I +%$$$@* wish
By Mel Kiper
ESPN.com
Archive
Over the past few weeks we've seen some new names added to the Big Board, but this week the biggest story is the addition of a player who was here back in August, saw his stock fade and has since regained status as a possible first-round pick in my eyes.
That would be Colt McCoy. The bottom line with McCoy is he's a player I began to question during the season because he simply didn't show off an impressive arm, and size became a question. Since the season, however, my evaluations of his arm strength and size have improved, and I'm more convinced now that his performance was far more a product of the system he was in, and the talent around him. It's not that he couldn't throw a deep ball, he simply wasn't given the chance. I still see him as a similar player to Jake Plummer -- not a star, but a very good player -- but he has a stronger arm. I also think that if the ******** either can't trade up for Sam Bradford, and opt to pass on Jimmy Clausen, McCoy is a player that Mike Shanahan may set his sights on. Not likely with the No. 4 pick, of course.
Here lives the latest (dual) mock draft we've posted. There will be a new one early next week. But for now, on to the Board.
Ndamukong Suh
DT
6-4
300
Analysis: Explosive, relentless and consistent. Last week: No. 1
Gerald McCoy
DT
6-4
297
Analysis: Disruptive force. Productive NFL career ahead. Last week: No. 2
Eric Berry
DB
5-11
203
Analysis: Ultimate playmaker in the Ed Reed mold. Last week: No. 3
Jimmy Clausen
QB
6-3
223
Analysis: Accurate, under-center experience, competitive and tough. Last week: No. 4
Sam Bradford
QB
6-4
223
Analysis: Underrated arm, great feel for position, super accurate. Last week: No. 5
Derrick Morgan
DE
6-4
275
Analysis: Solid pass-rusher and stout versus the run. Very productive. Last week: No. 6
Russell Okung
OT
6-5
300
Analysis: Athletic, strong and fiery blindside pass-protector. Last week: No. 7
Jason Pierre-Paul
DE
6-5
262
Analysis: Explosive, natural pass-rusher; raw but physically gifted. Last week: No. 8
C.J. Spiller
RB
5-11
195
Analysis: Multitalented, versatile, electrifying game-breaker. Last week: No. 9
Trent Williams
OT
6-5
318
Analysis: Long and strong. Can help immediately at RT. Last week: No. 10
Dan Williams
DT
6-3
327
Analysis: High motor, consistent, tremendously powerful lower body. Last week: No. 11
Earl Thomas
S
5-10
197
Analysis: Covers a ton of ground, great in big games. Last week: 12
Dez Bryant
WR
6-2
220
Analysis: Dynamic receiver and returner. Draft's best downfield threat. Last week: No. 13
Bryan Bulaga
OT
6-6
312
Analysis: A fantastic pass-protecting tackle; long arms, solid feet. Last week: No. 16
Joe Haden
CB
5-11
190
Analysis: Polished cover corner with tackling ability to match. Last week: No. 14
Rolando McClain
LB
6-4
258
Analysis: Fiery, vocal team leader with top instincts for position. Last week: No. 15
Brandon Graham
DE
6-2
270
Analysis: Awesome athlete, force off the edge, led nation in TFLs. Last week: No. 17
Maurkice Pouncey
C/G
6-5
318
Analysis: Athletic, versatile interior lineman. Rising quickly. Last week: No. 18
Sergio Kindle
LB
6-4
255
Analysis: Improved all season; prototype 3-4 OLB in NFL. Last week: No. 19
Devin McCourty
CB
5-11
190
Analysis: Top-end speed, solid cover and ball skills. Last week: No. 20
Colt McCoy
QB
6-2
210
Analysis: Great leader with underrated physical skills and arm. Last week: NR
Kareem Jackson
CB
6-0
193
Analysis: Physical defensive back with improved cover skills. Last week: No. 22
Arrelious Benn
WR
6-2
220
Analysis: Explosive, physical wideout; strong in return game. Last week: No. 21
Demaryius Thomas
WR
6-3
229
Analysis: Physical wideout; home run threat in a vertical scheme. Last week: No. 23
Sean Weatherspoon
LB
6-2
245
Analysis: Tackling machine with very underrated speed for the position. Last week: No.
24
Bay-bay?..... Nah, go 'head and draft McClain. He's
Notre Dame recruit Matt James died Friday in Panama City, Fla., after falling from a hotel balcony, a high school spokesman has confirmed.
James, 17, was vacationing in Florida for spring break.
A 6-foot-6, 291-pound offensive tackle, James was named USA Today first-team All-American after leading Cincinnati's St. Xavier to a No. 4 ranking in the final state poll.
John Albright/Icon SMIMatt James, an offensive tackle from Cincinnati St. Xavier, was named a first-team All-American by USA Today as a senior.
Students at St. Xavier High School gathered on its football field Friday night to remember James, spokesman Mark Motz said Saturday, according to The Associated Press.
James, 17, apparently died instantly after he fell from the Days Inn Motel at about 6:30 p.m. ET, police told WJHG-TV in Panama City.
Police had not confirmed James' identity as of Saturday morning, but Motz said the school was "devastated" by the news. Motz said the impromptu vigil was organized as word of James' death spread through social-networking sites such as Facebook.
"When one of their own is in trouble, they band together," Motz said.
The father of fellow Notre Dame recruit and St. Xavier quarterback Luke Massa told the Cincinnati Enquirer that the teammates were among several dozen students on vacation together.
"Luke is devastated," Gary Massa told the newspaper. "He lost one of his best friends."
James, a senior, chose Notre Dame over Ohio State, committing on Feb. 3 on national signing day.
"It was a really tough decision," James said then, according to the Enquirer report. "... I like the situation of being in the first class with Coach [Brian] Kelly there."
James' family learned of his death during a family gathering for the 50th birthday party for one of James' uncles, according to the Chicago Tribune.
"His mom and dad were here when they got the call," said Dan Rudolph, father of Irish tight end Kyle Rudolph, according to the Tribune. "The whole James family was here. I can't believe that happened."
golden tate ... you said dez would smoke him in the 40 and you were dead wrong, now you dont even mention him as top 3? youre smacked ...
Originally Posted by CP1708
I wish the draft was next weekend.
With the way that idiot Goddell runs @#$% now, I took the whole damn week off cuz there was no way I was missin picks on THURSDAY and FRIDAY comin home late from work.Stupid @#$%^& idiot.
Shoulda left it as it was @#$%^&*
GUNNA GET IT wrote:
CP1708 wrote:
I wish the draft was next weekend.
With the way that idiot Goddell runs @#$% now, I took the whole damn week off cuz there was no way I was missin picks on THURSDAY and FRIDAY comin home late from work.Stupid @#$%^& idiot.
Shoulda left it as it was @#$%^&*
It will be a plus if the down time between days allows for more trades
Agreed it may help teams sort of settle themselves down after each night, give em time to re-evaluate their boards/rosters, and make some deals, but from a viewership standpoint, I'm bent.
It's also going to coincide with playoff basketball games going on those nights. Generally, I could handle missing a little action on a Saturday afternoon, NBA would usually put the lesser games on then anyways. But now, Thursday night, then Friday night, those are prime slots for NBA playoff games.
I dunno, just don't like the change for selfish reasons obviously. Now if it means the teams will be able to think better and make better decisions during the draft, and that leads to better product on the field, then I guess it's all worth it, but that isn't why Goddell did it, he did it to stretch it out and make more money from ESPN, get more air time, etc etc. He'll just be lucky if the product itself is actually improved from this.
