@sisky-fringo said:

sorry so late on the reply, it's the best i can do.

It would be the first 3-4 loaded with huge guys like that on the line to be successful. I don't even think there would be gaps for LB to shoot with guys that huge. Guess it doesn't matter now.

Masters said:

it might if you had some decent Backers behind them.

sorry so late on the reply, it's the best i can do.

Endymion said:

whatcha gotta say now?

@ytownbrownsbacker said:

he may not be more diva but he's a billion times more thug.

I think about this. What is the organization plan and where does the team need to be at this time next year with needs? I don't want to have to go into the draft next year with needs at OLB, WR, SS, RB and Center.

i feel pretty good about what they accomplished per your list on day one. just looking to see how you felt too, YTown.

time will tell on the rooks and Elam should compete at safety (didn't they try to get him from the Jets before but they matched the Browns offer, i can't remember now).

which leaves RB and you know how i feel about Jamal the stud. they'll likely bring in a couple of those to compete as well. so far so good?

**edit** saw your approval in another thread. good enough.

Aloysius said:

Also, you're right about these guys not coming around often, but that's the whole point. According to Bill Parcells' "Planet Theory", guys who are both huge & freakishly athletic are so rare that you have to take one if he's available. There may not be a guy who fits the bill in this year's draft, but Mangini wouldn't simply pass on one because the guy would play 3-4 DE.

I'd again agree with you. I just don't see that "planet theory" guy in this draft.

I can see it now.....Kiper will be going nuts...Crabtree isn't picked by #15 and he'll babble on and on about it.

If Maclin sees any of this stuff I'm sure he just smiles. Crabtree is making him richer with every word that comes out of his mouth.

Posted by Mike Florio on April 23, 2009, 8:43 p.m.

Receiver Michael Crabtree, who is already sounding at times like a guy who at some point will be publicly thanking his hands or doing sit ups in his driveway or nudging traffic cops with a car bumper or all of the above, made another ill-advised comment on Thursday.

The remark came during a live chat on NFL.com. According to RaiderBeat.com, Crabtree had this to say when asked about whether he wants to play for the Raiders (and, apparently, about whether he’s cocky): “I’m not cocky at all,” Crabtree said. “People talk, man, but I’m a cool guy. As for playing for the Raiders, no comment.”

Hmmmmm.

But the odd thing about this one is that the live chat currently contains no such “no comment” comment. But it does, however, contain a subsequent reference to the exchange.

Q: “Why did you say no commit [sic] to playing for the raiders? Does that mean you wouldn’t like to be a raider[?]”

A: “No, I’d like to play for whoever picks me.”

Yeah, right.

We’re starting to get the feeling that, come Saturday, this guy will be sliding like Aaron Rodgers stretching a single into a double on a baseball diamond made of freshly Zambonied ice.

@cambridgeho said:

Wow! You lucky dog!

That race and Daytona are my two favorite races. Have a great time and be careful.

Do you pull for any driver?

My daughter has her prom and I Have to be there for the grand march at 6:30. So I think I'll just record the draft and the nationwide race and try not to hear any news until I've watched it all.....So much to do....So little time.

DE- smith, william, mosley

NT- smith, rogers

when you look at it on paper we have some depth at DE but no studs, this year in the draft also lacks that.

moving rogers probably wont work, it sounds badass though.

curry is not the answer but an upgrade

orakpo could be Great in time

please of dear lord, dont draft Sanchez and not be able to trade one of our qbs.

Take Maclin, he has great all around qualities as a player. He and Braylon would be nasty the next 2 years,

also he could spell Mr. Cribbs of some kickoff duties since he will be playing every spot on the team.

Damn im getting excited, too bad i cant watch the draft, heading to Talladega at noon.

Of course, Michael Crabtree did come in for his visit and basically irritate everyone in the building. I've heard from friends at Tech that he runs with a really rough crowd and his extracurricular activities may be cause for concern. (Pacman, anyone?).

Personally, I am not bothered if red flags come up and a team with the #5 pick chooses to take him off of their boards. When Pacman Jones was at WVU, people KNEW he was bad news and woe was unto those that drafted him. Does this bother anyone if the "due diligence" resulted in the team being put off by a guy who could be a pariah?

Aloysius said:

Look at New England's d-line: all 1st round picks, and Belichick's drafted depth guys in Rounds 2-4. Seymour was taken with the 6th pick in the draft and is currently playing on the back end of a lucrative contract extension. NE's other starting end, Ty Warren, signed a 5 year, $36M extension two years ago.

Based on that, one can only conclude that two gap DE's are worth huge bucks. The problem is that this year's draft doesn't necessarily have a guy worth that kind of money. Next year's draft definitely does.

True BUT NE didn't switch to a 3-4 immediately upon BB's arrival. They did so when they experienced some injury volumes along their dline and things got thin up front. Ted Johnson was their starting MLBer back when they ran the 4-3.

IMO, Richard Seymour was prolly THE most unique draft choice for NE in the sense that he was a DT at GA with the build and athleticism to be a DE or a DT at the NFL level. Talk about your ideal 3-4 guy. It doesn't get ANY better than that. I thought he was the best downlinemen in the league on the defensive side of the ball for about 4 years until wear and tear caught up with him.

I don't know what rounds Pittsburgh drafted DEs Brett Keisel and Aaron Smith in or how much megabucks they make. I DO think their role in the scheme CREATES the ideal opportunities for Harrison and Woodley when sacks are needed off the edge.

- Tom F.

Aloysius said:

Also, you're right about these guys not coming around often, but that's the whole point. According to Bill Parcells' "Planet Theory", guys who are both huge & freakishly athletic are so rare that you have to take one if he's available. There may not be a guy who fits the bill in this year's draft, but Mangini wouldn't simply pass on one because the guy would play 3-4 DE.

I think the only real solid 5 technique DE in this draft is Jackson. I don't think he is worth a #5. But, you are right about not passing on a super talent who can play in a 2 gap 3-4. But that's a guy who is big, strong and athletic and can use his hands to shed blocks really well. For me, that isn't Raji and it wouldn't be Rogers unless he could get down to about 295 and keep his strength.

@flugel said:

Reasons?

1) Speed

2) Count HOW MANY of Crabtree's highlights (EVEN THE GAME WINNING TD RECEPTION vrs TEXAS) you can actually count more than 1 DB in the picture. That is BECAUSE Mike Leach used a 4 WR spread to prevent a defenseless conference from doubling his BEST WR. The NEXT level will be a bigger adaptation process than people think for him.

3) Gifted return man as well

4) Foot injuries are unpredictable. Remember Keith Byars' first couple years in the NFL? Neither does he because he was injured and his career didn't really kick off until his 3rd year if memory serves me right.

- Tom F.

I think I like Maclin just as much or even better too. The kid is blazing quick. Makes people miss all over the place.

But as far as injuries go, remember, Maclin blew out his knew. There are injury concerns for both guys.

@oldcrow1945 said:

And Flugel's been saying Maclin over Crabtree long before Grossi and MockShay.

Reasons?

1) Speed

2) Count HOW MANY of Crabtree's highlights (EVEN THE GAME WINNING TD RECEPTION vrs TEXAS) you can actually count more than 1 DB in the picture. That is BECAUSE Mike Leach used a 4 WR spread to prevent a defenseless conference from doubling his BEST WR. The NEXT level will be a bigger adaptation process than people think for him.

3) Gifted return man as well

4) Foot injuries are unpredictable. Remember Keith Byars' first couple years in the NFL? Neither does he because he was injured and his career didn't really kick off until his 3rd year if memory serves me right.

- Tom F.

Masters said:

Well, Ytown's point was about the specific type of two gap 3-4 that we run, which is distinct from the Phillips and LeBeau versions of the 3-4. One of the Steelers' reporters at Scout.com wrote a good piece a while back about how the Steelers' brand of 3-4 allows them to draft d-linemen later. I'll try to dig it up (EDIT: Posted the article here).

Also, you're right about these guys not coming around often, but that's the whole point. According to Bill Parcells' "Planet Theory", guys who are both huge & freakishly athletic are so rare that you have to take one if he's available. There may not be a guy who fits the bill in this year's draft, but Mangini wouldn't simply pass on one because the guy would play 3-4 DE.

Aloysius said:

Look at New England's d-line: all 1st round picks, and Belichick's drafted depth guys in Rounds 2-4. Seymour was taken with the 6th pick in the draft and is currently playing on the back end of a lucrative contract extension. NE's other starting end, Ty Warren, signed a 5 year, $36M extension two years ago.

Based on that, one can only conclude that two gap DE's are worth huge bucks. The problem is that this year's draft doesn't necessarily have a guy worth that kind of money. Next year's draft definitely does.

I'd never say that a guy won't come alone here and there worth it. But just as you can point to NE, I can point to PIT which does not have 1st rounders sitting a DE.

@ytownbrownsbacker said:

This seems reasonable at first, but it completely flies in the face of what Belichick and other 3-4 gurus have done.

Look at New England's d-line: all 1st round picks, and Belichick's drafted depth guys in Rounds 2-4. Seymour was taken with the 6th pick in the draft and is currently playing on the back end of a lucrative contract extension. NE's other starting end, Ty Warren, signed a 5 year, $36M extension two years ago.

Based on that, one can only conclude that two gap DE's are worth huge bucks. The problem is that this year's draft doesn't necessarily have a guy worth that kind of money. Next year's draft definitely does.

Masters said:

and this isn't a one gap scheme, it is a two gap system. Read and react. So, why would you pay a DE big bucks when he isn't in a position to be an impact palyer. LBs are the playmakers in the 3-4.

AdaM said:

Except that in a 3-4 the NT is about the most glamorous on the line. 3-4 DE aren't exactly known for racking up the sacks or getting paid big. That goes to the OLB in the 3-4.

Masters said:

Well he's stuck in a 3-4 he's gotta settle for DE in this scenario.

AdaM said:

I think Rogers would be a lot more motivated at DE than NT because he would have more glamor on his job description and be able to go after the QB more.

I'd grant the glamour part. But he also just saw Haynesworth get that same glamour as a DT.

Masters said:

3-4 ends are tough to find, unless you are PIT or NE. While I see him taking some blocking off an OLB rushing, they are now going to have to get around Rogers giant body and the two guys blocking him. If Rogers is taking on a T, I'd expect to see Rogers on the T (who will always be more agile) and getting chipped by a TE. Which should give enough time to prevent him from getting to the QB before he gets the ball off. I mean people talk about Wimbley not having moves from the edge, well Rogers is gonna have less imo (considering he's never played DE in any scheme).

Now, as you pointed out CLE will play a lot of 4-3 or 4-2 lineups in passing downs, and sure Rogers and Raji would be great taking up 3 to 4 of the guys blocking. But what about those running downs when you can take the ball to the edge. You are gonna beat Rogers to the edge. He ain't NFL RB fast/quick. I just don't see it working with two mountains.

Character is a concern too. I remember the last questionable character player CLE took in the 1st round from BC.

I duno, Rogers to me is a guy who would love to rush the QB, he's just trapped in a NT's body.

I think Rogers would be a lot more motivated at DE than NT because he would have more glamor on his job description and be able to go after the QB more.

@riffer-x said:

Agree with your premise but not the specifics in this case. Good 3/4 ends are a mother to find and I think Rogers could dominate there and also take tremendous pressure off of whoever ends up playing OLB next to him. Also, these guys will probably go 4/3 40% of the time anyway and those two could be devastating next to each other.

To me, the only question is whether or not the guy's character is more like Pocket Change Warren that worries me.

Rogers is athletic. But it is usually followed by "for a guy 340lbs". Seeing as how he was miffed about a weight requirement earlier this offseason (allegedly), I don't see him being ecstatic to have to lose weight.

3-4 ends are tough to find, unless you are PIT or NE. While I see him taking some blocking off an OLB rushing, they are now going to have to get around Rogers giant body and the two guys blocking him. If Rogers is taking on a T, I'd expect to see Rogers on the T (who will always be more agile) and getting chipped by a TE. Which should give enough time to prevent him from getting to the QB before he gets the ball off. I mean people talk about Wimbley not having moves from the edge, well Rogers is gonna have less imo (considering he's never played DE in any scheme).

Now, as you pointed out CLE will play a lot of 4-3 or 4-2 lineups in passing downs, and sure Rogers and Raji would be great taking up 3 to 4 of the guys blocking. But what about those running downs when you can take the ball to the edge. You are gonna beat Rogers to the edge. He ain't NFL RB fast/quick. I just don't see it working with two mountains.

Character is a concern too. I remember the last questionable character player CLE took in the 1st round from BC.