Quote:I've never quite understood this rationale when defending players-most notably Alualu-against criticism.

 

No player really controls where he's picked in the draft.  However, it doesn't absolve the player from having to perform.

 

Furthermore, Alualu seems to be the only guy to which I've ever seen this argument apply.

 

Nobody ever said it was R Jay Soward's fault he was picked in the first round.  Same with Matt Jones, Reggie Williams, Justin Blackmon, Harry Deligianis, Derrick Harvey, Brian DeMarco, et al.

 

They are simply summarily dismissed as busts.

 

Why does Alualu get kid gloves?

 

In the examples you gave, the Jaguars picked those guys where the media and other teams thought they should be picked.

Fewer people defend Derrick Harvey and Brian DeMarco because they were simply never good, that's not controversial.

Blackmon did very well on the field, and Reggie Williams and Matt Jones were decent contributors for a little while, legal/substance abuse problems ended their careers.

So fewer people defend those guys because of their off the field issues.

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