Draft

Agreed. Anyway, if Marty and Fox honestly got the vibe this was their last year i think they would have overpaid for some FA and let the next guy deal with it.

But any coach that earns a losing season is in danger these days IMO.

 

This is a prime example of the maddening part with Fox and Hurney, they spent quality draft picks on Hangartner, Nelson, Gross, Mathis, Butler, Wharton . Picks that should have "by value" produced starters and in some cases probowlers. we missed so badly that we had to supplement by spending big money on the OL in free agency. then when the injuries started their own hand picked back-ups wern't good enough. Maser and velcro sneakers took the fall for that last year. Now Hurney has the bright idea to announce to the world that what we have is still good enough.

I like Fox and I'll live with Hurney being here, but if what we have proves to not be good enough. they're on the hot seat (previous Superbowl or not.)

 

It looks to me like they're putting all the eggs in the draft basket this year, which isn't a bad philosophy, really. The catch is, we haven't been good enough in the draft to make it work. We're ranting at Fox and Hurney, but I tend to think most of the blame belongs to the scouting department, which has never been spectacular, and has gotten noticeably worse lately.

Bottom line is, we have to do well in this draft. If we do, we'll be great. If we bomb another one, heads may very well roll, whether they're deserving or not.

 

I am happy with Fox and for the most part Hurney. They have put together a team that is a superbowl contender. It may be inconsistent but it has proven that it can get it done when not depleted by lots of injuries.

I am baffled by what they have done at linebacker though. Morgan is not worth keeping yet they not only extend him but count on him to start when everyone knows he can not make it through a 16 game season. Draft was a pretty good player and certainly worth matching the offer the Rams gave him. I just do not get it. I guess they plan to add a backup for Morgan in the draft but they better hit a home run cause whoever they pick is going to start a lot this year.

I did not like letting Spoon leave but I understand the economics behind it but this move does not even have that to justify it.

 

and I'll follow up by asking - ar we heading down the same dark path with the LB position, are we going to rely on our draft picks (Anderson/Seward/2nd-3rd rounder this year) to carry us home when the inevitable injuires happen to Morgan and Diggs?

 

I saw a site the other day and can't seem to find it. Maybe someone else knows where it's at. It showed the percentage of starters at each position as to what round they were picked. It seemed that in most cases only 20% were 1st rnd picks and about 11% were 2nd. Again it varies by position.

Saw an interview with Marty Shottenheimer not long ago and he mentioned linemen are the hardest to predict if they are NFL ready because they usually are matched up with players that are not as strong as they are in college.

 

Nelson and Butler had only a little upside and specific weaknesses. Gross, Mathis, Wharton were very solid picks that could've been more so far. We didn't have to spend on hartwig because of Hangartner - we did however spend on Wahle partially because of Nelson. You could account for either signing on account of Nelson, actually.

Velcro sneakers?

 

Nelson was a bust no doubt....I won't argue that we have made mistakes in the draft, I would argue that every team in the league has made drafting screw-ups. We have 6 offensive starters we have drafted (includes Hoover) and (Mathis). On defense we have 8 starters we have drafted. For me, 14 of 22 starters from the draft and 8 from free agency is building a team the right way. I see Wharton and Gross as young bookend tackles that could be together for a good while. I see Peppers and Jenkins for many more years. I see Gamble, Marshall, and T. Davis, and D.Williams, and Steve Smith....we have a very solid young foundation that we built via the draft. Sure we could have done better, you always can, but the results are right there on the roster. The star core of this team are players we drafted.

 

I was specifically referring to the OL, and referring to the Hurney and Fox era. They've invested a ton both in picks and FA signings on the OL and it was the weak link last year. Wharton and Gross are both UFA next year - think they'll both be back?

 

Hurney gets the blame from the dollars spent side of things. Frankly, there probably needs to be some one to get in between Fox's being too loyal to some guys too long and Hurney's spending money on them.