Posts Tagged ‘Brandon Graham’

I have nothing but love for Rob Gronkowski… but is he worth a 1st round pick?

Monday, April 19th, 2010

Will: Baltimore Ravens Round 1; Pick 25 – Rob Gronkowski, TE Arizona  

With the emergence of the spread offense in college football, the position is rapidly changing, leaving few complete tight ends for run first teams to pick up through the draft. Even though the Ravens got wide out Anquan Bolden in a trade with the Cards, their offense still goes through Ray Rice, not Joe Flacco. To help both parties, look for the Ravens to pick TE Rob Gronkowski out of Arizona with the 25th pick in this year draft. He is 6’6” and 265 pounds of thunder that can close the gate on runs to the outside and get on top of linebackers on inside traps and iso’s; not to mention this guy catches everything thrown to him. Todd Heap is 30 and has had serious injury problems for most of his career. Heap will help mentor Gronkowski and speed up his progression in the Ravens’ offensive scheme, just like Shannon Sharpe did for him ten seasons ago. With the depth in this year’s draft, and the Ravens being without a pick from 57 until 156, Ozzie Newsome knows he can get starters with his first two picks. The Wizard of Oz will go with a future starter in Gronkowski and then supplement the d-line or secondary at pick number 57.

Jay: Will, I am very embarrassed that we even allowed your pick on the site today. There is no doubt that the Ravens need a TE but Gronkowski in the first round? I just don’t see that happening. Come on Will, your better than that! He is a slight risk coming off back surgery and personally don’t think he is worth a 1st round pick. He is still my second rated TE in the draft but I think the Ravens can get him with the 57th pick in the draft. If he is already off the board they have the option of drafting Jimmy Graham or Anthony McCoy. I’m going with DE Brandon Graham from Michigan. I think he is very underrated and should give the Baltimore defense some fresh blood. The Ravens are getting older and could use a young but very talented edge player like Graham. If Graham is off the board, which he very well could be, I look for the Ravens to take a CB.

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The Big Tuna and Early Bird Specials!

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

FWG: The Dolphins have improved considerably under the tutelage of the Big Tuna, but all that can be undone with a few sloppy draft picks, not that Miami fans really care, football is secondary in Florida.  To what you ask? Well, Early Bird dinners and trying not to die.  Anyway, with Jason Taylor rapidly aging, the ‘Fins need to find a replacement for their beast on the outside.  Well, a lot of draft boards are saying that they should take Paul-Pierre.  I think not, he’s a risky pick (yes with a huge upside) but what kind of role would be played along side Taylor?  I think Miami should go with Brandon Graham out of Michigan.  He’s an Inside/Outside linebacker type, but has enough size (6’2 268lbs) to put his hand in the dirt, and pressure off the edge in a three point stance. Combine that with his ability to play the standup, carry the vert, and even play some spy-technique (buzzing the flats, and confusing QB’s) and he provides a sound defensive pick, with enough athleticism to throw a few wrinkles at opposing offenses.

Jay: Well FWG, I completely disagree with you. Yes, they do need a rush LB but I think Graham is best suited to play a DE role. They filled a huge need last week by signing ILB Karlos Dansby from Arizona. Now, they need a NT. Jason Ferguson was old in the first place (35 yrs. old) and he was just suspended for using PEDs. (He will miss the first 8 games of the season) I think the Dolphins should pick DT Dan Williams from the University of Tennessee. Williams has been overshadowed by Suh and McCoy but he can really play. Williams performed very well at the combine almost locking himself in as the number 3 DT in the 2010 NFL draft. He weighs in at 327 pounds and should be a great fit in that defense.

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