Most overrated draft prospect = Justin Blackmon

by durst on Jan 17, 2012 4:39 PM EST

Given the state of the Rams offense, I can excuse a few from "mocking" the Oklahoma State wide receiver to St Louis.

Peter Schrager (Fox Sports), Rob Rang (CBS Sports), and Wes Bunting (National Football Post) each have Blackmon being drafted #2 to the Rams along with four different NFL.com writers mocking Blackmon going 2nd in the 2012 NFL Draft.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfldraftscout-RobRang

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/indianapolis-colts-andrew-luck-cleveland-browns-robert-griffin-III-early-entry-mock-draft-011612

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Mock-Draft-Version-10.html

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2012/mock-drafts

However, as we get closer and closer to the draft, I believe this lunacy will diminish.

Recent history has a trio of WRs going 3rd overall : 2005 Braylon Edwards, 2004 Larry Fitzgerald, and 2003 Andre Johnson, but the last wideouts drafted 2nd overall was Calvin Johnson (2007), and draft bust Charles Rodgers (2003). Before that, you have to go back to Keyshawn Johnson (#1 overall) in 1996 before you will find a WR drafted with one of the first two picks.

Many, including former NFL QB Warren Moon have compared Blackmon to his former Oklahoma State Cowboy Dez Bryant. Moon said "He's like Dez Bryant with all of his brain cells. He's a guy that has all those skills that Dez Bryant has, but he's not the knucklehead that Dez Bryant has turned out to be with Dallas."

To me the best comparative to Blackmon is Michael Crabtree. Due to Crabtree's limited NFL success, many will see this as an insult to Justin Blackmon, but hear me out.

Both are listed at around 6-1 and 215, each has questions about their top end speed, both played in similar offenses in the Big 12, and both were wildly productive in those offenses.

Blackmon caught 111 receptions for 1782 yards and 20 touchdowns as a sophomore. He then came back and caught 121 balls for 1,522 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior. While Crabtree had 134 receptions ( NCAA freshman record) for 1962 yards and 22 TD back in 2007, then followed that up with 97 catches for 1165 yards and 19 TDs as a soph.

Each were two time winners of the Biletnikoff Trophy given to the nations top collegiate wide receiver. Crabtree was the only freshman ever to win the award in 2007, then won again in 2008. Blackmon won the award both in 2010 and 2011.

Here is a scouting report I dug up on Crabtree: Big frame with nice muscle definition ... Does not drop easy passes ... Circus catch ability ... Attacks the football ... Times jump balls well and catches ball at the highest point possible ... Great footwork on sideline, showing the ability to keep both feet in bounds ... Has instincts; a reliable target who comes back to his quarterback and presents a window ... Physical at the line of scrimmage to beat press man coverage and at the goal line ... Gives effort as a blocker ... Elusive in the open field ... Nice acceleration from zero to top speed ... Clutch.

Undoubtedly, there will be those who point to Crabtree's "Diva" personality (a trait quite common in star WRs) and point to Blackmon's perceived squeaky clean image (despite his Oct. 2010 DUI arrest, when he was going 92 in a 60 MPH zone) as a reason Blackmon will justify being drafted higher than Crabtree (picked 10 in 2009).

But that may ignore the most compelling reason Blackmon should not be a top 5 pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

Those at www.coldhardfootballfacts.com proposed the shiny hood ornament theory years ago (an arguement against 1st round WRs)

The theory has three basic parts.

ONE – Wide receivers, for all their eye-catching flash and dash, are little more than shiny ornaments on the hood of an NFL offense. Oh, sure, they're nice to have. But they don't necessarily make your offense any better – and they rarely if ever make your team any better.

TWO – You should add a flashy wide receiver only when all the other pieces of a great team are in place

THREE – Even the greatest receivers of all time can make a big impact only when all those pieces are in place, and even then the impact is largely overstated. Even the great Jerry Rice, for example, touched the ball just four to five times per game. Rice did not make the 49ers a great team. He was drafted by the 18-1 defending Super Bowl champ 49ers in 1985.
http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Articles/Archive_3677_A_CHFF_theory_elevated_to_Man_Law.html

Here is a list of all the wide receivers drafted in the 1st round since 2001, recent success aside, look at the high "bust" rate.

2011

AJ Green, Georgia (4th Pick - Cincinnati)

Julio Jones, Alabama (6th pick - Atlanta)

Jonathan Baldwin, Pittsburg (26th pick- KC)

2010
Demaryius Thomas, Georgia Tech (22nd pick - Denver)

Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State (24th pick - Dallas)
2009
Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland (7th pick - Oakland)

Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech (10th pick - San Francisco)

Jeremy Maclin, Missouri (19th pick - Philadelphia)
Percy Harvin, Florida (22nd pick - Minnesota)
Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina (29th pick - NY Giants)
Kenny Britt, Rutgers (30th pick - Tennessee)

2008
No wide receivers selected in first round.

2007
Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech (2nd pick - Detroit)
Ted Ginn, Jr., Ohio State (9th pick – Miami)
Dwayne Bowe, LSU (23rd pick - Kansas City)
Robert Meachem, Tennessee (27th pick - New Orleans)
Craig Davis, LSU (30th pick - San Diego)
Anthony Gonzalez, Ohio State (32nd pick- Indianapolis)

2006
Santonio Holmes, Ohio State (25th pick - Pittsburgh)

2005
Braylon Edwards, Michigan (3rd pick – Cleveland)
Troy Williamson, South Carolina (7th pick – Minnesota)
Mike Williams, USC (10th pick – Detroit)
Matt Jones, Arkansas (21st pick – Jacksonville)
Mark Clayton, Oklahoma (22nd pick – Baltimore)
Roddy White, UAB (27th pick – Atlanta)

2004
Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh (3rd pick – Arizona)
Roy Williams, Texas (7th pick – Detroit)
Reggie Williams, Washington (9th pick – Jacksonville)

Lee Evans, Wisconcin ( 13th -- Buffalo Bills)
Michael Jenkins, Ohio State (29th pick – Atlanta)
Rashaun Woods, Oklahoma State (31st pick – San Francisco)

2003

Charles Rogers, Michigan State (2nd pick – Detroit)
Andre Johnson, Miami-FL (3rd pick – Houston)
Bryant Johnson, Penn State (17th pick – Arizona)

2002
Donte Stallworth, Tennessee (13th pick, New Orleans)
Ashley Lelie, Hawaii (19th pick - Denver)
Javon Walker, Florida State (20th pick – Green Bay)

2001
David Terrell, Michigan (8th pick – Chicago)
Koren Robinson, NC State (9th pick – Seattle)
Rod Gardner, Clemson (15th pick – Washington)
Santana Moss, Miami-FL (16th pick - NY Jets)
Freddie Mitchell, UCLA (25th pick – Philadelphia)
Reggie Wayne, Miami-FL (30th pick – Indianapolis)

Here is another excellent article from ESPN: The perils of drafting WRs early

Average season for wide receivers drafted in the first round since 2001 .

	Overall	In Top 10
Games	13.6	13.2
Receptions	47.4	48.0
Rec. yards	635.5	666.0
Rec. TDs	4.2	4.3

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2011/news/story?id=6396194

Lastly, here is an article written all the way back in 2001 by Len Pasquarelli titled History proves receivers tough to gage: http://www.cbssports.com/b/page/pressbox/0,1328,3771752,00.html

Not much has changed since then....

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Comments

While he IS overrated right now

he is not the most overrated player in this draft. For one, Quinton Coples is way more overrated, and there might be players I am not thinking of even more overrated than him.

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by Jagsrok9008 on Jan 17, 2012 5:27 PM EST reply actions

agree.

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by Lawrence Taylor The Real LT on Jan 17, 2012 5:44 PM EST up reply actions

right on the money. wouldn’t touch Coples with a 10 foot pole, until the 2nd round.

As of 1/17/2012
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by NordicBillsfan on Jan 17, 2012 11:23 PM EST up reply actions

i personally think sanu has the steal pottential in this draft.

looking back at those other drafts, the big steals were usually late firsts. like wayne, white, and the dream.
but nice post, rec’d

by Lawrence Taylor The Real LT on Jan 17, 2012 5:46 PM EST reply actions

I'm not sure where you're from...

…but if you’re from Jersey, it’s possible you might be suffering from some local bias. Maybe I’m wrong.

Truth shall be known.

by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Jan 21, 2012 10:02 PM EST up reply actions

Blackmon is much faster, stronger and quicker then Crabtree

Blackmon is much more comparable to a faster young Anquan Boldin, or maybe Hakeem Nicks

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by Rorschach44 on Jan 17, 2012 6:31 PM EST reply actions

and Hakeem Nicks is a late first rounder

Blackmon could very well be like Hakeem Nicks, but Hakeem Nicks is not a #2 overall pick in the draft.

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by Jagsrok9008 on Jan 17, 2012 9:48 PM EST up reply actions

well he sure as shit is playing like one

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Jan 18, 2012 9:01 AM EST up reply actions

if the draft is re taken right now.

hakeem would be the 1st WR taken in that draft, and all the ones since

by Lawrence Taylor The Real LT on Jan 18, 2012 9:32 AM EST up reply actions

hakeem nicks was not as polished and not as productive though as Blackmon.

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by bross09 on Jan 18, 2012 1:18 PM EST up reply actions

Nicks wasn't as productive, no...mainly cuz he didn't play in a throw on 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th offense

polished? I dunno that you could be more polished then him as a WR. He’s had some concentration issues, but route running, timing and ability to get open were all top notch as a rook .

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Jan 18, 2012 6:29 PM EST up reply actions

Thank you very much

The guy is obviously a great WR but we get way too many mockers giving him to us. If we really did draft him 2nd, it would have the reverse affect on my outlook for the future as hiring an experienced coach for once has had.

We need a trade or Kalil. I think this year’s first round decision is simpler than any we’ve had in awhile. At least it’s simple until we get said trade.

Wolf. Wolfgang Wolf

by dbcouver on Jan 17, 2012 7:48 PM EST reply actions

*Effect.

Also, really? You think the choice between a major playmaker outside of S-Jax, a top LT, or trading out of the pick to the highest bidder, is an easier choice than Sam Bradford?

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by Alex Swift on Jan 18, 2012 8:44 AM EST up reply actions

Over Suh? I would say it was not an easy choice.

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by John Stephens on Jan 18, 2012 10:17 AM EST up reply actions

I really think the Rams are in a great position to trade down, with Indy committed to drafting Luck, the 2nd pick in essence becomes the first

but if they stay at 2, I am sure Kalil is the pick

by durst on Jan 18, 2012 9:35 AM EST up reply actions

I'm a bit confused by the decisions to mock Kalil to St. Louis

Have they decided that Jason Smith and Rodger Saffold are not going to cut it? Those are both pretty high, recent picks to be abandoning.

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Jan 20, 2012 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

they hate Jason Smith, and have demanded he restructure or get cut. Saffold is pretty decent, but overall the Rams gave up the 3rd most sacks last yr

by durst on Jan 20, 2012 5:30 PM EST up reply actions

I wrote an article over on TST about why the rams shouldn't take Blackmon a few days ago if anyone is interested:

http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2012/1/15/2709303/why-the-rams-shouldnt-take-justin-blackmon-at-number-two-overall?login=1326855514

Turf Show Times writer and a proud rams fan.
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by Josh Wehrle on Jan 17, 2012 10:01 PM EST reply actions

I actually read it. nice write up!

I was going to reply, but I had so much to say on the topic, thats why I wrote this.

by durst on Jan 18, 2012 9:32 AM EST up reply actions

thanks

I only linked for a rams perspective to help people out with their mocks lol obviously yours is more in depth.

Turf Show Times writer and a proud rams fan.
"It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for Tim Tebow to complete a pass against the Cover-2" - Jesus Follow @jmwehrle

by Josh Wehrle on Jan 18, 2012 11:46 AM EST up reply actions

Kalil has to be the pick there

If only because of Smith’s salary.

The problem with looking at recent WR history is that a lot of people thought those early 2000’s picks were bad when they made them. Teams chased big WRs that did not have any abilities.

2012 mock (Manningham resigns) - 1: Janoris Jenkins CB / Chase Minnifield CB, 2: Kevin Zeitler LG / Ben Jones C-LG / Cordy Glenn LG-RT, 3: Keenan Robinson SAM, 4: Neiko Thorpe FS, 5: Vic Ballard RB / Brandon Bolden RB

(Manningham lost) - 1: Marvin McNutt WR, 2: Kevin Zeitler LG / Ben Jones C-LG / Cordy Glenn LG-RT, 3: Keith Tandy CB, 4: Neiko Thorpe FS, 5: Vic Ballard RB / Brandon Bolden RB

by ct17 on Jan 18, 2012 12:13 AM EST reply actions

Matt Millen has a lot to do with that

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Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs
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by Alex Swift on Jan 18, 2012 8:44 AM EST up reply actions

I have Trent Richardson as most overrated

"I'm a little dysfunctional
You're the problem, Please don't awakin me
And I'm that way cause back in the day
Most have forsaken me"

by 4QB on Jan 18, 2012 12:36 AM EST reply actions

Hah - you're just sick of people wanting us to pick him #5

I think Luck is the most overhyped. Even if he ends up the best quarterback of all time he is still being overhyped more than any other player. And if he pulls a Ryan Leaf? lol.

by aakks on Jan 18, 2012 8:59 AM EST up reply actions

how is he overrated.

u c how well he ran against SEC defenses?

by Lawrence Taylor The Real LT on Jan 18, 2012 9:34 AM EST up reply actions

what people tend to forget about Trent

is that every defense he faced game planned all week (or month, depending on the team) to stop him, and put 8 to 9 guys in the box dedicated to stopping him, and only him.

If he had a Russell Wilson-like threat that garnered attention, like Ball did, Trent would have easily been over 2k this year (despite all the attention TR gained 1600).

Its not that the defenses he faced were that much better than some of the other backs (although an argument to this effect could be made), its what the defenses were doing that needs the attention here.

If anything, he is underrated

by Joe27 on Jan 18, 2012 11:52 AM EST up reply actions

I will be looking to draft Richardson on my fantasy team pretty early next year. (2nd or 3rd round)

by durst on Jan 18, 2012 12:22 PM EST up reply actions

2nd or 3rd for fantasy that is, top 10 in 2012 NFL draft

by durst on Jan 18, 2012 12:23 PM EST up reply actions

ray ray in the first.

Nicks in the 2nd
richardson in the 3rd

by Lawrence Taylor The Real LT on Jan 18, 2012 1:24 PM EST up reply actions

yep…Because he is Adrian Peterson level.

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by bross09 on Jan 18, 2012 1:19 PM EST up reply actions

yes. i am agreeing with u

by Lawrence Taylor The Real LT on Jan 18, 2012 1:23 PM EST up reply actions

True, but people act like he's the next coming of Barry Sanders- he's not

"I'm a little dysfunctional
You're the problem, Please don't awakin me
And I'm that way cause back in the day
Most have forsaken me"

by 4QB on Jan 18, 2012 12:48 PM EST up reply actions

agree with that.

but i do think he is the best HB to come into the lleague since peterson

by Lawrence Taylor The Real LT on Jan 18, 2012 1:23 PM EST up reply actions

McFadden is better than both of them

by RyanBr on Jan 18, 2012 10:17 PM EST up reply actions

no.

he’s good, but rediculious to think he’s better than peterson, or ray rice

by Lawrence Taylor The Real LT on Jan 19, 2012 8:03 PM EST up reply actions

maybe if he could stay on the field and

not be injured all of the time

by ZacharyD on Jan 20, 2012 10:24 AM EST up reply actions

not even if that.

by Lawrence Taylor The Real LT on Jan 20, 2012 3:44 PM EST up reply actions

Backs better than Richardson since Peterson.

McCoy, DMC, MJD, Marshawn, Foster, Blount. Jamaal Charles

Richardson will bust like all the Alabama backs do. BUSTING Coffee BUST. Mark Ingram BUST (and he’ll end up just like his daddy behind bars soon enough0

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jan 26, 2012 5:39 PM EST up reply actions

Oh and Ray Rice

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jan 26, 2012 5:40 PM EST up reply actions

Everyone is quick to forget chris johnson

November 13, 2011................ The Day i bought my Start McCarthy Train Ticket

by bond003 on Jan 26, 2012 7:44 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

LOL

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by Rorschach44 on Jan 26, 2012 6:34 PM EST up reply actions

Is Shaun Alexander considered a bust now?

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by Mavyrk on Jan 27, 2012 12:18 AM EST up reply actions

u c how amazing his blocking was? Give me Polk in the 2nd over Richardson in the top 15 any day.

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by bross09 on Jan 18, 2012 1:19 PM EST up reply actions

polk is a good product. and if urnot looking for an elite rusher. then i'd do that

but if u want the NFLs next best HB then u take trent. he will provide u an elite rushing attack

by Lawrence Taylor The Real LT on Jan 18, 2012 1:25 PM EST up reply actions

agree

The Rams would take a OT or trade back a few spots. Drafting Blackman at 2 seems like lunacy to me

Winning

by Foilhat on Jan 18, 2012 1:43 AM EST reply actions

Disagree

It is more about the player than the position. IMO; people have a tendency to over think, over analyze, and overreact to cerain draft information.

ESPN: The perils of drafting WRs early

Average season for wide receivers drafted in the first round since 2001 .

Overall In Top 10
Games 13.6 13.2
Receptions 47.4 48.0
Rec. yards 635.5 666.0
Rec. TDs 4.2 4.3

This data says more about the talent evaluators and the team decision makers than the players. You mentioned Reggie Williams from Washington drafted by The Jags with the 9th pick in 2004. What made The Jags think that Williams was anything more than a big possession receiver? That had nothing to do with selecting a WR in the top 10; it had everything to do with a team not looking at the totality of that individuals positional strengths and weaknesses.

by ValdezY on Jan 18, 2012 7:53 AM EST reply actions

but the multiple GMs keep making the same mistakes. it's not that easy.

Everyone should have known Reggie Williams, and Mike Williams, and Michael Jenkins were big possession receivers.
Does that mean you wouldn’t draft Alshon Jeffery in the first round?

Everyone should have known Ashley Lelie, Troy Williamson, and Ted Ginn were so much fast, that it disguised their lack of NFL receiver skills.
Now Darrius Hayward-Bey is proving doubters wrong.

Everyone should have known that Mark Clayton and Michael Crabtree benefited from a spread offense that put up video game numbers.
I still feel Crabtree, Dez, and Blackmon are worthy of first round picks, just NOT top 10

by durst on Jan 18, 2012 9:50 AM EST up reply actions

Blackmon is definitely the most physically skilled of the guys you mentioned in the last part, with probably the best hands and catch radius. That matters and without character issues, Dez was considered a top 10 prospect for quite a while too.

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by bross09 on Jan 18, 2012 1:21 PM EST up reply actions

I remember laughing when Reggie Williams was picked

(Manningham lost) - 1: Marvin McNutt WR, 2: Kevin Zeitler LG / Ben Jones C-LG / Cordy Glenn LG-RT, 3: Keith Tandy CB, 4: Neiko Thorpe FS, 5: Vic Ballard RB / Brandon Bolden RB

by ct17 on Jan 18, 2012 5:08 PM EST up reply actions

Great article

Except I completely disagree with CHF’s opinion about Jerry Rice. Deep threat WRs only need 2 or 3 touches a game to have a huge impact on a game. 2 deep passes could amount for 1/3 of your yards that day and possibly 1/2 your points. Not too add those types of WRs take the tops off defenses and open things underneath in the passing game and open lanes for RBs. It’s too simplistic to say those types of WRs don’t have a big impact because they only touch the ball 4 or 5 times.

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by John Stephens on Jan 18, 2012 10:12 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

when you really dig deep into what they are saying, they basically say that a Calvin Johnson should be the final piece not the first piece

they ironically dismiss RBs value as well, claiming the NFL is a passing league and that running teams are dinosaurs.
they preach having a strong passing game, but correctly (IMO) identify the QB as the engine for the strong passing game

by durst on Jan 18, 2012 10:18 AM EST up reply actions

If I ever had to build a team from the bottom up

I’d start on the offensive and defensive lines. And those skill positions would come last.

I just thought the idea of underselling Jerry Rice was crazy.

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by John Stephens on Jan 18, 2012 10:21 AM EST up reply actions

I came on here to add just that

A good WR can have a huge impact on a game. See Hakeem Nicks, last play of the first half against the Packers last weekend. That play changed the game. Most WRs do not make that play. As did his catch and run for a TD, the second week in a row on the same in pattern.

I still say Kalil should be the Rams pick. But I would say Blackmon if they were picking #3.

(Manningham lost) - 1: Marvin McNutt WR, 2: Kevin Zeitler LG / Ben Jones C-LG / Cordy Glenn LG-RT, 3: Keith Tandy CB, 4: Neiko Thorpe FS, 5: Vic Ballard RB / Brandon Bolden RB

by ct17 on Jan 18, 2012 5:13 PM EST up reply actions

True

I think the point is more that consistently over the course of a season, having a truly elite receiver isn’t going to make your team that much better. It is very nice to have playmakers that might help bail out your anemic offense from time to time (see: Vernon Davis), that’s for sure. But if you’re like the 2012 Rams, it’s a better business decision to pick a guy who will have a significant impact on every play (see: Kalil).

by InTimmyWeTrust on Jan 23, 2012 8:28 PM EST up reply actions

Comparing him to Dez and/or Crabtree makes some sense but don't devalue him b/c of them

Dez is clearly an hoodrat. He’s hangs out a the mall so much with his entourage that he’s been harrassed by security multiple times, he been sued by several people who say he owes them money for tickets, jewelry or both and just last weekend he got detained after getting into an altercation with some other jackass at a bar. And just in case you think he’s only a knucklehead off the field, he’s also been fined numerous times by the Cowboys for consistently showing up late for meetings and there are still questions about his grasp of the playbook. Dude has all the physical talent in the world, and the mind of a complete fool.

Crabtree, while their college careers are similar, is a unique case as well because he’s been injured and in an offense that is clearly run first and led by a pedestrian QB.

How these two guys have fared in the NFL shouldn’t have any bearing on whether or not Blackmon will end up being Calvin Johnson or Rashaun Woods.

Talkin' TV

by average joe blow on Jan 18, 2012 11:33 AM EST reply actions

Thats why I don't see comparing Blackmon to Crabtree as an insult.

Crabtree hurt his foot before the combine, had the longest rookie holdout in NFL history, suffered from poor QB play (until last week, LOL) and even with Alex Smith’s emergence this year, still plays on a running team with an elite TE as its top receiver.

I think it is too early to call Crabtree a bust. I think he a good NFL WR, not likely to become elite due to injuries, system, a lack of deep speed, and attitude.

If Blackmon gets drafted by Jacksonville (poor QB play, run first offense) , and has an injury of two, his career could be very similar to Crabtree, if he is drafted by San Diego (highly unlikely) he will thrive with a QB like Rivers passing him the ball.

by durst on Jan 18, 2012 12:21 PM EST up reply actions

geez that sounds like a stretch and seems like you could use the same reasoning with every player ever drafted

So….if he get’s hurt it’ll hurt his early career and if he gets into a bad situation he won’t thrive. Is there a player who can beat this “what if” game?

Talkin' TV

by average joe blow on Jan 18, 2012 3:23 PM EST up reply actions

As a Niner fan. He's a bust

An epic one. He doesn’t put in off-season work. Has zero team concept. Drops passes that Ted Ginn catches with regularity (He dropped 3 easy catches against NO) and he doesn’t get open AT ALL. Then when he doesn’t get open he complains about not getting the ball. He’s got VD drawing 3 guys against the Giants and he got open on like 1 route all day. Alex can’t trust him. Anybody willing to give us a 2nd or 3rd round pick for this bust?

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jan 26, 2012 5:46 PM EST up reply actions

You know, Dez isn’t a model citizen, but that is just racist.

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by bross09 on Jan 18, 2012 1:22 PM EST up reply actions

B/c only black people can be hoodrats?

"There are few things graven in stone, except that you have to squat or you're a pussy." -Mark Rippetoe

by Brock8144 on Jan 18, 2012 2:23 PM EST up reply actions

Not to add hoodrat is a term for a promiscuous girl

It doesn’t have to do with race.

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by John Stephens on Jan 18, 2012 3:22 PM EST up reply actions

Ok, I'm glad I wasn't the only person who didn't think that was a racist term

If that offends you, replace it with knucklehead, trouble maker or complete idiot. Either way his track record adds up to a guy who, for whatever reason, lacks quite a bit between the ears.

Talkin' TV

by average joe blow on Jan 18, 2012 3:25 PM EST up reply actions

I didn't get "hood rat" as racist

knucklehead, trouble maker or complete idiot

all seem to be good alternatives that mean the same thing

by ENsDad27 on Jan 23, 2012 7:58 PM EST up reply actions

Im not sure saying Blackmon=Crabtree is the same as calling him overrated. Crabtree was an absolute stud in college, the play against texas was incredible. Calling Blackmon=to him means that he was a stud in college (which is true). Now lets look at Crabtree’s situation in the NFL. He held out for about half the year (so dumb) and has an average to below average QB. When he finally began learning the offense the team switched coaches. Blackmon is extremely talented and the pairing of him and Bradford would be dominant for years to come. I think Blackmon would be a fine pick at #2 and currently is what I have in my latest mock.

by Mr.electric10 on Jan 18, 2012 3:54 PM EST reply actions

as a Rams fan...

Blackmon would be a fine pick. But if we resign B. Lloyd and our rookie WRs can grow a little into their NFL role, Amendola gets healthy, a deep FA WR class and draft, I feel like we can deal with WR easier, but OLine is a major problem. trading down to get more picks would be the best for us, as we need to fill many holes.

by ECURam87 on Jan 18, 2012 4:53 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

Agree with all of this

I think most team (my bet is Skins) will give a ton for RGIII. But if they need to stay put I think drafting a stud WR to pair with Bradford is the best move.

by Mr.electric10 on Jan 18, 2012 6:55 PM EST up reply actions

Its having a bust like Crabtree as our #1 that makes Alex look below average

Crabtree having balls bounce right off his hands personally accounted for 3 interceptions in 2010. Had another this year. He doesn’t get open and when he does he drops countless passes that are easy catches. Redoing that draft I’d take any of the other top 4 receivers over him Including Drops Hella Balls

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jan 26, 2012 5:49 PM EST up reply actions

rams are stupid if they dont draft blackmon or kalil

they almost deserve another 5 years of crap if they pass up on them.
and blackmon is comparable with crabtree but with a workethic and that can go along way

Cold Blooded

by Jaggaholic82 on Jan 18, 2012 9:29 PM EST reply actions

Wrong

He is not the most overrated player in the draft, not even close. And you are greatly undervaluing what a good WR can do for a teams offense. By just looking at how often they touch the ball, is dumb. They open up your running game and open up things in the middle of the field and on the opposite side opening up your entire offense.

Also, what you are leaving out is that Blackmon is also a very good blocker, and an asset in the run game.

All you have to do is look at last year to see a Top 5 WR can have a huge impact on a team. CIN would not have been in the playoffs without AJ Green, and he helped Dalton make the solid transition he did.

If the Rams stay at pick #2, there really are only two options, Kalil or Blackmon, and neither would be a wrong choice, and would make Bradford very happy.

~~-Side Note~~-

If I were the Rams I’d look to trade back and stockpile picks since they have many holes they need to fill

by GracieKal on Jan 20, 2012 5:33 PM EST reply actions

AJ Green

I think Calvin Johnson has about 2/3 more years of being the best in the game before Green usurps that position for the following 5/6 years. That’s just my humble opinion of course, but I don’t think Blackmon has any shot of having the same impact.

Also, if someone provides statistics and articles to back up their argument, it’s kind of unfair to call it “dumb” unless you have some of your own.

by InTimmyWeTrust on Jan 23, 2012 8:41 PM EST up reply actions

I never said AJ Green was better than Calvin Johnson

Also, if you solely look at stats then you are looking at things from an uneducated standpoint. To say that a WR only impacts a game when he touches the ball is “dumb”.

I’d prefer to watch football as opposed to pulling up stats, and I don’t think you can provide stats to demonstrate how a WR can affect a defense, I think that should just be an obvious statement. If you know football and how defenses adjust to account for a top WR then you know how they impact the game and stats are unnecessary.

by GracieKal on Jan 24, 2012 4:06 PM EST up reply actions

What?

I never said you said that. I was just saying that I think AJ Green is going to be the best WR in the league, and that Blackmon would be hard pressed to have a similar impact.

I know that a WR can have a significant impact on a defense, and that stats can’t be used solely to explain a sport like football. But stats can be incredibly important and to completely dismiss them is shortsighted. I was just saying in terms of facilitating discussion, it’s helpful to respond with a little more substance than calling someone “dumb”, especially when he/she has clearly put a lot of time into his/her argument.

by InTimmyWeTrust on Jan 24, 2012 5:23 PM EST up reply actions

I didn't call them dumb, I said it is dumb to just look at stats

there is a difference.

I agree you can’t dismiss stats completely, but people often times put way too much weight into peoples stats, and there is soo much that just can’t be measured.

Also, I think it shows people aren’t well educated when they suggest that Blackmon is like Crabtree, just cause they are top Big 12 WRs, they have a completely different skill set, and body type.

Also, Oklahoma State, has some great coaches coaching up their WRs, and Blackmon runs very good routes.

by GracieKal on Jan 25, 2012 12:23 AM EST up reply actions

completely different body type??

I have never seen either of these two men naked, but ESPN lists Blackmon as 6-1 215
http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/380077/justin-blackmon

while they then list Crabtree ast 6-1 214 http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/12563/michael-crabtree

they both reportedly have well defined musculature, long arms, and large hands

skill sets to me look very similar, to the point where they both have the same perceived weakness = top end speed.

both are tall, but not as tall as Calvin Johnson or Alshon Jeffery
both are strong, but not a T.O.
both displayed good hands in college, we are comparing how they looked in college, when they both ran similar routes…. many, many inside slants

by durst on Jan 25, 2012 9:56 AM EST up reply actions

Blackmon is 6-1 215

And I’m 4 foot 75 lbs

Dude is 6’1" perhaps but he’s closer to 235

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jan 26, 2012 5:52 PM EST up reply actions

He might have been 215 as a freshman

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jan 26, 2012 5:52 PM EST up reply actions

Green doesn't have the physical skills to take over for Calvin. He wont even stay ahead of Julio Jones.

The top 5 receivers in the league will look like. CJ, Larry Fitz, Julio Jones, Victor Cruz - Everybody else.

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jan 26, 2012 5:51 PM EST up reply actions

Kenny Britt

November 13, 2011................ The Day i bought my Start McCarthy Train Ticket

by bond003 on Jan 26, 2012 7:47 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

LOL

Victor Cruz isnt’ even the best WR on his own team.

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Jan 27, 2012 6:36 PM EST up reply actions

Great post.

Really well researched and sourced. I agree with your premise.

I don’t think Blackmon is a Top 10 talent.

Truth shall be known.

by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Jan 21, 2012 10:08 PM EST reply actions

I can't believe someone else feels EXACTLY like I do

Been telling everyone that will listen that Blackmon is Crabtree part 2 and here I find this excellent write-up, I’m stoked someone else is completely on my wavelength.

by JLCrimm on Jan 23, 2012 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

you guys aren't alone

Turf Show Times writer and a proud rams fan.
"It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for Tim Tebow to complete a pass against the Cover-2" - Jesus Follow @jmwehrle

by Josh Wehrle on Jan 23, 2012 6:51 PM EST up reply actions

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

by Boomer Lion on Jan 24, 2012 11:57 AM EST reply actions

I'd take Kalil if I were in your shoes as well.

Not because I think Blackmon’s overrated but because he doesn’t have the caliber of Calvin Johnson, A.J. Green, or Andre Johnson. Receivers on that level are worth a top-five pick. Anything else is better for a mid- to low-first round.

This isn’t to knock Julio Jones. I think he’s effective. But I think Green will be the better of the two and that the Falcons significantly overpaid for him.

"It’s time people started realizing just how good a player Carlos Dunlap already is, and that starts with the Bengals. They gave him a season-high 58 snaps and what was the result? Carnage on the right side of the Seattle line." -Pro Football Focus

by Doc Scratch on Jan 26, 2012 12:49 PM EST reply actions

AJ Green will never be a top 5 receiver.

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jan 26, 2012 5:53 PM EST up reply actions

Real quick

2004
Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh (3rd pick – Arizona)
Roy Williams, Texas (7th pick – Detroit)
Reggie Williams, Washington (9th pick – Jacksonville)
Michael Jenkins, Ohio State (29th pick – Atlanta)
Rashaun Woods, Oklahoma State (31st pick – San Francisco)

You forgot Lee Evans 13th Buffalo Bills

flayed ones stealth mode

"Fleshling! Do not shoot! For I am one of you fleshy things. It is I. Your Uncle Stan. Can't you tell by the long strips of fleshy substances covered in bodily fluids? Trust me! I have fleeeeeeeeesh."

by mob16151 on Jan 27, 2012 8:44 AM EST reply actions