I've got to say something about this. A lot of this may sound homer, but I'm sorry, I wouldn't trade our GM for anyone right now. I'm very excited with the picks so far. Obviously, they haven't had success yet, but based on pre-draft rankings, and team needs, we have done very well. On to Tannys evaluation: The biggest point to this post is how we've had so much success with the draft by our GM keeping an open mind, and not sticking to any one pattern. Go back to Brick and Mangold. Trade off Abe for a first. Draft 2 probowl lineman to ensure long term success-- passing on two possible "franchise" QB's. Trade down in the second, adding another high pick for the next season. Draft several quality contributers in later rounds. Next year, we fill a hole pre-draft, and trade picks for a great RB- Jones. He gets aggressive, and trades up twice for probowl players-- not giving up the farm, but gets fair value. Hits on 1 of the next 2 late rounders. Following year, trades 3 bums and a 2nd to move all the way up to 5 for a franchize QB. AMAZING trade value- completly exploited the Browns. Tries to pull off a trade for harvin- doesn't want to give up too much, and passes. Makes another fair deal and trades up for a steal in Green. Hits gold in the late rounds for a 2nd year solid starter. Trades mid season for a WR with top potential. Last year-- fills holes in a handcuffed off season. Trades picks for great players with cheap, one year contracts. Stays put, and gets great value for the 1st round, 2nd round and fills needs. Pulls trigger on a late round trade to ensure we get our RB. Pulls off another player trade, and drafts a very under rated FB for the future. Critical for our teams success. This year-- Stays put again. Amazing value at a need with Wilkerson. Doesn't panic even though there's no 2nd rounder. Doesn't give up the farm to get in the 2nd round. Waits and selects a guy they had 36th on their board- without trading a single pick. Filling another big need. Adding youth and size to our DL. We'll see what he does today. My guess is another impact player at S or OLB who will see time this year. Why am I typing all of this? Because when I look at the Pats--year in and year out they stick to one philosophy... Trade Back, and acquire more picks. Well you know what, while NE may get good "Value" on draft day, they underwhelm me with their selections. They have a small window where they have the best QB in the game, and if they were smart, they would do everything possible to load up with top talent to surround him with. They are going to take 10 guys this draft, and 3 will be cut before ever seeing the field. They did the same thing when we drafted Revis-- they stockpiled, and almost none of the guys worked out. Our GM gets shit done any way he can. He is aggressive, but not reckless. I feel like he has this reputation of trading away all his picks, then trading up recklessly. You know what, he has never once mortgaged the future of this team. He is aggressive and creative but never reckless, and ALWAYS gets fair value no matter what deal he is pulling off. Recap of his big moves, and trades: Gets a first for Abraham- turns into Mangold. Trades down to Washington, turns into Thomas Jones and a third which was used as ammo to trade up for Harris. Trades up for Revis. Trades bums and picks for Sanchez. Trades picks for green. Trades picks for probowl talent in Cro/Holmes. Trades Leon for a pick to become a very good second year starter. I love how this guy gets it done in so many ways. Sorry it was so long, but this was for me.
I think the Ellis pick is even better than the Wilkerson pick because, like you said, we filled a big need without pulling an Al Davis and mortgaging the farm. They just sat tight and the right guy fell to them. We were patient in getting Wilkerson too, but we didn't have to wait as long there.
