Rams to succeed in; the front office’s credibility and the long term future of the team will to a significant degree be dependent on how many solid players they emerge with here.
Also, what purpose would it serve to throw a smokescreen with Monroe? If anything, it’s counter-productive for the Rams; they want people to believe they might take Sanchez here to entice potential trade partners.
That said, I think there’s still a solid shot for the Rams to take Monroe, Smith, or Curry, with an outside chance at Sanchez or Crabtree if Devaney really falls in love with one of them. Right now my gut feeling is 50% Monroe, 25% Smith, 20% Curry, and 5% Sanchez/Crabtree.
by ViperLjs on Apr 17, 2009 9:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Smokescreen
Actually there would be a purpose to smokescreen with Monroe, If they actually like/plan to take a player like Curry or Crabtree it would stop a team like KC or the Browns from trying to deal with the Lions to get the 1st overall pick and take that player.
by Caruso on Apr 17, 2009 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
honestly
the rams are better off taking an OT in the draft. I mean, yes, I would love to see the rams with Curry or even Crabtree; but as said before, OT’s are the most bust-proof players available. I would hate to see the rams woof on this draft, because they have a great possibilities. It still would be great to deal the 2 spot to the broncos for later 1 and maybe 2….but it’s not happening. I just think that whoever they draft, they’ll be paying them A TON of money, and it better be damn worth it
"I always think one step ahead, like a carpenter....the builds stairs"
by sergey606 on Apr 18, 2009 2:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Monroe or Curry are pretty much equally bust-proof, IMO
They’re both athletic, talented, and deliver bone-crunching hits. But while the Rams have already addressed their O-line very positively by acquiring Jason Brown, linebacker is an enormous need that can’t easily be filled via free agency with what’s left.
My pick is still Curry, but I wouldn’t be unhappy with Monroe, either. Ball control on offense is also an effective defense, of sorts.
"Attaway to stomp 'em. Stomp the piss out of 'em. Stomp 'em when they're down. Kick 'em and stomp 'em. Attaway to go boys. Pound that old Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow." -- Joe Schultz
by taiko on Apr 18, 2009 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't say...
that a pass blocking o-lineman delivers “bone-crunching hits”, but I get what you mean that they are both solid players and should be top-5 picks.
by Hetfield72 on Apr 18, 2009 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
trade down unlikely
Unless some team really wants Sanchez and is afraid someone else will get him first, I don’t see us being able to trade down. If that’s the case, I think the Rams will take an OT. If Curry was as highly rated as he is and had played middle linebacker his whole career, I think the Rams would take him. But given that he hasn’t played inside, I think taking him would be a stretch and the Rams can’t afford to make any mistakes the next couple of years.
by andyrose on Apr 18, 2009 11:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If we go OT in the first round, you need big bodies on defense in rounds 2 and 3
If Monroe is the pick, I’d like to see the Rams focus on the best available talent among DT, LB and S in rounds 2 and 3.
"Attaway to stomp 'em. Stomp the piss out of 'em. Stomp 'em when they're down. Kick 'em and stomp 'em. Attaway to go boys. Pound that old Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow." -- Joe Schultz
by taiko on Apr 18, 2009 12:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The issue....
with that plan may be what talent will be available in Round 2. From what I have read it seems like there will be good WR and OT value at the top of the second round. There seems to be a good amount of first round LB talent, but unless one drops to round two it could be the best players available are WR’s and OT’s.
So if the Rams take Curry in round 1, they are in a good spot at the top of round 2 to get value with a tackle. If the Rams take an OT early on, I think we may need to go WR in round two to really get high value with that pick. That is fine, but it would just make us go offense with our first two picks and we would definitely need to focus on defense in later rounds. I mean, you never know who will drop down so it is hard to say, but those are just my initial thoughts after seeing some mock drafts.
by Hetfield72 on Apr 18, 2009 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Beat me to it...
I was just going to comment that if we go OT in the 1st (I am for Curry ), the BPA or “value” at the pick will more than likely be WR. I know Devaney does the drafting, but does a D minded coach want the 1st two pick used on the O? Considering where the D was last year and the strides already made on the blocking front this offseason – it is defenitley debatable…
Outfielders For Sale! This weeks special...GMJ - see Tony for details!
by gorams77 on Apr 18, 2009 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The thinking should be...
It seems to me is that there are far more OTs that will be available in the second round than there will be LBs. That to me, makes the case for Curry. He is, because of positional availability, more valuable.
by victorian on Apr 18, 2009 7:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Are we over thinking this pick?
There are no sure things in any draft or in life for that matter. We could draft Monroe and the 1st week of training camp roles around and he gets hurt and is lost for the season. My opinion is you rank the players on your draft board and draft the Player who is the highest on the board and can start for your team.
In the Rams situation that eliminates QB, RB, SS, FS, C, G, and if Barron is a LT then eliminate LT.
That means we are looking for the best player on our draft board who is a MLB, DE, DT, RT, CB, TE or WR.
If they want tp draft a RT with the number 2 pick, we need a RT to start. It seems like alot of money to spend on a RT. I think there are 2 options better for RT. They are draft one in the 2nd or 3rd round or wait didn’t we draft Greco last year and wasn’t he a LT in college, maybe he is in the cards and we draft a RT for depth latter. If this is possible then I think its Curry MLB, Crabtree WR, Everette Brown DE, or Raji DT. Top players in the draft who would start for the Rams. I would like to see them address the defense myself but I am not in charge. Actually Curry is my man
by Ramfanforever on Apr 18, 2009 8:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Of course we're overthinking it
It’s the 2nd pick; the world is ours.
Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.
by 3k on Apr 18, 2009 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cool answer
nice reality check ha ha
by Ramfanforever on Apr 18, 2009 9:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s funny, last time I saw the lights of the goodyear blimp, it read “Ice Cube’s a pimp.”
Got to say that was a good day.
"Attaway to stomp 'em. Stomp the piss out of 'em. Stomp 'em when they're down. Kick 'em and stomp 'em. Attaway to go boys. Pound that old Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow." -- Joe Schultz
by taiko on Apr 19, 2009 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
then I hit em with the seven
seven eleven. Seven eleven. Seven even back do lil Joe.
Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.
by 3k on Apr 19, 2009 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was listening to the radio today
and they said they believe the top 8 offensive tackles will be gone in the first round. If we don’t take one when we can, the chances are good we would be looking at a pretty poor selection in Round 2. And remember, Curry has not played middle linebacker. It’s fine to say he is a good enough athlete to make the move, but it wouldn’t be that easy. I keep hoping they can generate enough panic among teams needing a QB that after Stafford goes to the Lions someone will decide they have to jump up to our position and trade a bunch of picks to get Sanchez.
by andyrose on Apr 18, 2009 10:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Top 8? Not very likely
It’s possible, but I’d put it around 12.5% that 8 OTs go in the 1st. The drop-off in talent isn’t nearly as extreme as many other positions in the draft. Put it this way, how much difference is there between William Beatty, Phil Loadholt, Troy Kropog, Fenuki Tupou, Jamon Meredith and Sebastian Vollmer? Not a whole lot. I’d guess 6 or maybe 7 OTs to go in the 1st, depending on what stretch picks come in the middle to late 1st.
Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.
by 3k on Apr 18, 2009 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I suspect Beatty
will go in the first round. Do you really think any of those other guys is that much better than what we already have with Goldberg, Greco, etc.? We need somebody who can step right in and play for us this year and has the ability to play left tackle – not a prospect who will be a possible starter at right tackle a couple of years down the road.
by andyrose on Apr 19, 2009 4:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Barron is our man
he only allowed 3.5 sacks as a LT in 07………did u guys know the highly touted Jason Peters allowed 11.5 sacks at LT in 08………..Barron is better than we give him credit for and Spags will coach him up to be even better, we can put Greco or Schuening in at RT and we’re in like flynn…………Spags knows our D was terrible last year and if anyone knows how to fix it its him, I say with #2 we take that kicker (i think Swank is his name) just his last name alone makes him good to go at #2
by JordansDad on Apr 20, 2009 2:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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