2013 Ask Jeff Risdon a Question

Post #621 » by **Da Schwab** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 1:14 am

Okay, this is part rant/part question:

I was at home the other day sick from work, so I did the usual and lounged around all day watching terrible daytime TV, which entailed 10 excruciating minutes of First Take. The topic at hand was about Johnny Manziel and whether or not the Texans should draft him with the first overall pick.

Naturally, Skip Bayless said that the Texans would be stupid not to take him because: A) He's a Texas guy, so he would sell tickets; and B) It's Johnny Football, he's a surefire thing. He also mentioned how a lot of people are saying that Bill O'Brien and the rest of his staff are leaning towards drafting a defensive player, whether it's Clowney, Mack, or a different QB in Bortles or Bridgewater. He then goes on to suggest that Bob McNair needs to lay down the law and tell O'Brien to draft Manziel because it's the best move for the state of the franchise, blah blah blah.

Anywho, here's my actual question:

Can you think of any draft pick, in any year you can recall, that has had this much pull (for lack of a better word) in terms of what his brand could do for a franchise, rather than his actual skill set, or potential ability?

EDIT: Tebow is not an acceptable answer.

Post #622 » by **Icness** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 2:52 am

I was young then, but John Elway is the closest I can recall. Remember, he refused to play for the Colts. In a much less media-integrated era he had loads of hype and that kind of swagger persona. He was smart, good looking and well-known for that time more than most CFB stars.

In recent times, not really.

NW7 · Post #623 » by **NW7** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 3:24 am

It seems like Aaron Donald has been a fan and media favorite to be drafted by the Bears for the last two months. There was even a quote from Todd McShay that the Bears war room would "panic" if Aaron Donald wasn't on the board. A part of me is just finding this hard to all believe. Emery has proven to be extremely tight lipped and rather unpredictable when it comes to the draft. I just can't believe that Donald is Emery's guy. So my questions are....

- What are the chances Aaron Donald is not on the board when the Bears pick at 14?
- General thoughts on Aaron Donald?
- Any insight on where the Bears go? Will it simply be BDPA (best defensive player available) ?
- Finally, can you see any possible scenario where the Bears first pick is an offensive player?

Post #624 » by **Icness** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 5:12 am

NW7 wrote:It seems like Aaron Donald has been a fan and media favorite to be drafted by the Bears for the last two months. There was even a quote from Todd McShay that the Bears war room would "panic" if Aaron Donald wasn't on the board. A part of me is just finding this hard to all believe. Emery has proven to be extremely tight lipped and rather unpredictable when it comes to the draft. I just can't believe that Donald is Emery's guy. So my questions are....

- What are the chances Aaron Donald is not on the board when the Bears pick at 14?
- General thoughts on Aaron Donald?
- Any insight on where the Bears go? Will it simply be BDPA (best defensive player available) ?
- Finally, can you see any possible scenario where the Bears first pick is an offensive player?

Donald could go to Detroit at 10 or the Giants at 12. Unlikely though.

If Donald were 6'2" he'd be a top 3 pick, he's got that much talent. Easily the most disruptive interior rusher in the last two drafts. But he's 5'11" and change and already maxed out physically.

I really like his game. Has power, quickness, great first step. Violent hands. Can set up moves. Biggest negative aside from his size is that his neck is stiff; he doesn't turn his head more than about 15 degrees and it makes him have trouble finding the ball.

Bears are going defense, that is plainly obvious. Donald is certainly a prime option. So is Ha Ha Clinton Dix. Their safety play was comedically inept last year.

A CB makes sense with Peanut at the end of the line. I'd say Anthony Barr too but he'll be gone unless there's a huge run on QB & OL both. Kyle Fuller would be nice. Dennard too but there's a fair chance he'll be there in the 2nd for them.

The only possible offensive choice would be trading back unless they're throwing in the towel on Jordan Mills already, which would be a mistake and I know they're high on him.

NW7 · Post #625 » by **NW7** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 6:16 am

Thanks for the responses Jeff, appreciate it.

Icness wrote: Dennard too but there's a fair chance he'll be there in the 2nd for them.

I think you are the 2nd or 3rd person I've seen state this sometime the past week or so, any reason why Dennard might fall to the 2nd? I thought he was a consensus top ~2 CB in this draft and a solid 1st rounder. What has changed?

Post #626 » by **Icness** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 12:22 pm

NW7 wrote:Thanks for the responses Jeff, appreciate it.

Icness wrote: Dennard too but there's a fair chance he'll be there in the 2nd for them.

I think you are the 2nd or 3rd person I've seen state this sometime the past week or so, any reason why Dennard might fall to the 2nd? I thought he was a consensus top ~2 CB in this draft and a solid 1st rounder. What has changed?

I was at his pro day and the NFL folks there were generally not pleased with his ability to turn and run or his lack of length. He's still a 1st round guy to me, I like my CBs to have confidence and physicality. He does need to learn to hold less though.

hermes · Post #627 » by **hermes** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 2:09 pm

Icness wrote:I was young then, but John Elway is the closest I can recall. Remember, he refused to play for the Colts. In a much less media-integrated era he had loads of hype and that kind of swagger persona. He was smart, good looking and well-known for that time more than most CFB stars.

In recent times, not really.

didn't eli pull the whole not wanting to play in san diego (or wanted to be in new york) which forced a trade with the giants? or was there a different story there

Post #628 » by **Icness** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 9:24 pm

hermes wrote:
Icness wrote:I was young then, but John Elway is the closest I can recall. Remember, he refused to play for the Colts. In a much less media-integrated era he had loads of hype and that kind of swagger persona. He was smart, good looking and well-known for that time more than most CFB stars.

In recent times, not really.

didn't eli pull the whole not wanting to play in san diego (or wanted to be in new york) which forced a trade with the giants? or was there a different story there

He did, but he didn't have the kind of personality or brand value. It was more about Archie hating the Chargers brass than anything with Eli or Rivers.

Post #629 » by **studcrackers** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 2:19 am

Schwabby wrote:Okay, this is part rant/part question:

I was at home the other day sick from work, so I did the usual and lounged around all day watching terrible daytime TV, which entailed 10 excruciating minutes of First Take. The topic at hand was about Johnny Manziel and whether or not the Texans should draft him with the first overall pick.

Naturally, Skip Bayless said that the Texans would be stupid not to take him because: A) He's a Texas guy, so he would sell tickets; and B) It's Johnny Football, he's a surefire thing. He also mentioned how a lot of people are saying that Bill O'Brien and the rest of his staff are leaning towards drafting a defensive player, whether it's Clowney, Mack, or a different QB in Bortles or Bridgewater. He then goes on to suggest that Bob McNair needs to lay down the law and tell O'Brien to draft Manziel because it's the best move for the state of the franchise, blah blah blah.

Anywho, here's my actual question:

Can you think of any draft pick, in any year you can recall, that has had this much pull (for lack of a better word) in terms of what his brand could do for a franchise, rather than his actual skill set, or potential ability?

EDIT: Tebow is not an acceptable answer.

probably not as much as manziel but i felt when reggie bush came out the texans shouldve taken him and was absolutely shocked when it came out they were taking mario williams instead. but he had a huge brand

Post #630 » by **studcrackers** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 2:20 am

Icness wrote:I was young then, but John Elway is the closest I can recall. Remember, he refused to play for the Colts. In a much less media-integrated era he had loads of hype and that kind of swagger persona. He was smart, good looking and well-known for that time more than most CFB stars.

In recent times, not really.

i have a hard time wrapping my head around living in a world where john elway was considered good looking

righterwriter · Post #631 » by **righterwriter** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 9:35 am

He was a big, strapping 1980's version of Justin Bieber with fashion sense to boot.

Post #632 » by **studcrackers** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 4:06 pm

and a set of chompers the size of the rockies

Twolf16 · Post #633 » by **Twolf16** » Sat Apr 12, 2014 5:46 pm

Is Clinton-Dix worthy of a top 10 pick? In your opinion, what type of player will he become?

PurpleJesus · Post #634 » by **PurpleJesus** » Wed Apr 16, 2014 12:39 am

What's your opinion on Cody Hoffman? How much of an impact does his drop in stats as a Senior from his Sophomore and Junior years effect his draft status?

Post #635 » by **Icness** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 12:52 pm

Twolf16 wrote:Is Clinton-Dix worthy of a top 10 pick? In your opinion, what type of player will he become?

Top 10 is too high. He's my #2 safety after Jimmie Ward. Will wind up ranking between 25-35 in my final ratings. Strong cover skills but his range isn't nearly as good as perceived because he only had to play 2/3 of the field at most. Should be a solid starter pretty quickly, will get 3-5 INTs every year.

Post #636 » by **Icness** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 12:54 pm

PurpleJesus wrote:What's your opinion on Cody Hoffman? How much of an impact does his drop in stats as a Senior from his Sophomore and Junior years effect his draft status?

IMO he's not draftable. Below-average athlete, doesn't run sharp routes, awful blocker for a guy his size. He's a 5th WR on a team that never plays more than 3 IMO.

mnWI · Post #637 » by **mnWI** » Fri Apr 18, 2014 12:26 am

Hey Jeff, was reading over this article you wrote here:
http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/0 ... his-draft/

Really like your statement about Ward and Brooks, and I like that you mention Brooks and Green Bay together. If you were Ted Thompson, how high would you draft him? Does he make it all the way to Green Bay's second rounder?

Watching Brooks, I was really impressed by his instincts, the ground he covers, and his ability to tackle. Seems like the only thing he struggled with was hanging onto should-be interceptions on plays where he made great reads.

Post #638 » by **Icness** » Fri Apr 18, 2014 2:18 am

I doubt Brooks falls that far but it's not out of the question. If a run on wideouts and corners goes he's probably there. He's so perfect for what GB needs at that position.

Charles Lee Ray · Post #639 » by **Charles Lee Ray** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 10:43 pm

Can I get your opinion on the revelation that is tom savage, I've heard rumblings he's the best QB in the draft and is a lock for the 1st round now?

Post #640 » by **Icness** » Tue Apr 22, 2014 12:26 pm

Charles Lee Ray wrote:Can I get your opinion on the revelation that is tom savage, I've heard rumblings he's the best QB in the draft and is a lock for the 1st round now?

He's my 97th-rated player. Finished my evaluation of him in December so I'm not influenced by this craziness. He has all the positives of Ryan Mallett--the big arm, the confidence in the arm, the toughness, the size (not quite as much), but also even more of the negatives--he cannot move at all, holds the ball way too long, forces balls when other better options are present. At least he's not a heroin addict 8-)

A lot of people I trust and respect believe he will be the 33rd pick in the draft. I'll believe it when I see it.