Top draft has to go to the Miami Dolphins. Not just because I'm a Die Hard Michigan Wolverines fan, (I found myself rooting for them to make Mario Manningham and then Mike Hart with a late rounder), but because they got the prototype left tackle and a QB rated as pro ready by most scouts. Not only that, but they got a HUGE Defensive End to play opposite the ex-MVP (bet you forgot about him while he danced with the stars!).
This leads me to my steal of the draft. I didnt think Chad Henne deserved to be drafted at the bottom of the second. I REALLY didn't think Div II-A Joe Flacco should be rated higher on anybody's board. Henne will prove to be the top long term NFL QB out of this draft, just watch.
Weird moment of the draft: Detroit going patriotic. Not that I don't think Caleb Campbell was a need pick. Apparently he could pack on a few pounds and become a quality LB. But unless he shows up and runs a 5.7 or packs on two spare tires, I don't think the Lions would cut him. Imagine the PR nightmare in a blue collar city like Detroit if he gets sent to Iraq and something horrible happens to him. As a GM, I'd stay away for that reason. If you've ever seen a camera crew on a coaching staff as they labor over final cuts for a team, you know how precious every single roster spot is.
What the $#@*& pick of the draft: I gotta say that I dont get the Carolina Panthers. They have DeAngelo Williams, a quality RB, and they draft Jonathan Stewart high enough that he has to be considered a replacement, or a waste of first round money. Im not even a Panthers follower, and even I said "huhn?"
Worst Pick: I don't care about the run on tackles. The Falcons traded UP to 21 to select a player whom Scout.com had ranked as its 41st overall player. Seriously? Wow. What a waste. There had to be a backup plan.

Faces at the U.S. Open



Comments (9)
My comments on the Carolina Panthers comments... John Fox wanted a big power back to smash through the D-Line... If you actually KNOW what kind of runner D-Will is, you would know that he is a speed runner, who runs around defensive tackles, not through them. Plus Jonathan Stewart has the power to not only smash through the line, but then break into a big sprint to gain some big yardage. Also, Carolina uses a two back system, where they alternate the backs depending on the situation...
As for the trade to the Eagles, all the Panthers did was just take next year's first round pick early, so instead of having 1 this year and 1 the next, they just took both this year, so trading a 2nd and 4th pick in order to get back into the first round and draft a quality offensive tackle is a damn good deal.
Stewart isn't a "waste of first round money". A lot of draft analysists have him as the second best RB in the draft, and he provides a good running style that separates him from Williams. Maybe you should do some reasearch before you start scratching your head and saying "huhn?"
Panthers4Life | 04/30/08, 09:18 AM
Report Offensive CommentI know you feel the need to defend your home team, but let's see how this goes before we hail him as the second best RB in the draft. And he may be ok, who knows, but is a complementary runner worth a first round pick (and money) when you have more pressing needs?
CanadaFootball | 04/30/08, 10:31 AM
Report Offensive CommentIm a Panthers fan through and through and agree 100 percent with Panther4Life. Every team needs 2 quality running backs on their team. Most of the teams that have 2 quality complimentary backs do better than the others. Take theChargers for example, they never had alot of a dropoff from their running attack when they wanted to give LT a break and put in Turner. Same with the Cowboys last year with Barber and Jones. The Panthers didnt have mych of abackup this year after the much deserved release of Foster. I am 100% being the pick and feel that they will be a perfect tandem to John Fox's smaskmouth style of football he likes to play. As far as the Otah trade, they chose next years pick this year. I look at it this way, they could of drafted a OT next year and he may or may not be as good as Otah, or they could trade up, get a good OT this year in Otah and next year he will have a full year of experience under his belt, not a rookie that they may of gotten next year and learning the NFL speed. They had a heck of a draft. Probably starting safety to team with Harris, a heck of a linebacker in Conner, what a steal!!! And I love the pick of Hilee taylor, hes a speedster off the edge for passing situations. I give him atleast 5 sacks next year just coming in situational. GOOD JOB PANTHERS! Ya finally drafted well all rounds this year I believe.
MOOD EYZZ | 05/01/08, 01:01 AM
Report Offensive Commentis a complementary runner worth a first round pick (and money) when you have more pressing needs?
Well, John Fox and Marty Hurney's philosophy about the draft is to take the best player that is on the board. RB wasn't the Panthers biggest need, but since the only decent backup to D Will is Brandon Toefield, Stewart may grow to be a better back than Toefield. Fox's philosophy about taking the best players on the board even if they don't need them was kind of evident when they took Dan Conner in the 3rd round. They had a lot of depth in the LB positions, but just like Stewart, he was too good to pass up.
People may think he'll be a bust with his toe injuries that he keeps playing through, but the person who performed his surgery before the draft happened to be the Panther's team doctor, and he said he would be good to go in time for training camp. He was too good to pass up.
I think the Panthers filled a lot of their holes in the depth chart this year. That might have not been evident with this year's draft, but just take a look at all of the DT free agents that they signed.
Now, I never said he was the 2nd best RB in the draft (although I believe he can be). Thats what all of the draft analysts say. Besides, we never know how good a player is until they really play. I'm really hoping that Stewart and Otah really work out, but if they don't then it looks like I'm gonna be eating my words really soon/
Panthers4Life | 05/01/08, 08:26 AM
Report Offensive CommentWell I guess that sums it up :) the person that management is accountable to ultimately is its team's fans and shareholders. And the fans being happy is what makes the owners happy anyway :) So, as much as I don't get their draft strategy (a second back is great, but pressing needs at all defensive secondary positions and new vacancies at LB were mentioned and only partially addressed), if die hard fans are happy, that's what matters :) SO, while my opinion hasn't changed apparently my perspective has :)
CanadaFootball | 05/01/08, 04:00 PM
Report Offensive Comment"but pressing needs at all defensive secondary positions"
Not for nothing, but considering the horrific pass-rush the Panther's had last year, and the emergence of SS Chris Harris, I would consider their secondary one of their biggest strengths. Did you mean defensive line? I think after Derrick Harvey was nabbed up by the Jaguars, the Panthers did the right thing by selecting J. Stewart. The FA additions of Darwin Walker and Ian Scott will boot the pressure up the gut, and former 1st round Tyler Brayton, and last year's 3rd rounder C. Johnson should compete well for the starting nod @ LDE.. Throw in Dan Conner and Charles Godfrey as excellent 3rd round value picks, and you can easily see the Panther's having had one of the best drafts in franchise history, and it was long overdue. Stewart will certainly help keep the chains moving on short yardage situations, and that keeps the d-line fresh.
All in all this draft on paper looks like their best ever draft, and possibly the best draft by any NFL team this year.
NJPanther | 05/09/08, 02:55 PM
Report Offensive Comment**** all you mother **** ****
Coltslaxer32 is ready-Sunday | 05/31/08, 06:28 PM
Report Offensive CommentLOL JK
Coltslaxer32 is ready-Sunday | 05/31/08, 06:28 PM
Report Offensive CommentI disagree. The panther want to make sure they have a running game to help whoever is their QB. The Dolphins did not have the best draft either. The Chiefs did. They got multiple good rookies. Expect them to turn out to be very good players.
FanMan: is back! | 05/31/08, 06:44 PM
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