Grading the 2008 draft three years later
by Tevin Broner on Apr 20, 2011 11:01 AM CDT
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PrintThe draft is right around the corner, so I thought that this would be a perfect time to review the Rams 2008 draft. The Rams were coming off a 3-13 season, and hoping that a good draft would help them improve on that record. Yeah, well seeing the the Rams went 2-14, the next season that plan didn't go well.
I put a draft grade next to every player the Rams drafted in 2008. I'm not going to lie; I am a harsh evaluator. Here is how I came up with the grades, how much of an impact the player made, what his role is now, and who we could have drafted. I know that hindsight is 20/20, but it's interesting who we could have had.
Round 1 - Overall Pick # 2 - Chris Long - DE Grade: A+
Yes, Chris Long has received my highest praise in this draft. Long isn't the best Defensive end in the NFL, but he has developed into a great player. The only person in the top 5 I would have took over Long is Matt Ryan. Long will be a great cornerstone for the Rams defense for years.
Round 2 - Overall Pick # 33 -Donnie Avery - WR Grade: C+
Donnie Avery is player that gave me a lot of difficulty when I was grading him. Avery has been injured a couple of times, and being injured for the whole season didn't help. Avery could become a great player, or he could be cut next season. Adding Josh Mcdaniels could help Avery reach that next level if he can stay healthy. I couldn't get anyone who might be cut next season, because of performance and injuries a B, but with his potential he gets a C+
Round 3 - Overall Pick # 65 - John Greco - G Grade: D
I'm sure this is where things will get ugly. John Greco has been on the Rams for 3 years, and has only started 4 games. Greco just hasn't shown anything special. During the 2010 season, guard was a huge weakness, and the Rams didn't even think about putting him into games. Greco couldn't beat Adam Goldberg for the starting OG spot, and Goldberg is fit to be a good backup. I feel that at best, Greco will be a good backup, who will be a good situational starter. Think about the players we could have got instead of him. Jamaal Charles who went 8 picks later, and Early Doucet who went 16 picks later.
Round 4 - Overall Pick #; 101 - Justin King - CB Grade: D
This was a good pick when it was made. However King missed his whole rookie season. During the 2009 season it seemed like King would be a pretty good player. Then 2010 happened, and King barely got any playing time. King could still end up a good player, but I don't see it.
Round 4 - Overall Pick # 128- Keenan Burton - WR Grade: F
He is no longer on the team, so the pick gets an F. The Rams could have selected Tashard Choice or Xavier Adibi.
Round 5 - Overall Pick # 157 - Roy Schuening - G Grade: F
He is no longer on the team, so the pick gets an F. The Rams could have drafted Jonathan Goff.
Round 7 - Overall Pick # 228- Chris Chamberlain - LB Grade:D
What can I say about Chamberlain? He was a 7th round pick who managed to stay on the team, so he gets bonus points for that. Chamberlain is a pretty good special teams player, but he shouldn't be trusted to start a whole season. The only other player I would select would have been King Dunlap.
Round 7 - Overall Pick # 252 - David Vobora - OLB Grade: D+
This player has a special place in my heart. How many Mr. Irrelevant's have stayed on a team for more than 3 seasons? You have to wonder what would have happened, if Vobora ended up starting those 4 games in 2009. He isn't the best player, but another good special team player. As of right now, I would be okay with him starting at a linebacker spot, if the Rams had to.
Final Grade for 2008 draft C
You have one cornerstone in Long. You have the two players who got cut by the Rams. Avery could become a starter, or he might just be used as a deep threat. Then you have two underachievers in Justin King and John Greco. Lastly you have the two 7th round linebackers, who although they are still on the team, they most likely won't be more than rotational guys, or good special team guys.
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So
Guys picked who can be decent special teams performers in the 6th and 7th dont deserve a D. Vbora was a good 7th round pick. He is not great but, we get use out of him for his draft position.
If you love something, set it free. If it doesn't come back, find it and kill it.
Huh?
I gave Chris a D, and David a D+.
Is that great man formally known as Tevin T. Broner, also I'm on twitter T_bron
by Tevin Broner on Apr 20, 2011 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions
I would give both Vebora and Chamberlain...
at a minimum a C since at the 6th round, your looking for special teamers… if you get a full time starter, your really doing good. I’d give Dave a B for being a good depth guy. Not bad for being the last pick in the draft… plus he really has a cool car.
Only disagreements - the Chrises
As much as I appreciate Long’s play, A+ is the best grade possible, and I have difficulty assigning that pick an A+. It certainly didn’t impact the team as significantly as Matt Ryan did the Falcons one pick later, and both Ryan Clady and Sedrick Ellis would have been acceptable choices in retrospect.
And as for Chamberlain, I would put that pick in the C range. He’s one of our most important special teams players and should be for quite a while. When you look at the four picks from rounds 3-5 and question whether or not a single one of them will be on the Rams’ 2012 roster (a fair question), the fact that most should be hoping Chamberlain is on that roster underlies the value of that pick. He may not have turned into a huge contributor at LB, but his value for special teams is very significant.
Good stuff, T.
Turf Show Times editor, Mocking the Draft writer, and I gots that Twitter too, yo.
"my keyboard won't corporate, neighter will my smell check." - Knoxfan
by 3k on Apr 20, 2011 11:25 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
+1,000,000
I’d even go higher with Chamberlain. He’s a great ST player…it’s not like you expect a pro bowler every time you make a pick in the 7th round.
Number 8 is great
True
I didn’t want to give a non starter a C to be honest.
Is that great man formally known as Tevin T. Broner, also I'm on twitter T_bron
by Tevin Broner on Apr 20, 2011 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
I can understand that
Considering the shape of the LB’s…it makes a ton of sense.
Maybe this year?
Number 8 is great
What would you grade Chris Long?
I forgot about those two players, but they would have been reaches at the number two spot. I couldn’t tell you if Ryan Clady was a LT or RT, but I agree he would have been a good pick. Ellis, would have been nice also, but there was no way the Rams would draft him a year after adding Adam the bust Carriker.
But from where the Rams picked there is no one else the Rams should have took. Matt Ryan would have been nice though, but that would be too much money.
I agree on Chamberlain, I should have ranked him higher. Sometimes I get him and Vobora mixed up. They both seem like the best player, but Chamberlain is a great special teams player.
Is that great man formally known as Tevin T. Broner, also I'm on twitter T_bron
by Tevin Broner on Apr 20, 2011 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Long gets an A from me
Yeah some will say A+ is a lil high, but think about it i mean hes getting the respect now to the point where he is drawing double teams, and drawing penalties. I can understand why you gave him the A+ but he would get more credit if he had the sacks instead of all the hurries.
The staff from what I hear love King, he just cant stay on the field.
I was high on Adibi me being a VT homer but he really hasnt paned out either for Hou has he?
Keepin it KFC as always (Kool, Funky, & Clean)
Really? I would give him as of now a solid B+....
Maybe after a double digit sack season or some ridiclous playmaking he’ll get an A…….SJax gets an A+ in probably all our books and Long isnt anywhere close to the Playmaking ability he’s at or as a sure fire retired jersey/NFL top 100 players /Legend so the A+ is a little much.
"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
It's funny that you mention Clady.
I remember back to that draft and was hoping that the fins would not take Jake Long. He was an absolute beast LT and his time at Michigan validated him as the best OT in the draft. However, I knew the big Tuna would not pass up a safe valuable pick for something sexy.
When I read that the Rams had expressed interest in Clady, I became intrigued. I believe that he was brought in to Boises St. when Dan Hawkins was still coaching and that he dominated the WAC both at RT and LT. I still will never forget the OU game in the Fiesta bowl. Clady was the dude that laid the block for Ian Johnson’s touchdown on the Statute of Liberty play.
D is definitely too low for Chamberlain.
As for Chris Long, I’m not a big Matt Ryan fan at all – I really just think of him as a system QB, you can flame me if you want – so I think taking Long was the right choice.
That said, A+? He would need to be at least a top 5 DE to get a grade like that from me. He might get there someday, but right now I don’t think nearly that highly of him, even though he is one of my favorite Rams.
I gave Chris Long an A+
Because of who was picked around him, the need for the Rams, and the potential of the guy. Plus he has made a good impact on the Rams, He has been the best defensive lineman for the Rams the last two years. If he actually had good DT’s who knows how good he would/could be.
Is that great man formally known as Tevin T. Broner, also I'm on twitter T_bron
by Tevin Broner on Apr 20, 2011 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Jake Long
was picked before him and if I’m not mistaken, that’s who the Rams actually wanted.
I really don’t want to “down grade” Chris Long. I liked the pick at the time, (considering we didn’t get what we wanted), and I love the player. B+ is probably more suitable. He does have more to prove. And with some help from another quality defensive linemen he’ll probably become an A+.
I remember for a while
Jake and Chris were flip-flopped back and forth between the Dolphins and Rams on mock drafts. And yes, Rams wanted Jake
Needed: Ping Pong table. Anyone wanna donate $78 million?
Are you grading with playing time
I would give Avery a B but if you take into account playing time I see your point. I really can not blame players in the NFL for injuries. In Baseball they are a bunch of wimps. IMO.
Yeah playng time played a good part.
Your no use if you can’t play. Avery has the potential he could live up to it. Thats why he gets a C+
Is that great man formally known as Tevin T. Broner, also I'm on twitter T_bron
by Tevin Broner on Apr 20, 2011 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Chris Long is a B + right now
potentially an A. needs to hit double figures.
Chamberlain is a B just for special teams.
Vobora a C minus for being Mr Irrelevant and still playing… and having a cool car
Bradford to Onobun!
I think the B is kind of low.
Long is one of the best players from the 2008 draft class. He is also a cornerstone in our defense. Also Long gets double teamed and sometimes tripled team a lot.
On Chris I can’t give a B for special teams, he was a good pick. He could replaced though.
Vobora has a nice car, his car gets a A. Thats in the 2008 car draft though.
Is that great man formally known as Tevin T. Broner, also I'm on twitter T_bron
by Tevin Broner on Apr 20, 2011 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions
A "B" is a good grade
He’s still never been to a pro bowl, never has had double digit sacks, and isn’t too great against the run.
Grading him as an A+ means that he is the best he can be, he can’t get any better and we know that’s false. We expect an improvement next year. If Long averages 8-9 sacks and 1-2 tackles a game for the rest of his career, then that’s not a very good #2 overall pick.
I'd give Long a B+
A solid pick but not quite the guy I expected. Excellent at QB pressures but average at sacks and sub par against the run.
Donnie Avery is still Incomplete. Or a D. I’ll stick with incomplete. He’s one of the biggest wild cards on the whole team.
Avery totally is a wild card, same with Gilyard
I guess we’ll see next season, it’ll be make or break season for both of them, IMO
Needed: Ping Pong table. Anyone wanna donate $78 million?
Agree with the grades, in a general sense
However, I don’t like to play the “look who we could’ve gotten instead” card. Any team can say that for a number of players, and you’ll only drive yourself crazy thinking about it (especially when it comes to the Rams).
True,
I just thought it would be interesting to see who could have drafted instead, it wasn’t a factor really.
Is that great man formally known as Tevin T. Broner, also I'm on twitter T_bron
by Tevin Broner on Apr 20, 2011 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah
You were actually more generous than I expected, overall. At least you weren’t grading the ’06 class.
Yeah I could have been even more tougher.
It was an average draft at best. If King and Greco can become okay/ good starters it would be better. Man that 2006 draft was brutal
Is that great man formally known as Tevin T. Broner, also I'm on twitter T_bron
by Tevin Broner on Apr 20, 2011 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions
A+ should be reserved for Pro-Bowlers. Which Long ain't.
This 2008 draft was about an F+ at best. Long is OK, but that’s it. Avery will be cut this year after an injury riddled under-performing career with the Rams. Greco = yecch. And I still say Vobora hurts us everytime he steps on the field as an OLB. The Lions were getting better production at LB out of Bobby Carpenter, who we quickly cut. All I can figure is Vobora must know where the skeletons are hidden… Forget 2008 and move on to 2009 where we wasted an extremely valuable pick on $33M RT Jason Smith (he of soft-head) but got incredibly lucky with JL. Too bad he has to be play LB all alone. Next we can discuss Keith Null…
You would really give this draft an F+
That is way kind of low.
Is that great man formally known as Tevin T. Broner, also I'm on twitter T_bron
by Tevin Broner on Apr 20, 2011 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Don't worry,
if every pick isn’t an All-Pro Super Bowl Champion within 6 games of being drafted, they’re considered a failed pick by RamChop.
I would think picking as high up the food chain as we have the last 3 years, sheer dumb luck would've got us a couple pro-bowlers.
But, if you’re happy with guys like Long, Smith, Greco, King, Chamberlain, Murphy, Gilyard, Null, Davis, Avery, Null, not to mention the ones already cut, more power to ya.
Off the subject a bit...
I absolutely love slammin’ Sammy. But we could’ve had an offense led by Mike Vick (for cheap), Steven Jackson and Desean Jackson. Then Chris Long would’ve had Suh beside him and JL behind him. And, if you eliminate the very average Jason Smith for 2nd overall pick, Vick could also have Mike Crabtree as a target. Somehow, I think that offensive core could get 1st downs and that Defensive core could smashed some QB’s. But twas not to be…
That would be a great team.
I won’t argue with that, but we have to deal with what we have.
Is that great man formally known as Tevin T. Broner, also I'm on twitter T_bron
by Tevin Broner on Apr 20, 2011 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Captain hindsight to the rescue!
Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
by jreg88 on Apr 20, 2011 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Maybe you should have asked Atlanta that question.
A coach only has so many hours and resources to turn a franchise around. You need players that will help build the team up not have an entire P.R. dept .centered around someone that needs to much help. There was a 60/50 chance that vick would not turn out decent and at the time we did not have any room for error!
Mike Vick will not be as good next season
also, his prison thing means he doesn’t fit 4 pillar, is over 30 and gets hurt a lot.
I’d take Sam and this weaker roster over Vick and that superstar squad any day.
Franchise QBs don’t come every year and Sam is the definition of it. With him the sky is the limit.
Bradford to Onobun!
have you seen the schedule ramchop?
sheeeesh! who pissed in there coca puffs! steelers, dallas, pittsburgh, philly,green bay, new orleans, giants, and baltimore!! wtf!? easy now n.f.l! we just went 7-9, and right away…“7-9? eh…good enough…throw them to the wolves!!!” lmao! thats why this draft and free agency is soo important to the rams this yr.
kroenke shouldnt hold this schedule against spags ramchop if they do fall inder 500. again! that schedules brutal! if anything kroenke should see that, and try to nab some quality players via free agency, if he really wants to win now. dont you think? a mix of quality vets/young guns can go along way. ask the patriots, green bay, and the steelers about how that works.
by Mark Jaramillo on Apr 21, 2011 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions
If you look at about 1000 of my comments, it's pretty obvious I've seen the schedule and it scares the crap out of me.
But most folks keep saying the same things, some of which are true; (1) The whole NFC West plays the same schedule except 2 games, (2) the Ram will be better even without Atog, and (3) some top teams from the previous season will decline. Could be, but playing the previous 4 SB champs sounds pretty tough. Even so, I don’t think Kroenke is going to cut Spags and co. any slack. He watched the Rams play an extremely weak schedule last season and give away at least 4 winnable games while not beating a single good team. He also knows Pete Carroll made a monkey out of Spags in Week 17 on national TV with the NFC West Championship at stake. No coach with a losing record is automatically safe after 3 full seasons.
No way Long gets an A+
He definitely has room for improvement. He is good, but he deserves a B. Wait until he goes to a pro bowl, or is named an All-Pro before he starts getting an A+.
The probowl thing is just a popularity contest.
I don’t put much stock into that. Long was a great pick for the Rams. I don’t think he is bad against the run, I think teams just run to Hall’s side. He is one of the best players the Rams have drafted the last couple of years. Also his upside is still up there, lets give him some okay DT’s, and let the man go to work.
Is that great man formally known as Tevin T. Broner, also I'm on twitter T_bron
I think you are being far too generous to Avery
He had one solid but certainly not special season. He missed an entire other season. And he was taken over the guy everyone was sure would be the first receiver taken, Mr Desean Jackson, the two time pro bowler.
On the other hand, Chamberlain is a special teams stud, and there is no one from that seventh or maybe even sixth round I would rather have. He should have been a C or C+
+1
Avery has a lot to prove. Personally I’d give him a D- at this point. A lot of my disappointment over Avery my not be his fault but as far as grades go, he still has to earn a C+.
Everything from the Desean Jackson factor to being injury prone has to do with the failing grade.
im not understanding why some rams fans here are soo overly critical of chris long?
hes been making steady improvements since he got drafted. seems like some of you are forgeting that he was a 3-4 rushing end/linebacker in college, and had to try and transition to the 4-3. he led the league in qb hurrys, that means about 90% of the time, sacks or not, he was in the backfield everytime! making the qb make some bad decisions. ill take that anyday over some other draft picks that couldnt even sack a lunch!
somebody please tell me how glenn dorsey’s career’s going? i want a highlight! just one, because i think thats about it. look how long it took jared allen? it took him about 4-5 yrs too finally come into his own. cmon guys, chris is still a young gun, give him time.
mark i agree!!
He’s young…I think these guys are saying for a number 2 pick those aren’t numbers they want to see. I think he’s a stud I’m not a guy that goes high on numbers but hey the defense keeps improving as he improves weird huh..? I guess it must be luck..
by RamTX on Apr 20, 2011 2:41 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
The problem appears to be
That anything but praise is considered to be “overly critical”. He didn’t produce like a #2 pick for his first two years. Last year he was good, but not great.
That doesn’t deserve an A+. It deserves a B or B+.
Notice that I’m not saying he stinks or is lousy or any such thing. He just hasn’t been great thus far. I don’t have to worship the ground he walks on just to prove that I’m not overly critical or that I expect him to break Strahan’s record
who said you had to worship the ground he walks on?
there were/are far worse players the rams had on there roster. like i stated before, look how long it took jared allen, hell even mario williams, to get the feel of a pro defense, not to mention chris and the rest of the defense had to learn a whole new system, when coach spags, and his coaching staff came in.
hes been elevating his gm every yr, and from 2 sacks his 1st yr, to 8 sacks this yr, is great in my book! so tell me how a player like allen can generate 10 + sacks last yr, to what? 3-4 this yr? is that going from great to good? all i was saying is that chris is a young good/soon to be great player, they need time to develope, so ya ill take that B+.
by Mark Jaramillo on Apr 20, 2011 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions
exactly ramtx...
just because he a #2 pick right away everybody wanted chris to break mike strahans sack record! hes a young gun, and a way better de than most on other teams. dont get some of the criticism from these guys sometimes.
same for DV mr irrelevant...
I mean he has played and played average I mean avery is graded higher than him and I disagree(with DV not donnies I think they should be the same)..but aside from all this I’m ready and excited for the season!!!(I’m optimistic)
by RamTX on Apr 20, 2011 8:53 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Vobora as # 252 is a D+?
He has at least played. Drafted that late, I think he did what he could with his ability to even get on the field.
There are better players certainly
And the Rams could have and should have acquired better players in his spot, I’m just saying for a pick that late he’s done about as well as could be expected in a starting role.
by CoachConnors on Apr 21, 2011 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
The Rams turned down a trade offer
from Newsome(four extra picks) to stay at 2 and draft Chris Long. Can’t say we’re better off for it. Could’ve traded down and taken Clady. Avery over Jackson and Manningham made no sense. Vobora only has had as much playing time as he has because of our lousy roster.
Long’s emergence makes this draft acceptable, but barely. C-.
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