View Full Version : Good Desean Jackson article
Cal's Jackson studying up for NFL Draft under Rice's tutelage
Associated Press
BERKELEY, Calif. -- DeSean Jackson pivots, stoops and snags a football just before it hits his shoetops. He sprints downfield, and the three-dozen scouts at Memorial Stadium nod in unified approval.
The former California receiver and punt returner even impresses Jerry Rice, who's taking a personal interest in making sure Jackson gets where he wants to go next.
"He has all the talent in the world," Rice said while watching Cal's pro day from the sideline, his 1989 Super Bowl ring dangling from a chain around his neck. "There's no reason he can't be everything he wants to be at the next level."
As Jackson prepares for his early entry into the NFL Draft, the former Golden Bears star has quite a tutor. He's getting football instruction and life lessons from Rice, the most prolific receiver in NFL history, before he enters the league as a probable first-round pick.
"He's my man, like my mentor," Jackson said. "He's been a great inspiration for me for a long time, and now to get to be with him is like a dream come true. He reminds me every day that to be the best in the world, it's all about working harder than anybody else."
Jackson connected with Rice through DeBartolo Sports and Entertainment, the management firm run by former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo. One of the firm's perks was up-close contact with Rice, who's still close with DeBartolo after winning three Super Bowls together.
Rice and Jackson began working out together in Pensacola, Fla., before the NFL combine, and they've continued meeting back home in the Bay Area. Though Rice doesn't fancy himself a true coach, he provides his observations and anecdotal instruction to his hungry protege, who's striving to be more than a kick-returning specialist who sometimes catches passes, like Chicago's Devin Hester.
Rice shares his philosophies on everything from professionalism to the proper usage of speed. Jackson's 4.35-second time in the 40-yard dash was the best among receivers at the NFL combine.
"You can see he knows how to catch the ball, but what I'm trying to let him know is there's a time for speed, and there's a time to keep it under control," Rice said. "I had football speed. People, when they were chasing me, I was just able to run away from people. The hair would stand up on my back, and I was able to get away, because I knew they wanted to hurt me."
Survival skills will come in handy for Jackson, who's undersized by most conventional measures of a receiver. Jackson acknowledges he's about 5-foot-10 and 169 pounds -- not the 6-footer he claimed to be at Cal.
"Yeah, that was in shoes," he laughed.
Rice also worked last year with USC's Steve Smith, who went to the New York Giants, but he compares Jackson to the better-known Steve Smith, the Pro Bowl receiver who stars for the Carolina Panthers. Both are smallish pass-catchers who thrive on speed and will -- qualities Rice sees in abundance in Jackson.
"He's let me know that if you're able to catch the ball and be competitive, pretty soon they'll forget about your size," said Jackson, who still declared for the draft after an uninspiring junior season at Cal.
Since Rice retired on a one-day contract with the 49ers in 2006, the 45-year-old has been a bit of a dilettante, unable to slow the breakneck pace he kept during his record-breaking career.
Rice has appeared on two reality television shows and written his second book. He also hosts a show on Sirius satellite radio and appears regularly on Bay Area newscasts as a commentator who notably predicted 49ers owner John York wouldn't fire coach Mike Nolan in January after the club's fifth straight losing season.
"I like what I'm doing right now, the place where I'm at," he said.
Rice's less-than-cozy relationship with the York family also figures into the possible controversy surrounding the 49ers' acquisition of Isaac Bruce, who wore No. 80 during his 14 seasons with St. Louis. Rice's No. 80 is among the most hallowed in 49ers history, yet the club still hasn't retired it, though they've always said they plan to do so.
Rice seems open to allowing Bruce to wear the jersey, noting that Seattle Hall of Famer Steve Largent allowed Rice to wear his own No. 80 during Rice's one season with the Seahawks in 2004.
"I haven't had that conversation with Isaac Bruce yet," Rice said. "I don't know how the fans are going to react to it. I want to respect the fans, but I also want to remember what Steve Largent did for me."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d8072c48f&template=with-video&confirm=true
my views on this kid may be changing....it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.
RunSilentRunDeep
03-12-2008, 10:02 PM
Never seen him play but the size thing scares me. Is he really more Steve Smith than Todd Pinkston?
goldengopher1976
03-12-2008, 10:02 PM
I'm warming to the idea, though 12 still seems high. I'd be more inclined to see us trade back and try and get him, then whether he falls to us later in round 1 or not, I think we could still get good value.
Ray Finkle
03-12-2008, 10:04 PM
Once a butt plug, always a butt plug.....I can't stand this guy....
Once a butt plug, always a butt plug.....I can't stand this guy....
explain please
Once a butt plug, always a butt plug.....I can't stand this guy....
LOL And Ray knows his butt plugs LOL Hilarious!
BowlenBall
03-13-2008, 12:06 AM
It seems like every undersized wide receiver these days is called "the next Steve Smith". Just like every undersized running back is called "the next Brian Westbrook".
DeSean Jackson in the 2nd round = good pick
DeSean Jackson in the 1st round = bad pick
want2bAbronco2
03-13-2008, 12:08 AM
I wouldnt mind him at all, but would have to be late 20s.
I was at the Cal pro day. Football wise, he is mostly everything you want in a WR... fluid when moving on the field, easily the most athletic WR in the past 3-5 years at the position. He hits every route with such ease, its hard not to envy him. When the ball is thrown his way, he snaps his hands out and catches just like the way it should be taught on a video. I think for his size, he has huge hands too. I hate the term pluck but that is what he does. He has special football talents.
On the down side, he weighed in at 167lbs which had scouts shaking their heads. He also easily puts people off with his attitude and from what I gathered, not many of his Cal "buddies" like him at all. Actually they severely dislike him. A GB scout who was running the 3-cone drill told Jackson he had not run this at the combine and he should participate in it. He bristled at the thought and said he was saving his legs for position work. That rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. In fact, he does it often like it comes naturally to him. He eventually did the drill after scouts gave him crap after he ran the positional drills.
At 167lbs. it is hard to believe that he'll be running hard over the middle of the field for fear of getting whacked like he did against Ellison two years ago which knocked him out of the game vs. USC. He hasn't ran the same way going through the middle often short arming passes. That doesn't bode well for the NFL.
As a football player he is a much better player than Ted Ginn Jr. coming out last year. He is more instinctive, athletic, better hands, ect. Both have that speed to lift coverages. Still, it must be questioned if it is worth bringing an immature head case onto the roster no matter how talented he is. If he had a Randy Moss like stature, sure, consider him. He doesn't have that body though and with the weight that he does have, he'll have a hard time playing a 16 game schedule at his size.
theAPAOps5
03-13-2008, 05:41 AM
Excellent stuff BPC.
DelBronco
03-13-2008, 06:43 AM
Nice stuff bpc. Also, he's 20 pounds lighter than Steve Smith, so other than height and speed I don't see the comparisons. Mayock had a great point at the combine about his weight. Apparently he's the same size now that he was when he got on campus at Cal, so either he can't add weight, or is just too lazy to be bothered with doing so. I'd deal with him at pick 42, but him at 12 is senseless.
Ray Finkle
03-13-2008, 10:01 PM
I was at the Cal pro day. Football wise, he is mostly everything you want in a WR... fluid when moving on the field, easily the most athletic WR in the past 3-5 years at the position. He hits every route with such ease, its hard not to envy him. When the ball is thrown his way, he snaps his hands out and catches just like the way it should be taught on a video. I think for his size, he has huge hands too. I hate the term pluck but that is what he does. He has special football talents.
On the down side, he weighed in at 167lbs which had scouts shaking their heads. He also easily puts people off with his attitude and from what I gathered, not many of his Cal "buddies" like him at all. Actually they severely dislike him. A GB scout who was running the 3-cone drill told Jackson he had not run this at the combine and he should participate in it. He bristled at the thought and said he was saving his legs for position work. That rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. In fact, he does it often like it comes naturally to him. He eventually did the drill after scouts gave him crap after he ran the positional drills.
At 167lbs. it is hard to believe that he'll be running hard over the middle of the field for fear of getting whacked like he did against Ellison two years ago which knocked him out of the game vs. USC. He hasn't ran the same way going through the middle often short arming passes. That doesn't bode well for the NFL.
As a football player he is a much better player than Ted Ginn Jr. coming out last year. He is more instinctive, athletic, better hands, ect. Both have that speed to lift coverages. Still, it must be questioned if it is worth bringing an immature head case onto the roster no matter how talented he is. If he had a Randy Moss like stature, sure, consider him. He doesn't have that body though and with the weight that he does have, he'll have a hard time playing a 16 game schedule at his size.
Thanks B.....
Ray Finkle
03-13-2008, 10:01 PM
LOL And Ray knows his butt plugs LOL Hilarious!
I do live outside of DC....:welcome:
SoDak Bronco
03-13-2008, 11:11 PM
I was at the Cal pro day. Football wise, he is mostly everything you want in a WR... fluid when moving on the field, easily the most athletic WR in the past 3-5 years at the position. He hits every route with such ease, its hard not to envy him. When the ball is thrown his way, he snaps his hands out and catches just like the way it should be taught on a video. I think for his size, he has huge hands too. I hate the term pluck but that is what he does. He has special football talents.
On the down side, he weighed in at 167lbs which had scouts shaking their heads. He also easily puts people off with his attitude and from what I gathered, not many of his Cal "buddies" like him at all. Actually they severely dislike him. A GB scout who was running the 3-cone drill told Jackson he had not run this at the combine and he should participate in it. He bristled at the thought and said he was saving his legs for position work. That rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. In fact, he does it often like it comes naturally to him. He eventually did the drill after scouts gave him crap after he ran the positional drills.
At 167lbs. it is hard to believe that he'll be running hard over the middle of the field for fear of getting whacked like he did against Ellison two years ago which knocked him out of the game vs. USC. He hasn't ran the same way going through the middle often short arming passes. That doesn't bode well for the NFL.
As a football player he is a much better player than Ted Ginn Jr. coming out last year. He is more instinctive, athletic, better hands, ect. Both have that speed to lift coverages. Still, it must be questioned if it is worth bringing an immature head case onto the roster no matter how talented he is. If he had a Randy Moss like stature, sure, consider him. He doesn't have that body though and with the weight that he does have, he'll have a hard time playing a 16 game schedule at his size.
LOL Hilarious!
I am going to have to call BS on this statement. Calvin Johnson is head and shoulders more athletic than this guy. How about Larry Fitzgerald or Braylon Edwards.. Come on, now these guys are top NFL WR talents, this guy has the body of a highschooler.
Billy Clyde Puckett
03-13-2008, 11:54 PM
Say No to locker room cancers
BowlenBall
03-14-2008, 12:01 AM
Say No to locker room cancers
That's the other issue -- by many accounts, the guys a real dick. A 167-pound dick....
Thanks bpc. could you possibly expand more on his attitude/work ethic? He is just arrogant, or completely unwilling to do the grunt work? lazy? not a good teammate? all of the above?
LOL Hilarious!
I am going to have to call BS on this statement. Calvin Johnson is head and shoulders more athletic than this guy. How about Larry Fitzgerald or Braylon Edwards.. Come on, now these guys are top NFL WR talents, this guy has the body of a highschooler.
I'm not going to call Calvin Johnson a bad athlete but this comparison is not even close, Desean Jackson all the way.
Now if you ask me who is the complete WR, it will be Johnson for sure.
Thanks bpc. could you possibly expand more on his attitude/work ethic? He is just arrogant, or completely unwilling to do the grunt work? lazy? not a good teammate? all of the above?
When you are around him, he just has a scowl on his face and a cloud over his head. He's quiet and kind of grumbles.
When a couple of scouts shook their head in angst that he would not do the 3 cone, they kind of said out loud that it was a mistake... he heard them and he goes, "don't worry about me, I'm in shape."
It took a few more rounds of scouts riding him to get him motivated to go workout and finish all the drills. Keep in mind, this is just the interview process for him possibly being a high round draft pick and a team giving him millions of dollars and he is doing this right now? I can see him being more of a problem child in the future when he isn't even pressed to work.
He's just had it so easy for so long and he's dripping with arrogance... it's so bad you can feel it across the field.
As a football player, like I said, he is amazing. As a person, very unlikable.
SureShot
03-14-2008, 02:07 AM
All great recievers are douche bags it appars. If we draft this guy I could see him run his mouth to gang bangers at a bar, call out Bronco fans and even get arrested. Can you imagine having a guy like that on the team. ;)
All great recievers are douche bags it appars. If we draft this guy I could see him run his mouth to gang bangers at a bar, call out Bronco fans and even get arrested. Can you imagine having a guy like that on the team. ;)
:rofl: Brandon knows how to put in an honest day's work though...I'm scared Desean doesn't know how to do that. Rod Smith would eat a lazy piece of **** like him for breakfast if he ever took a play off in a practice. Really hope he's around next year...
BowlenBall
03-14-2008, 02:25 AM
All great recievers are douche bags it appars. If we draft this guy I could see him run his mouth to gang bangers at a bar, call out Bronco fans and even get arrested. Can you imagine having a guy like that on the team. ;)
Jerry Rice was not a douchebag.
Marvin Harrison is not a douchebag.
Torry Holt is not a douchebag.
Larry Fitzgerald is not a douchebag.
Anquan Boldin is not a douchebag.
Rod Smith is (was?) not a douchebag.
on the flip side,
Terrell Owens - douchebag deluxe
Randy Moss - intermittent douchebag
Chad Johnson - flashes of douchebaggery
Brandon Marshall - not quite a douchebag, more like a douchepouch
While the receiver position does seem to attract more than its share of Massengill products, it's not a requirement for greatness.
SureShot
03-14-2008, 02:29 AM
Jerry Rice was not a douchebag.
Marvin Harrison is not a douchebag.
Torry Holt is not a douchebag.
Larry Fitzgerald is not a douchebag.
Anquan Boldin is not a douchebag.
Rod Smith is (was?) not a douchebag.
on the flip side,
Terrell Owens - douchebag deluxe
Randy Moss - intermittent douchebag
Chad Johnson - flashes of douchebaggery
Brandon Marshall - not quite a douchebag, more like a douchepouch
While the receiver position does seem to attract more than its share of Massengill products, it's not a requirement for greatness.
Agreed, but I only care about their performance on the field, and Jackson passes that test for me. Do I want him at 12? Probably not, but I won't kick the TV.
Agreed, but I only care about their performance on the field, and Jackson passes that test for me. Do I want him at 12? Probably not, but I won't kick the TV.
I think we've learned our lesson about ignoring team chemistry and character. You have to have 52 guys putting it out on the line for eachother...this is what sets the great teams apart. Everyone has talent in the NFL, but no everyone can bring it together
SureShot
03-14-2008, 03:10 AM
I think we've learned our lesson about ignoring team chemistry and character. You have to have 52 guys putting it out on the line for eachother...this is what sets the great teams apart. Everyone has talent in the NFL, but no everyone can bring it together
I agree chemistry is important, but talent wins championships, and winning creates chemistry. Our most talented teams were 96-98 and the most sucessful.
montrose
03-14-2008, 11:12 AM
Watching this guy's returns, I don't see his ability transferring over to the NFL smoothly. Many of his great returns were predicated on changing field and making some spectacular cutbacks that quite frankly don't work all that often in the NFL.
You can watch Devin Hester's returns all the way back to the U and see that once he caught the ball, he was going North & South with great vision and a few nice cuts. That's why is return ability transfered over so well. Often in college, and especially high school, you get these kids that are so athletic they think they can outrun everybody and reserve field without consequence. These types of returners never pan out in the NFL and I can see Jackson being the next on that list.
SoDak Bronco
03-14-2008, 12:44 PM
I'm not going to call Calvin Johnson a bad athlete but this comparison is not even close, Desean Jackson all the way.
Now if you ask me who is the complete WR, it will be Johnson for sure.
You called him the best talent WR to come out in 3-5 years. Are you saying coming out he is better than Calvin, Braylan, or Fitzgerald?? Come on now.
Athletically I would put Jackson over any of those guys.
That is just one aspect of being a great WR though. He has great athletic ability and great hands. I think the film proves that. Is he tougher than any of those guys? It's not even close. Will he be as effective as those guys? We'll see. His attitude puts him behind the 8ball.
You called him the best talent WR to come out in 3-5 years. Are you saying coming out he is better than Calvin, Braylan, or Fitzgerald?? Come on now.
SoDak Bronco
03-15-2008, 12:34 AM
bpc i don't know what you are smokin, but it must be good
bpc i don't know what you are smokin, but it must be good
I just know what I see and I trust that.
BowlenBall
03-15-2008, 02:37 AM
I just know what I see and I trust that.
Reminds me of a Richard Pryor routine. Wife walks in on her husband in bed with another woman. She says "How could you cheat on me in our own bed?" Man says "Honey, I wasn't cheating on you. Who are you going to trust, me or your lying eyes?"
wabbit
03-15-2008, 10:34 AM
Jackson does seem like one of those guys where you watch him romping through the stat sheets three years down the pike and think; "wow...coulda had him".
On the other side of the argument, you don't buy a gold watch with a welfare check.
The Broncos have more critical needs that left untended would render a great receiver virtually useless.
elsid13
03-15-2008, 10:52 AM
Jackson does seem like one of those guys where you watch him romping through the stat sheets three years down the pike and think; "wow...coulda had him".
On the other side of the argument, you don't buy a gold watch with a welfare check.
The Broncos have more critical needs that left untended would render a great receiver virtually useless.
I think Peter Warrick when I look at the kid. I have strange feeling that the type of career Jackson is going to have.
Jackson does seem like one of those guys where you watch him romping through the stat sheets three years down the pike and think; "wow...coulda had him".
On the other side of the argument, you don't buy a gold watch with a welfare check.
The Broncos have more critical needs that left untended would render a great receiver virtually useless.
I think he is an amazing athlete that can bring some things to the table on offense and special teams. I think overall his attitude and immaturity are going to set him back in the league. To which extent? We'll see.
Reminds me of a Richard Pryor routine. Wife walks in on her husband in bed with another woman. She says "How could you cheat on me in our own bed?" Man says "Honey, I wasn't cheating on you. Who are you going to trust, me or your lying eyes?"
That's pretty much how it is.
I'm by no means saying he is flawless. In fact i've pointed those out throughout this thread. Still, you would be lying to say that he doesn't bring certain attributes to the table. If you don't believe, roll the film. I'm sure there is more than enough of that on youtube for most people to find.
oubronco
03-15-2008, 02:01 PM
shanny is taking him or the kid from VaTech book it
Inkana7
03-15-2008, 03:05 PM
Athletically I would put Jackson over any of those guys.
That is just one aspect of being a great WR though. He has great athletic ability and great hands. I think the film proves that. Is he tougher than any of those guys? It's not even close. Will he be as effective as those guys? We'll see. His attitude puts him behind the 8ball.
He has the body of a high schooler. You can't be serious.
He has the body of a high schooler. You can't be serious.
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I just don't see many high schoolers doing this to a top 25 SEC program. Call it what you want. There are many other plays like this that we can show as well.
I know, I know, the film lies and weight and measurables taken at the Combine mean everything.
PS: I by no way am saying take this guy at 12. In fact, its quite the opposite. DESPITE his ability, I think we should pass. We don't need anymore knuckle heads on this roster.
You all that are trying to disagree with me about the kids athletic ability can go on and do so but I have film that backs up what i'm saying.
SureShot
03-15-2008, 05:36 PM
Get used to it Bronco fans. If what we want doesn't fall I wouldn't surprised to see this guy in the orange and blue.
Inkana7
03-15-2008, 10:28 PM
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I just don't see many high schoolers doing this to a top 25 SEC program. Call it what you want. There are many other plays like this that we can show as well.
I know, I know, the film lies and weight and measurables taken at the Combine mean everything.
PS: I by no way am saying take this guy at 12. In fact, its quite the opposite. DESPITE his ability, I think we should pass. We don't need anymore knuckle heads on this roster.
You all that are trying to disagree with me about the kids athletic ability can go on and do so but I have film that backs up what i'm saying.
He tries that kind of return in the NFL, he gets killed.
I also have film that shows him disappearing through the middle of the season the past two seasons.
He's tiny, disappears, and his Reggie Bush game doesn't translate to the NFL.
I'd only take him in the 4th round. We've tried the skinny sprinter type receivers before. They failed.
peacepipe
03-15-2008, 11:14 PM
I agree chemistry is important, but talent wins championships, and winning creates chemistry. Our most talented teams were 96-98 and the most sucessful.
Oh really! Then NE should've won the SB hands down. Talent doesn't mean squat, if they can't perform as a team in the NFL. It may work in college but it doesn't in the pros.
BTW, how many SB rings does T.O.,R. Moss, & Chad Johnson have?
He tries that kind of return in the NFL, he gets killed.
I also have film that shows him disappearing through the middle of the season the past two seasons.
He's tiny, disappears, and his Reggie Bush game doesn't translate to the NFL.
I'd only take him in the 4th round. We've tried the skinny sprinter type receivers before. They failed.
While I'm not saying take him what-so-ever, especially not in the first, that thought is a joke. 4th round?
wabbit
03-16-2008, 02:52 AM
It's just me, but I have this knotted stomach that hints at an '04 situation in which I was certain Denver would select Larry Evans in hte 1st round.
By the graces of a higher power, Buffalo reached and Denver took DJ Willaims.
I get this sickly feeling no-one will come to our rescue this time around.
SoDak Bronco
03-16-2008, 09:19 AM
Lee Evans wabbit....Hopefully Denver takes Clady if available, or trades down in the first.
SureShot
03-16-2008, 04:08 PM
Oh really! Then NE should've won the SB hands down. Talent doesn't mean squat, if they can't perform as a team in the NFL. It may work in college but it doesn't in the pros.
BTW, how many SB rings does T.O.,R. Moss, & Chad Johnson have?
I loved that SB, but that is an awfully small sample. There will always be Cinderella stories, but the teams with the most talent play in the SB. Do you think the Broncos haven't been to the SB in the last 9 years, because they didn't have enough chemistry? As for T.O., Moss and CJ not having a ring, Dan Marino doesn't have one either. If Dan marino was surrounded by the talent Montana had, he would a couple of rings himself.
Lee Evans wabbit....Hopefully Denver takes Clady if available, or trades down in the first.
I'm all for the OLine. That is where we should be placing our eggs. I feel like Cutler's arm will make regular WR's look good on the field (Glen Martinez, David Kircus) if we can get him some pass blocking.
OT and DT are huge concerns right now if we are to even be a competent team next year.
wabbit
03-16-2008, 04:57 PM
Lee Evans wabbit....Hopefully Denver takes Clady if available, or trades down in the first.
Lee Evans...right, sorry, but I remember thinking at the time this Ricky Natiel wanna-be is going to cost Denver a shot at a genuinely great young player...and I think it would have because staff hierarchy such as Sundquist were hyping Evans in the press as the next Marvin Harrison.
This year, I sense a run on OT's that will have Clady going as high as Kansas City at #5, and even Vandy's Chris Williams going before #12...leaving Otah & Sam Baker etc, none of which are worth the 12th pick.
I claim no particular authority on this..no inside info, as it were...it's just instinct I guess, but without a clear-cut, obvious choice like Clady, or even Williams, it opens the door to DeSean Jackson at #12, and, just me perhaps, but that's a bad, bad idea with so many needs on both lines.
I can only hope someone is desperate enough to make a trade offer we can't refuse, but I understand that isn't likely.
Ugh.
Lee Evans...right, sorry, but I remember thinking at the time this Ricky Natiel wanna-be is going to cost Denver a shot at a genuinely great young player...and I think it would have because staff hierarchy such as Sundquist were hyping Evans in the press as the next Marvin Harrison.
This year, I sense a run on OT's that will have Clady going as high as Kansas City at #5, and even Vandy's Chris Williams going before #12...leaving Otah & Sam Baker etc, none of which are worth the 12th pick.
I claim no particular authority on this..no inside info, as it were...it's just instinct I guess, but without a clear-cut, obvious choice like Clady, or even Williams, it opens the door to DeSean Jackson at #12, and, just me perhaps, but that's a bad, bad idea with so many needs on both lines.
I can only hope someone is desperate enough to make a trade offer we can't refuse, but I understand that isn't likely.
Ugh.
I think Clady could be very good but I would trade that for the opportunity to get a solid, consistent player like Williams at 12. He's definitely not a sexy pick but I think he'll be a 8-12 year player at OT for some NFL teams.
wabbit
03-16-2008, 05:20 PM
I think Clady could be very good but I would trade that for the opportunity to get a solid, consistent player like Williams at 12. He's definitely not a sexy pick but I think he'll be a 8-12 year player at OT for some NFL teams.
Oh, I would be fine with WIllaims at 12...relieved actually.
It's funny how just before the combine, Williams was projected as a late first, early second rounder...I even spotted a mock on that hail redskins mock draft database where Denver selected Willaims with it's 2nd pick.
I'm not certain what he did to improve his stock so dramatically, but now he is a top 15 selection, and may be taken even higher than that.
It's just a gut feeling, but Willaims isn't an obvious choice at 12 like Clady would be, and we all know what can happen in that circumstance.
I have all the faith in the world in Mike Shanahan the coach...just wanted to say that...I have doubts about his draft judgement, but maybe...just maybe with Sundquist gone, a more sound (read that: conservative) mind like Goodman will keep things down to earth and all these concerns are unjustified.
We can always hope, right??
elsid13
03-16-2008, 05:23 PM
Oh, I would be fine with WIllaims at 12...relieved actually.
It's funny how just before the combine, Williams was projected as a late first, early second rounder...I even spotted a mock on that hail redskins mock draft database where Denver selected Willaims with it's 2nd pick.
I'm not certain what he did to improve his stock so dramatically, but now he is a top 15 selection, and may be taken even higher than that.
It's just a gut feeling, but Willaims isn't an obvious choice at 12 like Clady would be, and we all know what can happen in that circumstance.
I have all the faith in the world in Mike Shanahan the coach...just wanted to say that...I have doubts about his draft judgement, but maybe...just maybe with Sundquist gone, a more sound (read that: conservative) mind like Goodman will keep things down to earth and all these concerns are unjustified.
We can always hope, right??
I just interested in that comment, are you saying that Sandquist was overly optimistic on some of the players Denver picked up?
wabbit
03-16-2008, 05:36 PM
I just interested in that comment, are you saying that Sandquist was overly optimistic on some of the players Denver picked up?
Yes...and 'overly optimistic' actually puts a much more positive spin on things than I would suggest...marginal judgement, impulsive, with poor research seems more appropriate.
I understand Denver had terrific '06 & '07 drafts while Ted was still GM, but I think the fact that Jim Goodman & the scouting staff had much more input and influence, had a lot to do with that.
Oh, I would be fine with WIllaims at 12...relieved actually.
It's funny how just before the combine, Williams was projected as a late first, early second rounder...I even spotted a mock on that hail redskins mock draft database where Denver selected Willaims with it's 2nd pick.
I'm not certain what he did to improve his stock so dramatically, but now he is a top 15 selection, and may be taken even higher than that.
It's just a gut feeling, but Willaims isn't an obvious choice at 12 like Clady would be, and we all know what can happen in that circumstance.
I have all the faith in the world in Mike Shanahan the coach...just wanted to say that...I have doubts about his draft judgement, but maybe...just maybe with Sundquist gone, a more sound (read that: conservative) mind like Goodman will keep things down to earth and all these concerns are unjustified.
We can always hope, right??
Well I know why it has happened on my own end, Williams is just more consistent. I've watched a few of Vandy's games and then the senior bowl with Williams... he just is the same play after play... He'll get to the next level on run plays every time, he has good feet, he doesn't overset when pass blocking, and he uses his hands well. From rep 1 of any game to the 15th rep, he's still doing all things right. It was like that when I watched the senior bowl practices as well. He might not have the overall physical attributes that Clady does (usually means higher upside) but I think Williams is BETTER right now vs. Clady. To make a blind comparison, it would be like comparing a Marvin Harrison vs. a Randy Moss type at WR. Consistency and solid play all throughout or potentially a highlight reel player.
I watched a bunch of Clady's games. I see a long legged, long armed offensive tackle who is very athletic. That all bodes very well for him especially as a true LT. He doesn't have near the consistency that Williams does though. I watched the Hawaii bowl the other day against ECU where he gave up a sack very early in the game from poor technique. The guy wasn't better than him and it probably is easily correctable. He'll routinely have a good play, good play, good play, mental mistake/bad technique, good play, good play and he keeps going through those motions. Maybe its youth.
If I had to hang my hat on somebody at 12, I would go with Chris Williams. I just love what he's about. Denver needs more players that are consistent like him.
wabbit
03-16-2008, 06:16 PM
...
If I had to hang my hat on somebody at 12, I would go with Chris Williams. I just love what he's about. Denver needs more players that are consistent like him.
Sold!
You've played the position at a collegiate level, so I respect your expertise.
I'm just often surprised how, after three or four years of college athletics, playing 10-11-12 games a season...a player has a good or bad Senior Bowl and he's suddenly someones franchise saviour or drops like the mercury in North Dakota in December.
That, or those judgements seem terribly shallow to me, if not ignorant.
I understand that we live in a 'what-have-you-done-for-me-lately' world, but you would think the body of work would count for something.
Sheesh.
Haroldthebarrel
03-17-2008, 07:42 AM
Chris Williams of Vandy does have a lot of resemblance to Levi Jones when he came out. And we know now how much the staff loved Levi Jones coming out of college. Interestingly as far as I can recall they were also looking at Freeney(though I could be wrong on that one), and both of them were heavily criticized as being reaches though ended up as some of the best FOOTBALL players.
Williams is a fooftball player.
footstepsfrom#27
03-21-2008, 05:20 AM
I'll puke if we take Jackson at #12, but I'd like his teamate in the 5th, RB Justin Forsette, the 5'8", 180 scatback/KR who managed to force Marshawn Lynch to split carries while he was there. I've followed the kid since the 9th grade cause he went to high school with my daughter here in Arlington. Great kid, good attitude, featherweight runner but he looks like he's carved out of granite for such a small dude. He could make a nice return man and change of pace runner who can catch it as well.