2013 Ask Jeff Risdon a Question

[Icness]

Bills got 3 guys with off field/character red flags (Alonso, Duke Williams and Da'Rick), any inside scoop on how concerned to be about their issues?

No worries at all about Duke Williams. He read the writing on the wall and "got it". Great pick, I had him as a 3rd round value, better player than either Georgia safety or JJ Wilcox.

Alonso is probably literally insane. He is one of those people where he just cannot turn off the impulse and doesn't fear repercussions for acting bad. Reminds me of Chris Henry, another very talented but mentally unstable guy who teammates were often genuinely afraid of him. Alonso isn't as ominous but he's probably more intense. Hell of a player if they can keep him out of jail. Legit sideline-to-sideline ILB with power and instincts.

Da'Rick Rogers did not explain away his issues very well during interviews from what I'm told. Teams wanted to hear more contrition and maturity and he was more of the "there are two sides to the story and why does nobody get on Tennessee for what they did to me?" sort of mindset. I know that's how the Lions--who had legit interest in him--felt about Rogers. On the field he was a better NFL prospect than Justin Hunter, my negative opinion of Hunter notwithstanding, when both were at Tennessee and he really did look like a man among boys at Tennessee State. I have a feeling he will either shine right away or get cut early.

[Da Schwab]

Ic, the Giants took Eric Herman (from your Ohio Bobcats) with their first pick in the 7th. What can you tell me about the kid?

[Icness]

Ic, the Giants took Eric Herman (from your Ohio Bobcats) with their first pick in the 7th. What can you tell me about the kid?

Very strong, very intense, phone booth-type of blocker. Excels at opening and maintaining holes in the run game. Smart combo blocker but limited range. He's also a pretty funny guy and personality. Probably not more than a practice squad guy as a rookie but has some upside. Allowed only 2.5 sacks in his final 25 games.

[Rafael122]

Thoughts on the Redskins draft? Surprised Rambo fell into the 6th round and could potentially be a starter for us in a year or two. Amerson gave up a lot of big plays, but apparently his flaws are coachable and Reed could start for us as early as 2014. I like the draft, I firmly believe they got 3 or 4 starters.

Chris Thompson, if healthy, in this offense...I'm salivating.

[Icness]

Thoughts on the Redskins draft? Surprised Rambo fell into the 6th round and could potentially be a starter for us in a year or two. Amerson gave up a lot of big plays, but apparently his flaws are coachable and Reed could start for us as early as 2014. I like the draft, I firmly believe they got 3 or 4 starters.

Chris Thompson, if healthy, in this offense...I'm salivating.

Rambo fell because of prior failed drug tests and he didn't interview well. He should fit well, has experience playing behind a 3-man front. Good half-field cover man, have to keep it pretty basic in coverage.

Sorry man but I think Amerson is a waste of a pick. Gave up 9 TDs of more than 30 yards in 2012. That's just awful. His inability to change direction and run is damning. Best (only?) bet for him is as a Tampa 2 short-side corner, but that's not what Washington plays at all. Everyone was overly bullish on him heading into the year because of the picks, but in going back and watching more of his '11 tape he got beat a lot then too.

Reed is a solid pick, higher than I liked but he can play. Move TE, good quickness.

I like the stab at Jenkins. If he gets back to healthy he can play; at worst the 3rd OLB. Gives good depth behind the starters.

[Manhattan Project]

So should the Jets and fans expect Geno to be trapped in a glass cage of emotion for a while?
Also when does the wildly inappropriate year in advance 2014 mock coming?

[Harry Palmer]

Hey Jeff-

What's your take on the Niners draft? Do they deserve the praise they're getting?

I'm a little surprised they didn't pay it forward more, but Baalke said the phones were quieter than usual in that respect, but all in all I think the Niners killed it. Reid wasn't my guy at safety, but if he was theirs, and it sounds like he was, then I am happy overall. Everyone is talking about the medical guys as big time steals, but I really like Lemonier and Patton. I think Lemonier projects better at 3-4 olb than he did at DE, and could really come on in a defense where others guys are accounted for first and I think Patton is just one of those natural receivers who don't have anything that jumps out at you in isolation, but put together comes out NFL wide receiver.

They think Carradine can easily add 15 or so pounds, which answers my initial tweener concern.

Dalbi's earlier concern about covering the quicker wr's remains, though. We don't really have a burner in the backfield, and will have to go scheme to cover them, which could lead to problems, imo.

Also, last question, this super freak out of London they signed, what are your impressions? Harbaugh seems to be in love.

[Icness]

So should the Jets and fans expect Geno to be trapped in a glass cage of emotion for a while?
Also when does the wildly inappropriate year in advance 2014 mock coming?

This is precisely why Geno fell and right now he is his own worst enemy. Don't forget he had that ugly sideline blow-up in their bowl game in NYC. The big knock on him is that he's a questionable personality, too lukewarm at times and too hot at others. Hard to blame Geno for firing the agent though because the agent did not do well for him.

2014 draft will be up next week I think. Just started putting together a Big Board for DetroitLionsDraft.com. My parent site there put up a 2014 mock Monday morning and it already has 10K hits. I'm not missing out on that gravy train for long!

[Icness]

Hey Jeff-

What's your take on the Niners draft? Do they deserve the praise they're getting?

I'm a little surprised they didn't pay it forward more, but Baalke said the phones were quieter than usual in that respect, but all in all I think the Niners killed it. Reid wasn't my guy at safety, but if he was theirs, and it sounds like he was, then I am happy overall. Everyone is talking about the medical guys as big time steals, but I really like Lemonier and Patton. I think Lemonier projects better at 3-4 olb than he did at DE, and could really come on in a defense where others guys are accounted for first and I think Patton is just one of those natural receivers who don't have anything that jumps out at you in isolation, but put together comes out NFL wide receiver.

They think Carradine can easily add 15 or so pounds, which answers my initial tweener concern.

Dalbi's earlier concern about covering the quicker wr's remains, though. We don't really have a burner in the backfield, and will have to go scheme to cover them, which could lead to problems, imo.

Also, last question, this super freak out of London they signed, what are your impressions? Harbaugh seems to be in love.

I hate the Reid pick, really liked most of the rest. No way in hell Eric Reid is the 18th best player in this draft. He wasn't a top two safety on most team boards; they traded up out of worrying the Rams were going to get him. I've heard that the Niners taking him there made the Rams even more interested in trading back, which they did with Atlanta and took Alec Ogletree, who is a great foil for Kaepernick. So in a way trading up to reach on Reid might have even made a viable challenger even better-suited to beat them. The Rams were not going to take Ogletree at 22.

Carradine is someone who will really pay off after next year. I really hope they don't rush him and they let him fully recover. I absolutely think he can play in their 3-4. His performance vs. Duke last year was the single most impressive individual defensive game I saw all year.

I like how Vance McDonald fits, he's a good player. Won't do much early but he can stretch the seam and he knows how to block in space. Patton is grand theft larceny from a talent standpoint but too many trustworthy people tipped me off that his hyper-confident attitude was going to hurt him. Here's hoping he gets the reality check because he is an ideal #2 NFL wideout. Reminds me a lot of a slightly slower Greg Jennings.

I'm not a Lemonier fan but SF gives him his best chance to succeed, as a situational stand-up edge rusher. Most of what's wrong with him is coachable to some extent and he's got the body for it.

I'm with you in wondering why they didn't trade more of the picks, because none of the rest of the guys--including Lattimore--figure to make the team in 2013. Not sure that anyone after Dial will even make the practice squad. BJ Daniels getting picked actually drew snickers from many draftniks on Twitter; most of us didn't even bother to properly evaluate him, myself included. Maybe Harbaugh proves us wrong.

Lawrence Okoye has never put on football pads. He's 3 years behind Ziggy Ansah in that regard, but he's also 3 years younger. 6'6", 281 pounds that moves like that is going to get attention. I actually also like UDFA signee MarQuies Gray as a developmental prospect. Both should stick on the practice squad if they show anything at all.

[Manhattan Project]

The one that takes you to the NEPD site? Or did I miss that one.

The two things that I really want to follow over the course of the year is how the rankings of the quarterbacks change until draft day. With Manziel, Bridgewater, Boyd, Fales, Thomas, Hundley and Murray I'm quite intrigued about the amount of talent potentially of QB's in this draft. The other thing is the race at WR between Lee, Watkins and Coleman.

[Harry Palmer]

Hey Jeff-

What's your take on the Niners draft? Do they deserve the praise they're getting?

I'm a little surprised they didn't pay it forward more, but Baalke said the phones were quieter than usual in that respect, but all in all I think the Niners killed it. Reid wasn't my guy at safety, but if he was theirs, and it sounds like he was, then I am happy overall. Everyone is talking about the medical guys as big time steals, but I really like Lemonier and Patton. I think Lemonier projects better at 3-4 olb than he did at DE, and could really come on in a defense where others guys are accounted for first and I think Patton is just one of those natural receivers who don't have anything that jumps out at you in isolation, but put together comes out NFL wide receiver.

They think Carradine can easily add 15 or so pounds, which answers my initial tweener concern.

Dalbi's earlier concern about covering the quicker wr's remains, though. We don't really have a burner in the backfield, and will have to go scheme to cover them, which could lead to problems, imo.

Also, last question, this super freak out of London they signed, what are your impressions? Harbaugh seems to be in love.

I hate the Reid pick, really liked most of the rest. No way in hell Eric Reid is the 18th best player in this draft. He wasn't a top two safety on most team boards; they traded up out of worrying the Rams were going to get him. I've heard that the Niners taking him there made the Rams even more interested in trading back, which they did with Atlanta and took Alec Ogletree, who is a great foil for Kaepernick. So in a way trading up to reach on Reid might have even made a viable challenger even better-suited to beat them. The Rams were not going to take Ogletree at 22.

Carradine is someone who will really pay off after next year. I really hope they don't rush him and they let him fully recover. I absolutely think he can play in their 3-4. His performance vs. Duke last year was the single most impressive individual defensive game I saw all year.

I like how Vance McDonald fits, he's a good player. Won't do much early but he can stretch the seam and he knows how to block in space. Patton is grand theft larceny from a talent standpoint but too many trustworthy people tipped me off that his hyper-confident attitude was going to hurt him. Here's hoping he gets the reality check because he is an ideal #2 NFL wideout. Reminds me a lot of a slightly slower Greg Jennings.

I'm not a Lemonier fan but SF gives him his best chance to succeed, as a situational stand-up edge rusher. Most of what's wrong with him is coachable to some extent and he's got the body for it.

I'm with you in wondering why they didn't trade more of the picks, because none of the rest of the guys--including Lattimore--figure to make the team in 2013. Not sure that anyone after Dial will even make the practice squad. BJ Daniels getting picked actually drew snickers from many draftniks on Twitter; most of us didn't even bother to properly evaluate him, myself included. Maybe Harbaugh proves us wrong.

Lawrence Okoye has never put on football pads. He's 3 years behind Ziggy Ansah in that regard, but he's also 3 years younger. 6'6", 281 pounds that moves like that is going to get attention. I actually also like UDFA signee MarQuies Gray as a developmental prospect. Both should stick on the practice squad if they show anything at all.

Awesome, thanks. On Reid, I'm a bit stuck in the middle. 2 years ago my initial reaction to Aldon Smith was 'reach', but literally within hours I had read enough of people in the know who felt he was a comer that I got excited. Last year I really felt reach with our first, and never got the info to take me off that. This year is sort of in between. I felt reach immediately, and I still think he's a guy who is there (or similar) without trading up. But, it's not as bad as last year where I literally felt we could have taken our first rounder with our second round pick. At the moment it happened, I assumed we were trading up for Floyd.

Oh, on Okoye...I've consistently been reading 305-ish with 4.7/4.8 speed and 35" vert, 10.5" standing long, freak strength numbers, etc. Has he bulked up? The other things I like in terms of potentially sharpening his learning curve is extensive rugby experience...not the same game, I know, but at least he's used to contact, flow, etc...and he's apparently seriously bright. Like turned down Oxford bright. And he went from no discus experience to Olympics in less than 2 years. I know odds are we never see this guy, but the numbers are eye popping.

[Yunsen]

What are your thoughts on Christine Michael? I didn't see him that high in mocks yet some people are saying he was the best RB in the draft. Did we pick him purely on BPA?

[Icness]

What are your thoughts on Christine Michael? I didn't see him that high in mocks yet some people are saying he was the best RB in the draft. Did we pick him purely on BPA?

As a physical talent he would have been my 3rd rated RB after Bernard and Franklin. Very well built, great open field speed, excellent balance, cuts at high speed, great hands as a receiver (though he fumbles some). But if I were a GM I would have removed him from the draft board. He was notorious at TAMU for tapping out for minor injuries, not practicing hard, showing up every summer out of shape (relatively speaking), just not taking the game or himself seriously. He got into Kevin Sumlin's doghouse quickly and he lost his job to Malina, and the Aggie staff was not shy about expressing their displeasure with him to anyone who asked. The killer was "oversleeping" for meetings at the Combine. He was not that great during Shrine Week, didn't show very good vision and danced a little too much when the hole wasn't right in front of him.

I guess the Seahawks believe that Marshawn Lynch can have a positive influence on him. I'm not opposed to that but they took him a round or two too high for that.

[NW7]

Hey Icness,

Curious to get your thoughts on the Bears draft.

Kyle Long was clearly one of the few head scratching picks in the first round, because of how much of a reach it was perceived to be. Now though after reading some local beat writers articles, most seem to think that Long would of went in the next few picks if the Bears passed on him. Any truth to that? And what are your thoughts on Long, due to his limited Football experience how much of an impact can we expect from him this season. And while I'm mentioning the OLine, what are you expectations for the Bears Offensive Line for next season?

Jon Bostic was the pick I disliked most in our entire draft. Why the heck did the Bears pass on Brown!

Finally, do I have the right to be a little bit giddy about our day 3 picks? Greene seems like a perfect fit for our defense and a borderline steal in round 4. Both Cornelius and Marquess seem to be too talented to fall in the draft like they did. Obviously Marquess had the drama with Leach and the whole quitting thing, but why did Cornelius fall? I admittedly know little about Jordan Mills, any insight on him?

Thanks!

[gswhoops]

Awesome, thanks. On Reid, I'm a bit stuck in the middle. 2 years ago my initial reaction to Aldon Smith was 'reach', but literally within hours I had read enough of people in the know who felt he was a comer that I got excited. Last year I really felt reach with our first, and never got the info to take me off that. This year is sort of in between. I felt reach immediately, and I still think he's a guy who is there (or similar) without trading up. But, it's not as bad as last year where I literally felt we could have taken our first rounder with our second round pick. At the moment it happened, I assumed we were trading up for Floyd.

Oh, on Okoye...I've consistently been reading 305-ish with 4.7/4.8 speed and 35" vert, 10.5" standing long, freak strength numbers, etc. Has he bulked up? The other things I like in terms of potentially sharpening his learning curve is extensive rugby experience...not the same game, I know, but at least he's used to contact, flow, etc...and he's apparently seriously bright. Like turned down Oxford bright. And he went from no discus experience to Olympics in less than 2 years. I know odds are we never see this guy, but the numbers are eye popping.

I think I'm in a similar place on Reid. My initial reaction was that I hated the pick, but a week out I like it a lot more (don't know if it's some kind of sports-fandom Stockholm Syndrome or actually changing my opinion). He's clearly got the athletic ability and from all reports is a good character and hard worker. Donatell ought to be able to coach him up.

I also love the Okoye signing. Very little downsde, huge upside. I don't see that much difference between him and a guy like Margus Hunt, except one was a 2nd rounder and the other was a UDFA.

[PurpleJesus]

Why hasn't a team signed free agent Brandon Moore? Wasn't he considered one of the better guards last year? Seems like lots of teams like the Chargers, Cowboys, Dolphins, and Vikings could all use an experienced guard.

[Icness]

Hey Icness,

Curious to get your thoughts on the Bears draft.

Kyle Long was clearly one of the few head scratching picks in the first round, because of how much of a reach it was perceived to be. Now though after reading some local beat writers articles, most seem to think that Long would of went in the next few picks if the Bears passed on him. Any truth to that? And what are your thoughts on Long, due to his limited Football experience how much of an impact can we expect from him this season. And while I'm mentioning the OLine, what are you expectations for the Bears Offensive Line for next season?

Jon Bostic was the pick I disliked most in our entire draft. Why the heck did the Bears pass on Brown!

Finally, do I have the right to be a little bit giddy about our day 3 picks? Greene seems like a perfect fit for our defense and a borderline steal in round 4. Both Cornelius and Marquess seem to be too talented to fall in the draft like they did. Obviously Marquess had the drama with Leach and the whole quitting thing, but why did Cornelius fall? I admittedly know little about Jordan Mills, any insight on him?

Thanks!

http://football.realgm.com/src_article/ ... t_weekend/

$.04--The team whose draft I liked least is the Chicago Bears. After reaching at least a round for greenhorn guard Kyle Long with the No. 20 overall pick, the Bears followed that with Florida LB Jon Bostic in the second round. That too is a reach, albeit less of one. A credible argument could be made that Long wouldn’t have lasted to that 50th pick, just as Bostic was unlikely to last to their next pick, No. 117 in the fourth round. So if they truly wanted those players and felt they were the best value on the board at that pick, that’s understandable. What is inconceivable is that Long was the 20th best player on the Chicago draft board, or that Bostic was 50th. I actually graded out Long lower than the team’s fifth round pick, Louisiana Tech RT Jordan Mills. In apple-to-apple comparison between Mills and Long during Senior Bowl practices, it would be hard for anyone to say Long was the better player, and sure as heck not four rounds better. Instead of a project right guard and a maxed out inside linebacker, the Bears could have added any number of very talented defensive linemen or bolstered a very thin secondary.

The rest of the Bears draft featured three players I felt very strongly against: Rutgers LB Khaseem Greene, Georgia DE Cornelius Washington, and ex-Washington State WR Marquess Wilson. Greene probably fits in Chicago better than anywhere else, so I’m okay with the Bears taking him in the fourth round; he aggressively pursues turnovers and has a rare knack for forcing fumbles, which makes him fit right in with the organizational philosophy of the old regime. However, the Bears selected Greene over two backers I rated higher that went in the next three picks, Gerald Hodges and Sean Porter. Washington is a very impressive physical specimen but plays very passively and had no production at all in college despite playing opposite Jarvis Jones. Wilson either quit on Washington State or was dismissed angrily from the program after accusing Coach Mike Leach of abuse, depending on which side of the story you believe. There is decent potential with Wilson if he can handle the physical and mental rigors of the next level, but “quit on team” is a bigger red flag than the one flying over Tianamen Square.

[Icness]

Why hasn't a team signed free agent Brandon Moore? Wasn't he considered one of the better guards last year? Seems like lots of teams like the Chargers, Cowboys, Dolphins, and Vikings could all use an experienced guard.

They want to see what they got from the draft and UDFA pools before they shell out money for a 32-year old veteran that will cost them at least $700K more. Lots of guys are in that limbo now. Eric Winston, Tyson Clabo, Bryant McKinnie. If they sign now it's a sign of desperation. They know they can probably get more $$ and more options if they wait for some camp injuries or disappointments to develop. Moore visited Detroit but was asking for more than they wanted to spend, more in terms of years than $$. Knows he's getting his last contract more than likely, doesn't want to have to go thru this again next spring.

[Icness]

Why hasn't a team signed free agent Brandon Moore? Wasn't he considered one of the better guards last year? Seems like lots of teams like the Chargers, Cowboys, Dolphins, and Vikings could all use an experienced guard.

They want to see what they got from the draft and UDFA pools before they shell out money for a 32-year old veteran that will cost them at least $700K more. Lots of guys are in that limbo now. Eric Winston, Tyson Clabo, Bryant McKinnie. If they sign now it's a sign of desperation. They know they can probably get more $$ and more options if they wait for some camp injuries or disappointments to develop. Moore visited Detroit but was asking for more than they wanted to spend, more in terms of years than $$. Knows he's getting his last contract more than likely, doesn't want to have to go thru this again next spring.

[leaguegod692]

it'll probably never happen


but say tebow did agree to change positions and work hard on where ever what ever team wanted him to

a) how many teams would be then willing to give him a go ?

b) what position would suit him best

c) could he legitimately make an impact at said position



i hear the talk a fair bit that he should change positions but i just don't see it, but my knowledge is obviously alot less then others such as yourself