Mock with an emphasis on need

Discussion in 'NFL Draft' started by NewsGrabber, Apr 17, 2009.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Page 1 of 3
  1. NewsGrabber

    NewsGrabber Guest

    <p><em>Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky</em></p> <p>I don't want to overwhelm you with constant looks at mock drafts.</p> <p>But no newspaper person in America is more draft savvy than Rick Gosselin in Dallas. <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/stories/041809dnspomockdraft.e3cc4cc9.html" target="_blank">His new mock</a> focuses more on team needs, and comes with a big change at the top -- He gives Detroit former Wake Forest linebacker <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2009&id=23926">Aaron Curry</a>.</p> <p>Here's his AFC South first round:</p> <p><strong>No. 8: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=jac">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> -- </strong>Alabama offensive tackle <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2009&id=24678">Andre Smith</a></p> <p>My thoughts: Goose calls him the best blocker in the draft, and the Jaguars certainly could use that. But does Smith's poor preparation for the draft speak to issues they would have to deal with throughout his career?</p> <p><strong>No. 15: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=hou">Houston Texans</a> --</strong>Texas defensive end <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2009&id=24064">Brian Orakpo</a></p> <p>My thoughts: With Orakpo and Antonio Smith added to the defensive line, the Texans would be a lot better up front. And that means they'd be better all around on defense.</p> <p><strong>No. 27: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=ind">Indianapolis Colts</a> --<a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=ind"> </a></strong>Missouri defensive tackle <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2009&id=23879">Evander Hood</a></p> <p>My thoughts: This would break with how the team has addressed the position for years. But perhaps it's time for just that.</p> <p><strong>No. 30: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=ten">Tennessee Titans</a> --</strong> Ohio State middle linebacker <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2009&id=23966">James Laurinaitis</a></p> <p>My thoughts: I mentioned him as a possibility Thursday. Gosselin must project Laurinaitis as a guy who can play outside, because the Titans don't put a premium on the guy in the middle, which is a part-time job in their defense.</p>

    More...
     
    #1 NewsGrabber, Apr 17, 2009
  4. Soxcat

    Soxcat Pro Bowler

    9,131
    1,117
    679
    Laurinaitis can play some OLB.
     
    #2 Soxcat, Apr 17, 2009
  7. Starkiller

    Starkiller 9

    14,903
    376
    539
    and Tullock can play OLB
     
    #3 Starkiller, Apr 18, 2009
  10. PAtitansfan53

    PAtitansfan53 Kush & OJ

    2,366
    66
    0
    I like James but not for our first round pick and he won't be there at our second so......I think if we put a higher premium on MLB and they were on the field more often I wouldn't be too upset I could see the logic because I think he's a good inside stuffer who just makes plays. On the outside though I think you would see his below average COD ability be exposed making this a....not a bad pick but an unecessary pick unless their really convinced he can make it in coverage.
     
    #4 PAtitansfan53, Apr 18, 2009
  13. Gut

    Gut Pro Bowler

    8,052
    2,249
    669
    Well...

    Um...

    How exactly is MLB a 'need'?

    And projecting Laurinaitis to the outside means he rides the bench for another year or more. I will be shocked if Bulluck is allowed to leave after this season and playing Laurinaitis at MLB without any beef to allow him to roam would be a problem. Laurinaitis is a great football player but a lot of people project him outside because he's very good in pursuit and a very good tackler. He's not great at taking on blockers...especially when they are big OL.

    The problem with moving him to say...Bulluck's spot is he doesn't have the coverage skills in zone or man that we need. This would be a Craig Stevens pick. It could work out 3 years down the line...but you're not gonna get much production in the meantime...and by the time he starts and produces...time for a big payday!

    Plus, if MLB is only 50% a starter, why would you draft one in rnd 1?

    Bigger needs would be a dominant pass rushing DE, a shutdown CB, dominant DT, and #1 WR. Considering no matter what LB we draft...short of maybe Curry or Muaulugha, our starting trio won't change after the draft. And even if we keep Bulluck and let Tulloch go...we still have a solid Fowler to be fine for 50% of the time.

    Gut
     
    #5 Gut, Apr 18, 2009
  16. Starkiller

    Starkiller 9

    14,903
    376
    539
    MLB is only a 50% player because of Bulluck and Thornton. If Bulluck is gone in 2010, the MLB could be on the field on nickle downs. It isn't a scheme issue, just personnel. You just keep the 2 best LBs on the field on nickle downs.

    And it's only a potential need because Bulluck is going to be a free agent after 2009 and he's 32 years old.
     
    #6 Starkiller, Apr 18, 2009
  19. KC_Titan

    KC_Titan Starter

    176
    39
    144
    It would make absolutely zero sense to go with Laurinaitis. Which means we'll most likely draft him.

    Seriously though, he's your prototypical college linebacker that won't translate his game to the Pros. The NFL is too fast for him.
     
    #7 KC_Titan, Apr 19, 2009
  22. Gut

    Gut Pro Bowler

    8,052
    2,249
    669
    Gut

    Well, the point is...at this time, Laurinaitis isn't great in coverage so he wouldn't be one of our top 2 choices to keep on the field in nickel. He could devlop in this area...but that's still an IF.

    If they are gonna re-sign Bulluck, Laurinaitis will not replace Thron or Bulluck in the nickel keeping him a 50% player. Only way this makes sense is if they are NOT gonna keep Bulluck and project Laurinaitis to OLB.

    We have better options IMHO.

    Gut
     
    #8 Gut, Apr 19, 2009
  25. satkins2252

    satkins2252 Starter

    411
    49
    344
    If hes a game changer at 50% the Titans will draft him.
     
    #9 satkins2252, Apr 19, 2009
  28. Gut

    Gut Pro Bowler

    8,052
    2,249
    669
    Um...

    Gamechangers don't come off the field!

    Gut
     
    #10 Gut, Apr 20, 2009
Page 1 of 3
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Style
GT Classic

  • Welcome to goTitans.com

    Established in 2000, goTitans.com is the place for Tennessee Titans fans to talk Titans. Our roots go back to the Tennessee Oilers Fan Page in 1997 and we currently have 4,000 diehard members with 1.5 million messages. To find out about advertising opportunities, contact TitanJeff.

  • The Tip Jar

    For those of you interested in helping the cause, we offer The Tip Jar. For $2 a month, you can become a subscriber and enjoy goTitans.com without ads.

    Hit the Tip Jar