Who are 'your guys?'

by Dan Kadar on Apr 15, 2009 9:03 PM EDT in 2009 NFL Draft

Every year, for good or bad, I really fall for a few prospects. I refer to them as "my guy" and get pretty stoked when they're picked.

I never designate a high draft pick "my guy" or someone who plays for my favorite team (Akron - don't laugh, please).

Sometimes "my guy" ends up being a solid choice. Last year, it was Michigan linebacker Shawn Crable. I really liked KIrk Morrison of San Diego State in 2005. In 2004 it was, oddly, Memphis kicker Stephen Gostkowski. In 2001, it was Floyd Womack, mostly because I really, really like pork chops.

Other times, "my guy" has an embarrassingly poor career. In 2006, it was Darnell Bing. In 2007, it was sort of Paul Oliver, who was taken in the supplemental draft. There are plenty of others, like Roy Schuening or Lynell Hamilton, but I don't want to make myself look too bad.

This year, I have selected a few guys as "my guy." It's a high honor, clearly. Here they are:

- Jamarca Sanford, Strong safety, Ole Miss
Reason: He's very fast and gets after the ball. Just fun to watch on the field.

- Julian Edelman, Quarterback, Kent State
Reason: What, he's not ranked anywhere on the site? I know. He doesn't really have a position. It's just a coincidence that the next Josh Cribbs is going to come from the same school.

- Kevin Barnes, Cornberback, Maryland
Reason: Before a nasty knee injury, this guy was incredible. He was very fun to watch and has good ball skills. If he's as athletic as he was as a junior, he could be a steal.

- Tyrell Sutton, Running back, Northwestern
Reason: He's another guy who looked so much better early in his career before injuries struck. He's a very intelligent guy and a good receiver.

Tell me, who are "your guys?"

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My guys

I like Kory Sheets of Purdue, and Joe Burnett of UCF. I really didn’t have favorites in 08’ n 07’ but in 06’ it was Brandon Marshall of UCF, that one turned out well!

by Caruso on Apr 15, 2009 9:11 PM EDT reply actions

last year Chris Johnson was an obsession of mine

though it became pretty obvious that he wasn’t making it to Indy’s pick and I moved on to Matt Forte (who didn’t last either STUPID BEARS).

This year I love Andre Brown and (breaking the no favorite team rule) Mitch King.

I got Summer hatin' on me cuz I'm hotter than the sun. Spring hatin' on me cuz I ain't never sprung
Winter hatin' on me cuz I'm colder than Y'all. And I will never, I will never, I will never Fall.
-Lil Wayne, Mr. Carter

by shake n bake on Apr 15, 2009 9:14 PM EDT reply actions

I like Sutton as well, going back to his high school days at Akron Hoban.

But my guy is undoubtedly Josh Freeman. I really think he’s going to be the best quarterback in this draft. And I’m amazed he’s still on the board in this mock.

by gahnki on Apr 15, 2009 9:23 PM EDT reply actions

Ok

1. Alex Mack, C, Cal- Ever since September I’ve said the Steelers should draft this kid. I love his smashmouth style of football, great character, and great leadership.

2. Mike Thomas, WR, University of Arizona- I really like Thomas, he’s very underrated, small, but athletic and tough, with some homerun capability.

3. Mike Mickens, CB, University of Cincinnati- Not the fastest, but dynamic physical corner with good hands who fits the Steelers defensive style.

It's true what they say...Even the NFL's Big Wigs hate the Steelers. On the plus side, I can now tell my future grand kids about Hines Ward and how the NFL made rules because of him. Roger Goodell, you make me sick.

by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Apr 15, 2009 9:29 PM EDT reply actions

Love Alex Mack. One of my favorite players to watch.

Thomas is a good one too.

by Dan Kadar on Apr 16, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks

I’m hoping both are Steelers by the end of April.

by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Apr 16, 2009 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Curtis Painter

The guy is low on confidence, which is a must in the NFL. But if he gets that up and receives some solid coaching, he could become a later round steal.

Thats Good For Another Jacksonville... First Down.

by Bestjagfan on Apr 15, 2009 9:34 PM EDT reply actions

A lot of 'my guys' seem to be late rounders?

Is there a round requirement? Seems like no 1st rounders.

Here are mine:
Tyrell Sutton: Saw him live against Iowa, he was clearly the best athlete on the field.

Patrick Chung: Blame John Morgan from Field Gulls. Smart versatile hard-working safety gives me hope for Seattle’s secondary.

Brian Robiskie: Seems to have great game knowledge, pretty good speed, great size, good hands, I just can’t see this guy busting, and I hate Ohio State, so me liking him says a lot.

Zach Follett: LB out of Cal seems to have a great motor.

2 years ago it would’ve been Zak DeOssie, LB out of Brown, because he was my high school football captain. Great guy, and hard worker, as evidenced by his gaining 50 pounds of muscle from his freshman year to his senior year in college.

by LantermanC on Apr 15, 2009 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

I could probably include Chung on “my guys.” He’s really, really good. I loved DeOssie as weel. So much so that I friended him on Facebook during the early draft process. He seems like a real good guy.

by Dan Kadar on Apr 16, 2009 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Tyrone McKenzie and Shonn Greene are 2 non-1st round players I’m pulling for.

by OfficerRodFarva on Apr 15, 2009 10:36 PM EDT reply actions

As an Iowa fan/student

I can say from seeing Greene in action all year, if he has his head on straight (and him showing up to the combine in shape, then continuing to slim down and improving his workout across the board is good evidence he does) he’ll be a great thunder to someone else’s lightning.

by shake n bake on Apr 15, 2009 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Heres 4 guys who are not projected in the 1st round that I like….

4. Mike Mickens/CB/Cincinnati
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_k9REcseYY&feature=channel_page
Reminds me of Antonio Cromartie (Chargers) a little bit the way he plays.
3. Mohamed Massaquoi/WR/Georgia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYACbx6SEZI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynjcTC88rOo&feature=related
Can make plays inside and over the top. I dont know if he will be a #1 but he will be a great #2
2. Chase Coffman/TE/Missouri
Reminds me alot of Chris Cooley from my Redskins.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFWkDnjN4bk&feature=channel_page
and my number 1 guy…..

1. Rashad Jennings/RB/Liberty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEpJMNzBZ1k
This guy is just a animal. I know he played at Liberty but cmon the guy is a machine.

RIP Sean Taylor (1983-2007)

by RedskinFEVA on Apr 15, 2009 10:54 PM EDT reply actions

love all of these guys

by Joe Goodberry on Apr 15, 2009 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions

"My Guys"

Fenuki Tupou
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 314 | Position:OT | College: Oregon

Nick Reed
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 245 | Position:DE | College: Oregon

Chase Coffman
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 244 | Position:TE | College: Missouri

by Joe Goodberry on Apr 15, 2009 11:10 PM EDT reply actions

My guys

Austin Collie
WR, BYU

Greg Laybourn
TE, Oregon State

by Adam Stites on Apr 16, 2009 12:52 AM EDT reply actions

hell ya tyrell

i go to nu and i picked him for the mr. irrelevant contest. he didnt look as good the whole year but looked great in the alamo bowl with a cast on

by dolfanstanley on Apr 16, 2009 3:45 AM EDT reply actions

mocking dan?

where do the latest projections have tyrell going? i remember i saw he was supposed to be a 5th rounder but then he ran a 4.65 at the combine. any pro day news too?

by dolfanstanley on Apr 16, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Anywhere from fifth round to undrafted is my guess. Those injuries really hurt him.

by Dan Kadar on Apr 17, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

I’ve got a few:

Texas Tech OG, Louis Vasquez
BYU C Dallas Reynolds
The previously mentioned Rashad Jennings

Some kid named Weatherspoon, LB out of Mizzou, and I don’t even know if he’s draft eligible. Just impressive to watch.

And my most favoritest of favorites, the J-Train, that’s right, the Round Mound of Touchdown, Jorvorskie Lane, Texas A&M TB/FB- also my entry for Mr. Irrelevant!

by IgnatiusJReilly on Apr 16, 2009 11:05 AM EDT reply actions

Last year: QB Dennis Dixon from the University of Oregon

This year: WR Ramses Barden from Cal-Poly University. He is 6’ 6 230 lbs. He is a freak of nature and am hoping the Packers draft him in the later rounds.

by Jabooty on Apr 16, 2009 12:55 PM EDT reply actions

Last year two late round QBs I was high on were Dixon and Erik Ainge from Tennessee.

On a different note about last year. Id like to see what DeCody Fagg can do. He has alot of potenial from the tapes I saw of him and the FSU games I watched. That injury he suffered at the combine was insane

RIP Sean Taylor (1983-2007)

by RedskinFEVA on Apr 16, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions

+1 on Barden

I first read about him on this site. I was procrastinating on a research paper and my friend and I started searching for tall receivers. I saw something on ESPN, it was one of those pre-combine/ pro day/ whatever workout things, and he blew my mind. I absolutely cannot wait to see him in the NFL.

by rg scorch on Apr 16, 2009 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions

My Guys

As a Minnesota student, admittedly I watch too much Big 10 football, but I love Vontae Davis. If he turns out to be not-insane he’ll be a stud. I have a vivid memory of him running down Joe McKnight like McKnight was a cripple chasing butterflies gaily in a sunflower field on a bright summer’s day.

Brian Robiske will definitely make a good possession receiver somewhere. I have no idea why some people would put Clay Matthews about Brian Cushing; Cushing is a monster.

I also have a mancrush on Nate Davis due solely to the fact that he doesn’t use the laces and has a cannon.

by JRose on Apr 16, 2009 5:18 PM EDT reply actions