Gone fishin'

I'll be very busy for the next month. My posts will probably be few and far between, unfortunately. Also, I'm most likely through with the draft grades. I simply won't have the time to finish the series. However, if you have any questions, I would be happy to offer my opinion on any football subject.

Thanks for reading,
G-Money

2012 Draft Grades - NFC North - Bears

Round 1 - DE Shea McClellin

Round 2 - WR Alshon Jeffery

Round 3 - S Brandon Hardin

Round 4 - TE/FB Evan Rodriguez

Round 6 - CB Isaiah Frey

Round 7 - CB Greg McCoy

      With the exception of the offensive line, the Bears play fairly well in all other position groups. However, they came into the offseason needing an upgrade at defensive end across from Julius Peppers, a big-bodied possession receiver, and offensive line help. Their trade for Brandon Marshall seemingly alleviated their receiver issues. Although he can prove to be a distraction, his amazing production on the field is undeniable. Once again, the Cutler-to-Marshall connection is on. The other major signing on offense - Michael Bush - should greatly improve their redzone efficiency and spell Forte during games. Upgrading the offensive weapons for Cutler should pay dividends and return them to the playoffs.
     Versatile enough to rush from anywhere, Shea McClellin possesses the size, athleticism, and motor to start at the next level. The speed and explosive first step he exhibits aid him in consistently pressuring the quarterback. When he is initially blocked, his solid repertoire of pass moves and violent hands aid him in shedding the block and getting after the passer.  However, his lack of size and great awareness cause him to struggle a bit against the run. McClellin will begin his career as a part-time pass rusher, but he can eventually become the full-time starter across from Peppers.

2012 Draft Grades - AFC East - Jets

Round 1 - DE Quinton Coples

Round 2 - WR Stephen Hill

Round 3 - ILB Demario Davis

Round 6 - S Josh Bush
               - RB Terrance Ganaway
               - OG/OT Robert T. Griffin

Round 7 - S Antonio Allen
               - WR Jordan White

      Abysmal play on both offense and defense last season left the Jets with serious questions coming into the offseason. Tannenbaum, the general manager, values talent over character, which resulted in a fractured locker room and an 8-8 record. This offseason they swung a trade for Tim Tebow to contribute in the redzone and in the Wildcat package. (I think he'll be starting by midseason, but that's another story.) Also, hoping to improve safety play, New York signed LaRon Landry though he is still recovering from an injury. However, the highlight of the offseason is the announcement of their implementing the 46 defense extensively as their base front.
     To run the 46 defense, the team needs to be powerful and talented up front. With an already talented group of linemen, Quinton Coples adds the pass rushing ability that was slightly lacking. A long, linear athlete, he certainly looks the part. Although an ideal fit as a five technique, his combination of many pass rushing moves and natural strength permit him to play all over the line. His good but not great speed is offset by his violent use of his hands and excellent burst. When playing the run, he easily holds his ground and makes tackles. The biggest question concerning Coples' play - an inconsistent motor - caused him to slip to New York when he should have been taken in the top ten.

2012 Draft Grades - AFC East - Patriots

Round 1 - DE Chandler Jones
               - ILB Dont'a Hightower

Round 2 - S Tavon Wilson

Round 3 - DE Jake Bequette

Round 6 - S Nate Ebner

Round 7 - CB Alfonzo Dennard
               - WR Jeremy Ebert

      There is no denying that the Patriots know how to manipulate the draft. While their picks might not always pan out, they usually own an abundance of draft picks - because Belichick trades away many for draft picks in future years. This year New England switched gears to trade up for a couple of defensive prospects in the first round. As their defense played terribly last year, Belichick moved to add the pieces necessary to improve it.
     Pass rushing and pass coverage have a symbiotic relationship. If the team can really get after the quarterback consistently, the corners will appear better than they might actually be because the passer lacks the time to make good throws. However, if the corners can shutdown the receivers, the defenders have more time to reach the quarterback. Because the Pats have invested in several young defensive backs the last several years, they felt that adding a pass rusher would aid their young coverage players. Though if they wanted an immediate impact player, they drafted the wrong player. Chandler Jones is still developing and honing his skills. Nevertheless, his immense upside made him worth the wait. For though he doesn't possess great speed on the edge, his tremendous power and arm length overwhelm blockers. Long arms prevent offensive tackles from placing their hands on him, which the tackle needs to do in order to slow him down. The clincher for New England - his versatility - made him one of their targeted players. If Jones can avoid the injury bug, he could develop into one of the better pass rushers in the league.

2012 Draft Grades - AFC East - Dolphins

Round 1 - QB Ryan Tannehill

Round 2 - OT Jonathan Martin

Round 3 - DE Olivier Vernon
               - TE Michael Egnew

Round 4 - RB Lamar Miller

Round 5 - OLB Josh Kaddu

Round 6 - WR B.J. Cunningham

Round 7 - DT Kheeston Randall
               - WR Rishad Matthews

      Chad Henne's injury marked the end of his tenure as the Dolphins' starting quarterback. Though Matt Moore played well in the second half of the season, he wasn't seen as the future at the position. After losing out on the Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn sweepstakes, they needed to acquire their quarterback of the future in the draft. On defense, Miami is switching to a 4-3, which is surprising considering the success that unit had last year.
     Despite being fairly inexperienced at quarterback (he played receiver for two years!), Ryan Tannehill showed enough flashes, causing his draft stock to rise drastically. His skill set includes all the necessary tools for success - good arm strength and velocity, excellent mobility, and instinctive pocket awareness. Playing in a pro-style offense in college will aid him in the transition, but having his former head coach as his offensive coordinator will really give him an advantage. With a coach who knows all his strengths and weaknesses, Tannehill will be placed in the best position to succeed. He will most likely be starting by next year.

2012 Draft Grades - AFC East - Bills

Round 1 - CB Stephon Gilmore

Round 2 - OT Cordy Glenn

Round 3 - WR T.J. Graham

Round 4 - OLB Nigel Bradham
               - CB Ron Brooks

Round 5 - OT Zebrie Sanders
               - OLB Tank Carder

Round 6 - OG Mark Asper

Round 7 - K John Potter

      The Bills really revamped their team this offseason. Headlined by $100 million free agent defensive end Mario Williams, they switched their defense from a 3-4 to a 4-3. Also adding Mark Anderson, a breakout player for the Patriots last year, completes their pass rushing duo. This solidifies their defensive line as they make the transition. With an already talented secondary, the drafting of Stephon Gilmore cranks it up a notch. Finally, last year's offensive line played miserably down the stretch. Introducing Cordy Glenn, an absolute mountain of a man, to the lineup should drastically improve the overall play.
     Buffalo needed an offensive tackle more than a cornerback, but they felt that none of the available players at that position were talented to warrant a top ten pick. Instead they selected an ultra-talented corner in Stephon Gilmore. A long, lean corner with great speed and fluidity, he can develop into a shutdown cover man. His physicality leads his out-muscling receivers for jump balls, but he will also come up to hit the running back. If he can improve his technique, Gilmore should be making Pro Bowls in a few years.

Backup QBs to Watch

Ryan Mallett should learn a lot playing behind Brady.

  

     Today's NFL is centered around the quarterback position. Winning a Super Bowl requires excellent quarterback play. Because franchise quarterbacks are mostly drafted at the top of the draft, smart teams will take talented but unpolished passers later in the draft to groom and develop. While most of these players don't pay dividends, some, like Tom Brady, become stars.

     I won't discuss the quarterbacks who were picked high and are clearly going to start for their team in the future. Most fans know quite a bit about those players, but the purpose of this article is to bring attention to under-the-radar guys who still possess the ability to start down the line or at least develop into a solid backup.

2012 Draft Grades - NFC East - Redskins

Round 1 - QB Robert Griffin III

Round 3 - OG Josh LeRibeus

Round 4 - QB Kirk Cousins

               - LB Keenan Robinson

Round 5 - OG Adam Gettis

Round 6 - RB Alfred Morris

               - OT Tom Compton

Round 7 - CB Richard Crawford

               - DB Jordan Bernstine

     After really improving their defense last year, the Redskins were looking to tackle the offensive side of the football this year. Basically, this draft was about picking up a franchise quarterback, which they did by giving up a boatload of draft picks. While most teams will draft weapons for their young quarterback, Washington decided to address the receiver position in free agency by bringing in Josh Morgan and Pierre Garcon. Nevertheless, they still drafted mostly offensive players by taking several linemen.
     What needs to be said that hasn't already been rehashed several times? Robert Griffin III played simply amazing last year and won the Heisman. He shows shake and bake moves and also excellent speed. However, he won't be powering through defenders due to his smallish frame. While he can scramble extraordinarily well, he plays with a pass first mentality. In the Shanahans' offense, they will utilize his athleticism by running bootleg passes throughout the game. This will buy him more time to throw deep downfield, which is his forte. A playmaker, Griffin should breathe new life into this team from Week 1.

2012 Draft Grades - NFC East - Eagles

Round 1 - DT Fletcher Cox

Round 2 - ILB Mychal Kendricks

               - DE Vinny Curry

Round 3 - QB Nick Foles

Round 4 - CB Brandon Boykin

Round 5 - OT Dennis Kelly

Round 6 - WR Marvin McNutt

               - OG Brandon Washington

Round 7 - RB Bryce Brown

      Known for their excellent drafting over the years, the Eagles once again filled their holes without reaching for any players. After struggling mightily on defense last season, they looked to strengthen that side of the ball in the draft. Unsurprisingly, they drafted four linemen in all - a signature Andy Reid move. Missing the playoffs last year did not sit well with an already restless fan base. The Eagles need to return to the playoffs soon to keep Reid's job safe.
     Seemingly already strong on the defensive line, Fletcher Cox seemed like a luxury pick after they traded up for him. However, his elite skills were coveted by defensive line coaching extraordinaire Jim Washburn, and depth wasn't strong behind the starters. Cox will play behind Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson at first, but he will be heavily involved in a rotation. A massive presence inside, he shows flashes as both a run defender and pass rusher. If he can improve his technique to gain more leverage, he'll be able to power his way more consistently into the backfield. For now, Cox mostly relies on a nice arsenal of moves to penetrate.

2012 Draft Grades - NFC East - Giants

Round 1 - RB David Wilson

Round 2 - WR Reuben Randle

Round 3 - CB Jayron Hosley

Round 4 - TE Adrien Robinson

               - OT Brandon Mosley

Round 6 - OT Matt McCants

Round 7 - DT Markus Kuhn

     The Super Bowl champions usually draft the best player available, but this year they seemed to move away from that. Their first four picks will be replacing players lost to either free agency or injury. Nevertheless, they didn't reach for many players and had a good draft as a result.
     Although the Giants have mastered finding running backs in the late round, they drafted David Wilson in the first round to replace Brandon Jacobs. A ridiculous blend of speed, power, and balance, his upside is through the roof. He runs recklessly and with fierce determination but will also dance behind the line way too much. As a result, he often gets tackled in the backfield. However, when Wilson is allowed any room, he can break a long run by setting up defenders with his shake and bake moves, breaking tackles with a spin move, or simply outrunning everyone. While the majority of his carries went to the outside, he shows the ability to run the ball between the tackles and can move the pile. If he can develop patience like Jamaal Charles and LeSean McCoy had to, he can easily become a complete back as he can also catch well.

2012 Draft Grades - NFC East - Cowboys

Round 1 - CB Morris Claiborne

Round 3 - DE Tyrone Crawford

Round 4 - OLB Kyle Wilber

               - S Matt Johnson

Round 5 - WR Danny Coale

Round 6 - TE James Hanna

Round 7 - ILB Caleb McSurdy

     The hiring of Rob Ryan last year to coordinate the defense was supposed to fix their problems on defense. However, for the second consecutive year, the 'Boys failed to reach the playoffs. As Tony Romo mostly stayed healthy, the defense can easily be identified as the main reason for their lack of success. To bolster the D in the Big D, they spent their first four picks on defensive players.
     Starting with the trade up to draft Morris Claiborne, the future shutdown corner from LSU, the Cowboys made a statement. They believe that the offense can carry them, but the defense needs to improve drastically with the new additions on defense. Easily the best corner in this draft, he possesses all the physical tools needed to succeed. He can play effectively in both press and man coverage due to his size, speed, and fluidity. Claiborne should start in Week 1.

2012 Draft Grades - AFC West - Chargers

Round 1 - OLB Melvin Ingram

Round 2 - DE/DT Kendall Reyes

Round 3 - S Brandon Taylor

Round 4 - TE Ladarius Green

Round 5 - OG Johnnie Troutman

Round 7 - C David Molk

               - RB Edwin Baker

     With both Norv Turner and A.J. Smith on the hot seat, the Chargers absolutely must make the playoffs this year. To achieve this goal, they needed to sign impact players in free agency and draft pro-ready rookies. Identifying the defense as their weakness, San Diego drafted three defensive players with their first three picks. If these players can improve the play of the defense, San Diego should return to the playoffs.
     Shaun Phillips provided the only significant pass rushing presence on that defense last year. To remedy the problem, they added two other outside linebackers in Jarrett Johnson and Melvin Ingram. Johnson's pass rushing abilities are limited, but Ingram will hopefully wreak havoc across from Phillips. With amazing quickness for a man his size, he displays quite a few moves on his way to the quarterback as well. He also shows patience in the run game and will move down the line to tackle the runner. His violent hands enable him to shed blocks and make plays. The only question is whether he will struggle while playing on his feet, as he played as a down lineman at South Carolina.

2012 Draft Grades - AFC West - Raiders

Round 3 - OG Tony Bergstrom

Round 4 - OLB Miles Burris

Round 5 - DE Jack Crawford

               - WR Juron Criner

Round 6 - DT Chris Bilukidi

Round 7 - OLB Nathan Stupar 

     Under new management, the Raiders will look to build through the draft in the future. This shift in philosophy differs greatly from the previous regime's which traded away high draft picks often and signed as many big name free agents as possible. As we all know, Al Davis targeted top end speed and athleticism in his players. New GM Reggie McKenzie had his hands tied with inflated contracts for underachieving players and precious few draft picks, especially at the top of the draft. With those draft picks that he did have he decided to focus on selecting players who can add depth this year and become solid starters in the future.
     Tony Bergstrom doesn't show the burst or mobility to start at tackle or guard right away, but his quickness in short spaces makes him a potential starter at guard in a year or two. With excellent size but limitations in pass protection, his hard work and development with his technique could give them a versatile backup for a couple of years and possible starter down the line.

2012 Draft Grades - AFC West - Chiefs

Round 1 - DT Dontari Poe

Round 2 - OG Jeff Allen

Round 3 - OT Donald Stephenson

Round 4 - WR Devon Wylie

Round 5 - CB/S De'quan Menzie

Round 6 - RB Cyrus Gray

Round 7 - DE Jerome Long

               - WR Junior Hemmingway 

     The Chiefs decided to sail forward into the future with Matt Cassel at the helm. To experience success on offense, they need to surround him with talent on the offensive line and skill positions. His lack of mobility, creativity, and arm strength when the play breaks down predicates this influx of talent on the offensive side of the ball.
     However, before concentrating on offense, Kansas City needed to add that missing piece on their defensive line. Running a 3-4 defense, their linemen need to take on blockers and let the linebackers make plays. Already having their two young defensive ends in place, finding a nose tackle man the middle of the that line was of paramount importance. By drafting Dontari Poe, they hold in their hands a moldable piece of clay. An absolute mountain of a man, he possesses power as well as quickness. He will be able to demand a couple of blockers, which will be his main job. Though he has nearly Haloti Ngata-type upside, his rawness was heavily scrutinized before the draft, causing many to label him as a potential bust.

2012 Draft Grades - AFC West - Broncos

Round 2 - DT Derek Wolfe

              - QB Brock Osweiler

Round 3 - RB Ronnie Hillman

Round 4 - CB Omar Bolden

Round 5 - DE Malik Jackson

Round 6 - OLB Danny Trevathan

     Peyton Manning changes everything. Instead of making picks for the future, the Broncos need to win now. That started with adding weapons for him in free agency and then reinforcing a solid defense. Though strong at cornerback and pass rushing entities, their weakness at defensive tackle has been well-publicized. The loss of Broderick Bunkley is only slightly offset by the debut Ty Warren (injured all last season). By drafting Derek Wolfe, they gain a previously absent inside pass rush. However, he lacks the ability to anchor the run and will be used on passing situations the majority of the time. Look for the Broncos to have a deep rotation at the defensive tackle position as well as at defensive end this year.
     Again, a product of the Manning signing, John Elway was in need of a quarterback of the future after trading away Tim Tebow. Who better to develop behind than #18? With similar size and arm strength to Ryan Mallett, Brock Osweiler brings surprising athleticism for a man his size. His mechanics are severely flawed though fixable, and he also has little experience as a starter. If and when Osweiler takes over for Manning in a few years, they should transition to more of a downfield passing attack. This is contingent on his development though.

Direction of NFC West

     The toughest division in the NFL is the AFC North in my opinion. Their teams are built upon a strong run game and dominating defenses. If the NFC West continues down the road it's now on, I believe that it too will be playing that brand of smash-mouth football. Partially due to a lack of talented quarterbacks and plethora of talented workhorse running backs, these teams have almost always leaned on the run game. As it adds more talent the NFC West can experience more success with that old-school style of football.

2012 Draft Grades - NFC West - Rams

Round 1 - DT Michael Brockers

Round 2 - WR Brian Quick

               - CB Janoris Jenkins

               - RB Isaiah Pead

Round 3 - CB Trumaine Johnson

Round 4 - WR Chris Givens

Round 5 - OG Rokevious Watkins

Round 6 - K Greg Zuerlein

Round 7 - OLB Aaron Brown

               - RB  Daryl Richardson

     The Rams came into the draft with needs at nearly every position. These holes in the roster necessitated some wheeling and dealing. Starting by trading away the second overall pick, they were able acquire three first round picks and a second rounder as well. That was just to move down four spots. With the sixth pick they were presumably targeting Justin Blackmon this year's top receiver. However, when the Jaguars traded up to draft Blackmon just ahead of St. Louis, Jeff Fisher and Les Snead pulled the trigger to move down to fourteen overall while picking up a extra second rounder. They finally made their pick at fourteen when they drafted Michael Brockers, the defensive tackle from LSU. Raw, coming out as a redshirt sophomore, his potential to be an absolute monster on that already talented defensive line was all the Rams needed to select him. As stated before, he will need to develop to turn those raw physical tools into production on the field. Already an adept run defender, Brockers can still expand his pass rush moves. Also, more time in the weight room will translate into his improving even more in the run game.
     Another project, Brian Quick hails from a small school. Never facing elite competition dictates a steep learning curve. He provides the quarterback with a big target and a large catch radius, but he doesn't separate from defenders very well. Quick can move his breaks in the route sharply, and he does show buildup speed downfield; however, it will take a few years before we know how good he can be.

2012 Draft Grades - NFC West - Seahawks

Round 1 - DE/OLB Bruce Irvin

Round 2 - ILB Bobby Wagner

Round 3 - QB Russell Wilson

Round 4 - RB Robert Turbin

               DT Jaye Howard

Round 5 - OLB Korey Toomer

Round 6 - CB Jeremy Lane

               - S Winston Guy

Round 7 - DT J.R. Sweezy

               - DT Greg Scruggs 

     Pete Carroll, their head coach, knows how to build a defense out of seemingly nothing. The key might be that he knows what players can fit the roles in his scheme. After all, his team consists of the largest starting 4-3 defensive end Red Bryant, 323 lb., the tallest starting safety Kam Chancellor, 6'3", and the tallest starting corner tandem with Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman, both 6'3". Surprisingly, rarely do his defensive players disappoint, maybe because no one expects much from them. Finally, to top it off, Carroll and the GM John Schneider shocked the NFL by drafting Bruce Irvin the pass-rushing specialist in the middle of the first round in April. Maybe the best pass rusher coming out of college, he will be limited by his smaller frame, dictating that he will be used almost exclusively on passing downs throughout his career. Serious character concerns made his early selection even more eyebrow raising. However, Seattle was ecstatic to add Irvin so that will make the unfolding story of his career even more compelling to follow.
     A little less sensational was their following pick of Bobby Wagner. A solid overall talent, he was fast rising up draft boards because of his excellent Senior Bowl performance and workouts. Playing with heart and consistency, Wagner should enjoy a long career in the NFL. He should probably see significant playing time this year with only injury-prone Barrett Ruud ahead of him.

2012 Draft Grades - NFC West - 49ers

Round 1 - WR A.J. Jenkins

Round 2 - RB LaMichael James

Round 4 - OG Joe Looney

Round 5 - OLB Darius Fleming

Round 6 - S Trent Robinson

               - C Jason Slowey

Round 7 - DE/OLB Cam Johnson 

     Head coach John Harbaugh came in last year and established a smash-mouth offense that will run the ball on everyone. Their first two picks this year coupled with the signings of Randy Moss and Mario Manningham suggest that they could move to more of a spread system in the future.
     A surprise first round pick, A.J. Jenkins isn't expected to make a sizable impact in his rookie year. While he's a smooth athlete who plucks the ball out of the air nicely, he is raw as a route runner after playing in a spread system at Illinois. In addition, a more physical style of play would aid him against press coverage, which he's never faced. However, Jenkins' body control enables him to make difficult sideline catches which is a plus. He could develop into an excellent second receiver for the team in the future.
     Another player from a spread system at Oregon, LaMichael James, brings explosive play making ability to this offense which lacked big plays last year. A tough runner for 5'9" but not a rugged, grinder, James projects as a third down back who can catch balls out of the backfield. He can be utilized on draw plays and sweeps but will have limited success running inside.

2012 Draft Grades - NFC West - Cardinals

Round 1 - WR Michael Floyd

Round 3 - CB Jamell Fleming

Round 4 - OT Bobby Massie

Round 5 - OG Senio Kelemete

Round 6 - S Justin Bethal
               - QB Ryan Lindley

Round 7 - OT Nate Potter

     The Cardinals addressed their needs this year in the draft and were able to find value, especially in the later rounds. Starting with Michael Floyd, the big wide receiver out of Notre Dame, they added another threat across from Larry Fitzgerald. While lacking in elite speed, Floyd gains separation with good route running and a physical style of play. Not a one trick pony, he can make plays all over the field, being an excellent deep threat and a surprisingly good YAC gainer. However, he comes with some baggage off the field with three alcohol-related offenses from his collegiate career.
     Next, they continued to make the cornerback position a strength by drafting Jamell Fleming from Oklahoma. Though not overly physical or quick, his cover skills can eventually propel him to a starting job across from Patrick Peterson. Again, not a fast guy but one whose experience and technique compensate for the lack of an elite skill set.
     An absolute steal in the fourth round, Bobby Massie was projected by some to go as early as the late first. Although strictly a right tackle prospect, Massie brings nice size and athleticism to the table and could be ready to compete this year.