After further review, though it would be nice to have the hometown guy, Aldridge is probably a 10-15 carry, 3rd down back and we already have that in Darius Walker. Jamaal Charles is he durable enough and effective enough to be an every down back? Hasn't he had fumblitis issues? He did come up big vs Ariz St though. So, he CAN perform in big games! So many options which one is the best for the Texans though ... that's the BIG question. IMO We need either ... Ray Rice, Rashard Mendenhall or Jonathan Stewart but, Chris Johnson is an intriguing possibility. Johnson possesses 4.2 (40 speed)? Wow! Jamaal Charles? see above. He wouldn't be the worst option in the world that's for sure definitely an above average back. Big winners from bowl week thus far ... 1. Mendenhall 17-155 vs USC 2. Stewart 23-253 vs S. Fla 3. Rice 35-280 vs Ball St 4. C. Johnson 28-223 vs Boise St 5. J. Charles 27-161 vs Ariz St Good to average ... 1. McFadden 21-105 vs Mizzou 2. Choice 12-69 vs Fresno St 3. K.Smith 35-119 vs Miss St Not bad 1. Jones 10-45 vs Mizzou BAD GAMES ... 1. Aldridge 15-29 vs TCU 2. I . Johnson 4-11 vs E Carolina
At 5-9 175lbs, I don't think Aldridge can hold up as a full time NFL RB. He's an unbelievable athlete that could be a very good special teams player though. Charles does have fumbling issues, but he was an absolute beast in the 2nd half of the season and showed that he may have as much talent as any other back in the draft. Like I posted, I'm hoping we can pick up at least 1 RB in the 3rd round. I would love to pick up a 2nd rounder as I believe guys like Charles, Rice, and Mendenhall could be available.
Gucci, Do you think there are any possible trades out there for us to potentially pick up a draft pick or two? Also, what scenario do you possibly see in the 1st round? Take a OL, or a DB? Or do we trade down go for either 2 second rounders or a second and an extra third? I mean what do we do with Mathis? He's a pro bowler if he stays healthy but, then on the other hand you have Andre Davis. So, IMO it would make sense potentially to re sign Davis and trade Mathis for at least a 2nd rounder. Just my thoughts ... Who do you see other than Anthony Weaver and Faggins being dropped off the roster?
My dream scenario would be to trade down and pick up a 2nd or 3rd rounder, I would still like to keep a pick in the 1st round though. Unfortunately the only team w/ 2 1st round picks is the Cowboys and I don't think Jerry is gonna wanna help us out at all. Assuming we stay put in the 1st, I think we take a OL. Guys like Clady, Otah, Baker, and Cherilus could all be available. But if a CB like Mike or Malcolm Jenkins falls to us, I think we would seriously have to consider taking 1 of them. I think we need to prepare ourselves as if D-Rob won't be back next season. But right now, I'm hoping that Smith is doing all he can to pick up some extra picks. There is a lot of talent in this draft and it would be a shame to miss out on the 2nd round because a lot of guys will fall to there, especially all the RBs coming in. The key phrase is "if he stays healthy." I think resigning Davis is a top priority for us as he produces both as a WR and KR, he was the MVP of our season IMO. I think Mathis is good as gone and I won't be suprised if he is released or cut, no way we get a 2nd rounder for him. Randy Moss was traded for only a 4th round pick!! I'd personally be happy if we got a 7th rounder for Mathis. I have no idea what they are going to do with Weaver or Faggins. Unforunately, w/ D-Rob's injury...I think it is more likely that we keep Faggins vs. Weaver.
Ok Gucci, pardon my rose colored glasses theory on Mathis. Just thought he has some significant value unlike a lot of the spare parts on this team which we simply have to dump. So duly noted on the rest. I'm sure Smitty is doing everything possible to upgrade as much as he can. Do you think Simmons, CC Brown, Earl, Boulware or Demps will be here next season or will some of them or all them be history? Demps did do a pretty good job for us at safety. His only drawback was catching interceptions. Ha ha! Just a personal note but I do hope Travis Johnson is sent packing. In 3 years he has ONE sack. He's definitely one draft pick that I consider a BUST! We certainly could do better IMO!
do you guys think we could get a 2nd rounder for sage? and if so sign zabransky for back up. Sage's stock is as high as it possibly will get so we need to get as much as we can for him I think Schaub will be fine as our starter once we get a decent LT and RB.
You could maybe get a 4th round pick for Sage right now as high as his stock is. Zabransky doesn't have an NFL arm.
I wouldn't be suprised to see all of those guys back next season. Demps was a big pickup for us. TJ actually had a good year w/ 41 Tackles and a INT. His tendancy to pickup personal fouls are a big problem IMO and I think it's something Kubiak will have to address. I think he'll be back since he was pretty good against the run and we have Amobi and Mario who can pickup the sacks.
Call me bias on this....but Brandon Pettigrew (a junior) of OK State is a true sleeper at the TE position. 6-6 (6-7 probably), great frame, runs in 4-6s , great hands, EXCELLENT footwork for a player his size and good run blocker. Every commentator who ever covered one of their games have commented on his talent and was simply amazed by what he does relative to his size. On another note, people rave about Tebow, but we have our own Tebow here at OSU. His name is Zac Robinson and here are his stats for this year: Comp Att Yards Pct YPA TD Int Rat 201 333 2824 60.4 8.48 23 9 148.98 Rushing: YEAR TEAM ATT YDS AVG LNG TD 2007 OKST 140 847 6.1 57 9 And did all of this in 11 and a half games. FYI, we are a proud running back U too , so of course our running back is good too (Dantrell Savage, projected to be a third rounder, but potential is similar to Brian Westbrook-similar size and skills.) Ok sorry if that bored you guys
Well actually Alridge imo will shoot up after the combine because if I remember correctly he runs about a 4.29 40, correct me if I'm wrong. Just that time enough will buy him a spot in 2nd or 3rd round. Because last year Yamon Figurs I believe from Kansas State had about the same 40 time and no one had heard of him and went in about the 3rd round. Alridge was more productive in college as well then Figurs was, so possibly he could warrant a pick in the 2nd round. But another thing going against Alridge is the fact that this is a tremendously deep draft at running backs, but so many players' stocks shoot up due to the Combine, so we'll see.
Ray Rice declared today. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft07/news/story?id=3186871 Most predict Jones will declare, a lot think he could be the 2nd or 3rd back taken.
McFadden officially declares and so does teammate Felix Jones. This is going to be a very rich RB crop. Also, I've seen reports from a few scouting sites that Anthony Aldridge will likely be drafted in the late rounds as a WR/KR type. Cougars WR Donnie Avery would be a 2nd to 3rd round pick in this draft given the lack of top prospects at that position.
The fact that this draft is deep in rb's is bittersweet for me because knowing Kubiak, he will draft a RB in the later rounds more than ever and not draft Jonathan Stewart or Kevin Smith with their first round pick. However if we were able to get someone like Rice, Jones, or Mendehall in the later rounds I still would be happy.
