NFL Draft Scoop

Ahhh yesss.....It's that time of year again where NFL GM's and draft analyst send their brains into overload and outsmart themselves into dumb draft picks and pink slips!!! It's rampant before the Scouting Combine but a downright epidemic after. I would pay money to be a GM of any team in the offseason just to take advantage of these monumental blunders!

Every GM knows the saying "the eye in the sky doesn't lie" is true. But these same GMs also can't help themselves from trying to boost their genius quota to impress the masses. So what do they do? Try to come up with a formula to create a Hall of Fame football version of Frankenstein by computing hand size, forty times, arm length, and vertical jump to name a few. "The Eye in The Sky Doesn't Lie"! All you have to do is remember this and you will be OK. If I was a GM here is what my rule of thumb would be for the NFL Combine. Only go to do your prospects health checkouts and interviews. Then exit the arena as fast as you possibly can before you get to see one player do any drill. When you do get the results from the combine, only let guys that look great on film boost their stock with you by testing well. NEVER(EVER) let an average guy on film get in good graces with you because he blazed a forty or has ideal height and weight ETC.

With that said here's the real scoop on the 2010 NFL Draft

This isn't what will happen but what should happen-enjoy!

Most Underrated:
Jimmy Clausen-QB-Notre Dame: Have the St. Louis Rams watched tape on this guy? You can't show me a guy on film who can place the ball on the money like The Boy Wonder Jimmy Clausen! Sam Bradford is more athletic but that's where the comparison ends folks. Show me a QB on film in the last 7-10 years that can throw the 15 yard sideline/out pattern from the opposite hash mark better than Jimmy Clausen coming out of college! Let me make this short and sweet; you can't! That's the ultimate measuring stick throw of the NFL folks. Not to mention his "stork dropping a baby out of the sky" deep ball to go along with a quick release. He can make every throw right on the money most of the time. Plus he's clutch and I don't care if his career record at ND says different. Irish fans shudder at the thought of what last seasons record would have looked like minus his captain comeback heroics. Even the games ND lost Jimmy played out ice water in the veins clutch. The knock on him is his hands are too small (lol), he's cocky, maybe not a leader, and maybe reached his physical and mental peak. If you can throw perfect deep balls in the pouring rain and in any South Bend, IN weather your hands can't be too small. I love a cocky QB and his leadership is very much a strength-it's evident on film. As far as his physical and mental peek, I'm pleased with Jimmy's physical tools even if they never improve and you can NEVER just say a person won't improve mentally. Especially when that person mastered a Super Bowl proven pro-style offense.

Eric Berry-FS-Tennessee: I know people have him rated high on their draft boards but if he's not number 1 on yours he's not high enough. He's Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu rolled in one. Ask every body's favorite college football player Tim Tebow about Mr. Berry's play making ability. Anything you want a safety to do he can plus some!

Brandon Graham-DE-University of Michigan: You heard it here first; Brandon Graham will be the best defensive end in this draft. He may end up the best pro of anybody on the defensive side of the draft aside from Eric Berry. What's not to like about big BG? Great motor, brute strength, great hands, instincts, mean, physical, with great production! Should be a top 10 pick but might fall out of Top 10

Jordan Shipley-WR/KR/PR-Texas: His film jumps off the screen at you. His routes are sharp enough to cut a diamond and he's fast with great hands. His main problem is durability which is a very big problem. But if you're loaded at other places and need a WR take Shipley.

Golden Tate-WR/PR-Notre Dame: If Notre Dame had a better season Golden Tate should have been the Heisman Trophy Winner. If you think I'm crazy youtube his 2009 season and tell me what you think afterwards. He would be a perfect fit for the Miami Dolphins to go with upcoming QB Chad Henne and the wildcat package they run. He's everything you want in a player besides height. But the good news is he's the best jumpball reciever in this draft so his height doesn't matter. Dez Bryant is the best WR in the draft but Tate is comfortably in the second spot behind him on my board.


Overrated Players:

Taylor Mays-SS-USC: A poor man's Roy Williams (not good) with decent run stopping skills but very limited in coverage. Got exposed all season long as a weakness in the USC secondary. Will go in top 20 picks but I wouldn't take him until at least the 3rd round. His instincts are quite poor which I don't think is something you can 'coach up' too much.

Joe Haden-CB-Florida: He's a little slight and didn't play against great offensive skill perimeter players being in the SEC. He has decent coverage skills but I wouldn't waste a top 5 or 10 pick on him. He doesn't strike me as a franchise corner. Will be a solid number two corner in NFL. Think Lito Sheppard and that's about Haden's potential cap.

Bruce Campbell-OT-Maryland: He's a looker that's for sure. This is one of those guys I told you will get drafted for how they look in shorts and workouts. Watch his tape and you will see good DE's in the NFL will eat his lunch. Doesn't keep good leverage or pad level and lacks a mean streak. He would be a 3rd round grade at best for me.

Gerald McCoy-DT-Oklahoma: I think McCoy is good but just not the top player in the draft like some are trying to say. I've watched plenty of Sooners games and he is a player that stood out but didn't make Top 5 worthy type plays. Not real strong in the upper body and will wear down late in games. Will thrive in a Tampa 2 scheme but struggle in a system that stresses stopping the run first.


Must(But Won't)Do List:

St. Louis Rams: Must select Jimmy Clausen but won't due to his small hands??? Never mind he's scary accurate, tough, processes information fast and has a quick release.

Detroit Lions: Must select Eric Berry or trade down for two 1st round picks. I'm a big believer in building teams in units so this is a perfect fit. Match Berry with the talented Louis Delmas to create a top safety tandem in the NFL. All the sudden your leaky secondary can become a strength. Then go hard after a top corner in a trade. On paper at least you have one unit you can hang your hat on as a strength on the team. Maybe add U of M corner Donovan Warren in the 2nd round. If you trade down think Left Tackle such as Bryan Bulaga from Iowa and Wide Receiver in Dez Bryant or C.J. Spiller at running back.

San Francisco 49ers: Must trade up and get Clausen and/or Sam Bradford then add a WR that can strech the field such as Golden Tate to go with Michael Crabtree. Jordan Shipley would be a great addition as well.

Cleveland Browns: Must get the best offensive player on their board with their first three picks. Getting a sleeper like Dexter McCluster(Ole Miss-RB) would be a great fit in the 2nd round. They have no play makers on offense other than Joshua Cribbs and he's really a Kick/Punt Returner.

If only your favorite team would listen to me they would be alright!!! Check back in often for more draft buzz and thoughts.


This article was written by Bob Billow AKA "The Book on Sports"


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