Football USA Today: Ranking the decision makers: Who is best at the NFL draft?

**Tribal Warfare** · 04-30-2010, 04:31 PM

Ranking the decision makers: Who is best at the NFL draft?

Yahoo! Buzz
By Nate Davis, USA TODAY
So which franchise really stands the best chance to reap the most from its rookies now that the 2010 NFL draft has concluded? USA TODAY ranked the 20 league personnel executives who have been on the job for at least three years with their current team (the exception being Scott Pioli) to try and get a better idea as to who scores touchdowns in April, who settles for field goals and who coughs it up.

REPORT CARD: Grading the 2010 NFL draft class

1A. Bill Belichick, head coach/el jefe supremo, New England Patriots— Little point in arguing after he transformed a franchise that seemed to be in decline into a three-time Super Bowl champion virtually overnight. Clearly Belichick learned a lot after the five putrid drafts the Cleveland Browns produced during his tenure there in the 1990s. New England has become known for its deft ability to amass quality picks and find excellent players later in the process who won't come with the price tag of a top-10 pick. Belichick has made seven second-round picks over the last two drafts and picked up an extra Round 2 pick next year after extracting it from the Carolina Panthers for a low third-round pick last Saturday. Key contributors such as receiver Deion Branch, defensive end Jarvis Green, tackle Matt Light and cornerback Asante Samuel all came at pick 48 or later. But Belichick knows how to find first-round stars, too, including 2008 defensive rookie of the year Jerod Mayo and Pro Bowlers Logan Mankins, Richard Seymour and Vince Wilfork.

• Best pick: Tom Brady— The Patriots admit they got lucky finding him in the sixth round in 2000, but at least they were smarter than the 30 other teams that also passed on him multiple times. Probably the best value pick in the history of the NFL.

• Worst pick: Chad Jackson— The 36th pick of the 2006 draft only caught 13 passes for New England.

1B. Scott Pioli, GM, Kansas City Chiefs— He and Belichick are essentially inextricable when it comes to New England's ascendancy. It's too early to assess Pioli's tenure in K.C., though last weekend's haul looks to be among the best of the spring. But the Patriots' success on the personnel side is just as much a credit to Pioli's eye for talent as Belichick's. And the litany of players they plucked from college aside, Pioli and Belichick were masters of using picks as currency for established stars with depressed value (Corey Dillon, Randy Moss) and gems other teams didn't appreciate (Wes Welker). After a recent spotty draft record, the Chiefs were in desperate need of a draft craftsman like Pioli.

• Best pick: Matt Cassel— He barely played at USC, but Pioli took a flier on him in the seventh round of the 2005 draft anyway. Cassel proved in 2008 he can play at a Pro Bowl level, something Pioli is banking he will do for the Chiefs.

• Worst pick: Laurence Maroney— The 2006 first-rounder has never rushed for as many as 900 yards and probably never will for the Patriots, who have opted not to make him a featured back.

CoMoChief · 04-30-2010, 04:32 PM

Hammock Parties · 04-30-2010, 04:33 PM

Uninformed trash.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 04-30-2010, 05:25 PM

Sweet Daddy Hate · 04-30-2010, 05:25 PM

Sweet Daddy Hate · 04-30-2010, 05:25 PM

Sweet Daddy Hate · 04-30-2010, 05:26 PM

**BigMeatballDave** · 04-30-2010, 05:30 PM

Somewhere, a Drafterbater's head is exploding...

Sweet Daddy Hate · 04-30-2010, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCD

Somewhere, a Drafterbater's head is exploding...

Or anyone with a brain, yes...

Marcellus · 04-30-2010, 05:39 PM

I cant help but laugh because of all the shit that has been said here. Not saying the article is accurate but the HUGE disparity between public opinion and CP opinion is ****ing hilarious.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 04-30-2010, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I cant help but laugh because of all the shit that has been said here. Not saying the article is accurate but the HUGE disparity between public opinion and CP opinion is ****ing hilarious.

Yes Marcellus, because the public has ALWAYS been known to be "ahead of the curve", right?

Guzzle boar-jizz; I know someone who can get you hooked up!

Marcellus · 04-30-2010, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YOUCANTKILLROR

Yes Marcellus, because the public has ALWAYS been known to be "ahead of the curve", right?

Guzzle boar-jizz; I know someone who can get you hooked up!

Hey dumbshit, my point wasn't that the public perception is correct. As usual you miss the point.

B_Ambuehl · 05-01-2010, 11:36 AM

Pioli was nothing but a myth/media creation conjured up by east coast writers. Belichik always called the shots for that team. It should be obvious based on Belichik's personality that he doesn't bow down to anyone or work "hand in hand" with anyone. Pioli was just along for the ride. If they're gonna call Pioli a bad ass they should should put the same all-star title on the assistants of guys like Ozzie Newsome and Ted Thompson. I am convinced Clark Hunts lack of football knowledge let to him being swayed by the media that Pioli really was everything they were saying he was. Not the first time a football team has made mistakes based upon myths.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 05-01-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B_Ambuehl

Pioli was nothing but a myth/media creation conjured up by east coast writers. Belichik always called the shots for that team. It should be obvious based on Belichik's personality that he doesn't bow down to anyone or work "hand in hand" with anyone. Pioli was just along for the ride. If they're gonna call Pioli a bad ass they should should put the same all-star title on the assistants of guys like Ozzie Newsome and Ted Thompson. I am convinced Clark Hunts lack of football knowledge let to him being swayed by the media that Pioli really was everything they were saying he was. Not the first time a football team has made mistakes based upon myths.

That's gonna' leave a mark.

**Dylan** · 05-01-2010, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B_Ambuehl

Pioli was nothing but a myth/media creation conjured up by east coast writers. Belichik always called the shots for that team. It should be obvious based on Belichik's personality that he doesn't bow down to anyone or work "hand in hand" with anyone. Pioli was just along for the ride. If they're gonna call Pioli a bad ass they should should put the same all-star title on the assistants of guys like Ozzie Newsome and Ted Thompson. I am convinced Clark Hunts lack of football knowledge let to him being swayed by the media that Pioli really was everything they were saying he was. Not the first time a football team has made mistakes based upon myths.

04-30-2010, 04:31 PM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $522813	USA Today: Ranking the decision makers: Who is best at the NFL draft? Ranking the decision makers: Who is best at the NFL draft? Yahoo! Buzz By Nate Davis, USA TODAY So which franchise really stands the best chance to reap the most from its rookies now that the 2010 NFL draft has concluded? USA TODAY ranked the 20 league personnel executives who have been on the job for at least three years with their current team (the exception being Scott Pioli) to try and get a better idea as to who scores touchdowns in April, who settles for field goals and who coughs it up. REPORT CARD: Grading the 2010 NFL draft class 1A. Bill Belichick, head coach/el jefe supremo, New England Patriots— Little point in arguing after he transformed a franchise that seemed to be in decline into a three-time Super Bowl champion virtually overnight. Clearly Belichick learned a lot after the five putrid drafts the Cleveland Browns produced during his tenure there in the 1990s. New England has become known for its deft ability to amass quality picks and find excellent players later in the process who won't come with the price tag of a top-10 pick. Belichick has made seven second-round picks over the last two drafts and picked up an extra Round 2 pick next year after extracting it from the Carolina Panthers for a low third-round pick last Saturday. Key contributors such as receiver Deion Branch, defensive end Jarvis Green, tackle Matt Light and cornerback Asante Samuel all came at pick 48 or later. But Belichick knows how to find first-round stars, too, including 2008 defensive rookie of the year Jerod Mayo and Pro Bowlers Logan Mankins, Richard Seymour and Vince Wilfork. • Best pick: Tom Brady— The Patriots admit they got lucky finding him in the sixth round in 2000, but at least they were smarter than the 30 other teams that also passed on him multiple times. Probably the best value pick in the history of the NFL. • Worst pick: Chad Jackson— The 36th pick of the 2006 draft only caught 13 passes for New England. 1B. Scott Pioli, GM, Kansas City Chiefs— He and Belichick are essentially inextricable when it comes to New England's ascendancy. It's too early to assess Pioli's tenure in K.C., though last weekend's haul looks to be among the best of the spring. But the Patriots' success on the personnel side is just as much a credit to Pioli's eye for talent as Belichick's. And the litany of players they plucked from college aside, Pioli and Belichick were masters of using picks as currency for established stars with depressed value (Corey Dillon, Randy Moss) and gems other teams didn't appreciate (Wes Welker). After a recent spotty draft record, the Chiefs were in desperate need of a draft craftsman like Pioli. • Best pick: Matt Cassel— He barely played at USC, but Pioli took a flier on him in the seventh round of the 2005 draft anyway. Cassel proved in 2008 he can play at a Pro Bowl level, something Pioli is banking he will do for the Chiefs. • Worst pick: Laurence Maroney— The 2006 first-rounder has never rushed for as many as 900 yards and probably never will for the Patriots, who have opted not to make him a featured back.
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04-30-2010, 04:32 PM	#2
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $8012254	RE-
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04-30-2010, 04:33 PM	#3
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4320478	Uninformed trash. __________________ Chiefs game films
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04-30-2010, 05:25 PM	#4
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	J __________________ 1. Merciless, severe. 2. Given freely and generously. 100% refusal to overrate 20 year Head Coaches with ZERO **ing rings as a Head Coach. CP's Official Professor of 'Dem Blues for 2019/2020!**
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04-30-2010, 05:25 PM	#5
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	O __________________ 1. Merciless, severe. 2. Given freely and generously. 100% refusal to overrate 20 year Head Coaches with ZERO **ing rings as a Head Coach. CP's Official Professor of 'Dem Blues for 2019/2020!**
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04-30-2010, 05:25 PM	#6
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	K __________________ 1. Merciless, severe. 2. Given freely and generously. 100% refusal to overrate 20 year Head Coaches with ZERO **ing rings as a Head Coach. CP's Official Professor of 'Dem Blues for 2019/2020!**
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04-30-2010, 05:26 PM	#7
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	E __________________ 1. Merciless, severe. 2. Given freely and generously. 100% refusal to overrate 20 year Head Coaches with ZERO **ing rings as a Head Coach. CP's Official Professor of 'Dem Blues for 2019/2020!**
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04-30-2010, 05:30 PM	#8
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	Somewhere, a Drafterbater's head is exploding...
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04-30-2010, 05:39 PM	#10
Marcellus Diablo Negro Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $2722662	I cant help but laugh because of all the shit that has been said here. Not saying the article is accurate but the HUGE disparity between public opinion and CP opinion is ****ing hilarious.
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05-01-2010, 11:36 AM	#13
B_Ambuehl Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Casino cash: $9805405	Pioli was nothing but a myth/media creation conjured up by east coast writers. Belichik always called the shots for that team. It should be obvious based on Belichik's personality that he doesn't bow down to anyone or work "hand in hand" with anyone. Pioli was just along for the ride. If they're gonna call Pioli a bad ass they should should put the same all-star title on the assistants of guys like Ozzie Newsome and Ted Thompson. I am convinced Clark Hunts lack of football knowledge let to him being swayed by the media that Pioli really was everything they were saying he was. Not the first time a football team has made mistakes based upon myths. __________________ Who's decision was it to fire Romeo" - Coleman C Hunt: "It was my decision but it was one that Scott agreed with" LOL
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