How about a different direction for the draft?
by CaliRamMan on Jan 12, 2011 1:46 PM CST
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PrintThe rams season just ended and already there is an influx of draft talk. I have been officially sucked in, no matter how much I tried to resist it. So I ask you, how about a different approach?
Many people keep talking about going the route of the WR, and that is debateable as to who we should take. To be honest, I think WR will be targeted in FA, rather than taking a chance on a college player. Look at this regime's past history-Brooks Foster (5th round out of UNC) never made any sense to me, but he is gone after only two years. Mardy Gilyard (4th round out of Cinn) has yet to adapt fully to the next level, and honestly I don't know how long he can hide in the shadows. I called it a while back that I think the FO is going to make another strong run at Vincent Jackson. They already made headway on bringing him to St. Louis, so we know that he wouldn't mind landing on a team with a Bradford at the helm. Not to mention, they already had prelim talks with a tentative agreement. We will see...
So the guy that I was looking at for #14 is an interior lineman out of Florida. Mike Pouncey, has played primarily C this year, but has the ability to play both OG and C. In 2008 and 2009, he started every game at RG (That's after playing DT his Freshman year). The versatility with the durability will help out a young O-line that will see plenty of injuries in the future...it's inevitable. Add that to his character which coaches rant about. They talk about what a leader he is and how he is the same level-headed person with the team and off the field (4-pillars anyone?).
Performance-wise he has been very impressive. For a guy his size he moves very well. He has a good first step/reaction. He pulls well down the line on running plays. He has the ability to make it to the 2nd level and eat up a LB with relative ease. The guy is a stud in the interior line of Florida. Did I say he has started every game for the last 3 years on the O-line.
It should help that his Twin brother Maurkice Pouncey has had success at both OG and C with the Steelers. Outside of Bradford and maybe Mike Williams of Tampa, Pouncey was next in line for the Off rookie of the year award. In comparing Mike Pouncey to Mike Iupati from last years draft, I would take Pouncey all day. Iupati was a man amongst boys when he was at Idaho. He played too tall for an OG, he holds way too much and his false starts this last year were a bit discouraging. Pouncey has a better set of Mechanics and his play against D-linemen coming out of the SEC would better translate to the next level.
I know this is not the sexy pick people would like, but it would make sense in watching Billy D. through two drafts as the shot caller. He has invested picks in two OT's and a FA pickup in Brown at C. It is apparent that protecting our $50 million investment is a priority and between Jacob Bell and Goldberg the job is not getting done. Not to mention our redzone offense really needs the help at the interior O-line...just ask Steven Jackson.
In the 2nd round I think we will really need to look at the Def. regardless (as much as it pains me to say to not pick up Baldwin). A guy like OLB Bruce Carter is expected to fall due to the ACL tear or maybe a DT Marvin Austin, who didn't get to play this year, but is an absolute beast.
What says you TST?
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I like it
we need a guard, and with this guy we will have an offense line for the next 10 years or so. If we pick up a WR n FA that will also benefit Sam and the offense. And then we pick up much needed OLB in the 2nd. I like it. But this is the rams, so its probably not going to happen.
Seahags, seachickens, seabitches, seafags, seasucks, anyone else got more names?
+1
I don’t think WR is not in the cards. I think we may see a G in 1st and FA as well.
I like it if we don't get Mankins in FA
If we do get an OG in FA I’d still like to see us pick up another OG in the 3rd round, maybe John Moffitt from Wisconsin. And go DE for the 14th pick.
The problem is that Mankins
wants Jahri Evans money (some $8 mill a year) and he will be a hot commodity.
To be honest I don’t think that he will leave NE. I think they will find a way to keep him…It’s amazing how winning solves all problems.
With that said, I have wanted Mankins as a target since he said that he was holding out last season.
He will be a hot commodity.
If we could get rid of Bell and his $4 mil/year might make it more realistic. NE seems to have a history of not paying big money for anyone other than Brady. They rely on the draft and always seem to have twice as many picks as everyone else. But Belicheat knows the value of a great O-line. Mankins is a distant relative and I know that he is very upset with the way they tried to negotiate his contract last year, and he wants to come back to a west coast team. At least SF already has Iupati.
It’ll be interesting to see what Stan does this year in FA.
Everyone says it's too high to pick an OG
I would like to trade down and get him though.
Is that great man formally known as Tevin T. Broner
That would be my preference
I bet the FO will come out with a statement similar to ‘we wanted him and we didn’t want to take a chance he wouldn’t be there if we traded down’, or ‘we just didn’t get what we thought would be a good offer for the pick’. Either of those statements would be hard to believe but also hard to prove wrong, and both concerns are valid. My preference is to create at least 2 more picks if possible. This can be done if DeVaney goes a little crazy with some swapping.
I think if Jones isn’t there, this may be the best use of the pick unless one of the top 2 DTs, DaQuan Bowers, or top 2 CBs is available which is highly unlikely. I think we need a guard more than we need a DE.
Well,
would you guys rather get Mankins in FA and a WR in the Draft at 14 or WR FA and Pouncy at 14? I don’t think it is realistic to think that we can get Mankins and good WR FA in free agency. But maybe with the new owner its a possibility.
Seahags, seachickens, seabitches, seafags, seasucks, anyone else got more names?
Why not
pursue guard and WR in the off season, either FA or trade and target OLB in the draft??? I’m not sure why it would be unrealistic to do that.
Im talking about
Mankins and a receiver like Jackson or Rice. That is a lot of money to be pushing out right there. It would be obviously the best case senerio, then in the draft we really could go BPA. And if thats pouncy? Think of this. trade bell for a 3rd or 4th round pick and our O line would be
Saffold..Mankins…Brown..Pouncy..Smith. That would be sick. With the second pick we could get OLB and a RB with the 3rd and another OLB if we get a 3rd for bell. This would make me really happy
Seahags, seachickens, seabitches, seafags, seasucks, anyone else got more names?
What makes you think Bell would bring a 3rd rounder?
Anyone considering giving that up for him wouldn’t be employed very long. If he was worth it, he’d be worth keeping. He couldn’t possibly be worth more to someone else than he is us.
Id rather take someone like adrian clayborn (assuming julio jones is gone) and get the defense locked down for awhile
then focus on offense next draft if we dont draft jones and just let bradford blow up his third season
Why not let Bradford blow up in his second season?
Our defense is fine right the way it is now to support an explosive offense.
Onobun > Gates
Remember the Lions game?
What about the 1st 49er game? or even the Tampa one? our Defense is not fine.
"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no PLAYOFFS."
Winston Churchill
I like it
Assuming we get V-Jax or Rice in the FA we could go gaurd but if we don’t land either i think we go Jones in the draft
No..
He might be the best OG but i think Franklin, Moffit, Watkins, Schilling, Boling all these OG were great in their respected divisions and are big guys too…we dont really need to reach for an OG when there is so many through out the draft…Soooo many options here to play with and id hate to think we go for a reach and cross our fingers with talent still around and much bigger needs. U can argue that OG is high on our list but 2 OLB,a top WR just seem to be more fitting @ 14 if possible…..Now if we trade down to the 20’s or so and pick up another pick then yea if he’s there i’d Grab him with no hesitation but in the middle for a OG/OC tweener…? No I wouldnt.
"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no PLAYOFFS."
Winston Churchill
I don't see those guys as equals
I too like Moffit, but the guy is not going to be able to reach the 2nd level like Pouncey. I was looking at a guy that can offer an upgrade at mutiple aspects of the OG position. To improve the run blocking while also improving the pass protection.
I recognize the need for other positions, but our FO has shown us they are not going to necessarily go with the sexiest pick. The will go with what they think makes the most sense (ie Saffold, Bradley Fletcher, etc.)
If a Midget can stand in the way of linebackers that would be an upgrade over Goldberg
We NEED a better overall prospect then who we have so far…thats what i dnt think ppl get…we arent getting the best at the position or future star every pick (albeit that would be Great) we need better players than what we have at most positions on our team. Playermakers are great but solid players are just as good at the less sext positions…i.e OG, OLB, FB, TE we dont have that luxury…yet but a key player here and there and a bounty of solid guys will improve drastically improve us.
"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no PLAYOFFS."
Winston Churchill
You need to set the bar higher for the position than being an upgrade over Goldberg
If that’s the standard by which you choose a replacement, you can find them cheap in the practice squads or other FAs. Goldberg moved over out of position to help out in the presence of injuries. He struggled at guard when his natural position is tackle and will be great moving back outside to backup Smith and Saffold along with Foster.
We cut our losses
Im sure there will better FA/draftable guys out there better suited to fill backup roles. IDK why Greco wasnt playing and im sure the coaching staff thought he was the better man for the job but we all know how that worked out.
"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no PLAYOFFS."
Winston Churchill
Yeah it seems like the guard position just went to shit in a year
Last year we had a decent set of guards in Bell and Greco, and now, all of a sudden, they shit the bed. I think as backups they’d be fine but probably overpaid at this point. Goldberg is not, he’s always been a backup. But we need to pay the guards accordingly. If they can’t start they can’t earn starters pay, and they can’t start right now. I definitely agree that the unsexy position of guard can help the other skill positions improve just by becoming proficient in grading roads. By improving 1, (or maybe 2), we can improve 6 others at the same time.
PLAYMAKER!!!
We need one of them…I like your idea that we need an OG. But we need playmakers worse IMO. I hope, like you that we get the WR situation settled in FA.
I’d go with Mark Ingram. And I hate the SEC, but this dude can take it to the house.
If not, then a DE/DT.
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Jan 12, 2011 6:16 PM CST reply actions
Trust me,
I had to alter my approach once I noticed that Blackmon and Floyd are going back to school.
How bout a DL then?
We could use a better pass rushing DT to go along with Robbins. That might be a good option also.
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Jan 13, 2011 10:18 AM CST up reply actions
honestly you can't really say why we should get a WR in the 1st round
and use receivers we drafted in the 4th and 5th round… for the record, I think drafting Pouncey 14th overall is too high and would prefer we trade down if we want to draft him
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
*shouldn't get a WR
DONNIE FUCKING JONES FOR PRO BOWL!
by stlcardsfan4 on Jan 12, 2011 8:32 PM CST up reply actions
I think you are missing my point regarding the WR position.
I’m not saying that we shouldn’t draft a WR in the first… what I am saying is that with Floyd and Blackmon not entering the draft, things have changed. The chances of drafting Green or Jones (I dont think we should use that pck on Jones anyhow, but that is another convo) at 14 have diminished.
I thought I was clear with the thought that WR would be addressed in FA rather than the draft. I’ll say it again. I think Devaney will target Vincent Jackson.
I used the example of Gilyard and Foster because they were the most recent WR picks and the two with this FO at the helm. If you want me to include another, how about Avery? He was a 2nd rounder before these two guys.
You are entitled to disagree about Pouncey, but I think the middle of the first is where he is going to go.
Do you think there's a WR worthy of #14 after Jones?
Neither do I. Pounceys a bit of a reach but I think this is something we all agree on, here. We may not be able to avoid reaching with this pick, if we have to, the best position to do so would probably be guard and Pounceys a better prospect than anyone else IMHO. Sure a DE may be a better player available and I think if Claiborne or Bowers were available we’d have to consider either one, but we don’t place the position as high of a need as OG.
if jones and green are gone then there's nobody worth picking.
there’s no sense reaching for a guy. look at mike williams. he was a 4th rounder because of his “attitude.” marques colston was 7th round. there’s guys like that, you just need to find them.
I've been saying this for a while
Julio Jones will be a bust and now Blackmon isn’t coming out, I say we finish one of the lines. We should either go interior line on offense, or Defensive end/Defensive tackle. At #14 I think we’d be stretching a bit much, so I think we should trade down (unlikely) gather some more picks and pick up Pouncey later in the 1st round.
It would be nice if another team had their heart set on someone
and decided to trade up to our spot to get him. Dropping down to #20 or so would still allow us to get a solid player and add another pick. Whether that will happen is really out of our control. You can’t force anyone to trade with you.
DE @ 14, if green and jones are gone.
I think one of the good DE’S will be avaliable at this spot, then try for a olb/og in rounds 2 & 3. Hopefully with blackmon/floyd going back to school this will light a fire under the FO to go after a FA WR. Im tired of taking WR’s after the 1st round, we already have a bunch of those guys. If jones/green are gone i hope no WR is taken by the rams in the draft.
How 'bout we payoff New England's scouts and get recommendations from them????
We don’t need anymore Nulls, Murphys, Gilyards, Davis’, Scotts. My guess is that the Pats would’ve never taken Jason Smith with the 2nd overall pick in 2009 either.
First of all you're judging most of those guys too quickly,
and second of all, most of them are 4th round or later. Not many of those guys succeed that quickly or at all. And the Patriots don’t make better late round picks really, they just have more picks to hit on, especially in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
Onobun > Gates
No they would have went to some Downtown Gym
And signed a guy that is built like a Mack truck and turned him into a Pro Bowler in 1 1/2 seasons for minimal cost. But I kinda like Murphy I think he’s just playing out of position “SS anyone?”. We can trade Gilyard for a Ham sandwich and feed it to Bell to keep his weight up so he run blocks better. I dnt even remember Davis or Null. And who knows maybe Scott might be solid I mean if the Seahawks can beat the Saints then anything is possible.
"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no PLAYOFFS."
Winston Churchill
Whats really funny is my name is Keith too
But I never started for the Rams unfortunetly.
"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no PLAYOFFS."
Winston Churchill
Null really looked like a QB standing back there waiting for the snap.
Big and tall, broad shoulders, good voice. Then they snapped the ball and that pesky throwing it to a receiver stuff came along. Too bad playing in the NFL isn’t like the movies where the QB always looks and plays great.
i was impressed by his poise too
also loved the mutton chops.
hence why i nicknamed him ‘Nullverine’
Bradford to Onobun!
i think Pouncey is a smart pick, but we really need to look at who's behind him in this draft, see the talent drop off etc.
also, FA we may get someone too.
personally I wouldn’t be against taking pouncey, but i’d hope we’d get an impact guy, an immediate getting tds/sacks/ints guy…
getting that sort of outfield impact is harder later on and steals can be had in unsexy positions like guard in the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th rounds.
Bradford to Onobun!
There are some really talented OG after him
Cannon (TCU), Moffitt (WIS), Franklin (MIA), Hudson (FLst), Ijalana (Villanova), Watkins (Baylor), Schilling (Mich) to name a few are all solid BIG guys and some have been mocked to go higher than Pouncey so we can very much score in later rounds if we are patient and pick up some big play guys in the first 3to4 rounds. We’ll just wait and see.
"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no PLAYOFFS."
Winston Churchill
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