Final Thoughts
by Staggolee87 on Feb 25, 2008 6:42 PM CST
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PrintAfter being a BTB spectator for the past couple months just reading others posts, I finally summed up the courage to post my first diary , receiving mixed thoughts. So I'm back to defend my #22- pick in the draft Chris Johnson. After doing a bit more research and reading the comments left, I'm back...
Trading up picks is not in our best interest with all of our needs and the lacking talent in the free agency pool that we could afford is sketchy at best. We need all the picks we can get in the draft, in order to sure up our pro bowl roster. Yeah, it would be great to get one of the Top 4 Backs: Stewart, Mcfadden, Jones, and Mendenhall, but unless we trade up, which to me is out of the question. We aren't looking for and don't need a to sacrifice for a top 5 back we need a compliment to MB3. Johnson is still refining his skills at running back, with his senior year being the 1st real dedication to the position for a full season and he turned out some great numbers. He has a dual threat ability with the ability to run routes out of the backfield and even be motioned into a slot position to extend and spread the defense, on top of all of that he can also function as a return man, a good example of that in the So. Miss game.
Couple Articles and Sites:
Chris Johnson breaks records, as well as ankles
Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.
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I'm with you
He looks like he would be a perfect change-of-pace back for MB3, which is just what we need.
Any idea how well he pass blocks?
Tyson Thompson had excellent quicks too, but couldn't find his way onto the field because he waved rushers through like a matador.
I've read he doesn't block well
If at all.
by APerfectStar on Feb 25, 2008 7:18 PM CST up reply actions
Chris Johnson is not
a first round RB. The problem with him is that he may be too small and durability may be an issue with him at the NFL level. We need a RB capable of starting if MB3 went down. Johnson is not that type of player. He would be a huge reach at 22. Johnson is more of a specialty or 3rd down RB. Mendenhall could be there at 22, if not Jerry would have no problem moving up a few spots to get him. Felix Jones could also be there at 22 if Mendenhall is not an option.
Right now, I projected Johnson as a 3rd round pick.
On athletic ability alone, Johnson is worth a first or second round selection. He can take it to the end zone every time he touches the ball. Also, a great kick returner, Johnson will contribute immediately as a KR and change of pace back. He will most likely be drafted in the second or third round, mainly because of his speed and talent. He is not projected as a full time tailback in the next level.
http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/p...
by Cowboys81 on Feb 25, 2008 7:26 PM CST reply actions
I would be beyond
pissed if we took him in the first. That would be like the someone taking Chris Henry last year in the first. The guy is a 3rd round talent at best. If I want a fast RB/track star I would much rather have Charles than Johnson.
Unimpressive his first three years....
Like many, I don't spend much time watching East Carolina play. Obviously Johnson had a big senior year and followed it up with an jaw-dropping time in the 40-yard dash yesterday.
A couple of concerns that I have center around his performance during his first three years at East Carolina. 388 carries for just 1,559 yards and 4.01 ypc is not impressive for a mid-major. In fact Johnson eclipsed 100 yards rushing just 4 times before last season.
Last season Johnson started the season against four (4) BCS teams and his totals were 45 carries for 168 yards (3.73 ypc) plus 11 catches for 178 yards and a total of 6 TD's, while his team started 1-3. Not bad, but not the kind of rushing stats that I would hope to see against quality opponents.
Some say the small hands and arms don't mean anything, but I would argue that they are of some importance. If anyone has ever witnessed a MB3 stiff-arm or Adrian Peterson shed a tackle with his free arm know the importance of hands and arms.
I'm not calling Johnson a bust, but I've certainly seen enough RB's like Michael Bennett, Trung Candidate, and even Julius Jones with superior straight-ahead track speed that didn't show the natural instincts, power and vision necessary to be successful at the next level. Therefore, I'm keeping him as a late second /early third round pick on my board. He offers some value as a kick-returner and he also appears to catch the ball well, but I'm not sold he's an everydown RB in this league.
by Fargo Cowboys on Feb 25, 2008 8:20 PM CST reply actions
well written assessment Fargo..100% agree...
I'm keeping him as a late second /early third round pick on my board. He offers some value as a kick-returner and he also appears to catch the ball well, but I'm not sold he's an everydown RB in this league.
by Fargo Cowboys on Mon Feb 25, 2008 at 09:20:06 PM EDT
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 25, 2008 8:27 PM CST up reply actions
Here's a question for you, Boyz....
Rather than talking about Johnson going in the first round, I think a better argument might be why Chris Johnson should be considered ahead of Jamaal Charles and/or Matt Forte.
I also can't get over the fact that Mike Hart might fall to Day #2....He is going to make some team very happy.
by Fargo Cowboys on Feb 25, 2008 8:40 PM CST up reply actions
Although I don't agree
some have Ray Rice and Steven Slaton after DMAC, Mendenhall, Stewart, Jones.
by Cowboys81 on Feb 25, 2008 9:08 PM CST up reply actions
No Ray Rice?
He's on the small side (so was Emmitt), but he does everything well. Follows blockers, picks up pass rushers, catches well.
Smart kid (Rutgers), and he put up a good 40 time (4.4). If Barber is the lead back next season, I'd like a guy that could step in to spell him from the get go.
by APerfectStar on Feb 25, 2008 9:23 PM CST up reply actions
Chris Johnson and Steve Slaton...
Rice is a 4th round pick. This subject has been beat to death. Rice projects similar to Mike Hart and both will probably be taken in the 4th round.
by Fargo Cowboys on Feb 25, 2008 9:20 PM CST up reply actions
Rice will go before round 4 Fargo...
Although small by many standards, he proved to me he has the speed and strength to be considered in the middle of the 2nd round to late 3rd..And he far surpassed Hart....who i was actually rooting for cuz of his intangibles..But Hart just ran himself into the 5th to 7th round area. consecutive 4.6's at his size is inexcusable...i like him, but not someone i'd even consider before round 6...I would welcome on the team as our 3rd RB and special teamer.
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 25, 2008 9:41 PM CST up reply actions
He could easily slide to Day #2...
On average, eight (8) RB's have been taken on the first day of the NFL Draft in recent years.
McFadden
Stewart
Mendenhall
F. Jones
Forte
C. Johnson
J. Charles..
...that's seven. Slaton, Choice or Kev Smith could easily round out Day #1 and push Rice to Sunday.
Rice is a late-3rd / early-4th....not unconceivable that he goes on Day #2...and that really has more to do with the depth of this draft than Rice's talent.
by Fargo Cowboys on Feb 25, 2008 9:58 PM CST up reply actions
I think the top 7 you mentioned...
are the only RB's going in day one.
About Rice...:
he proved to me he has the speed and strength to be considered in the middle of the 2nd round to late 3rd..
I don't see more than 7 teams that have such a glaring weakness at RB that should be addressed earlier than round 2. And if they did have to adress the RB position, they certainly wouldn't pick Ray Rice to be their hier apparent to take over as a starter...I could see a team like the Chargers, who have no real weakness, are in cap heavan, and could afford the luxury of adding a higher round, young compliment to LT late in round 2.
I'm a firm believer in only drafting possible starters on the first day of the draft...
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 25, 2008 10:13 PM CST up reply actions
Without getting into details,
This is my top ten RB as of right now:
--------------------------------------
Keep in mind, this is listed in order of projected starters that I feel can contribute as a featured back, and not strickly a compliment, or 3rd down back. Some could step in as a full time starter, if the primary carrier goes down, some can't.Some are built to withstand the beatings in the NFL, some aren't...all taken into account.
- Jonathan Stewart
- Darren McFadden
- Rashard Mendenhall
- Felix Jones
- Matt Forte
- Ray Rice
- Jamaal Charles
- Kevin Smith
- Chris Johnson
- Steve Slaton
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 25, 2008 9:15 PM CST up reply actions
Agree with Forte...
Reminds me of a young Rueben Droughns, who was a 3rd round pick out of Oregon.
My 5-11
- Forte
- Charles
- C. Johnson
- S. Slaton
- Kevin Smith
- Ray Rice
- Mike Hart
by Fargo Cowboys on Feb 25, 2008 9:35 PM CST up reply actions
Forte & Rice...gained big from combine...
They both put in outstanding 40 times, which was the biggest concern for both...Mike Hart ruined his draft status, and lost his 3rd round grade. imo
Big back factor...220lbs +
1)Stewart
2)Mendenhall
3)Forte
I'm going to try to attend Kevin Smith's pro day, seeing that I live down the road from UCF, and see if he can again run 4.4ish range...If he does, he is a better built, and overall better back to be a a lead runner. As opposed to Charles, Johnson, and Slaton...in which i find all three of those guys NOT to be in a featured role in the NFL.
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 25, 2008 10:01 PM CST up reply actions
Smith is a wildcard IMO
I don't know what to think of Smith...he kind of came out of nowhere this season, but his numbers can't be overlooked.
Please share your thoughts with readers if you do get a chance to attend.
I'm going to check into why Manningham and Hart posted such poor numbers yesterday. It appeared obvious to me that Manningham didn't prepare for the combine because his starts were horrible. Hart simply isnt' that fast, but should have been able to run under 4.6. He weighed in about 10 lbs heavier than his playing weight, so I'm guessing that he was out of shape. I'll be watching their Pro Day closely.
by Fargo Cowboys on Feb 25, 2008 10:10 PM CST up reply actions
I noticed Manningham......
I like Hart, and had hoped he'd do better....fact is...numbers don't lie..I seriously wouldn't consider him at all here in Dallas at least.
Manningham also looked out of shape. I could see it in his face, looked a lil chubby there.....not what you like to see in a supposed speed receiver...
Knowing your entire life, and career can be made or broken here...you must come in shape and ready to prove yourself...
Which is why Matt Forte is easily the biggest winner at the combine...he participated in Every drill possible..to throw away all doubts on him physically...You combine that with his career numbers...there is no way to over look him...If we somehow don't get an RB in round 1, He is by far my favorite in round 2. I had categorized him as a FB in the NFL, and i still feel he can excel in that role, He is a Mike Alstott type of back that can be a hybrid FB...pass protector, lead blocker, power rusher with speed, and a very good recever out of the backfield. He's actually an MBIII clone...lol..Just imagine if you were a CB, and had two MBIII's running at you around the corner.(loook out)
This would allow us to forgo thoughts of obtaining a FB like Owen Schmitt...which i had us taking in the 3rd-4th area.
Manningham is out of my day 1 selections. Unless he can miraculously change things around come pro day...but i've already written him off...
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 25, 2008 10:31 PM CST up reply actions
I still like Jamal Charles
If he falls to the right spot. I think that kid is something that could really be our lightning, not too mention a return man.
I still think CB and WR should be our first pics.
Malcom Kelly...
...would like to speak to you.
by GhettoBear04 on Feb 26, 2008 3:27 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah Ghetto. I think Kelly's the only WR...
... that's worthy of being a first rounder in this upcoming '08 NFL Draft.
I'd have to see him run first on his pro day
but he's really the only guy I'd consider if he does run fast.
Sweed will go to Tennessee at #24..count on it.
Kelly will go top 20 as well...
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 26, 2008 4:00 PM CST up reply actions
I didn't say there wouldn't be WRs
drafted in the first rd, I said I don't think any WRs have first rd grades IMO. There is a difference.
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