I remember the Demeco pick taking a bunch of heat on this board initially. That one worked out pretty well also.
Sure he's been a little better, but he still doesn't turn around. That near-touchdown on Sunday, the McCoy underthrew it or it would have been a touchdown. KJax probably got credit for "defending" that pass, but he could have picked it off had he just turned around when the receiver did.
I don't think anybody, much less "everybody" was pissed about a "wasted" sixth round draft choice, given a realistic expected ROI of a sixth round pick.
I don't think any of these picks was questioned as much as Mario, since it was the #1 and folks were so high on Bush, Leinart, and Young. And Mario handled it all with complete class, letting his play on the field win the argument more than words ever could. Therefore, the Mario pick is the correct answer, and it's not even close.
I think you are right about Mario having the most vocal opposition. The Texans really Kubiaked themselves by drafting Mario over Bush.
In terms of the Kubiak era, Brown was considered a first round reach; Barwin was an unknown commodity in round 2. Outside of Mario and maybe Watt (which, I think, emjohn nailed, in terms of our disappointment with his selection initially), those two stand out as "dumb" picks that have proven much better with hindsight. Speaking of... the '06 draft will always be the Holy Grail - but the '09 draft is gaining speed as a real close second: Cushing, Barwin, Caldwell, Quinn, Casey, McCain and Nolan - all contributors with 4 starters and a DROY and Pro Bowler. Pretty impressive. It's amazing how a competent coaching staff can so thoroughly shift your perspective. They've actually drafted exceedingly well during the Kubiak era - something I was ranting and raving about just... like, 6 months ago: Six drafts: 11 starters; 9 solid contributors (including 2 "starters": Tate and Reed; and a "starter": JJ); 4 Pro Bowlers; 2 DROY and 1 (IIRC) OROY.
And the knock on them going into what little was given in terms of an offseason was that they sucked in free agency....but credit where it's due...Joseph (especially) and Manning have been huge signings.
What's funny is that I don't remember ANYONE in the media or on this forum questioning the Okoye pick at the time. Goes to show what an inexact science the draft really is.
His college coach trading up and then passing on him was certainly odd but, yeah - it was generally considered a good pick. Mario needed interior help and Okoye had a big upside. One thing they've gotten much better at is favoring production over potential. That's why I don't beat them up for Kareem - (I'm assuming) He was the best CB on a great, national championship-winning defense; same idea behind Cushing. Watt is another example of a player that produced on a big stage in college. A far cry from the days of Seth Wand. (Or even Jacoby Jones, really.)
I wanted Willis over Okoye at the time however my hunches have been hit and miss. I also wanted Derrick Johnson over Travis Johnson (hit) I wanted Winston Justice over Demeco Ryans (miss) I wanted Ko Simpson over Owen Daniels (miss) I was also onboard with the why Watt over Fairley, Amukamara, and Quinn....
Getting a CB was a high priority at the time so I'm ok with Kareem, however, I was disappointed that we didn't get Kyle Wilson instead. But yeah, from comparing their stats, the jury's still out since Wilson has played less than Kareem. I favored Wilson since he supposedly had more room to grow since Kareem was coached by Saban. Time will tell...
I'm with you on the Willis over Okoye pick, that guy was a beast @ Ole Miss. I would've picked Eric Winston in the second round over Demeco Ryans I wanted the Texans the #1 pick to the Jets for the #4 pick and a couple of extra choices and take D'Brickashaw Ferguson. The draft definitely is an inexact science, but its still fun to watch and see how your own predictions turn out.
I was ambushed the night of the draft for even remotely defending it. Remember it well. PS: The advanced numbers show that Kareem is outplaying Kyle Wilson and Devin McCourty this year, among others.
I also remembered people were generally against the pick. I personally stopped caring about draft-day grades these days. But if I did cared, I also would've rather seen the Texans take Fairley with that pick. Also I believe there was a CB available whose name escapes me that I also would've liked. As for Kareem's advanced numbers, I honestly can't tell myself. Because we've played so many teams that don't have a vertical passing game. When teams generally dink and dunk on you, corners aren't really factoring into the equation. I'm glad Kareem at least seems serviceable. But CB is still a position I want upgraded in the offseason if possible.
Sorry, The Cat - you know the rules: if you have a remarkably poor rookie season playing for a since-proven in over his head defensive coordinator, the die is cast and you are forever a bust, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Plus, McCourty totally had, like, 90 INTs last year.
Yeah, I remember there were many people who were against the pick. I was hoping for Watt about a month or two before the draft. I just thought we could trade back about 8 picks and still get him. Coming into the draft, it seemed to be fairly clear that that would be quite risky. Also, I was one of the more adamant parties in complaining about Kareem last year (My sig for a while was about how he was an idiot), but so far this year, it seems I've been one of the few on this board that defended his play (I think I started saying he was playing halfway decent in week 3). In reality, Kareem is having a pretty good year, and may actually be on the verge of turning the corner into a good back (pun intended, I guess). He'll never be Jonathan Joseph, but he doesn't have to be. People just form opinions about things, based on a small sample size, and really don't ever change their minds.
I know I'm guilty of flogging the dead horse by repeating this, but KJax will win me over the next (which will be the first time) he turns around when the ball is coming. Until then, he's a talented, athletic, good-tackling, rich dumbass.
