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Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Dolphins looking at LBs not named Long fairly early

It has been assumed that after signing Reggie Torbor and with the possibility of adding Chris Long with the first overall pick, the Dolphins might be looking somewhere other than linebacker during the early parts of the draft.

Wrong draftface.

The Dolphins, in fact, are seriously considering two highly coveted linebackers as possible first day additions as Auburn's Quentin Groves and Miami's Tavares Gooden will be among the players the team hosts this week.

Groves will be among the 30 out-of-town players that will visit the team Wednesday and Thursday. Gooden will be among the local players that will visit Friday. Team typically set up visits and private workouts with players they have focused on and because visits are limited in number, teams don't typically waste them by using them as a smokescreen.

So Miami's interest in these two guys is legit.

Miami's interest in Groves shows that Chris Long at No. 1 is not a certainty as both are considered linebacker/defensive ends in the 3-4 set. Groves is not as highly rated as Long. But he was productive in college and is very fast for his size.

Groves has been timed at 4.57 in the 40 since leaving Auburn. The Dolphins aren't the only team interested in him as he is also scheduled to visit Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati, San Francisco, New Orleans, New York Giants, New York Jets and New England Patriots.

Gooden, whose worth seems to be rising since he ran a 4.48 time at Miami's pro day, may be a high second-round pick, although his there is at least one scout I've spoken to that has a first-round grade on the kid. Although not the edge-rushing type of linebacker, he is suited to both the strongside job or as an interior LB. He will visit the Saints, Titans, Giants and Dolphins and workout privately for the Colts and Ravens.

The Dolphins have also set up visits with Michigan State receiver Devin Thomas, who caught 79 passes for 1,260 yards last season with eight touchdowns. He is coming out as a junior.

The team also has set a visit with Texas El Paso free safety Quintin Demps. This guy ran a 4.39 40 in various timings and had 16 career interceptions.

77 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I hate it when people do this... but I'm going to do it anyways

I'm first!!!!

9:37 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dave must be Bryan's brother

9:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

9:44 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I guess it all comes down to who has more talent at the second pick. Do the lb/de's that will be available early in the second have more talent than the offensive linemen at the same spot. If so you pick Jake Long first and go after your D with the second pick. But knowing Parcells history I would be suprised if he didn't pick Chris Long with the first. NYScott

9:47 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Parcells & Co have to do their due diligence and examine players they may target throughout the draft. This also shows that we MAY still trade down with Dallas. We need to look at players who grade out in that range.

10:06 AM  
Blogger One Angry American said...

Armando please delete this moron's idiotic post. Tell Ralph to blow me. You can delete this one too;)

Thanks for the info, Mando.

10:08 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i did not know you swung that way ron no wonder you hate conservatives

10:16 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I would like the Dolphins to take Chris Long with the 1st pick...that'll put the D, along with the signings they've made, in pretty decent shape. After that, they just need one more LB and they can devote the rest of the draft to stockpiling the O (unless they feel there's a really good shut-down CB).
But I think they can wait for an LB later on in the draft. They should get a QB or a LT in the 2nd round.

10:17 AM  
Blogger Solomon said...

Mando,
Sorry, but I think Groves is a smokescreen. Cliff Avril from Purdue is their real target.

10:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great info Armando. Always great to get the inside stuff that you provide.

10:26 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As much as I hate to say this, pick Chris Long 1st, trade Taylor for a second to Jacksonville, and add 2 OL's in the second round. If you are going to reward someone with that kind of money with the first pick, he ought to have serious star potential. Chris Long could be our next JT.

10:34 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Even if CLong is the #1 pick, that shouldn't eliminate Groves at #33. If JT is traded, Porter would move to the ROLB spot where he's a better fit and Long would start on the strong side. Groves would give you a 3 man rotation at OLB and be there to replace Porter next year. Gooden would play inside in the 34, so that's really a different position/need all together.
There are enough needs on this team that they should truly take the BPA, regardless of position.

Jay in Raleigh

10:36 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

With as much as they've addressed defense this offseason, and as little as they've addressed the O-line, I can't help but think the pick is Jake Long. And if he's a 12 yr starter like everyone's projecting, he's the guy I hope they take. Won't matter how good that defense is if the Offense can't get that 3rd and 1 and can't sustain any drives.

10:36 AM  
Blogger One Angry American said...

I am a libertarian. I just hate this crap on here. I can't even read the football posts without sifting through this crap.
I don't even know what it says. I don't want to read it. Makes me want to read different site's blog instead.

10:44 AM  
Blogger One Angry American said...

I agree Jay, take the best player you can get at a value position. I don't think RB or QB is an option based on the salary commitment, but if it is an OL DL, CB, or LB, you do it.

I still argue that CHris Long has the best community impact as well. He would be a treasure to the organization, won't beat his wife, get shot in the buttocks, etc.

11:05 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sounds like Ron is promoting censorship. he wants bloggers with only his narrow, clouded by propaganda, point of view. As well, I don't care to read his requests here on the blog for a bj, but if thats what he needs, he is entitled to request it where ever he wants, I'm all for freedom of speech.

11:19 AM  
Blogger One Angry American said...

Thanks Citizen K, you are a great American. I am all for free speech. BTW, "Blow me" is figure of speech. Obviously I am not really asking Ralph to perform fellatio on me. That's what I have your mom for!

Ha Ha, just kidding citizen, so what do you think about Groves workout for Miami? What's your take on the number one pick?

11:24 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have to agree with Thomas - Houston; we don't have a complete o-line to start, yet alone depth, etc. The o-line has to be addressed in the draft; whomever the Dolphins draft on the o-line has to be able to start day 1. Looks like Jake Long to me, and a guard in the 2nd round. While it looks like there is a lot of o-line talent in this draft, is there really a starting tackle (for this season) that can be found later?

11:28 AM  
Blogger One Angry American said...

I think the consensus is there are plenty of tackles in this draft, but only one Jake Long. The other top picks in that position will be gone by our second pick. But is Jake long truly a LT. Everyone speculates, but i imagine this crew can work with lesser talent. I think because of the 2007 Giants, Pass rushing is at a premium. We are in Brady's division and rattling him is our top priority. You build for your division and this division is going to be known for the pass attack. However with that argument a good LT would be necessary to negate that attack on us as well. I want Chris, but won't be upset if it is Jake. IN Tuna I Trust.

11:34 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have been thinking for a while that they should take Dorsey out of LSU. The guy has performed all his career. I'd rather take a guy that I know produces than to take someone that I hope produces. Plus he just reminds me of a young Reggie White. Plus if you have the first pick, you really have no excuses (noone can snatch someone from you). Lastly, is it just me or do you think the Raiders already have a deal with someone for their pick? So much money spent so far.

11:42 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ron, I am not so big on the community angle as you are. A thug we don't need, but a poster boy is just a marginal fringe benefit if you ask me. Winning makes the best posters. I did some research on laptops a few months back, and regardless of brand or price range, every review had some negatives that were disappointing. Well that is just how I feel about all this analysis we are getting on these top picks, all have some down side, but that is always the case, there were even 'worries' about Marino throwing too many picks in his final season in college. QB would be my first choice if there were a QB of #1 pick caliber, but there isn't. So, my take is that IF our expert coaches think J Long can be a multiple pro bowl player for a good 10 years, you lock that up, since our O line is our weakest area at this point, and way too important to ignore, or to gamble another top O line guy will be available in the second. I won't pretend that I know more then the coaches about analyzing the +/- of the top prospects, so if they don't think J Long is that kind of player, I say C Long over Gholston. Too often in sports its the intangibles over raw specific strengths, and he seems to have the intangibles, the instinct, smarts and motivation. Our running back situation is covered and I don't think Ryan is worthy of a #1 overall pick, I actuall think both our current QB's are better prospects than him.

11:49 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

If Chris Long was not there then i say take Jake..... but we have the number 1 pick!!! It has to be Chris. I am from Virgina and one of the few dolphins fans around here and without sounding like i want the hometown hero, CHRIS IS A BEAST,I got to see him in person a few times and never saw anyone take him out the game. He is everywhere. Jake Long is a star but as a fan i cant see us or any team for that matter, shelling out all that money for a LT.... especially with the depth at o-line this year. but our front office prides itself on finding jems in the draft sooo.... I will be happy with whoever it is. I would love to get a Chris Long #91 Fins jersey and make a L with my arms at the bar every time he puts Brady on his bony little pretty boy ass. GO FINS.

11:53 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I normally don't like the political crap posted on here either, but for whatever reason, I read the post above and it is pretty interesting.

I think the Groves interest is just in case we trade down. Not likely, but obviously still a possibility. Plus, maybe something comes up before the draft and he ends up slipping to our second pick. Again, not likely, but at least we will have done our homework if it does happen.

JJF

12:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ralph, you are an idiot....you must have mistaken this FOOTBALL blog for the one where your post belongs....IamAloser.com...then again, you are an idiot. Go spew your moronic diatribe somewhere else. As for my post ABOUT THE DOLPHINS, according to many other sites/sources, Jake Long may be better suited for RT. It would be hard to swallow $60 million for a RT (can we say Robert Gallery). Clady may be a better LT in The NFL. A safer bet would be Chris Long. Trading down would be better, but as most already know, there will be no takers. Only 3 1/2 weeks till the draft! With the Tuna, it may be exciting. And for Ralph, piss off!

12:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Offensive linemen take longer to develop and premium quality tackles are typically more scarce than premium defensive linemen. A stud left tackle would be my choice. Never enough top picks...

Ralph my man, I feel your pain, but 99.9% of the people in this country are completely clueless about the Facist Banking Cartel (aka The Federal Reserve) and about 99% of those prefer to remain clueless. Such is life.

I also enjoy the NFL bread and circuses to take my mind off of the fact that the Democratic-Corporate-State system is rigged to screw the little guys and realize that most sports fans could care less about this state of affairs even if I would like to "get the message out" in forums like this. As an alternative I suggest turning to Strike The Root at http://www.strike-the-root.com/ for reading about as well as discussing these ideas in the forum or blog. As a matter of fact there is a good article on this topic this morning at the top of the page. Prepare to be one of the Remnant as the masses are doomed and don't know it. What's worst is that they don't want to know it. Might as well have a beer and watch some football in the meantime... Go Dolphins!

12:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ralph, or anyone else who posts these long social/economic/political theses: It's not a matter of anyone on here agreeing with, or understanding, or caring about the content of your posts. The fact is that most of us are trying feverishly to be unproductive at work, and scrolling past your post to get to the next one on the topic we came here to discuss is just a waste of our time-wasting. Please feel free to analyze this post...someplace else.

12:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

12:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just like Neil Im from Virginia too, but as good as Chris is, Im not sold on him...Granted I am a Tech fan...But still...They need help on OL and DL a like...So Im kind of torn on the 1st pick so Ill leave that alone for now..What I want to know is if there is any news on Xavier Adibi? He was a monster and has the ability to make the jump and be successful...Any word on him in the second round?

757FinFan

12:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Chris Long is an under achiever and way overrated. He gets far more attention than others simply because of his dad. Look for him to have a ok NFL career and bounce around to several teams. We won't pick him first, look out for a surprise.

12:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I too believe that Chris Long should be the pick, but wouldn't be terribly upset with Jake. Then in the 2nd round go OT and CB. And if Chris Long is going to be in a Dolphins jersey he's not going to be #91 it's taken. He'll be #97 like his boy Kerney

1:07 PM  
Blogger Antonio said...

Maybe it just me, (...and not that it really matters) but I have read through this blog and every article that the herald wrote this offseason. and I don't recall even a hint or line about the Jags signing Lemon. to a 3 year deal. Now, as I said this is old news, and mostly unimportant news. but I wouldn't necessarily classify it as irrelevant news. Just wondering...
Mando, did I miss that or was it just Not newsworthy?

1:19 PM  
Blogger One Angry American said...

Mando!!! Help!! Save this BLOG! Where are you?!?!?!

DELETE DELETE DELETE!

1:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm not as high on Groves as I am on Chris Long. However, Taveras Gooden would be a solid pickup! It's all about dis U!!!

1:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Antonio, this blog is pretty good but far from great, for more in deth info and better conversation go to the blog on sunsentinal, no offense Armando, luv ur blog, but they seem to be more dedicated to blogging, not to mention theres 2x as many posts

1:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

TAKE LONG ONLY IF YOU THINK CHERILUS OR SAM BAKER WILL BE THERE...IF NOT THEN YOU DRAFT J LONG AND HOPE GROOVES OR MAYO ARE THERE FOR US IN 2ND

1:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Armando.
I know it'S an open forum but JeZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ posts like ralphroots4dphins is such a waste of space, boring and not relevant to the blog. I see you often delete posts from some, surely they are fill with obscene language, but such posts as political crap needs to go to, shoujldn't they find a CNN or FOX political blog site, posting it here sucks. and besides no one reads them anyway.

1:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If you are reading this blog, you are a loser.

2:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh, NO! They've let Troofer Shawn out of the cage.

See what you've done, Ralph, you inconsiderate lout. For cough, boat-a-yas.

3:12 PM  
Blogger doug collin said...

armando, gooden is a stiff, nothing better then special teams player. the no 1 grade has to be from the geniuses who passed on brady quinn to draft mr cotton ginn. Groves is a mid to late round first pick who could drop to 32. What happened to the stiff we drafted from colo abraham wright? he was supposed to be a pass rushing olb. As for our mo 1 jake long was undressed by buckeye def end vernon goldstyn and disappeared re app st. Chris long was anonymous until after season ended. If you want to go for home run take mcfadden. the other choice is use deception and force another team to think u will be trading the guy they want earlier to another team.

3:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

why was there a report that the dolphins draft board is set if they're still having player visits?

4:01 PM  
Blogger Armando Salguero said...

OK, the milelong political post is gone.

As to the last question: They're board is set but that doesn't mean you don't do your homework to the end. What if someone shows up with an amputated leg? You don't think the board can be adjusted?

4:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's crazy to think they won't take Jake Long as the first pick, unless they may have a cocealed deal with a trade partner, and are looking at guys that will fall to that spot.

5:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think they will draft a MLB and TE in the second round...on the first round its going to be a mistery...why you ask? well they do have a lot LB in the team and no offensive tackle...so will they pick by need? or best player? they want to pick cris but they have to pick jake
AndyP

6:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think there is a drop off after the first 5 OTs. So to wait and get an OT in first pick of the second round might be more of a risk.

I believe there is going to be a run for OTs in the first round. I think it might be harder to get a good OT late. Yet, the Fins can get defense in the later rounds while taking advantage and getting the best OT in the draft right from the start.

And the Miami Dolphins first pick of the 2008 NFL Draft is Jake Long from Miiiichigan.

oscar_g

6:46 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I dont think you guys realize how awesome Jake Long is. He set the NFL Combine record for the bench press...and he's 6'7''! Anyone who knows anything about lifting weights knows that having long arms and being tall in general hurts your ability to life the bench. This guy is a beast. Look what he did to the Florida defensive lineman at the Orange Bowl last year. It wasnt even a competition, he pretty much shoved him to the ground every other play!

7:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

JP is absolutely right. Jake Long is the way to go. Unless we pull some crazy draft day trade I say they take Jake Long as the number 1 pick because HE IS A FRIGGIN BEAST!!

I say we do a dolphins blog 1st pick pool, $10 entry, Armando is the operator and holds all money in escrow until draft day and we make it exciting!!!

8:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It isn't likely to be anyone we think it will be. They want everyone thinking Long or Ryan. I won't be suprised if they go with Dorsey or Ellis or McFadden. Chris Long is not a going 1st.

9:10 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I'm a big fan of Groves being an Auburn fan, but I'm concerned about his durability. He's definitely got some skills and he's a prototypical 3-4 OLB, but I wouldn't want to use anything more than a late-first (via trade) or early-second on him.

10:31 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Dwayne B, that's crap. Chris Long had a wonderful college career and his performance on the combine and his Virginia workout only solidified his draft status. His motors never stops. I'll be thrilled if the Dolphins pick him

10:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I really hope the Dolphins pass if they can't trade the pick. They save money, give themselves another chance at a trade and can pick at any point when they feel sold on one pick.

They get to control everything and lose nothing.

Other teams may cry foul but who cares.

10:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Dolphins need a LT and they can't get one in the second round. If they don't pick an LT and a starting caliber tackle does not fall to their pick in the second round it will be a major problem. Jake Long is the pick unless you can trade down.

They should also keep JT. They won't get close to the cap ceiling and he isn't worth trading for a 2 or a 3. You think the Wes Welker deal was bad - that would pale in comparison to trading the best defensive player we have for a 3.

11:20 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Uh, the Dolphins WILL be able to get a starting tackle in Rounds 2-3. The class is very deep, it is a non-issue.

11:21 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's one thing to get a tackle that you can develop over three years and it is quite another to have a tackle come into the league and start right away. There are only 3 or 4 offensive tackles in this draft that can start right away and we won't see any of them in the second round.

11:24 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Uh, no? You think the only guys that can come in right away and stat are the ones at the top of the draft? Marcus McNeill was a second rounder and started for San Diego. Shane Olivea was a seventh-rounder in 2004 and started every game for the Chargers, doing quite well.

If you think any tackle you take in the second or third round is a guy you'll have to develop over three years, you're out of your freaking mind. There ARE tackles capable of starting in this draft beyond the first round - quite a few actually. And considering Long is not the traditional elite OT prospect, he's not someone I'd use a No. 1 pick on.

11:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Most of the starting left tackles in the NFL are first round picks. The position is the most important position on the offense other than QB and Matt Ryan is not worth the No. 1 pick (16 picks last year?).

There are some pretty good defensive players that will be around in round 2. You take the player that will have the most impact for your team if you can't trade down and that player is Jake Long. As much as I would like to get Chris or Vernon or Sedrick, the pick is Jake.

11:45 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Bet you're wrong.

11:48 PM  
Blogger BurlyDude72 said...

Neither Parcells nor Sparano are talking - so why speculate? If they decide to take a QB at #32 you can look for Jake Long as our #1 pick. If Chris Long is taken at the #1 slot then look for either Baker from USC or Nicks from Nebraska as our pick at #32. I like the Chris Long move with a big OT at #32.

12:02 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

PLEASE READ!!! Chris Long will NOT be a pro bowl caliber player. He is closer to Mike Vrabel than he is to Shawn Merriman or Demarcus Ware. The pick should be Vernon Gholston, who does compare favorably to Ware and Merriman. Groves will be gone by pick 32, but there will still be OT's available. Vernon Carey is not the greatest LT but I'd rather stick with him and draft a RT than spend 60 million on Jake Long, who got whipped by Gholston and by Derrick Harvey, I saw the games people. Gholston in the first, best available CB and ILB in the second. OT in the third, S in the fourth, G and TE in the 6th, WR and G in the 7th.

1:47 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Hahahaha! Ah the irony. "Chris Long will not be a Pro Bowl caliber player, he's closer to Vrabel..." You mean the Mike Vrabel who had 77 tackles, 12.5 sacks and five forced fumbles this year and.... started in the PRO BOWL? Way to not make sense buddy.

1:59 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love that noone has a clue who is going first. Tuna is the best, finally a front office to be happy about. Bring it on Falcons..it might be Matt Ryan for all you know. If not, J. Long or C. Long would be awesome. Heck Ronnie Brown is injury prone, how about McFadden. Luvin it!

2:08 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Well, we can use our common sense and eliminate Ryan and McFadden.

2:12 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Really now dip shit. Why not ryan? I was at the game against cincinnati where beck handed the ball of to the begals for a 80 yard TD. And your common sense says that the current lot of second string qbs is better than Ryan. And injury prone happy to share the backfield ronnie brown and mr i never said no to a joint ricky williams are your guys.. pleeeaze! Take your head out of culo before you start insulting real fans.

2:19 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I never said Ryan wouldn't be better option that Beck or McCown, or that he wouldn't turn out to be a better pro. But when you take into account all the facts, common sense says it's very unlikely we take Ryan. Sorry buddy. Hopefully you didn't have your heart set on it.

2:24 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The artist says, Matt Ryan sucks. The artist has spoken.

3:06 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have it figured out.

Draft Ryan #1 and then swap him for the Falcons at #3 as well as a third round pick and a late rounder next year.

Turn around and swap the #3 with Dallas for their 2 #1s, their 3rd and their 6th.

Dolphins will have 2 firsts, two seconds, two thirds, some late round considerations and much less salary cap exposure.

Then we can trade it all away to get A.J. Feely back!

woohooo

9:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr Spielman, thanks for reminding of that BS you pulled. I forget, what did we trade, like a 2nd and third for him, he played like 6 games. I am usually too drunk on sundays (lately) to remember (it's better to not remember when you're 1-15). Someone remind me.

Also, anybody see that commercial for reebok where the Dolphins fan goes into the bathroom after the season and wakes up with a full on beard on draft day and looks like a kid on christmas day waiting to open up his gifts? THAT'S US!!!

9:40 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Mark my words Golhston will be the next 1st round pick stiff. He is not consistent and I really hope we do not take him

10:10 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Arturo can't think for himself because he didn't watch Gholston so he just regurgitates stuff the "experts" have said.

10:22 AM  
Blogger snote said...

been predicting this since this "out there" pick for a month now.. Vernon Golhston #1 pick

ps. can you say DeMarcus Ware?

Good Luck

10:30 AM  
Blogger JinVA said...

You two above aren't the only Phins fans in VA! (Hence my name).

First let me get to Doug Collin...add an "S" and stick to basketball my man. Did you even watch the U of M / OSU game? Gholston got ONE sack on Jake...ONE. Thas is hardly worth your exageration of "undressed". I'm sure you didn't watch it and are only regurgitating what you've read since you can't even spell Gholston. Of course I've come to expect these posts from Ginn haters/Quinn man crush posters like you. Show me a Div 1 tackle who didn't give up atleast one. Not to mention Gholston will be a top ten pick as well, so he's no slouch. I've seen Ogden and Pace beat...does that mean they're overrated? Hardly. No one wins EVERY battle.

Hey JP...Jake didn't set the combine record...he was TIED for the highest reps THIS year with Gholston. The record is in the 40's...I think it's 45. Careful what you throw out there...some on here tend to take blog posts as the word of God. lol ;-)

I too live in VA...and while I like Chris he's had one stud year. ONE. His other three were snoozers. Is he just now blossoming? Or a one year wonder? I tend to agree with some of the guys above, based on watching his games, that he'll be a decent player who may play for a few teams, but never be that frachise guy like JT. He lacks the pure speed AND the pure strength. He has the brains, the desire, and the last name. That's just not enough. Kearney is a good comp...and they're both UVA guys...but I liken him more to Grant Wistrom. That's the best comp I can come up with.

10:32 AM  
Blogger JinVA said...

mjohnson1981...I'm going throw you in with our resident B-ball coach. To say Jake was "whipped" by Gholston only tells me you did NOT watch the game. My sister is a Buckeye...I watch most of them. Gholston had ONE sack on Jake. ONE. What I SAW was Jake working his butt off to control a top ten pick/pass rush specialist for MOST of the game. Your bias is showing.

10:44 AM  
Blogger snote said...

and dwight freeny got zero sacks vs bryant mckinnie their senior season

10:50 AM  
Blogger JinVA said...

I find it funny that people keep saying you can't pay Jake Long #1 money because he'll be a stud RT but not LT, and that's why we should take Chris Long or Matt Ryan. Yet Matt Ryan is no Carson Palmer, Peyton Manning, or Drew Bledsoe for that matter. Chris Long is no Mario Williams, Bruce Smith, or Ed "Too Tall" Jones. Show me one DE/OLB hybrid who's been picked #1 and was worth the money. The last LB who was drafted #1 in the last 20 YEARS was Aundray Bruce...oh boy...sign me up for that! (that's sarcasm if you didn't catch it!)

Truth be told...if Jake is "merely" solid LT but a PRO BOWL RT for the next decade...as SOME talking heads are saying (Mike Mayock)...

THAT is what I'd be willing to invest in. This is a weak year at the top guys...there's no debating that. Sucks that the two years we pick in the top 5 it's been that way.

But it is.

10:57 AM  
Blogger JinVA said...

Here...check out the history of the #1's for yourself:

http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/alltimeno1

10:58 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Aqib Talib failed like 3 drug tests in college and Mario Manningham lied about failing a test. James Hardy had a domestic dispute with his baby's mama and the baby (per PFT). If these guy's draft stock fall, they could be available in the 2nd round. I'm not saying we'll pick them, but it would be good "value" with any of our 2nd round picks. Hey JinVA, I also believe you have to take Jake Long. Who knows if we will though.

1:46 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The irony is that "Rick Spielman's" draft strategy sounds more likely then some of the dumb crap I am reading on here.

Bravo!

1:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jake is the best pick. Oh and the Gholston sack was the only one he gave up all year. As well as only being flaged for one penalty this past season. And he is a beast.

4:02 PM  

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