IMO, last year's draft will turn out to be a good one

[Mike Bass]

I have to come to the defense of the first 3 selections from our FO in last year's draft and for that matter, last year's draft in whole. I think that we should lay off our rook's performances a bit and stop comparing them to the performances of a Eddie Royal, DeSean Jackson or a John Carlson's. Those guys, indeed made a hella impact on their teams but IMO, ours will make the same impact in the near future.

I think that the selection of Royal and/or Jackson would not have been what we needed because we needed bigger receivers, therefore if we would selected either, we would've been wondering why we selected the same type (size-wise, maybe a little taller) receiver that we already had in place. In Carlson, yes he is a very good TE but I think that Fred Davis in Seattle without playing behind Cooley would have made the same impact as Carlson did and if we chose Carlson he may have gotten the same time as Davis and made less of an impact than he did in Seattle.

Undrafted Dolphin's rook, Davone Bess was another rookie receiver who excelled...If the FO would've used any of our 1st 3 picks on him, our fans would've had a hissy fit and the media would've torn the FO apart. Jordy Nelson is probably the only receiver that we were clammering for that made any kind of a impact on their team ( and that wasn't much)but IMO our receivers will be better in the long run.

Calais Campbell did nothing, Phillip Merling did not a thing and these are the two that we wanted to use the 21st pick in the first round to select. We would've been livid at their performances if we chose them in last year's draft and they produced as they did this year.

Without using the first pick and by utilizing the strategy that we chose to use, we got, not only Thomas, Kelly and Davis but, IMO, we got a promising young lineman in Rinehart and a future pro bowler in Horton AND a promising DE in Rob Jackson.

There were some mistakes like the Tryon (maybe, who knows even he can turn out to be ok) and most definitely the punter from Georgia Tech but all and all I think that last year's draft was not as big of a bust as it appears at first glance.

[Skins12th]

IMHO I think that talent (athleticism + football knowledge) certainly plays a big part in a player's effectiveness but I also wonder how much other factors such as line play, offensive scheme, play calling, playing time, and team cohesiveness affects the success that a player has. I think there's an awful lot involved that goes beyond the individual players. I'm in favor of giving the rookies a chance to grow and develop.

[CT-Skins-Fan]

I agree but I am just not sold on Thomas' attitude.  If you believe JLC and the post then his attitude sucks.  I just hope he is not using CP as a role model.

[Skins12th]

I agree but I am just not sold on Thomas' attitude.  If you believe JLC and the post then his attitude sucks.  I just hope he is not using CP as a role model.

That's just it--I think JLC is a buffoon that gets his jollies by bashing the team and spreading his own version of the truth. So, since this is coming from JLC--I just don't believe it----because according to him a year ago---Jim Fassell is our HC!

[Mike Bass]

I agree but I am just not sold on Thomas' attitude.  If you believe JLC and the post then his attitude sucks.  I just hope he is not using CP as a role model.

CT, I think that if there was a problem with Thomas it would've surfaced way before 3 weeks after his season ended. I was not speaking about J La's article, I have not even read it, I was speaking on the, seemingly general opinion of most football people that I have heard speak on our draft picks lack of production this season.

I would not give them an (A) because they did not do anything but I would not give them an (F) either because they  was not given the opportunity to do much. Thomas may take a little longer to fit into his role than Kelly because I think that he will be counted on to make the longer lower percentage catches that's right now is owned by Moss . Kelly on the other hand should step in and help out in the short to mid-range passing game as well as  in the Red Zone, we are in need of his help there ASAP.

But either way, receiver's usually do not come in, in their first season  and produce very well but I do think that we are going to be very happy in how both these guys turn out in the end.

[CT-Skins-Fan]

I agree but I am just not sold on Thomas' attitude.  If you believe JLC and the post then his attitude sucks.  I just hope he is not using CP as a role model.

CT, I think that if there was a problem with Thomas it would've surfaced way before 3 weeks after his season ended. I was not speaking about J La's article, I have not even read it, I was speaking on the, seemingly general opinion of most football people that I have heard speak on our draft picks lack of production this season.

I would not give them an (A) because they did not do anything but I would not give them an (F) either because they  was not given the opportunity to do much. Thomas may take a little longer to fit into his role than Kelly because I think that he will be counted on to make the longer lower percentage catches that's right now is owned by Moss . Kelly on the other hand should step in and help out in the short to mid-range passing game as well as  in the Red Zone, we are in need of his help there ASAP.

But either way, receiver's usually do not come in, in their first season  and produce very well but I do think that we are going to be very happy in how both these guys turn out in the end.

Yeah hopefully the 2nd year will be good for all three receivers drafted (including Davis).  Look for Kelly to start opposite Moss though with Randle El in the slot.  I think Kelly is more mature than Thomas and just couldn't get on the field because of his knees.  Here's hoping those knees don't catch up to him.

[AlexandertheGreatestFANEV]

IMO, I think Thomas and Kelly can be developed and were smart choices for Zorn's West Coast offense. However, I'm not sure if Davis was what we needed because of what happened with the o-line this year and other things. Then again, with Yoder and his age, Davis would most likely be a better option behind Cooley. As for our other picks, Brooks unfortunately ended up getting hurt and therefore was a wasted pick, and unless Tryon breaks through this year he'll be a wasted pick too.

[CT-Skins-Fan]

Tryon is smallish and appears to have weak cover skills.  What I WOULD like to see is maybe have him return punts in pre-season.  Randle El is horrible at it and we need someone back there that can actually move forward with the ball.  Tryon was saying what a great returner he was in college last year so maybe we should give him a shot.

[Mike Bass]

IMO, I think Thomas and Kelly can be developed and were smart choices for Zorn's West Coast offense. However, I'm not sure if Davis was what we needed because of what happened with the o-line this year and other things. Then again, with Yoder and his age, Davis would most likely be a better option behind Cooley. As for our other picks, Brooks unfortunately ended up getting hurt and therefore was a wasted pick, and unless Tryon breaks through this year he'll be a wasted pick too.

Alex, from what Cerrato said last season about 'targeting a DT in the draft but teams drafting the ones he had his eyes on right before he drafted', I think that Trevor Laws is who he had his eyes on instead of Davis. After Laws, the talent level at DT in last years dropped big time so Davis was a pretty logical choice considering the offense that we had supposed to be putting together and Davis' draft value. What I don't understand is why we kept Yoder on the roster instead of giving Davis a true shot. Yoder's position is the one who's position should've been replaced with a O-lineman.

[AlexandertheGreatestFANEV]

That's a good point, Mike B. However, it appeared to me that both Cooley and Yoder had similar production this past year, even though Cooley had more catches and big plays. Of course, Cooley fumbled some, too. I agree with CT about Tryon being a return man. ARE dances too much and has shown he can't handle the job.