a case against a RB in RD 1

[HeadCase]

copied and pasted from another board. i thought it an interesting theory. I know he(she)'s making a case against Bush being the #1 but I think maybe you can extrapolate the theory to making a case against the Panthers drafting a RB (and instead drafting a OL?).

Would you pick a guard, center, or safety with the #1 overall pick? Would you make any of those guys the highest paid player on the team? Probably not, and I'd throw RB on that list too. No position in the NFL has a shorter average career. The right line and system will make almost any guy look good (look at Denver). Not only that, it's become a pass-to-set-up-the-run game. Even the best RBs in the league become powerless when a good defense stacks up to stop them (look at Tomlinson's 6 yards against the Eagles). If I go from some idiot on a message board to an NFL GM, I'm spending my money and high picks elsewhere. I think the past few Super Bowl winners would agree.

'05 Steelers: Bettis and Parker. A short-yardage specialist and an undrafted FA with speed but no power.

'04 Patriots: Corey Dillon. 1600+ yards from a guy who only cost a 2nd-rounder. Good, but not a HOFer.

'03 Patriots: Antowain Smith. Two rings for a guy who can't even average 4 yards a carry.

'02 Bucs: Michael Pittman. Arizona reject and borderline starter. At least he's a good pass-catcher.

'01 Patriots: Smith again. Low first rounder and a bust with his former team. Strikes fear into the hearts of... nobody.

a post in response

I agree 100%.


Steelers backfield with Parker and Kreider are UDFA.


OL....
Marvel Smith 2nd rd
Alan Faneca 1st rd
Jeff Hartings 1st rd
Kendall Simmons 1st rd
Max Starks 3rd rd.

they've also had TE's like Heath Miller and Mark Bruener who are 1st rounders.
both are good blockers and in the case of Bruener an excellent blocker.

 

[Piper]

You can make similar arguments with just about any position.

QB? Big Ben was the first SB winner drafted in the first by his team in how long? Elway I believe.

CB? Steelers have a 4th rounder and an undrafted player on the corners.

It's all about how your team is built, and what the best upgrade would be for you. How bad would the Chargers be without LT? And the fact that it takes so much gameplanning to stop him should open things up for Gates and McCardell. They did enough to win that game, it was special teams that dug them down.

 

[chipshot]

Bettis & Smith were first round pics. The only mid round rb was Pittman and really didn't do much that year. I see the overall point though.

In theory I really like that approach. However, I have no confidence in this teams abillity to find starter in late rounds right now.

Also we are drafting late in the first so it seems the odds are better if you assume taking them high is bad.

 

[UNCdubya]

You can make similar arguments with just about any position.

QB? Big Ben was the first SB winner drafted in the first by his team in how long? Elway I believe.

CB? Steelers have a 4th rounder and an undrafted player on the corners.

It's all about how your team is built, and what the best upgrade would be for you. How bad would the Chargers be without LT? And the fact that it takes so much gameplanning to stop him should open things up for Gates and McCardell. They did enough to win that game, it was special teams that dug them down.

The odds of getting the next LT are a lot less than being able to get a serviceable or pretty good OL. Like the other post mentions as well, usually you will get a lot more years out of an OL.

 

[UNCdubya]

In theory I really like that approach. However, I have no confidence in this teams abillity to find starter in late rounds right now.

I dont know that I have confidence in us to draft a good RB any place in the draft. I say that based on our history of RB's drafted.

 

[chipshot]

I dont know that I have confidence in us to draft a good RB any place in the draft. I say that based on our history of RB's drafted.

 

[Piper]

O lineman can bust just as well (as any position can). Ask Boo how his trio of Lion lineman worked out (and what is it about Detroit that they have to take the same position three times in a row?)

And the champs Left Tackle was a second round pick. Not all good players are found in the first.

Backs are a little riskier. Obviously I'm not saying "don't take a lineman in the first," but poking fun at the logic. The Pats don't spend first rounders on O-lineman, they have zero invested thier. Pitt and Seattle have. I guess I'm saying their's a lot of different ways to get to the promise land, and their are always pittfalls when just try and replicate what the other guy did.

 

[Collin]

It depends on the back. I'd love Williams and would be ok with White, but I don't want Addai, Maroney, or Drew with our first. Generally speaking, RBs have a high 1st round bust rate but also have the highest rate of 1st round superstars.

 

[meatpile]

Wouldn't the Texans be better served by Brick?

 

[Piper]

It depends on the back.

Agreesome. And it also depends on the <insert position here>


meat. Yeah. He's not Pace, but he's real good, and he's the need. But they'll take Reggie. Reggie will put some butts in seats, and if he works out you have a needed playmaker/star to market.
All about the Beyenjomins.