Quote:i highly doubt the texans pass on Clowney. With the way teams in the NFC are building defense 1st and letting the QBs come to them, and developing them the rest of the league will follow suit. I'm not sure how O'Brien turned around the penn state program, but he'll probably take a similar approach in Huston.
If they have a good grade on a QB, then they should pass on him. All depends on their board.
there's also the potential they do what we look like we're doing and pass on the QB position in the first round. They signed a capable stop gap in Fitzpatrcik that's probably about on the same level of teddy. There's Qbs later in the draft that have the same physical attributes as Qbs at the top, Mettenberger = Bortles, Brett smith = Manziel, McCarron could be Teddy, He said it himself that there isn't' much separation between the QBs so taking the best with the first, drafting a qb in rounds 2 or 3 and letting them sit behind FItzpatrick makes plenty of sense. Good teams don't reach and the Texans literally were a couple Pick Sixes away from having a decent record and probably going on a good run.
Quote:there's also the potential they do what we look like we're doing and pass on the QB position in the first round. They signed a capable stop gap in Fitzpatrcik that's probably about on the same level of teddy. There's Qbs later in the draft that have the same physical attributes as Qbs at the top, Mettenberger = Bortles, Brett smith = Manziel, McCarron could be Teddy, He said it himself that there isn't' much separation between the QBs so taking the best with the first, drafting a qb in rounds 2 or 3 and letting them sit behind FItzpatrick makes plenty of sense. Good teams don't reach and the Texans literally were a couple Pick Sixes away from having a decent record and probably going on a good run.
They only pass on one in the first if there is a not a significant difference in talent from the top QBs and the rest. If Bortles or whoever is deemed to be a tier above them, then they aren't going to pass on him for a position that really isn't a big need for them. They aren't going to majorly reach, I do agree on that, however.
I think the idea that a potentially elite DE isn't a need for a team regardless of talent on the current roster doesn't fit todays game. Hell they could take him he could have a crazy rookie season then they could trade him for another first round and then some if they wanted to
I really hope Clowney falls to us. Two of the biggest complaints about this team for years has been a lack of stars and a lack of sacks. Draft Clowney. Boom.
Quote:I think the idea that a potentially elite DE isn't a need for a team regardless of talent on the current roster doesn't fit todays game. Hell they could take him he could have a crazy rookie season then they could trade him for another first round and then some if they wanted to
If anyone with the #1 pick is thinking about trading that player for the future, they should be fired. You could never have enough pass rushers, of course, but their team needs are going to be a factor here.
Let's say DE and QB are the positions they are looking at here. At one position you have JJ Watt and the other you have Ryan Fitzpatrick. It's obvious one has a far greater need than the other, and a QB is the most important single position in football. If none of the QBs there are worth it (e.g. Geno Smith in 2013), only then are they going to grab Clowney or someone else.
The historically good teams though have prioritized their futures instead of winning now and they recognize that sometimes you have to sacrifice the now to be constantly good for the future. That's the approach the jags look like they're taking now, especially wth the Monroe trade for more draft picks, bringing in an unknown at running back and replacing a large amount of the old roster with new unproven players on short contract while slowly accumulating draft picks. Sure the texans could trade outta the #1 spot for a good amount of picks if a team decides to give em that, but they could get even more if they take Clowney he has a huge rookie season prove he is what teams thought he was and haul in a ranson on the trade market.
Quote:The historically good teams though have prioritized their futures instead of winning now and they recognize that sometimes you have to sacrifice the now to be constantly good for the future. That's the approach the jags look like they're taking now, especially wth the Monroe trade for more draft picks, bringing in an unknown at running back and replacing a large amount of the old roster with new unproven players on short contract while slowly accumulating draft picks. Sure the texans could trade outta the #1 spot for a good amount of picks if a team decides to give em that, but they could get even more if they take Clowney he has a huge rookie season prove he is what teams thought he was and haul in a ranson on the trade market.
The difference is we did not draft Monroe thinking, "Hey we could trade this guy if he's good". That's a terrible way of thinking. They aren't going to pass on someone they think can be a franchise QB for a guy that they can
maybe trade in the future in a position where they have one of the best players in the league.
Quote:Everything I've heard, Bradley, who seems to be eye to eye with Caldwell, wants three things out of his players: guys who love football, guys who compete, and guys who have a high motor. Amongst other things, but those are the ones that stick out for me. It also seems like guys like Clowney are wanted by teams including the Falcons. We could start to get the 12 to 14" picks like Caldwell wants from a team like Falcons. It makes too much sense to go another direction
I think one of the great benefits of having the right team culture is that you can take players like Clowney. Once they are immersed in the team culture, they change into the kind of player we want them to be. To me, that's what "team culture" is for.
If the Jags select Clown, does Branch get dealt?
Quote:If the Jags select Clown, does Branch get dealt?
Possibly. maybe even geta dealt during the draft to move up for someone else?
I only say that because he was drafted by Gene Smith. almost seems like Caldwell only wants players that HE himseld picked.
Branch showes enough development in year 2 to warrant some interest or get a roster spot for us.
Quote:Possibly. maybe even geta dealt during the draft to move up for someone else?
I only say that because he was drafted by Gene Smith. almost seems like Caldwell only wants players that HE himseld picked.
Branch showes enough development in year 2 to warrant some interest or get a roster spot for us.
I'd have no problem keeping Branch around....but someone would have to go in the case of another DE being drafted like Clowney. Perhaps Babin would simply be released or traded for a conditional 2015 pick at that point....
Quote:I'd have no problem keeping Branch around....but someone would have to go in the case of another DE being drafted like Clowney. Perhaps Babin would simply be released or traded for a conditional 2015 pick at that point....
If the coaching staff thinks Branch is going to keep improving, then yeah it's probably Babin or Clemons that gets cut.
Quote:If the coaching staff thinks Branch is going to keep improving, then yeah it's probably Babin or Clemons that gets cut.
Clemons?? Nah, you don't sign a guy for that amount of money/ those terms to simply release him before the first season even starts. It will be Babin if someone gets released.
Quote:Clemons?? Nah, you don't sign a guy for that amount of money/ those terms to simply release him before the first season even starts. It will be Babin if someone gets released.
Ryan Davis/Abry Jones/Alualu
Quote:Clemons?? Nah, you don't sign a guy for that amount of money/ those terms to simply release him before the first season even starts. It will be Babin if someone gets released.
You're probably right. He would have to show up unmotivated or have a health problem to be cut before Babin.
About Clowney turning it on when needed, Julius Peppers is the same way.
But since OC's don't know when that'll be, he still commands plenty of attention.
If Clowney has the same type of career, who would be disappointed?
...And from what I gather from all reports and talking heads, Clowney's not a loafer. His work ethic is a 6 on a 1-10 scale.
Quote:Ryan Davis/Abry Jones/Alualu
Alualu plays a different position. The non-Leo DE is completely different from the Leo DE.
Quote:Agree. They love him, and why wouldn't they?
He's only going to be there for us if:
1. Texans fall in love with Bortles/Manziel and reject any trade offers
2. Rams fall in love with Watkins and reject any trade offers
Can you show me a quote from anyone in the top brass indicating that there is a player they don't 'love'?
Its March, they 'love' everyone.