[Letitroll98]

April 23, 2014



Dear Mr. Jones,

On second thought, Jerry, don't change a thing.  You might finish third in your division this year.  Hail to the chief.  What was I thinkin??

Sincerely,

Jim Goulding

+1

Eagle fans have been very, very happy with the way Jerry has been running the team.  He makes Jeffery look like a genius.

[Letitroll98]

So with the draft looming next week, I've been catching up with Jon Gruden's QB Camp shows.  So far I've seen Johnny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater, Blake Bortles, Tajh Boyd, Derek Carr, and a few minutes of A.J. McCarron. 

I can see why Derek Carr is moving up the board, he's been calling pro offenses since he was 12 yo (understudying his older brother David), has an arm like a cannon with more accuracy than I've seen in many years.  Plus he's got a faster release than anyone I've seen since Danny Marino.  Gruden pointed out he still takes too many sacks, which is a big downgrade for me, but maybe a killer pick late 1st round/early 2nd.  I liked Gruden's parting line, (delivered with that Chuckie laugh) "The kid can chuck the rock, man, he can chuck that rock". 

Johnny Football didn't wow me, but he did improve in my eyes.  He showed a decent arm with excellent accuracy and a good understanding of his weak areas, at least intellectually.  But at the end of the day he was still defending those mistakes as "he's playing football".  May not be the most coachable guy, but did confirm that fiery competitiveness he's known for.  Tough kid with a lot of determination, I like that.

Bortles has a great football mind and understood concepts quicker than any of them.  He's big and tall, plays like Big Ben, but it was his physical attributes that I thought were his weakness.  Not much accuracy or touch, and has a lonnnggg delivery.  Good guy with a lot of maturity, but I'd see him as a project, not a first year starter.

Teddy Bridgewater I would pass on.  Not bright or quick minded.  Good arm, but nothing special there.  I see deer in the headlights in a pro offense.

Tajh Boyd was a good kid, however nothing jumped out for me with him.  He was ok with everything, a standout in nothing.  Could be a good pickup in later rounds as a project to work on, a good backup maybe.

I didn't watch much of A.J. McCarren because I don't consider him a top draft pick.  Just doesn't have the physical attributes for an NFL quarterback.  Another good kid with his head on straight, so maybe a backup in the NFL.  He could be someone who could learn not to lose games for you.

I still have Aaron Murray, Jordan Lynch, and Jimmy Garoppolo to watch, but none of them are mentioned as top picks in the draft.  I assume Lynch would be the highest pick and Garoppolo is a dark horse on some mock drafts I've seen.  I should get to them before Thursday, so if I seen anything earth shattering I'll post again. 

Happy draft day!

 

[jimdgoulding]

I know somebody who will be sitting on the edge of his seat tonite with today's buzz about the Dallas Cowboys maneuvering around for Johnny Manziel at pick 16.  That would be Robin aka Satfrat.  In a perfect world that is where Manziel fits best, imo.  Too bad they can't get a new coach, too.  Next year, maybe.  Oh, I almost forgot, Jerry Jones isn't going anywhere.

[jimdgoulding]

I can't figure Houston.  They have Brian Cushing coming back to help JJ Watts, etc, on defense.  They don't need Clowney.  What they need is a QB!!!

[macrojack]

Jim - I thought Case Keenum was promising despite his youth. With Clowney and Watt rushing the passer, opposing offenses might be kept in check sufficiently to allow the Texans offense to win low scoring games. Keenum is probably as good as some Super Bowl winning QBs.

Don't despair. Put your faith in someone other than the Cowboys this year. Then next year you will be looking forward to a very high draft position for JJ to botch.

I mean really, what have the Cowboys done in the last 20 years that warrants your loyalty? Dump them and provide your energies and affections to a growing team. Indy is clearly on the ascent. Houston? Perhaps. Maybe the Bears. They got rid of their JJ and have improved enormously since. And KC might be worth your time.

[jimdgoulding]

Assuming they take Clowney from the get, you would be correct.  No better front seven would exist in the NFL.  And, they have another pick in round two.  Maybe there is a sleeper in there somewhere.  I can hope.  They have GOT to get a QB.  Their defense would contain opposing offenses and with Foster healthy and a passing game they get in another gear and make the playoffs.  Fans go wild.

I guess you couldn't tell, but I've all but dumped the Cowboys.  Best thing that could happen to them in the draft is Johnny Manziel.  Jerry Jones has got to want this.  I mean nobody ever said he is stupid.  Like an announcer said on TV this morning, he couldn't then make Johnny Manziel T-shirts fast enough.  I think some team will take him before it's Jones' turn, however.  I wonder what kind of dealing Jones was making behind the scene.  Or, is making.

Postnote:  Fooey.  Clowney would make that defense the best in the league, but he can't take snaps.  They gotta get better on offense.   Best case for Houston fans- my daughter is a rabid one- they manage to do both somehow. 

[S Clark]

Dallas is on the hook for two years with Romo- can't trade him, can't cut him, and I don't see anyway that you draft Johnny Football and leave him on the bench.  Dallas needs defensive line.  That's their first play if there is anyone available.  Haven't heard from Satfrat in a while.  Maybe he'll email me or vice versa after the draft. 

[jimdgoulding]

Dallas is on the hook for two years with Romo- can't trade him, can't cut him, and I don't see anyway that you draft Johnny Football and leave him on the bench.  Dallas needs defensive line.  That's their first play if there is anyone available.  Haven't heard from Satfrat in a while.  Maybe he'll email me or vice versa after the draft.

Yep, worst defense in the league I believe I heard today.  IMO, Houston should pick Manziel.  They need a QB more than a defensive addition and Manziel would divert all the attention away from Jerry Jones besides make them a contender.  They don't need a defensive specialist as much as they need an offensive one.  Or, pick another one of those top five rated QB's.

[macrojack]

Why do you think Manziel is any better than Case Keenum. They're both Texas college football heroes.

Didn't Keenum set all sorts of collegiate passing records? And doesn't Kellen Moore have a much more impressive resume than johnny boy? I think Manziel caught the eye of the press a la Tebow and he's riding it all the way to the bank. Every year there are super star college QBs who are hyped to high heaven pre draft and then summarily take a dump in the pros. What makes this prima donna BMOC any different? Just because his team beat Alabama once?

[jimdgoulding]

I just want Houston to get a quality QB cause I think they need one to contend.  You gotta have a good offense to do that, don't you?  Sorry to say I don't know anything about Keenum.  It doesn't have to be Manziel but I do like the "show" value he adds.  Keenum might do great, I'm jus not up to speed about him.  Enlighten me.  Thanks.

[macrojack]

Here's an article I found just now.

http://houston.culturemap.com/news/sports/02-17-14-johnny-manziel-super-hype-rings-false-sorry-case-keenum-sounds-like-bill-obriens-perfect-qb/

Johnny Football may succeed to some degree in the NFL but he does not represent the sort of franchise guy that Andrew Luck is. All the rest is media conflation.

[jimdgoulding]

Bortles, big and tall with a strong arm, was picked by Jacksonville.  Good for him and them.  Houston got their defensive line on the mark.  Look out.  The NFL is quite probably leery of Manziel.  I understand completely.  So far, I'm impressed. 

Damn!  You see those highlights on Watkins?  I would totally want this kid catching the ball for me! 

Cleveland passed on Manziel.  I know he's risky and who could blame someone for doubting his durability.  I do.

Matthews in the next round is an excellent choice.  The frickin guy is a monster and can use his feet. 

[jimdgoulding]

Damn!  Check out Tampa Bay!  Their second pick and it's another wide-out and a very big fellow.  I repeat, very big!  I think I like their strategy.

[jimdgoulding]

Manziel is 3 picks away from Dallas.  Frankly, that's where he belongs and has all along.  Jerry Jones will build around him and how could he not be more inspired.  You gotta know he grew up watching them.  He, Manziel, grew up in Texas.  If he doesn't go there, Satfrat's wet dream will be rudely intruded upon.  Shit, much as I hate Jerry Jones, I will watch them if he is.  Maybe more than just that depending on the result.

Postnote:  What a let down.  The result is that Jerry Jones team will suffer another year of Tony Romo and the overall lack of confidence of his teammates on both sides of the ball.  I never thought that Jones was a dumb muthajumper, just egomaniacal.  Sorry, Sat.

Scott, I think you had it.   

Postnote:  Bridgewater and Manziel are still available for Houston who desperately needs an offense to go along with their defense.

[jimdgoulding]

Guess my homeys will get their QB today.  Looking forward to the season to come.  Can't wait to see the new guy with JJ Watt and Brian Cushing, etc.  The guys on ESPN's First Take tore Jerry Jones a new one this morning.  But, JJ is a kinda mentor or something to Romo.   

[Letitroll98]

Savage could be a great pick for the Texans, potential to be a later round gem in a field of very iffy early picks.  The got their D line and O line needs met, but didn't pick up a sorely needed linebacker.  Maybe they'll trade for someone or pick up a discard from some other team with too many on their roster.  Overall a pretty good draft for them, especially if Clowney pans out as the once in 20 years player he's touted as being.

My Steelers and Eagles picked up just about all of their needs.  I'm not all that confident in the Steeler picks at linebacker and running back, they took some chances there, but if they work out it was an awesome draft.  I think the Eagles killed it with their receiver picks, they could be the most explosive offense in the NFL.  Defense, not so much, they did get corner and safety addressed, but in later round picks, however they did a good job at D line and linebacker.

I think the 49ers had the best draft.  12 picks and they made them all count.  It sort of makes it unfair when you have a stacked team already, looks like they plan on beating Seattle asap.

[Kenneth Patchen]

Now that the draft is over, let the draft bashing begin! The below is the latest in the NYT, and even though this happens to some extent every year, I think we'll see it take off now with all the loud talk of the "plantation mentality" of team owners in the leagues (thanks again, Mr. Sterling, love ya' dude ... a**hole).

http://p.nytimes.com/email/re?location=InCMR7g4BCKC2wiZPkcVUkKRisqzN3zq&user_id=dd28ffaefc7d5381136256707653dcbc&email_type=eta&task_id=1399717885842560&regi_id=0

This from Dave Zirin:
"... the N.F.L. draft is now an institution unto itself and any talk of abolishing it would probably be greeted with about as much support as the abolition of ice cream."
The abolition of ice cream?? Bastards!

[jimdgoulding]

Savage could be a great pick for the Texans, potential to be a later round gem in a field of very iffy early picks.  The got their D line and O line needs met, but didn't pick up a sorely needed linebacker.  Maybe they'll trade for someone or pick up a discard from some other team with too many on their roster.  Overall a pretty good draft for them, especially if Clowney pans out as the once in 20 years player he's touted as being.

My Steelers and Eagles picked up just about all of their needs.  I'm not all that confident in the Steeler picks at linebacker and running back, they took some chances there, but if they work out it was an awesome draft.  I think the Eagles killed it with their receiver picks, they could be the most explosive offense in the NFL.  Defense, not so much, they did get corner and safety addressed, but in later round picks, however they did a good job at D line and linebacker.

I think the 49ers had the best draft.  12 picks and they made them all count.  It sort of makes it unfair when you have a stacked team already, looks like they plan on beating Seattle asap.

I'm taking the Eagles for the NFC East.  Don't think much will change with Dallas next season. 

[Letitroll98]

I think the Cowgirls had a very responsible draft, Jerry did the right thing and let his football people make the decisions and they picked the best available for their needs.  However they have so many needs it would be impossible to fill them all in one draft or one free agency season.  Albeit Romo is iffy at QB, other positions were worse than iffy and they filled Guard, DE, Safety, and LB needs.  A good start at rebuilding, but I agree, not the year they're going to see a great change in their fortunes, maybe one game better rising to 9-7.

Ditto with the Redskins and Giants, ok drafts that filled some needs with no game changers.  There's some after draft flak about the Eagles number one pick, but everyone agrees their 2nd and later round picks were excellent.  So I think it's really down to the quarterback play in the NFC East, not a brilliant observation, but valid.  Everyone's a question mark with the team cores being roughly equal, no one has an unstoppable stud or shutdown corner, etc.  Will Foles maintain his play in his sophomore starting year, can RGIII and Romo come back from injury and be effective, will Eli return to form.  If one QB stands out, that's the team that will win the NFC East.