RSS
Some Points To Consider About Offensive Linemen And The NFL Draft
A point about offensive linemen is that you shouldn’t necessarily build your team around early-round draft choices at the position.
A classic example why not is the most recent Super Bowl. Of the 10 offensive linemen to start for the Saints and the Colts, three were undrafted free agents, and two were taken in the sixth round or lower of the draft. None were selected in the first round. Only New Orleans’ starting right tackle Jon Stinchcomb (a second round pick in 2003) was taken in the draft before the fourth round.
The Lions have two first rounders (tackles Jeff Backus and Gosder Cherilus), and a second-rounder (center Dominic Raiola) on their offensive line. It’s not that they haven’t used premium draft picks on the offensive line that’s been their issue, but rather their failure to develop later round picks and undrafted free agents for the spots.
In the last three Super Bowls, there have been three times as many undrafted free agents starting on the offensive line as first-round draft choices.
Random Thoughts
- One thing I haven’t figured out about this year’s Masters is whether more people will be rooting for Tiger Woods than against him. Certainly in the past there were more people rooting for him.
- So Charlie Villanueva and Austin Daye essentially played their best games of the season as the Pistons routed Philadelphia - on the road nonetheless - Tuesday night, but only after they both missed a team flight...
I don’t know if that is good news or bad news. Because from a bigger picture point of view, they probably shouldn’t have been playing at all.
Team discipline is important. Doesn’t seem like the Pistons have much of it right now.
- The Yankees did start Curtis Granderson Tuesday against Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester. They also hit him ninth in the batting order. Granderson did single off Lester in his second at bat. He struck out the first time he faced him.
Caputo And His Boss Video: Did MSU Get Jobbed? http://tinyurl.com/yeeatc7
A classic example why not is the most recent Super Bowl. Of the 10 offensive linemen to start for the Saints and the Colts, three were undrafted free agents, and two were taken in the sixth round or lower of the draft. None were selected in the first round. Only New Orleans’ starting right tackle Jon Stinchcomb (a second round pick in 2003) was taken in the draft before the fourth round.
The Lions have two first rounders (tackles Jeff Backus and Gosder Cherilus), and a second-rounder (center Dominic Raiola) on their offensive line. It’s not that they haven’t used premium draft picks on the offensive line that’s been their issue, but rather their failure to develop later round picks and undrafted free agents for the spots.
In the last three Super Bowls, there have been three times as many undrafted free agents starting on the offensive line as first-round draft choices.
Random Thoughts
- One thing I haven’t figured out about this year’s Masters is whether more people will be rooting for Tiger Woods than against him. Certainly in the past there were more people rooting for him.
- So Charlie Villanueva and Austin Daye essentially played their best games of the season as the Pistons routed Philadelphia - on the road nonetheless - Tuesday night, but only after they both missed a team flight...
I don’t know if that is good news or bad news. Because from a bigger picture point of view, they probably shouldn’t have been playing at all.
Team discipline is important. Doesn’t seem like the Pistons have much of it right now.
- The Yankees did start Curtis Granderson Tuesday against Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester. They also hit him ninth in the batting order. Granderson did single off Lester in his second at bat. He struck out the first time he faced him.
Caputo And His Boss Video: Did MSU Get Jobbed? http://tinyurl.com/yeeatc7
Labels: Jon Stinchcomb Jeff Backus Gosder Cherilus Dominic Raiola Tiger Woods Curtis Granderson Jon Lester
posted by Pat Caputo at
11:38 AM
4 Comments:
Pat, I think, at first, peoples reaction to Tiger Woods will be more reserved than usual. But after he shakes off the rust,and performs up to his usual level of play, people will be behind him as much as ever. It's become part of our DNA to root for him. Dave
I disagree with Dave completely.
Tiger was a unique celebrity, one that crossed all lines of color, gender and sport in his popular appeal. Even my 94 year old mother liked him. The few who disliked him were probably only those competing for attention.
Now he is a polarizing individual. No matter how well he plays, he will forever be tainted by many. This is what he threw away and will never reclaim.
He sought to surplant Jack as the greatest golfer ever, and now even if he wins more majors, many will still cosider him less of a man.
Allan
Allan, this era is tougher than Jack Nicklaus' era - the new equipment and a larger pool of talented professionals - social media and 8 gazillion news venues and cell phones with text messaging.
31 years old and worth a billion dollars. Can smoke anyone on the course - good looking and the girls come flocking.
And he liked it. Most likely he was good at it to. Distraction became obsession be came addiction became humiliation.
Some might suggest that if he catches Jacks majors number - he will have done it with the additional burden of world-wide controversy and humilation.
We have seen the passing of Young Tiger Woods still growing up - now should come along the Mature Tiger Woods - but that will have to be proven.
I'm one of those betting (figuartively of course) that he wins this thing.
The lesson learned? Winning is everything. It's all part of our decaying social fabric.
Fred
The new equipment and groomed conditions makes the game easier, not harder. Not to mention the pro's today don't have to worry about the next paycheck, have swing coaches, dieticians, game psychologists, etc. Don't be too star struck.
Listen to talk radio now when the converstion turns to Woods. Black dudes call up defending him, white dudes call up questioning him.
He used to transend all this garbage, but now he will forever by wallowing in it. And he caused it, not the media.
Allan
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home