Mockeration

[Mat'hir Uth Gan]

Thank you for your opinion, and that's just what it is, just as I have mine.

I disagree. I think Spikes will be the third or fourth LB taken, depending on where Cushing grades out.

I think Maualuga goes Top 10, followed by Curry in the Top 12, then Spikes somewhere between 12 and 19. My guess is Lauranaitis is the one who will slip, similar to what Paul Pousluzny did a couple years back, because he won't grade out athletically as well as Spikes...and if Florida's defense continues to play like they have, Spikes is going to get more and more of the credit. So if anything, Spikes could climb higher than where the Broncos select, and may not even be available to them.

To me, Freeman and Beckwith are second rounders at best, and not in the Spikes conversation at all.

Spikes is a supreme talent, and is going to go higher in this draft than some seem, to think.

Jerod Mayo went in the Top 10, and I think Spikes is very comparable to him.

Cushing should go in the Top 15. He'll be a 3-4 OLB/DE hybrid, that's his natural position, and he'll be elite at it. He won't go to a 4-3 team.

Right now, I think it's almost a lock he goes to Baltimore. They might lose Suggs, and even if they don't, Jarrett Johnson on the other side has been terrible.

As for Spikes, we have to see how he tests. Assuming he does average-good at the Combine, I think 20th Overall is his ceiling.

[MindField]

Cushing should go in the Top 15. He'll be a 3-4 OLB/DE hybrid, that's his natural position, and he'll be elite at it. He won't go to a 4-3 team.

Right now, I think it's almost a lock he goes to Baltimore. They might lose Suggs, and even if they don't, Jarrett Johnson on the other side has been terrible.

As for Spikes, we have to see how he tests. Assuming he does average-good at the Combine, I think 20th Overall is his ceiling.

Baltimore is 6-3 and looking at the Playoffs right now.

[MindField]

Very solid rebuttal and supporting opinions.


1) Re Myron Rolle: It's not law school, its medical school. He is going to be a doctor at some point. If he wins the Rhodes Scholarship, which I think is 50-50, he'll forego football to go study at Oxford. If he doesn't win, he'll enter the draft. He's already graduated. Rolle is one those guys that by sheer work effort and intelligence will be elite in this league. It doesn't hurt he's got all the physical tools as well. He'll be one of the best no matter what he does in life. The off-the-field intangibles he'd bring to a football field are off the charts.


2) Re: William Moore. He's playing fine. He was just voted as a finalist for one of the awards to the top 15 defensive backs in college football. I still think he's Top 10, he has no flaws.


3) Re: Taylor Mays. I'm not sure he comes out. Most defensive USC players do not leave school early. If he does come out, he is very similar to Barrett. He just doesn't have the knee injury (the reason Barrett dropped in the draft) or the inconsistency (the reason Barrett was a Round 2 pick at best).


Personally, I believe William Moore and Myron Rolle are *much* better prospects then Mays. Mays is just the better athlete and his upside, if he hits, could be the highest.


4) Re: Nic Harris. Harris is everything Moore is. I'm not sure why he's not getting more attention. Oklahoma suffered an injury to their starting MLB, so they moved Harris there to start last game, and he performed well. He has all the physical tools, the question is his speed. If he runs in the 4.5s, he'll go first round. I mean, its not like he's a secret, he was projected in the 1st or 2nd round last draft as well.


5) Re: Rashad Johnson. I still think he's firmly behind Hamlin and Chung. Mid-Late 2nd Round, possibly the 3rd, depending who all comes out.

I need more info on Hamlin; he is an interesting guy. What do you know about him?

I agree about Moore, and as I just stated in a previous post, I think he is this years Kenny Phillips. Some will discount him, but when he gets to the Pro's, he is going to be very good.

I think there will be a flood of Juniors in this draft, and players like Mays that may have been inclined to stay will go simply because of all the talk about a rookie salary cap in 2010, which is a very real possibility.

As far as Myron Rolle goes, as long as he remebers he is a football player first, ala Karl Mecklenberg (who also was headed to Med. school), then fine, but I want no part of a Robert Smith type. Those brainiac types sometimes do more harm than good in a locker-room setting.

Not saying Rolle is that type of guy, just sayin'...

[Mat'hir Uth Gan]

Baltimore is 6-3 and looking at the Playoffs right now.

This is true, but Baltimore is screwed. Here's why:

Week 11 - NY Giants
Week 12 - Philadelphia
Week 13 - Cincinnati
Week 14 - Washington
Week 15 - Pittsburgh
Week 16 - Dallas
Week 17 - Jacksonville

Now, I think they beat Cincy easily, especially if Palmer is still not back. And I think they have a shot to beat Jacksonville. I don't think they have a chance to win the other games. All the other teams have great offenses AND great defenses.

I see them as 8-8.

[Mat'hir Uth Gan]

I need more info on Hamlin; he is an interesting guy. What do you know about him?

I agree about Moore, and as I just stated in a previous post, I think he is this years Kenny Phillips. Some will discount him, but when he gets to the Pro's, he is going to be very good.

I think there will be a flood of Juniors in this draft, and players like Mays that may have been inclined to stay will go simply because of all the talk about a rookie salary cap in 2010, which is a very real possibility.

As far as Myron Rolle goes, as long as he remebers he is a football player first, ala Karl Mecklenberg (who also was headed to Med. school), then fine, but I want no part of a Robert Smith type. Those brainiac types sometimes do more harm than good in a locker-room setting.

Not saying Rolle is that type of guy, just sayin'...

I think Hamlin is well under the radar and should be in the 1st Round discussion.


Here's what I know about him:


1) He has perfect size for a Safety, 6'3 200+ lbs.

2) He's been very consistent starting for 4 years and makes most plays on the ball and is a sound tackler who crushes people. All around Safety, better against the run then pass.

3) No major injuries, very durable (Broke his foot in 2006, missed 3 games).

4) Greatly respected by his team, voted team captain. His coach also describes him as extremely intelligent and a great leader. Already received his degree in Business Management, so he is intelligent (BBAs are a tougher degree then most football players attempt).

5) Generally shows up and has his best games under pressure (i.e. bowl games).

6) Is having a good Senior season this year on an underachieving team, maybe the only Tiger.

[MindField]

This is true, but Baltimore is screwed. Here's why:

Week 11 - NY Giants
Week 12 - Philadelphia
Week 13 - Cincinnati
Week 14 - Washington
Week 15 - Pittsburgh
Week 16 - Dallas
Week 17 - Jacksonville

Now, I think they beat Cincy easily, especially if Palmer is still not back. And I think they have a shot to beat Jacksonville. I don't think they have a chance to win the other games. All the other teams have great offenses AND great defenses.

I see them as 8-8.

I think they will win 9 games minimum.

Washington is over-rated, and Dallas is under the Wade Phillips funk...Pittsburgh can be had with Roethlisberger ailing.

Baltimore is a good team, and Flacco is better than anyone thought he would be.

[GridironChamp]

Yeah, I look at Moore much the same as I did Kenny Phillips last season. People were criticizing him too, but if you know anything about scouting, it should have been obvious Phillips was a player. Once Moore gets to the Pro's, he will be a very good player I am sure. The kid just has too much natural talent. I still think he is a Top 15 player.

I see whatchya mean, I had Phillips a top 15 play in mind last year but every
"expert" had him in the late twenties to the last pick in the first round. He did
ultimatley go there and it has worked out great.

[Bowie Man]

Thank you for your opinion, and that's just what it is, just as I have mine.

I think Spikes will be the third or fourth LB taken, depending on where Cushing grades out.

I think Maualuga goes Top 10, followed by Curry in the Top 12, then Spikes somewhere between 12 and 19. My guess is Lauranaitis is the one who will slip, similar to what Paul Pousluzny did a couple years back, because he won't grade out athletically as well as Spikes...and if Florida's defense continues to play like they have, Spikes is going to get more and more of the credit. So if anything, Spikes could climb higher than where the Broncos select, and may not even be available to them.

To me, Freeman and Beckwith are second rounders at best, and not in the Spikes conversation at all.

Spikes is a supreme talent, and is going to go higher in this draft than some seem to think.

Jerod Mayo went in the Top 10, yet virtually no one here saw him coming, and I think Spikes is a very comparable player.

...and you have to understand, I did not start out a Spikes guy at all. The more I study him, the better I like him.

That's basically what I said. POTENTIALLY 5 LBs could go before Spikes, but I don't think they all will. It depends on if there are teams with a dire need reach. I do think Laurinaitis will go before Spikes, and with all the O-lineman, safeties, and 2 very good CBs, I think he goes in the 20s.:salute!: