Of course they didn't, but that doesn't mean they just threw a dart at a board either. Drafting in first couple rounds is about what thoses players are then and there, drafting in the later rounds is more about what players could be. Don't forget these are 21 and 22 year old kids your talking about, many of them aren't are still developing. Above all, what the "experts" and ESPN talking heads can never measure, is a kids heart, and they never will, which is why the draft will alway produce top five busts, as well as 7th round super all pros.
No it can't. Kicker is the one position in football where draft position has little to no bearing on success. I'll say that another way just so there's no misunderstanding: there has never been any kicker ever drafted on the first day of the draft that was so head-and-shoulders better than any other kicker that it was worth spending a first day draft pick.
Justin Tuck is the one that stands out for me. But as always, it is easy to go back and bash a pick. Hindsight is always 20/20, and you can always get it right.
The only thing I'll say in defense for Nugent is that he may have been the best college kicking prospect ever. He casually hit clutch game winners from 50+ yards...and scouts have said he had a LEGENDARY kicking combin performance..possibly the best ever. We were not the only team interested. Both TB and Minny had strong interest. I dont believe in taking a kicker on the first day...but after his college year...if there had to be one..it was gonna be Nugent.Unfortunately it hasnt worked out.
1. You do NOT have to spend a day 1 draft pick on a kicker to find a good one. Tons of them are walk-ons, undrafted FAs and etc. You don't have to have a super kicker anyway. If the kicker is that good, consider spending day 2 picks. (Stephen Gostkowski was Rd 4 pick.) 2. I don't know what my stance was on JM pick, but I was furious when I learned that the Jets traded out of 1st round to pick up Doug Jolley. Are you fucking nuts? But then, the Jet Nation was high on the likes of Jeb Putzier and his ilk. What's with this obsession with TE? (This is the reason why I initially detested Dustin Keller pick too.) Obviously, Jets FO at that time really sucked. No other way around it. 3. As bad as Boobway was, Herm was even worse. Had it not been for Vinny's injury, Chad wouldn't have seen the field. Same for Cotch - he was riding the pine in favor of the likes of Justin McCareins. (Yikes!) He may ride the old veteran to the ground, but he won't nurture young talent. EVER. That Boobway gave monster contract to CMart and Chrebet didn't help the cause either. Really, Herm/Boobway is a disaster combo.
No argument at all. Your points are even further substantiated by the closeness of Kansas City's playoff run in 2008.
The key to success in the draft is two fold: 1) accurately scouting the players to know how good they are and 2) having a good feel where guys are expected to go. You don't take an expected 7th rounder in the 1st round. Overdrafting is a sure way to kill your team. And the convention in the NFL is that K generally do not get selected before the 4th or 5th round. The opportunity cost of taking a K before then is passing on a starting OL or backup LB or other player that the team could have had. And the most important point of all: you can still get guys who have All Pro potential waiting until the late rounds. Nick Folk was All Pro taken in the 6th round in 2007. Why choose one before then ? It's just not smart.
Just remember almost every year there are All America kickers available for the draft. Guys who were the best in the college game. So I don't think Nugent was that unusual a player. He'd have to be routinely hitting 60 yard field goals to justify that high of a draft pick.
Yeah I remember the injury causing Justin Tuck to drop. I think I read somewhere that had he been healthy he would have gone up alot more based on potential. Very good pick by Reese, Coughlin and Ernie Accorsi.
...soooo, a back-up LB is more valuable than the 1st or 2nd leading scorer on every nfl team? don't get me wrong....i understand the 'average' leg is available almost as a walk on, BUT that rare clutch leg that nails a 50 yarder as time expieres to win a SB is rare and worthy of a 2nd pick. a clutch kicker is the difference between the bills SB runs and the patsies. about 30% of all posts on this board have to do with kicking the damn ball! just that alone should be worth a 2nd round draft pick.
I remember the rumor was him going to the Pats in the first...imagine Tuck lining up with Vrabel, Thomas, and Mayo/Bruschi this year...actually, don't.
Well when you find that rare clutch kicker worthy of a 2nd round pick,......please, by all means, be sure to let us know.
IMO, he should never exist. No kicker is worth a second round pick on paper. The only way you could justify it is if you had a crystal ball. If you could know in advance that the guy your getting in the second round is a Vinetarri then it is a good deal.
I don't know who he would translate to a 3-4 LB. I am not saying he wouldn't work out, but just it would be odd I guess to picture him as a LB. Same with Osi, and AJ Smith wanting him in the Eli trade. My opinion is if we traded Osi to the SD, I doubt they draft Merriman then, because Osi takes over at LB. We kept Osi, and they drafted Merriman to fill that spot.
The best kicker in the WORLD ain't worth shit if the offense can't put him in scoring position, and the defense gives up touchdowns!
In theory thats great, but the reality is those kickers you're talking about aren't being picked in the 2nd round, they being picked in the late rounds if at all, and more than likely picked up as Free agents. The draft is difficult enough without wasting a 2nd round pick on a kicker.
