Need For Outside Linebacker?

by Thunder Jones on Apr 18, 2008 12:13 PM CDT Comment 7 comments

I just read the latest mock draft by Sports Illustrated's Don Banks and he has the Tennessee Titans taking Mayo because he fills their "need for an outside linebacker"

Huh?

Bullock and Thornton do a fine job of filling that need. Thornton has shown himself to be a steal from Indy and Bullock is solid.

It always seems strange to me when "draft experts" pull stones out of their hats. Kiper had Tennessee taking Mayo at one point as well. I can see the Titans taking a DE or DT, but I imagine that they'd take a CB before they even began to think about drafting an OLB, even if he's athletic and sure-fire fan favorite.

At the end of the day, the offense needs help. If the Titans can't get a WR they like with their first-round pick, I say they shop it and see what they can get via trade. It's obvious that the WR needs help very badly and it must be addressed. If it comes down to drafting Mayo or trading for a solid #2 receiver from another team, I say take the receiver.

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OLB is not a need position.

With that said, last year FS was arguably not a need position, and the Titans drafted a FS and got a good one. And the year they drafted Bullock 30th overall there was no "need" at OLB, and he actually sat for like 2 years before he played. But overall, I think every Titans fan would have to say that picking K. Bullock was a pretty good idea.

I'd look for the team to take the best available with an eye to getting a D-Lineman first. But if Mayo is by far and away the best guy they have on their board, they'll take him and put his ass on Special Teams for two years--until Bullock or Thornton is eventually released. And Mel Kiper will piss and moan about what a bad draft it was for TN, and then three or four years from now some jackass will re-evaluate and say, "Hey! That guy Mayo is a pretty good OLB. The Titans did pretty well to draft him even though they didn't have a 'need' at the time."

Truth is it's a Not For Long league, so there's always a need at every position.

DannoE

Go read FRIDAY MAD SCIENCE at www.paperbackreader.com
Thanks!

by DannoE on Apr 18, 2008 12:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bullock

I think you can see in Bullock's play that he is beginning to wind down. If we drafted an OLB then we would be getting a good one, but similarly to Bullock he would be a backup for ~2years. Despite Titans glaring needs at WR and probably DT, I don't think an OLB is terrible pick if we believe he is the best available. I think the only wrong picks we can make in the 1st round are QB, K, P, and OL(just b/c Munchak can make anyone good so why waste a 1st rounder)

by DonFrancisco on Apr 18, 2008 2:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

RB

I would also say our RB is not a good pick but our RB situation is weird. We have invested 2nd round picks in RB two years in a row so it seems like we shouldnt have a need. I dont want to take most of the 1st round guys, but if McFadden fell to us it would not be a bad pick. I dont know how on earth he would fall that far, I'm just saying...

by DonFrancisco on Apr 18, 2008 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'm don't know much about Mayo

but from looking at a lot of draft sites it doesn't look like he is not even sure 1st rounder

i know the draft sites are not the greatest source but if Mayo is not a steal why him instead of WR, DT, DE ? i would be happy if K. Rivers falls to us (not going to happen)

i wasn't really happy with Griffin last year's draft but now i love the pick, so i trust our management. they will draft the best available and if Mayo is indeed the best possible,than why not.

by LastSd on Apr 18, 2008 5:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

donfrancisco...

by any chance, are you from san francisco?
if so, i will be out there for the first time this weekend thru next tuesday, and was wondering about "must see / eat' places (eating, dancing, social stuff), other than the obvious ones...

looking for the hole-in-the-walls, the dives, etc.

sorry for off topic conversation

ps- if anybody has any suggestions, they are welcome. thanks

by titanintx on Apr 18, 2008 5:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs