Here is an update from profootballweekly on the AZ Cardinals. Normally, it wouldn't be a big deal, but this report cites team insiders who say the Cardnials will steer clear of top RB's in the draft. That leaves Houston as the one team in front of the Hawks who might look RB. Now, Houston needs DB's bad. The GM was quoted as saying they need to draft a CB and sign a CB and better both be able to play right away. Franchising Trufant could have a nice side effect. The Texans, barring signing Samuel, may have to take a corner, thus giving the Hawks their pick of backs not named Mcfadden.
The same site talks about Mike Wahle and the upcoming open competition at RG. It also suggests Gray may be done and another free agent is possible. END--
This could be huge, but what is the possibility of Stewart being around until #25 pick. I would think that someone would pick him up even without the need just because of talent available, thoughts?
ReplyDelete-hawksec124
Houston is a definite candidate for an RB.
ReplyDeleteJerry Jones may well decide to trade all the way up to #6 with the Jets, if not the #3 with Atlanta, both of whom need a bunch of players, to get McFadden.
If not, he might very well grab Felix Jones with the Cowboys #22
as both players are out of Jones ego-bent Arkansas UUUUU.
I doubt Dallas would pick an RB at 22 if those scenarios don't work out.
But don't be surprised at Pittsburgh grabbing an RB just before we get the chance.
I'm still hoping Stewart or Mendenhall will be available to us, but Ray Rice in the second is quite ok.
Finally, don't bet Arizona isn't just blowing smoke, especially if they release Shipp or Arrington.
I think we need to be asking the question what do we do when Walter Jones retires? With the shoulder issues and age, shouldn't we explore the possibility of getting a future replacement? TE and RB are the two bleeding wounds of the moment but without a bookend left tackle, nothing in the offense works. Just a thought.
ReplyDelete- PaulySINM
Any rumors on who (if anyone) the Hawks will franchise? My personal prediction would be franchise Locklear, let Trufant test the market, and.....well I really don't care about Brown. Kickers are kickers.
ReplyDeleteI've got a question, if they Franchise Lock, wouldn't he get some super high salary, because it's the aveage Top 5 OL guys. So he'll be paid like a Left Tackle? I don't know the answer, but that's what I thought, based on the last OL tag problem the Hawks had.
ReplyDeleteI hope we don't franchise Brown again. That's just embarrassing.
Surf Hawk.
Who knows what will happen during the draft? If Mendenhall/Felix Jones AND Fred Davis are available at 25 the Hawks will have a tough decision. Otherwise, you take the one thats available.
ReplyDeleteI would like the Hawks to draft a TE like Davis, as well as a RB suited for the West Coast offense--one who is durable, fast, and can catch and block. This is a good draft for RB's, so we should be able to get 1 or 2, maybe even in the lower rounds. Plenty of great backs have come from rounds 2-4.
-leshthomas
Right Pauley. First rate OT's are hard to find. We should take one in the first.
ReplyDelete66 days allows for a lot of posturing ...not even the teams themselves have decided what to decide, as of yet. The combine may sway teams' opinions of players.
ReplyDeleteI stand by the idea of landing a seasoned TE via FA (not M.Pollard-seasoned) ala Crumpler, Clark, or others.
A top RB seems both needed and likely. I'll be interested to see what said RBs time in the combine 40.
If a quality DT is available, I wouldn't put it past Sea. to draft one and go for RB and backup TE in later rounds.
Dallas Clark has been Franchise Tagged by Indy. Other than the ageing, injured Crumpler, there really arent any top-tier TE FA's out there.
ReplyDeleteBut maybe Ruskell will pull off another great second-tier signing, and a previously little-known TE will become the Hawks secret weapon. One can hope...
-leshthomas
TE Dallas Clark was given the franchise tag...
ReplyDeletehttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/
That makes it tougher to nab Crumpler... :(
That's good thinking, lesh
ReplyDeleteOur answer to LT is going to be available in next years draft.
ReplyDeleteHis name is Michael Oher, but to get him we will need to draft top 3, maybe top 1.
As I have said elsewhere, much as I love Walter, this guy will make Walter look like Frank Beebe...
There is no chance the Hawks will earn a top-3 pick next year, and little chance they will trade up.
ReplyDeleteThe day any LT in the NFL goes almost three years without giving up a sack--all while skipping training camp to push SUV's--and plays hurt the whole time--is the day I eat my seahawks hat with no salt.
Walter Jones WAS the best OL to ever step foot on a football field. Even now he is still damn good despite losing a couple steps.
Who does Michael Oher play for? Since I just insisted he will never be Walt, I better watch him play next year...or else I may end up with some digestion problems...
Maybe if we trade this years first to the niners for their first in 2009...
ReplyDeleteHow about drafting .... Barry Sanders, he retired at 30, probably got some spring left in those legs.
ReplyDeleteThat said, what about the kid from USC in the 3rd, something Washington? I have a feeling that stewart, rashard, and mcfadden will all be gone despite what ever smoke is being blown now.
I see Houston picking a DE instead of a CB or RB. They want to help Mario Williams and with a better rush, comes better play from CB.
What happens if Rusky drafts a DE in the 1st. Then we will have a defense similiar to that of the Giants with better safeties and LBs. Scary thought huh? I would not be surprised to see a defensive player in the 1st and then TE and then RB. I know that goes against all we have seen in mock drafts but guess what most mocks tend to be atrociously incorrect and DEFENSES WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS! GO HAWKS, man i cant wait for the draft
Chauncy Washington*
ReplyDeleteI think we will draft a RB before Washington, who is a 4th or later round pick. I wouldn't be surprised if we took a DT like Balmer in the first, RB in the second, TE in 3rd or 4th. I would think LT would be drafted next year, but not this year.
Of course, this is all meaningless conjecture, as a lot can change when FA opens, franchising is done, and with the results of the combine......
but it's fun to guess :D
Yes, Locklear would get paid like a tope left tackle if he were to be franchised. He will not be. The Hawks may even let him go being that he is not likely worth much more than he is currently being paid. They have Willis to compete for the job with a possible first round pick like Jeff Otah and could get Womack for a lesser price who could also compete with Sims.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like great news. I think the Cowboys are still clearly a threat to pick a RB before us, but hopefully they would go with Felix Jones since they already have the game's best bruiser in the Barbarian and Jones is pure speed. Plus he's a hog so you know Jerry Jones is all about him.
ReplyDeleteBut that would be great. If we got Stewart or Mendenhall I would be so happy I wouldn't be able to handle it.
My worst case scenario? One of those two being available but we still take Davis... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! haha, gotta love the draft
Michael Oher plays for University of Mississippi. He originally had said he was coming out this year (causing stains in lots of pants including mine, tmi) but then changed his mind.
ReplyDeleteRead a book called "The Blind Side" by Michael Lewis, which is quasi-biographical. This kid had a very very rocky start, and has really turned it around, and brought it on. He MAY be a finalist for the Heisman this year if he plays the way he has been.
http://www.olemisssports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=12787&SPID=737&DB_OEM_ID=2600&ATCLID=542695&Q_SEASON=2006
His bio page from Ole Miss..
This kid is the best of the best, and barring a monumental collapse will be the best LT in NFL history.
Michael Oher plays for University of Mississippi. He originally had said he was coming out this year (causing stains in lots of pants including mine, tmi) but then changed his mind.
ReplyDeleteRead a book called "The Blind Side" by Michael Lewis, which is quasi-biographical. This kid had a very very rocky start, and has really turned it around, and brought it on. He MAY be a finalist for the Heisman this year if he plays the way he has been.
http://www.olemisssports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=12787&SPID=737&DB_OEM_ID=2600&ATCLID=542695&Q_SEASON=2006
His bio page from Ole Miss..
This kid is the best of the best, and barring a monumental collapse will be the best LT in NFL history.
What are the strenths/weaknesses of the top 5 Rb's we might have a shot at? Mendenhall/F.Jones/Stewart/Rice/Etc
ReplyDeleteWho fits the West Coast Offense req's the best--recieving, blocking, speed, durability?
I posted a good article from Bucky Blanks of SI a couple of days ago that breaks down the top RB's. Look for it, it should still be on the main page
ReplyDeleteSame post as the Jonathan Stewart video
ReplyDeleteI think you are getting a little excited on Oher. Yes, he was profiled in a book but take it with a grain of salt. He was going to go pro after last season....even declared himself eligible, but I don't think he was going to be a first round pick.
ReplyDeleteWalterfootball.com has him as the 2nd pick in the 2009 mock.
ReplyDeleteIf Lock is resigned, he's a candidate for left tackle. And someone who would do a decent job when Walt is gone.
ReplyDeleteAfter some reading, it looks like Mendenhall is still the best back the Hawks MIGHT get a shot at. But Felix Jones looks pretty awesome too. He does all the things west coast offenses need a rb to do. A scouting report on Matt Forte of Tulane raved about his skill set being perfect for WCO--except he fumbles. Maybe he will be available in the second or third round? Id be happy with any of those three...Stewart too.
ReplyDelete-leshthomas
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9FhlbsJUJ9Q
ReplyDeletePiece on this Oher kid.
I doubt we'll take Felix Jones --- he doesn't fit with the Ruskell approach to "character." He's a bit of a moron from what I've heard/read (same for McFadden).
ReplyDeleteThat's the first I've heard about Forte' fumbling. What was this "scouting report"?
ReplyDeleteAnywhere in this let's Franchise Trufant afterall scenario where he still doesn't cost us a $9.5 mil cap hit?
The idea of letting Locklear walk and going with a bum like Willis instead is just plain scary.
I'm not too sure I like the idea of spending a first round pick on a running back. The Giants won the superbowl with great defense starting with their front four. Would love to see the Hawks pick up a dominating DT/DE.
ReplyDeleteJust a thought about drafting a RB in the 1st: we are not the Giants, their strength has been their D, not their Offense. Until last year, we have been an offensively minded football team. Our Defense was outstanding last year, but if we improve our running game, we will be an offensive powerhouse who happens to have an outstanding Defense.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if we had a run game, it would inadvertantly improve our defense. Our defense would be on the field less, we wouldn't play from behind as often, and it would be a huge morale booster.