[JCotchrocket]

This douche is jockeying to overtake Don Banks as SI's top asshole:

1. Draft report cards are almost always backwards. Teams with the high picks get good grades, when they should all get C's, D's and E's. How could anyone congratulate the Lions for having to guarantee $41 million to an unproven player in Matthew Stafford? The dominant teams of the decade, New England and Pittsburgh, benefit tremendously from never having to make that kind of investment. The Steelers have been trapped in the top 10 once in the last 19 years (Plaxico Burress at No. 8 in 2000), and the Patriots have been there only twice this decade (Jerod Mayo at No. 10 last year and Richard Seymour at No. 6 in 2001). So even if I've never heard of some of the guys Pittsburgh and New England took, based on history and financial positioning I'm giving them strong A's.

2. The class of 2009 is going to be loaded with expensive busts. Along with 2005 (Alex Smith No. 1), it will go down in as one of the two worst of this decade.

3. Someone needs to go down to Norman, Okla., grab Sam Bradford and shake him really, really hard. How could he have not gone to the NFL this year? He would have been No. 1 and gotten that $40 million. Now he'll be picked apart for a year, like Brian Brohm or Matt Leinart who both stayed a year too long and fell in the draft. And he could come into an NFL with significantly less money for rookies.

4. I don't buy Pete Carroll's reversal of opinion on Mark Sanchez's future. At first Carroll said Sanchez wasn't ready. The QB claims his coach only said that so he'd stay at USC. I tend to believe the image-conscious Carroll was telling the truth. He didn't think Sanchez is ready. I wouldn't be surprised if Sanchez had some rough bumps his rookie year.

5. Atlanta's Matt Ryan and Baltimore's Joe Flacco were able to transcend expectations as rookie quarterbacks because they had strong running games and defenses around them. The three first-round QBs in this year's draft (Stafford, Sanchez and Josh Freeman) don't have that luxury. Sanchez is the only one with even a slim chance of playing for a playoff team.

6. In Moneyball terms, it seems that “character issues” are another opportunity for the wise teams to get more value out of a pick. The Patriots are better at choosing personnel than anyone, and they seem to add a character risk every year now (Corey Dillon, Randy Moss, Brandon Meriweather, etc.). This year they chose North Carolina WR Brandon Tate, who reportedly failed a marijuana test at the combine, in the third round. If a team has strong enough leadership, adding character issue players is clearly not a problem.

7. The Chargers' A.J. Smith scares me. He's like a cold-blooded shark. Taking DE/LB Larry English at No. 16 to send a message to Shawne Merriman shows once again that Smith doesn't care what a player has done. I'll bet it took half the organization to convince Smith to keep LaDainian Tomlinson.

8. The NFC West did a good job of solidifying its spot as one the worst two conferences in the NFL. Consider some of the bust potential in the first round …

Seahawks: Another linebacker? Just because Aaron Curry fell to No. 4 doesn't mean you have to take him.
Rams: How can anyone compare Jason Smith to Orlando Pace? Pace was a once-in-a-generation player. Did Smith really show that much in college, or did he just benefit from being decent in a weak draft?
49ers: Everyone says receiver Michael Crabtree has shown he can done it on tape. But can you trust what you see in Mike Leach's offense at Texas Tech? Crabtree seems a bit slower and shorter than some of the other elite WRs he's been compared to.

9. The other malfunctioning division, the AFC West, is right there for bust potential …
Raiders: Who would have ever thought Cliff Branch would be the NFL's hardest man to replace?
Broncos: New head coach Josh McDaniel ran arguably the best passing offense in NFL history. So he comes to Denver and jettisons the Pro Bowl QB and drafts a running back (Knowshon Moreno) too high in the first round. Huh? I do, however, like their second first-round pick, Robert Ayers, and here's why …

10 . For the time being, I'll believe anything NFL Network's Mike Mayock says. He was dead on about offensive and defensive rookies of the year Ryan and Mayo last year. His defensive player to watch in this draft is the Tennessee defensive end Ayers. If Mayock's wrong, I'll never believe him again.

First of all, I agree in regard to Mayock. Next to Adam Schefter's connections and Rich Eisen's wit, Mayock's NCAA knowledge is NFL Network's greatest personnel asset. Between Mike Mayock and Mel Kiper Jr., the decision is obvious.

However, "I really like New England's draft because I don't know any of the players they drafted." Fantastic, in-depth analysis.

In regard to the Jets statement, no running game? We finished in the top ten in rushing, lost nothing on the o-line or running back corps and added a Doak Walker winner. No defense? We struggled down the stretch yes, but no defense?! That's just inaccurate. I hope Rex Ryan tattoos that comment to the inside of his eyelids. (The Bucs finished in the top half of the league in rushing, top ten in total D, BTW).

But Matt Ryan, yeah, he succeeded because he had such a strong defense. Falcons finished 24th in total D. Nice research, Perloff.

[ouchy]

Everyone on every NFL show is agreeing he wont help us much this season.

[Zach]

Looks like having AFC's leading rusher is just not enough of a "strong running attack" to him. I don't know what is then, though. Care to explain, anybody?

[GBA]

I think Sanchez is in as good a situation as any rookie QB could ask. We have a good line, a good run game, playmakers on offense, and hopefully a pretty stout defense. If he starts I think he will do better than the average rookie.

And Flacco played ok, but he looked great because Derrick Mason made him look great and he had one of the best defenses in the league to back him up.

[NDmick]

i never read this kid... he doesn't know what he's talking about ever..

i read this because its here.... #6 contradicts itself. His credibility is shot.

[JetFanInPA]

Everyone said Flacco wouldn't be playing for AT LEAST one full season on the bench because the jump from AA to NFL was a major adjustment for a QB.....

Also, Matt Ryan...

[SyracuseJet]

Mike Lombardi writes that first-round pick Mark Sanchez is "without a doubt" going to be the Jets' starting quarterback this year.
Lombardi has never believed in Kellen Clemens, so there may be some bias here. The Jets will probably go with whichever QB makes fewer mistakes in camp. Rex Ryan wants a run-first offense and his defense to dictate games.

Just for gee whiz.

[Harpua]

Originally Posted by Zach

Looks like having AFC's leading rusher is just not enough of a "strong running attack" to him. I don't know what is then, though. Care to explain, anybody?

Well Atlanta was 2nd in the NFL, Baltimore 4th. The jets 9th. We averaged 23 yeards less per game then the Ravens and 27 yards less then The Falcons last season. We have a good running attack that I think will be better this year with the addition of Greene, but not a top 5 NFL rushing attack. I disagree with his point ,but I can see why he's trying to make it.

We have a solid Defense that should only get better and a good running game that we added to. We also have a very hard shceduk this season. Should be fun to watch. If you like Great defense and smash mouth running like I do. I love 13-10 games.

[Tennessee Jet]

Perloff seems to be a pretty negative dude.

[nyjunc]

PLEASE, I beg all Jet fans to lower expectations. It is not fair to Sanchez to expect him to come in and play like Ryan or Flacco as a rookie. It MAY happen but please let's not expect it. This year will be alot more fun if we lower the expectations and enjoy watching our QB develop. If he plays above expectations great but please do not expect a rookie QB to light it up.

[JohnnyJohnson]

Originally Posted by nyjunc

PLEASE, I beg all Jet fans to lower expectations. It is not fair to Sanchez to expect him to come in and play like Ryan or Flacco as a rookie. It MAY happen but please let's not expect it. This year will be alot more fun if we lower the expectations and enjoy watching our QB develop. If he plays above expectations great but please do not expect a rookie QB to light it up.

And lets face it, year 1 means nothing. Year 2 really brings the pressure because everyone has scouting reports on them, teams int he division have faced him twice already, so no matter what he does in his first starting year, its only going to get harder in year 2.

[........]

8. The NFC West did a good job of solidifying its spot as one the worst two conferences in the NFL.

This is my favorite line right here. Ladies and gentlemen, the National Football Conference West Conference.

Someone needs to alert him to the difference between a conference and a division.

As far as Sanchez, he may not help this season. He may not even start this season. The key, as junc says, is to have patience this season. Whether he starts or not, succeeds or not, enjoy the season and his development. High choice QBs take some blame when they bust, but let's not ignore the lesser role played by coaches and fans as well.

[WhiteShoeWillis]

Originally Posted by JetFanInPA

Everyone said Flacco wouldn't be playing for AT LEAST one full season on the bench because the jump from AA to NFL was a major adjustment for a QB.....

Also, Matt Ryan...

The ONLY reason Flacco started was the two guys ahead of him got injured. He took advantage of the opportunity once he got in the game and never looked back.

Ryan was up against Chris Redmond and some other clown. He didn't have any competition.

[SyracuseJet]

Originally Posted by WhiteShoeWillie

The ONLY reason Flacco started was the two guys ahead of him got injured. He took advantage of the opportunity once he got in the game and never looked back.

Ryan was up against Chris Redmond and some other clown. He didn't have any competition.

Troy Smith

[nyjcanada]

stopped reading after the curry part... what an idiot

[WhiteShoeWillis]

Originally Posted by SyracuseJet

Troy Smith

No, he was scheduled to start over Flacco in Baltimore until he came down with some crazy illness.

[........]

Originally Posted by SyracuseJet

Troy Smith

Troy Smith >> Chris Redman. Even Kyle Boller >> Chris Redman. Let's not try to compare Flacco's competition to Ryan's.

[NDmick]

Originally Posted by nyjunc

PLEASE, I beg all Jet fans to lower expectations. It is not fair to Sanchez to expect him to come in and play like Ryan or Flacco as a rookie. It MAY happen but please let's not expect it. This year will be alot more fun if we lower the expectations and enjoy watching our QB develop. If he plays above expectations great but please do not expect a rookie QB to light it up.

i'm with you junc. The kid is going to have growing pains, especially with the fact that he's only started 16 games in college. I think he's going to be a great leader for this team, and people are going to want to play harder for him, the way the play harder for Ryan - but we as a fan base need to watch and let him develop instead of hoping for a division championship right off the bat.

I'm a proponent of letting Clemens start half the season until this kid is ready.

[........]

Originally Posted by NDmick

i'm with you junc. The kid is going to have growing pains, especially with the fact that he's only started 16 games in college. I think he's going to be a great leader for this team, and people are going to want to play harder for him, the way the play harder for Ryan - but we as a fan base need to watch and let him develop instead of hoping for a division championship right off the bat.

I'm a proponent of letting Clemens start half the season until this kid is ready.

The movement is growing! Get ready for people to jump all over you.

[rockyusmc2003]

Originally Posted by JCotchrocket

This douche is jockeying to overtake Don Banks as SI's top asshole:



First of all, I agree in regard to Mayock. Next to Adam Schefter's connections and Rich Eisen's wit, Mayock's NCAA knowledge is NFL Network's greatest personnel asset. Between Mike Mayock and Mel Kiper Jr., the decision is obvious.

However, "I really like New England's draft because I don't know any of the players they drafted." Fantastic, in-depth analysis.

In regard to the Jets statement, no running game? We finished in the top ten in rushing, lost nothing on the o-line or running back corps and added a Doak Walker winner. No defense? We struggled down the stretch yes, but no defense?! That's just inaccurate. I hope Rex Ryan tattoos that comment to the inside of his eyelids. (The Bucs finished in the top half of the league in rushing, top ten in total D, BTW).

But Matt Ryan, yeah, he succeeded because he had such a strong defense. Falcons finished 24th in total D. Nice research, Perloff.

Funny what he says about Bradford...

In my opinion, Bradford is much like Harrell, he's a product of his system and the talent around him. Not to mention the poor defenses in the Big 12.