Looking towards the 2012 draft ROUND 1

[EKnight]

Why is no one mentioning that at one point they DID go out and grab what they felt was the best QB available in Daunte Culpepper, and that didn't work out either. NOTHING is a sure bet. -EK

[MikeO]

Actually what has gotten them into this mess is believing they are smart enough to find THEIR guy in the 2nd or 3rd round.  Pick the best QB available in the 1st round and you won't go wrong because there are several of them worthy of 1st round status this year and you're going to get a good QB regardless, possibly better than the one they think is THEIR guy.

The trade and free agency route has blown up in their face (AJ Feeley, Fiedler, Culpepper, Griese...etc) Everyone of them was "the guy" they all failed. Taking guys outside of Rd 1,(Beck, White, Henne...etc) they all sucked, taking guys in rounds 2 and 3 hasn't worked. They need to target a guy and go get him in Rd 1. Just because there are 4 or 5 guys who will go in Round 1, to just get one and be happy. That is settling in my book. Get the guy you want. It won't cost 3 or 4 first round picks, anyone who thinks that doesn't know the draft. But if you gotta give up two 1st rounders and a 2nd, do it! We blow those picks anyway on garbage players who can't play most of the time.

Get the guy you want! Don't get one for the sake of getting one because logic says "you have to take a QB". That's how you end up with the Akili Smith's of the world on your hands.

[el diablo]

Why is no one mentioning that at one point they DID go out and grab what they felt was the best QB available in Daunte Culpepper, and that didn't work out either. NOTHING is a sure bet. -EK

You're right. That offseason was between Culpepper & a guy named Drew Brees. One had a knee problem. One had a shoulder problem. They chose the knee problem guy. Which means, twice they passed up on Brees. Honestly, you never know how players are going to pan out. You just hope you've done enough homework.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

You're right. That offseason was between Culpepper & a guy named Drew Brees. One had a knee problem. One had a shoulder problem. They chose the knee problem guy. Which means, twice they passed up on Brees. Honestly, you never know how players are going to pan out. You just hope you've done enough homework.

Which is a compelling reason not to use draft picks to move up. 

Compare two of your division rivals which have 180 degree approaches.

Jets - Mike Tannenbaum takes the approch of target your guy and then trade up.  He traded up for Sanchez, he traded up for McKnight and others.  He has also drafted some quailty players, but typically drafts much less than 7.

Patriots - Bill Belichick trades down whenever possible on the theory that draft picks are a crap shoot and the more shots you have the better chance some will work out.  He has drafted his share of busts but ussually gets a few decent players.  Typically drafts more than 7.

[el diablo]

Which is a compelling reason not to use draft picks to move up. 

Compare two of your division rivals which have 180 degree approaches.

Jets - Mike Tannenbaum takes the approch of target your guy and then trade up.  He traded up for Sanchez, he traded up for McKnight and others.  He has also drafted some quailty players, but typically drafts much less than 7.

Patriots - Bill Belichick trades down whenever possible on the theory that draft picks are a crap shoot and the more shots you have the better chance some will work out.  He has drafted his share of busts but ussually gets a few decent players.  Typically drafts more than 7.

Still, it depends on the player you plan to draft. New England typically drafts low in the 1st round. So it makes sense for them to target players in later rounds. They're not constantly rebuilding. You have to take in to account the most important position that you need versus the nest available at that position.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Still, it depends on the player you plan to draft

Not at all.  It is a fundamental difference of draft philosphy. 

One beleives in quailty over quanity approach and has a large degree of confidence in his ability to assess a players ability to play at the NFL level based on that players college play and combine results. 

The other believes that he lacks the ability to make a solid prediction on a players ability to play at the NFL level and that the best way to get a bullseye is to throw more darts. 

[CF DolFan]

Why is no one mentioning that at one point they DID go out and grab what they felt was the best QB available in Daunte Culpepper, and that didn't work out either. NOTHING is a sure bet. -EK

This is completely flawed logic and at best like comparing apples to oranges.  Culpepper was a known risk. Brees was a known risk. Neither were incoming players with great potential. No one knew if either would ever perform again so to even sign them was a risk let alone if they would perform well.

[Diehard_Dolfan]

I don't think we'll get a shot at Luck... I like RG3 a lot!   I don't think he comes right in and starts but I do think he'll develop into a good QB.  I don't care for Landry Jones seen enough of him to change what I once thought was a good idea in drafting him.

Barkley i'm not sure... I haven't really seen much of him... he did play in a pro style system though.

[MikeO]

Something for all to consider..

RG3 went to school at Baylor

Jeff Ireland graduated from Baylor


Just sayin!