Mike Mayock ranks the RBs in the Draft

[22cannon]

No. . . Barry Sanders is the only back that I have ever seen that didn't really need an effective O-line. Most of the time they were just in his way and one more player he had to dodge.

Shaoulda watched a guy named Floyd Little

[FinNasty]

well, that's because he doesn't judge players from how they work out. He judges them by how well they played during their college career. Combine/Pro Days makes for only probably 10% of what the scouts need to see in order to further evalute them.

Most scouts/draft experts/teams already know who's going to be their selections unless a guy like McFadden impress scouts at the combine and makes him that much more valuable. Like Calvin Johnson and Adrian Peterson last year, they were already top 10 talent but elevated their status because of their combine.

Then you sometimes have guys like Ronnie Brown or Chris Henry who blows up in the combine and teams will draft them due to their combine. Those are the players you want to avoid picking early because of good combine but low productivity during their college career. Some work some don't, just don't reach for them because they showed some spark.

Then you sometimes have guys whose stock drops because of poor combine. Terrel Davis, Jerry Rice, Anquan Boldin, Brandon Marshall but they became superstars. It's what they did while at the collegate level not what their combine numbers say.

Ronnie Brown has been a great back in the NFL, and was dominant this year until he got derailed. Ronnie is not even close to being a "workout warrior" which you seem to be classifying him as...


Oh, and Brandon Marshall had a MUCH more impressive combine than anyone expected. He was predicted to run in the 4.6s...

[BroncoKazuki]

I think that mayock is overanalizing mcfadden a bit, you dont do what he did in collage and not be able to break a few tackles, he was so good that players couldnt get close enough for him to break tackles, he is that much quicker and faster then everyone, then you add his size in where he can add another 10 pounds easy in the nfl, the guy has a very good chance to be not only good, but great. the other guys can be good, but none of the others that he mentioned, I dont think are going to be great. and then he didnt even mention my guy Kevin Smith, who breaks tackles, is quicker than all of them and never gets caught from behind, the only thing that pushes him back is his school, but this guy has the size, vision, and tackle breaking ability, along with the fact that he has proven that he can carry a large load of the carries with out getting injured. but it is still early, lets wait until the combine when the list get more set before we see where these guys stack up

When it comes to analizing a player theres no such thing as overanalizing. When a multi-million dollar contract rides on what scouts or others say about a player, teams listen. The norm is McFadden razzle and dazzled scouts and thats what will keep him in the top 10, reguardless of what Mayock says because everyone will hype McFadden as the Next big thing.. or whatever. That's always the norm. Same thing happen to Leinart and ect.

The thing is Mayock is right on the money about McFadden and correct about Stewart, Mendenhall and Jones will surprise people. He's also right about how the talent at RB's takes a nosedive after then 2nd round.

This may be pre-combine but its a very good forecast on who's gonna be very good, who's going to be quality and who's just not worth drafting.

your opinion is that McFadden will be good same with Keven Smith.

My Opinion is that McFadden will implode under his own hype and bust because he's mostly use to Direct Snaps and the NFL barely does any Direct Snaps which will make me wonder on how much success he'll have when he's not taking Direct Snaps.

Kevin Smith will be good back but he wont be a franchise back Ive said some stuff about Smith before, and if we cant get our franchise back, we miss out on Choice. I would take Smith over Heart and Forte because he's the better of the two but not as good as Choice or any of the 1st rounder backs.

[beastlyskronk]

The thing is Mayock is right on the money about McFadden and correct about Stewart, Mendenhall and Jones will surprise people. He's also right about how the talent at RB's takes a nosedive after then 2nd round.

My Opinion is that McFadden will implode under his own hype and bust because he's mostly use to Direct Snaps and the NFL barely does any Direct Snaps which will make me wonder on how much success he'll have when he's not taking Direct Snaps.

Mayock is not right on the money about McFadden. He's just trying to make it seem like there isn't a considerable gap between him and the 2nd best back.

McFadden will not implode on his hype and bust like Reggie Bush has done so far. He's not mostly use to direct snaps. Sure he took some but it was just that some. They only did that when they needed a big play and plus their QB sucked. He can run out of the shotgun and I formation. It doesn't matter just give him the ball and he'll make plays.

BTW I wonder why no one says anything like Mendenhall can't take a hit and keep on running or anything like that. These 2 are essentially the same players with different names and go to different schools.

[BroncoKazuki]

Mayock is not right on the money about McFadden. He's just trying to make it seem like there isn't a considerable gap between him and the 2nd best back.

McFadden will not implode on his hype and bust like Reggie Bush has done so far. He's not mostly use to direct snaps. Sure he took some but it was just that some. They only did that when they needed a big play and plus their QB sucked. He can run out of the shotgun and I formation. It doesn't matter just give him the ball and he'll make plays.

BTW I wonder why no one says anything like Mendenhall can't take a hit and keep on running or anything like that. These 2 are essentially the same players with different names and go to different schools.

The two may look the same but they are different.

Watch the tape and look closely at what he says about Mendenhall and McFadden.

You can probably say im not buying into the hype of McFadden which you can say is true, i really am not, i think Stewart/Mendenhall/Jones are more of the solid picks out of the 4.

Just re-watch the tape again.

[beastlyskronk]

The two may look the same but they are different.

Watch the tape and look closely at what he says about Mendenhall and McFadden.

You can probably say im not buying into the hype of McFadden which you can say is true, i really am not, i think Stewart/Mendenhall/Jones are more of the solid picks out of the 4.

Just re-watch the tape again.

I don't care what Mike Mayock says. I haven't even watched the tape. I have watched extensive tape on both of these players and from what I've seen is that both of them can do the same thing the other can but D-Mac just does it better consistently.

Yes I do watch tape on them. I've taped all of Illini's games for the past couple of years because my little bro wanted me to help him find out what kind of football program they have there and I've always taped SEC football.

[broncobuss]

When it comes to analizing a player theres no such thing as overanalizing. When a multi-million dollar contract rides on what scouts or others say about a player, teams listen. The norm is McFadden razzle and dazzled scouts and thats what will keep him in the top 10, reguardless of what Mayock says because everyone will hype McFadden as the Next big thing.. or whatever. That's always the norm. Same thing happen to Leinart and ect.

The thing is Mayock is right on the money about McFadden and correct about Stewart, Mendenhall and Jones will surprise people. He's also right about how the talent at RB's takes a nosedive after then 2nd round.

This may be pre-combine but its a very good forecast on who's gonna be very good, who's going to be quality and who's just not worth drafting.

your opinion is that McFadden will be good same with Keven Smith.

My Opinion is that McFadden will implode under his own hype and bust because he's mostly use to Direct Snaps and the NFL barely does any Direct Snaps which will make me wonder on how much success he'll have when he's not taking Direct Snaps.

Kevin Smith will be good back but he wont be a franchise back Ive said some stuff about Smith before, and if we cant get our franchise back, we miss out on Choice. I would take Smith over Heart and Forte because he's the better of the two but not as good as Choice or any of the 1st rounder backs.

I respect that you think that mcfadden is over hyped, we all got our own opinions, just like alot wont agree with me that kevin smith is the 2nd best back, or like I dont agree with choice as a very good back, its all speculation on all of our parts, we've all seen #1 overall picks turn into bust, so Im not going to say I know for sure anything, but when I watch Mcfadden, I see a great player and great running back, and with mayock saying things like hes carring the ball in the wrong hand and for that hes not as good as mendenhall along with other things not involved with what he accually did on the field, I just think football is not that high tech, its still just football and its more important what they do on the field than at a work out, and I think they some times lose site of that. and I think that is where teams get into trouble when they forget the results and focus on if the ball is in the right hand and other minor things

[lancane]

I don't care what Mike Mayock says. I haven't even watched the tape. I have watched extensive tape on both of these players and from what I've seen is that both of them can do the same thing the other can but D-Mac just does it better consistently.

Yes I do watch tape on them. I've taped all of Illini's games for the past couple of years because my little bro wanted me to help him find out what kind of football program they have there and I've always taped SEC football.

I have watched them extensively too Kronk, and I happen to disagree. That still is just your opinion, one that you believe headily and I get that. But you are human and just as foulable as any other person. You have watched tape on both, I have been to a ton of Big Ten games, I watched alot of college ball this year including four or five games of Arkansas and I also have spoken to friends who go to alot of the Pac-10 games including USC and Oregon. We have all discussed this extensively and my friend Jason is a huge Stewart fan and lives in Portland, he goes to games all the time, another friend of ours who lives in L.A. is a huge USC fan, and all of us agree hands down that we think Mendenhall is the best back in the draft. Mendenhall is very different then McFadden, he keeps his legs turning and gets extra yards, McFadden hits a wall and falls like a test dummy, he has weak legs and his strong attribute is the nose for the big play, where as Mendenhall has made a career of busting through the holes for both good yards and big runs. I do not see McFadden as a homerun hitter but more like a game changer who is a multi-weapon, he is no true halfback who can pound it through four quarters...a 1,000 yards in college is nothing! That is true, I can tell you of a load of prospects who may not even get drafted that have had comparable seasons to McFadden, what sets him apart is his athletic ability and the way he is physically a weapon all over...just like Reggie Bush, what sets Mendenhall and Stewart apart from the rest is their power and speed mixed and ability to carry the load. A lot of people can argue that McFadden was only so good because of Jones, really they both could just change up the tempo of a game, but neither had to carry the whole load and there is a difference IMO.

As far as getting all pissed on the issue, just in general some of us need to agree to disagree instead of I do this and you do that and we know who is right and you or he or they are wrong. And some need to realize that they are just fans and unlike Mayock, Kiper or McShay they do not get paid to do this and the others are better known for their quality in doing their jobs and so many will tend to agree more with the professionals rather then those who are only amateurs by all standards.

[beastlyskronk]

I have watched them extensively too Kronk, and I happen to disagree. That still is just your opinion, one that you believe headily and I get that. But you are human and just as foulable as any other person. You have watched tape on both, I have been to a ton of Big Ten games, I watched alot of college ball this year including four or five games of Arkansas and I also have spoken to friends who go to alot of the Pac-10 games including USC and Oregon. We have all discussed this extensively and my friend Jason is a huge Stewart fan and lives in Portland, he goes to games all the time, another friend of ours who lives in L.A. is a huge USC fan, and all of us agree hands down that we think Mendenhall is the best back in the draft. Mendenhall is very different then McFadden, he keeps his legs turning and gets extra yards, McFadden hits a wall and falls like a test dummy, he has weak legs and his strong attribute is the nose for the big play, where as Mendenhall has made a career of busting through the holes for both good yards and big runs. I do not see McFadden as a homerun hitter but more like a game changer who is a multi-weapon, he is no true halfback who can pound it through four quarters...a 1,000 yards in college is nothing! That is true, I can tell you of a load of prospects who may not even get drafted that have had comparable seasons to McFadden, what sets him apart is his athletic ability and the way he is physically a weapon all over...just like Reggie Bush, what sets Mendenhall and Stewart apart from the rest is their power and speed mixed and ability to carry the load. A lot of people can argue that McFadden was only so good because of Jones, really they both could just change up the tempo of a game, but neither had to carry the whole load and there is a difference IMO.

As far as getting all pissed on the issue, just in general some of us need to agree to disagree instead of I do this and you do that and we know who is right and you or he or they are wrong. And some need to realize that they are just fans and unlike Mayock, Kiper or McShay they do not get paid to do this and the others are better known for their quality in doing their jobs and so many will tend to agree more with the professionals rather then those who are only amateurs by all standards.

McFadden really doesn't get a great chance to show off his power since most of the time he is in the open field and all he has to do is outrun people. Also judging the defenses in both of their conferences McFadden's conference has the more sure tacklers. Also their have been many players that couldn't break a tackle after they've been hit but they survived on their elusiveness which is just as good as breaking a tackle and McFadden is better at that.

As for the so called draft experts getting paid for this really it could just as easily been someone else. It really is just how many connections you have and if that's what you want to do. It could be us doing that if that's what we wanted to do and we knew someone at ESPN or NFLN.

[lancane]

McFadden really doesn't get a great chance to show off his power since most of the time he is in the open field and all he has to do is outrun people. Also judging the defenses in both of their conferences McFadden's conference has the more sure tacklers. Also their have been many players that couldn't break a tackle after they've been hit but they survived on their elusiveness which is just as good as breaking a tackle and McFadden is better at that.

As for the so called draft experts getting paid for this really it could just as easily been someone else. It really is just how many connections you have and if that's what you want to do. It could be us doing that if that's what we wanted to do and we knew someone at ESPN or NFLN.

In all fairness that could be very true, maybe he does not get a chance to show his power, but when he has gotten the shot to do so...I was more impressed with even some of the latter tier backs then McFadden, hell Jones seems more powerful then McFadden and that is a shared view by even a load of Arkansas die hard alumni and fans. Could we all be wrong? Yes, that is part of being human not only foulability but the truth is misconception, it is a blinding edge of reality. Is elusiveness better? I do not believe so, to me it is the combination to be elusive and have strength to pound it...to me the combination is what defines true halfbacks from those who are quickly hurt or peak too soon. And the issue is, at least I believe McFadden will be a flash in the pan, real hot and then boom he is burnt quickly and passed around team to team. Whereas I look at Mendenhall and see an LT type back who could be the winning element when the quarterback can not shoulder it all and the pass game comes up short.

The doing this for a living? I have scouted kids in regards to the Collegiate level, that is stressful, I have been to the combine and to the Senior Bowl, and I think if the college level is that stressful then pro scouts all have ulcers, because a lot more rides on their opinions then at the collegiate level. Mayock, Kiper and McShay are in the spotlight because seven out of ten times they are pretty close or on the money about drafts and the prospects themselves...could we be doing this as professionals...ehhh...probably, would I want to? That is 50/50, but they still have earned in my opinion at least to be heard more then us fans...you know?

[beastlyskronk]

The doing this for a living? I have scouted kids in regards to the Collegiate level, that is stressful, I have been to the combine and to the Senior Bowl, and I think if the college level is that stressful then pro scouts all have ulcers, because a lot more rides on their opinions then at the collegiate level. Mayock, Kiper and McShay are in the spotlight because seven out of ten times they are pretty close or on the money about drafts and the prospects themselves...could we be doing this as professionals...ehhh...probably, would I want to? That is 50/50, but they still have earned in my opinion at least to be heard more then us fans...you know?

Good thing they only have to do it once a year on the professional level. Plus the money ain't half bad neither. Also they get to watch football pretty much all year.

[lancane]

Good thing they only have to do it once a year on the professional level. Plus the money ain't half bad neither. Also they get to watch football pretty much all year.

Well they do analyze throughout the year, Mayock on NFLN now, but he did the same for HBO's inside the NFL. Kiper and McShay do alot of analytical work for ESPN when they are not leading the draftniks at this time. The money is probably more then even head college coaches make and yeah, it would be a bonus to watch pro and college ball all year long...so I would be more in favor to do it at the professional level. But I mean scouts in general, like for a team...that would maybe be too much stress!

[Bowie Man]

McFadden really doesn't get a great chance to show off his power since most of the time he is in the open field and all he has to do is outrun people.

Since you said you didn't watch the tape I thought I'd mention that when McFadden got in the open field against LSU the LB Highsmith was about to catch him from behind in the open field when he got blocked, he was outrunning D-Mac.