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2008 NFL Draft Day 2 Open Thread

I will be out for most of the morning so get the dicussion going here.  I will weigh in on the Titans choices when I get back.

After sleeping on it, I am not as disappointed with the Chris Johnson as I was yesterday.  The worst thing about it is that the Titans are admitting that they are giving up on Chris Henry.  That was a terrible pick if you are giving up on him after just 1 season....

Update [2008-4-27 13:24:1 by Jimmy]: Here are today's picks:

#83 Craig Stevens, TE, Cal
#103 William Hayes, DE, Winston Salem State
#126 LaVelle Hawkins, WR, Cal
#134 Stanford Keglar, OLB, Purdue

0 recs  |  Comment 86 comments

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I'm ok with Johnson
He is nothing like Henry.  Johnson had a 6 yd per carry average this year with 236 attempts.  1423 yds in 2007.  37 catches for 528 yds (an average of 14.3 ypc).
Compare to McFadden.  325 attempts for 1830 yds (5.6 ypc) and 21 catches for 164 yds (7.8 ypc).  
Compare Johnsons receiving stats to desean jackson (65 catches for 762 yds 11.7 ypc).

This guy is good.  He has produced in college and is by far the fastest RB in recent history.  Henry has never produced, Johnson has.  Good move getting him.  But, the Titans are horrible at drafting.  The move was to trade down in the first and/or up in the second.  They did this same mickey mouse bullshit last year: wait for the draft to come to you, then get screwed because the two or three teams in front of you have the same needs.  

Andre Caldwell and Earl Bennett are still on the board, why the Titans haven't traded up yet I'll never know...

by willchance on Apr 27, 2008 9:16 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

there goes
doucet...

only a few impact wrs left

by dsp82 on Apr 27, 2008 9:27 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

sorry
meant earl bennett of course?

by dsp82 on Apr 27, 2008 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Earl Bennett is now a Bear...
But I don't see why the Bears would take a WR when they have no QB.

Titans are terrible at drafting.  no creativity; the Patriots have 3 3rd round picks via smart dealmaking.   We get a late 4th rounder for Pac and we have no 6th because of Bryce Fisher...  

I am curious to see all the terrible decisions Reinfeldt makes today.

by BeansCarter on Apr 27, 2008 9:30 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Getting close !!!
Who's it gonna be???
Big Bill "You never lose a game if the opponent doesn't score." Darell K. Royal

by Hook em Titans on Apr 27, 2008 9:55 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

WTF!!!!?????!!!!!!
A tight end?  I am absolutely livid.  This is one of the least pressing needs....

by SuperHorn on Apr 27, 2008 10:06 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Might as
well mail it in...

There no saving this draft anymore...

by dsp82 on Apr 27, 2008 10:07 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

They must....
have a plan to get a WR from another team.  Surely they do.  Please?!?
Big Bill "You never lose a game if the opponent doesn't score." Darell K. Royal

by Hook em Titans on Apr 27, 2008 10:09 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I don't care what he is...
There is no way the Titans can sell me this pick.  This is one of the few positions we are still solid at.  It's evident that the Titans ONLY draft based on who is highest on their board and NOT for needs.  While this works for teams like the Patriots, there are no excuses for Tennessee who has a glaring need on the D-line and at receiver which were neglected.  I'm disgusted.

by SuperHorn on Apr 27, 2008 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

... as far as need
i was a bit surprised too... i thought he was going to Arizona for sure... anyone that need help with their run game would love Stevens.  Frankly I thought you guys would be taking at least 2 WRs.

Nonetheless, when I say he's a great blocker... i'm not just saying that... he literally is the best blocker i've ever seen... once he has you, you cannot disengage.  You can really see that he has incredibly strong hands and arms.  

Pac10 is not the SEC, but we got some pretty damn good LBs and DEs... and Stevens just closes them down, you should see him put Ray Maualuga on his back.

Bottom line you can't deny that Stevens can play and contribute immediately... what I question is why you guys aren't taking more WRs.

by danzig on Apr 27, 2008 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

language...
i'm very upset too, but we are better than that on this site.

i don't get it, i know they have a plan, i just don't get it.  he was projected as a high 5th or low 6th.  

by gotitans27 on Apr 27, 2008 10:11 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

i don't think we should
go with any of these "projections", there are so many 'reach' and 'steal' in this draft according to all the media

by LastSd on Apr 27, 2008 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

There will be NO...
...Forward passes this year--at all!
DannoE

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

by DannoE on Apr 27, 2008 10:17 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

OK I'll take that bet
I'll even bet that there's a forward pass in the first game!

by numbertenox on Apr 27, 2008 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

here
Pick Analysis:Stevens is one of, if not the best blocking tight end in the draft - a guy who lives in the weight room. He hasn't caught many passes but nobody has questioned his hands. He's going to be asked to protect Vince Young and he's going to run block a lot. His style is similar to Anthony Becht. He is a decent underneath receiver but not suited to go deep.

by LastSd on Apr 27, 2008 10:18 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Which sounds fine. Even good.
But it doesn't help when the other team stacks the box w/ 10 players.  And that is where we're headed right now.
DannoE

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

by DannoE on Apr 27, 2008 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Chris Henry
also slept in the gym right? I don't know enough about this guy other than he is a TE and we DO NOT need a TE... I'm just saying..

by Titans Fan 10 on Apr 27, 2008 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Are We Forgetting?
We're a running team. That means blockers and running backs are what we need. Having a scatback to compliment the Round Mound is a great move. Johnson can help our return game as well. I don't think Henry's gonna get fed to the lions this season. We carry three backs anyway, and I'll be Henry finds a niche.

Drafting a WR in the early rounds usually equals bust, and we can shore up our O and D lines further down the draft.

Is Chad Johnson and Jason Taylor in out future? I doubt it, although Taylor would be a nice addition.

by Rustmeister on Apr 27, 2008 10:35 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

This feels
Tennessee has no interest in Vince Young developing as a QB.  It's like a slap in the face to VY.  How can they possibly expect him to excel w/o any help around him?

As noted above, they better have something up their sleeve in the form of a trade for a high end receiver...

by SuperHorn on Apr 27, 2008 10:37 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

'What a fool believes'
we can get Marcus Monk from Ark... I hate the bears so much right now.
Earl Bennett for Titans' WR: He's ready on day one!

by August West on Apr 27, 2008 10:38 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

We're deep as it gets at WR
just no top end talent... the pressure is on for B. jones and Paul Williams, IMO.  Paul BETTER give us something this year!
Earl Bennett for Titans' WR: He's ready on day one!

by August West on Apr 27, 2008 10:39 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

You do get the idea that they...
...aren't sure what they've got on the roster now, so maybe they give it a year before drafting somebody else.  And for sure we don't need another "possession" receiver.  I suppose if you believe that either:

a) J. McCareins still has some gas in the tank

b) R. Williams can develop as a #1

or c) B. Jones will finally show up healthy and with decent hands

...then things are fine.  But it's been rough to watch.

Gonna have a great run-game, though.

DannoE

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

by DannoE on Apr 27, 2008 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Or Bubba Caldwell from FLA...
Earl Bennett for Titans' WR: He's ready on day one!

by August West on Apr 27, 2008 10:41 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Drafting a WR in the early rounds usually equals..
bust?  It often does, but drafting a WR in late rounds reduces your chances even more.  You have to give your team a chance.  You have to acquire a young gifted WR in order to have the opportunity to end up with a great wideout.  

You think Justin Gage is gonna wake up one day and all of a sudden play like Larry Fitzgerald?

We are a run-first team.  Sure.  Doesn't mean you can ignore the passing game.  I'll say it again, Mike Reinfeldt misled the fans for having said that priority #1 was finding weapons for Vince.    This was clearly not the objective.  The objective was apparently to render the QB irrelevant in the Titans offense.

by BeansCarter on Apr 27, 2008 10:48 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

i'm happy
i like the way things are going, actually....

chris johnson provides speed and return ability....

something we desperately needed...

think of it this way....he is tougher than desean jackson of cal....but provides similar things...

and i love our 3rd round pick....i would have taken the best blocking TE in the draft in the 2nd....

by zackmann on Apr 27, 2008 10:56 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

gb thought we might take another DE?
wonder if GB wanted to get in front of us to get that DE, thinking we might take him....

by zackmann on Apr 27, 2008 10:59 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

They traded up in the fourth.
To me, that means they're getting the last decent WR left.  I've no idea who it will be.  Probably some junior college transfer from Eastern Lansing State Community College.
DannoE

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

by DannoE on Apr 27, 2008 11:00 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

i don't understand
Do they not want to build a strong team.  

by VY on Apr 27, 2008 11:07 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

The guy's gonna turn out to be 6'10"...
...with a Wonderlick of 2 and only one kidney.
DannoE

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

by DannoE on Apr 27, 2008 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

ESPN doesn't even have a scouting report or school
for him...
Earl Bennett for Titans' WR: He's ready on day one!

by August West on Apr 27, 2008 11:10 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Here's an interview calling him a 'sleeper'
Sounds like a lot of teams wanted him to be at 3-4 Strongside LB/pass rusher

http://www.thefootballexpert.com/williamhayesdraftinterview080001.html

Earl Bennett for Titans' WR: He's ready on day one!

by August West on Apr 27, 2008 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

william hayes
http://www.thefootballexpert.com/williamhayesdraftinterview080001.html

nice to know something about hayes, but i would love to understand why we needed to trade up for this guy but couldn't do it to get a WR.

by longtitan on Apr 27, 2008 11:12 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

another defesive end?
 
  maybe they think vince young cant complete the long pass anyway so why draft a reciever.

by dentureboy on Apr 27, 2008 11:15 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

where
 they going to find our next draft pick a trade school?

by dentureboy on Apr 27, 2008 11:16 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Better yet...
an Online college... I have hella cyber speed? hahahah oh man... I'm crying inside...

by Titans Fan 10 on Apr 27, 2008 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's Funny.
Kinda like that Brad Paisley song.  I'm faster online.
Big Bill "You never lose a game if the opponent doesn't score." Darell K. Royal

by Hook em Titans on Apr 27, 2008 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Don't know if this was touched on earlier...
I saw this on the titansonline message board...

http://www.charlotte.com/panthers/story/598758.html

"Chris Johnson (5-foot-10, 198-pounds) learned the news while with his family in Orlando, Fla.,
and he said the Titans told him Friday they were worried he wouldn't still be available at No. 24. He was happy to get the phone call from the Titans, who will unite him with new running backs coach Earnest Byner. Johnson had been kidding Byner about breaking his records at East Carolina."

The Titans planned this from the get go.  WR, DT, or DE were never in the cards.

by SuperHorn on Apr 27, 2008 11:27 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

This is getting Comical.
I'm not sure that there is even a little plan here.  These guys might end up being great, but I don't understand why they pick all these guys way too early.  Who the heck was going to draft William Hayes before the 6th?  Did we really need to move up to get him?

Can't wait for the next pick.

Big Bill "You never lose a game if the opponent doesn't score." Darell K. Royal

by Hook em Titans on Apr 27, 2008 11:28 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

If Johnson ends up being a faster Westbrook
and has 60+ catches this year then this pick makes since, and Dinger must like the guys we already have over the WRs in the draft
Earl Bennett for Titans' WR: He's ready on day one!

by August West on Apr 27, 2008 11:34 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

there is no need to draft WR
from now on, i doubt that any of WR left are better than what we already have
hopefully our guys were underachieving because of Chow if not it will be fun watching white and Johnson run into 11 defenders in the box next year

by LastSd on Apr 27, 2008 11:38 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I don't know...
Adarius Bowman could have some upside.

by SuperHorn on Apr 27, 2008 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hey guys
I know I try to be positive 100% of the time.  But I don't know this Second round pick and I thought for SURE we would trade up and take Sweed of another top Rated WR.  

but it will be interesting to see how this plays out

by white02slpss on Apr 27, 2008 11:47 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

What did....
we have to give up to move up in this round?  I'm at work and am having a hard time finding out.
Big Bill "You never lose a game if the opponent doesn't score." Darell K. Royal

by Hook em Titans on Apr 27, 2008 11:51 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

our 4th and 5th
so 24th pick in 4th and 24th in 5th for
4th pick in 4th

by LastSd on Apr 27, 2008 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thank you.
We probably would have easily got him in the 5th.
Big Bill "You never lose a game if the opponent doesn't score." Darell K. Royal

by Hook em Titans on Apr 27, 2008 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hey Guys
I just read on the Titans Website that Chris Johnson lined up at Running back AND WR in college!  

think they are thinking of converting him to Full time WR?

by white02slpss on Apr 27, 2008 11:53 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I can almost guarantee that he'll be a hybrid
especially in 2 back sets where Johnson can motion out wide...
Earl Bennett for Titans' WR: He's ready on day one!

by August West on Apr 27, 2008 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

we are totally
going to try and use this kid like reggie bush in NO.  some runs, lots of swings and screens.

by hal41605 on Apr 27, 2008 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think so.
After all, who did Reggie play with in college?

LenDale.

Neither of them alone has been as effective as they were in tandem in college.  LenDale needs a Reggie Bush type guy, and Reggie needs a power back.

by hartley on Apr 28, 2008 7:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Kinda hoping
we pick up Frank Okam in the 4th. We could coach him up, and he won't be available in the 7th.

by rob on Apr 27, 2008 12:06 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

LAVELL HAWKINS!
He plays wide reciever!

by CoryC123 on Apr 27, 2008 12:12 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Gil Brandt
really likes this guy.  Maybe he'll be good.  Hope.  Pray.
Big Bill "You never lose a game if the opponent doesn't score." Darell K. Royal

by Hook em Titans on Apr 27, 2008 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He looked
nothing like Chris Davis Senior Bowl week.  He was toasting guys left and right, and he was doing it vertically.

by Big Bad Bulluck on Apr 27, 2008 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

FWIW,
Mel Kiper really likes this pick.  He had him as a top 25 player in October.

by SuperHorn on Apr 27, 2008 12:24 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

i'm OK with our draft
except for the Hayes.. it is almost impossible to find any info on him

by LastSd on Apr 27, 2008 12:29 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Nice of Kiper to throw us a bone:
"Vince Young is really going to like this guy"

I really wanted to hear that yesterday... ahh well

Earl Bennett for Titans' WR: He's ready on day one!

by August West on Apr 27, 2008 12:29 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

last pick and i'm out of here
not going to sit here for 7th round

by LastSd on Apr 27, 2008 12:32 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

OLB..
i was expecting a CB but okay

by LastSd on Apr 27, 2008 12:37 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Stanford Keglar
What a great name. Maybe even better than Cortland Finnegan.

by rob on Apr 27, 2008 12:41 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

TE Stevens and WR Hawkins Analysis

I'm a contributor on several Cal football blogs.

Craig Stevens (6'3,253,4.59)
You don't know him too well, but you guys are getting the best blocking TE in the Pac10.  And according to many mocks, he was projected as a mid-rounder, so this is not a reach.  

On the team he's known as the strongest player on the team, stronger than all the lineman.  This show up b/c its impossible to disengage from his blocks and pancakes everyone.  But you'll notice first his ability take the best DE and put them on their backs.  If you ask Marshawn Lynch who the best blocker on the team was, he'll say its Stevens, not his OLinemen. Team captain and a high character guy. Was semifinalist for Mackey award and is always on the watchlist.  

He's very fast, i think the second fastest 40 time in the combine.  The only questions are regarding his hands, he does drop balls that are thrown hard or behind him.  But once he catches a ball, its pretty darn hard to get him down.  He basically thinks he's a superhero and never wants to go down.

Lavelle Hawkins (5'11,187,4.52)
Some scouting reports say that he drops balls.  This is the most laughable thing I've ever heard. Mostly this comes from the fact he dropped two TD passes in the Stanford game (the last game of the season), but he's never dropped another ball the entire season.  He's generally known as the best catcher on our team.  He can make all the circus type catches, stretching out, behind him, one handed.  I mean, this guy can catch a microwave if you threw it at him.

From a fan perspective, many of us believe he's a much better WR than Desean Jackson.  He loves to catch balls over the middle and likes to use the stiff arm, sometime he just tries to get too much extra yardage so people try to strip him, although last year, he didn't fumble even once. Great KOR guy that averages 28yrd, doesn't have too many moves compared to Desean Jackson, but can always make the first guy miss.  No injury issues, ever.

His downside comes from "ocho cinco" syndrome, where he's bit of a ham. But being the top receiver on the Cal team, being a bit cocky is understandable.  His size doesn't make him a very good blocker in the run game, but he's just ok.

If you guys have any questions, post them here.

by danzig on Apr 27, 2008 1:45 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

So
Would it be a stretch to compare him to Hines Ward?

by Rustmeister on Apr 27, 2008 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oops
Just saw the last line of you post, so let me add "except for the blocking aspect" to my previous question. =)

by Rustmeister on Apr 27, 2008 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

good comparison
I like this comparison... Hines Ward is very physical and tough... can catch balls over the middle and has the most reliable hands in the business..

i'm not saying the Hawk will one day be the superbowl mvp, that remains to be seen... but he has the talent to catch literally everything throw in his direction.. after the catch he likes make people miss and then to stiff arm people... and like ward he doesn't have blazing speed, but functional speed... at school he was timed at 4.44.... but is basically the same body type and size as Ward.

I say that the Hawk is a poor run blocker not b/c of his physicality... once he has the ball he's a beast...you guys will love seeing him stiff arm people... its him missing blocking assignments and maybe he's not strong enough to put corners on the ground like he should.

by danzig on Apr 27, 2008 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

How was Chris Johnson against..
top level talent? Looking at his highlight video I couldn't help but notice that most of those came against weaker teams.

I haven't had a chance to really research him but any insight would be appreciated. Thanks

by b3tts32 on Apr 27, 2008 1:55 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Not so bad afterall!
I admit I was pretty pissed going to bed last night, but after seeing and reading about our new gyus im much more positive.

Looking forward to see Chris and im 100 procent sure he will be a succes.

Both Jason JOnes and Stevens also looks like good solid picks. Maybe they were a little a reach, but as long as they perform and makes the team im happy.

Think both offense and DE/DT have been strengthen this weekend.

Now let heimdinger do his magic and lets gets the season started.

by amagertitans on Apr 27, 2008 2:32 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Chris Henry (WR)
Any chance they bring him to BSP for a workout?

by burke385 on Apr 27, 2008 3:11 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

They
Better not...

by RhiNo6705 on Apr 27, 2008 3:16 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Chris Henry
I think PacMan has kept them away from both Chris Henry and Mario Manningham.

by Thunder Jones on Apr 27, 2008 3:21 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

What if...
we did get a wide receiver in the first round, it's just that he was a running back in college. I think we have the wide receiver everyone is giving the Titans sh!t about not taking. Johnson was the fastest man in the draft and had better all around numbers than the top rated receiver. VY has been given a bullit of a weapon.

by Titanfan on Apr 27, 2008 4:20 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

from NFL.com
"Plus, if he fails to develop on defense, he has the natural hands and experience to possibly be converted into a wide receiver."

by burke385 on Apr 27, 2008 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wonderful...
More possession/project-type receivers.

Argh.

DannoE

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

by DannoE on Apr 27, 2008 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Mel Kiper Likes Hawkins
In a roundtable discussion, each analyst was asked what the best pick of the 2nd day was.  Mel Kiper chose Lavelle Hawkins citing hidden talent and that Hawkins could've been drafted higher and the Titans got him in the 4th.

by danzig on Apr 27, 2008 6:10 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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