Chiefs Yes, Memphis really had no idea how to use Poe. - Page 4

Direckshun · 04-28-2012, 06:13 PM

Fascinating...

http://blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2012/0...ogle_news_blog

A Guide to NFL Draft Sleepers
April 27, 2012, 2:18 PM

Any seasoned NFL fan knows the deal with the draft by now: Your team makes a selection and management calls the fact that he was available a miracle. “We never thought he’d drop so far,” team executives say.

It’s become such a cliché that it’s a surprise Colts G.M. Ryan Grigson didn’t say it last night when selecting Andrew Luck with perhaps the most telegraphed first overall pick in draft history. But sometimes a player does fall for reasons other teams may come to regret. For those liable to think every player their team drafted was an absolute steal, we put together a handy guide to let you know if you have a sleeper on your hands:

THE OUT-OF-POSITION SLEEPER

If you look at steals in the draft over the past decade, you’ll find a handful of players who simply moved around too much to show NFL talent. Pro Bowl DT Jay Ratliff dabbled at tight end at Auburn, while star receiver Anquan Boldin had a rocky stint as Florida State’s quarterback. Aaron Kampman, a fifth-rounder out of Iowa who has made two Pro Bowls, switched between linebacker and defensive end – and not in the way teams do that regularly in the NFL. Heck, even Pro Bowl selection Cortland Finnegan was overlooked until the seventh round at cornerback at Samford because he was playing free safety the whole time.

So when examining your steal, see if he can play anywhere else on the field. Or just assume he can and you’ll be much happier. Take Michael Robinson, the former Penn State quarterback who didn’t entertain the idea of playing anywhere but running back in the pros. Still, most switcheroo candidates will take people by surprise. Perhaps a player like LSU’s average quarterback, Jordan Jefferson, who at 6 feet 3 ran a decent 4.6-second 40-yard dash and could be a receiving threat with the right development. Or maybe just a bad quarterback.

THE BAD-SCHEME SLEEPER

There are all sorts of stories about run-first high school offenses keeping future star QBs a secret – Brett Favre and Ben Roethlisberger are the most notable. But it’s rarer in college, where players often go to fit a specific scheme. Still, sometimes a player gets the wrong coach and looks undervalued. One example this year is Dontari Poe, the hulking defensive lineman who raced up draft boards after being ignored during a career at the college-football backwater of Memphis. He had just eight tackles-for-loss last season. On Thursday night, after the Kansas City Chiefs took him 11th overall, Chiefs G.M. Scott Pioli noted that in 49% of his plays, the design of the defensive scheme made it literally impossible for him to record any sort of statistic.

But as we go on in the draft, these players will pop up more and more. In a stunning first-round coincidence, Ryan Tannehill could be considered one of these sleepers, since he was burdened with Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman’s molasses poorly-designed offense. Of course, Tannehill was drafted by the Dolphins last night, where he’ll get a new start with a new … whoops, nevermind, Sherman is the offensive coordinator there after getting fired from his Aggies job.

THE WRONG-SPORT SLEEPER

From Bo Jackson to Brian Jordan, it’s hard to know where to draft a multi-sport athlete, but one thing is clear: They are normally drafted lower than they should be. Last year, the league saw former Miami hoops player Jimmy Graham destroy secondaries. This after another former basketball-star-turned-tight-end, Antonio Gates, has haunted defensive backs for years. The Cowboys used to have a suite at the Final Four for assistants to interview basketball coaches to see which of their players might make the leap. It’s hard to get a read on a player who doesn’t devote himself full time to one sport. (And it doesn’t always work out. For more information, please read up on Drew Henson.)

Whatever the case, this year brings Russell Wilson, the Wisconsin quarterback who was second in the country with 10.3 yards per attempts on his passes. That’s not the only thing to recommend him. He also has a minor-league baseball career that’s taken up most of his summers, so much so that it got him run out of N.C. State’s program. Maybe a team can take a flier on him and he’ll produce if he focuses on football. At the very least, you’re looking at an upgrade on the company softball team.

THE NOT-HIS-FAULT SLEEPER

I’m telling anyone who will listen that Tommy Streeter, Miami’s 6-foot-5 wide receiver, is my big sleeper this year. Streeter is fast, can catch and played for some awful quarterbacks. LSU’s Rueben Randle, who had to deal with his own QB nightmare in Baton Rogue, is another one.

There’s Mohamed Sanu from Rutgers, who didn’t exactly get Johnny Unitas’s passes coming his way. In contrast there are players like Kendall Wright, the Baylor wide receiver who went in the first round to Tennessee and got the benefit of Robert Griffin III throwing to him. There’s always a blurry line there. After all, some great wide receivers, like Michael Irvin, had elite quarterbacks in college. But many (Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens, Isaac Bruce, Calvin Johnson) did not. So please disregard the “lack of production” disclaimer on the draft broadcast in these situations.

Fairplay · 04-28-2012, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RINGLEADER

The reason for my skepticism when the pick was announced was a feeling that a) there were better/safer players available and b) we could have done a trade with the Eagles and still likely gotten Poe a few picks later. But what's done is done. Kid is either going to serve his purpose of keeping QBs from stepping up in the pocket or he'll be a bust. Don't see much in-between for him. Maybe he will end up being a world-beater after all, but when I see someone who hasn't played a down already blinged up, wearing the money before he actually has it, I just don't hold out a lot of hope.

I think the other thing going against him is the Chiefs' record of drafting D-Linemen. Out of all the D-Linemen we've taken in the first three rounds over the past two decades, you have one great player (Tamba Hali, who really plays as more of a pass-rushing LB), one marginally serviceable player (Glenn Dorsey), and a whole lotta suck (Tyson Jackson, Alex McGee, Turk McBride, Tank Tyler, Junior Siavii, Ryan Sims, Eddie Freeman, Eric Downing, and John Browning). That's a 3, 5, 6, 36, 43, 54, 67, 68, 75 and an 82 - gone and wasted.

On the bright side if the kid does go belly-up he won't be our biggest bust at the position.

You have some darn good posts man.

Bewbies · 04-28-2012, 07:23 PM

How can you do anything but Poe'nd?

O.city · 04-28-2012, 07:25 PM

If Poe does what he has the raw ability to do, and does what Romeo asks him to do, we could have a top 3 or 4 defense in the league that is really young to boot.

KChiefer · 04-28-2012, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairplay

Everyone sounds better then mine.

I just thought of "Think Poesitive," but you beat me to it.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 04-28-2012, 07:26 PM

He's not going to do shit for a year or two. Rarely do NT's come out and make an immediate impact. So it'll be fun to see the bust labels in week 4.

KChiefer · 04-28-2012, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bewbies

How can you do anything but Poe'nd?

POE-NAGE!?!?!

WildTurkey · 04-28-2012, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RINGLEADER

The reason for my skepticism when the pick was announced was a feeling that a) there were better/safer players available and b) we could have done a trade with the Eagles and still likely gotten Poe a few picks later. But what's done is done. Kid is either going to serve his purpose of keeping QBs from stepping up in the pocket or he'll be a bust. Don't see much in-between for him. Maybe he will end up being a world-beater after all, but when I see someone who hasn't played a down already blinged up, wearing the money before he actually has it, I just don't hold out a lot of hope.

I think the other thing going against him is the Chiefs' record of drafting D-Linemen. Out of all the D-Linemen we've taken in the first three rounds over the past two decades, you have one great player (Tamba Hali, who really plays as more of a pass-rushing LB), one marginally serviceable player (Glenn Dorsey), and a whole lotta suck (Tyson Jackson, Alex McGee, Turk McBride, Tank Tyler, Junior Siavii, Ryan Sims, Eddie Freeman, Eric Downing, and John Browning). That's a 3, 5, 6, 36, 43, 54, 67, 68, 75 and an 82 - gone and wasted.

On the bright side if the kid does go belly-up he won't be our biggest bust at the position.

TJax while a reach at #3 is a good player for us who's got a chance to be even better

**Ming the Merciless** · 04-28-2012, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairplay

You have some darn good posts man.

I actually was just thinking the same damn thing.

**Ming the Merciless** · 04-28-2012, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bewbies

How can you do anything but Poe'nd?

Poe-ner

RINGLEADER · 04-28-2012, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildTurkey

TJax while a reach at #3 is a good player for us who's got a chance to be even better

Yeah, well to be fair you're probably right that Tyson has an outside shot of redeeming himself. But he's been pretty mediocre for the most part with some very rare flashes now and then.

Rasputin · 04-28-2012, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

If Poe does what he has the raw ability to do, and does what Romeo asks him to do, we could have a top 3 or 4 defense in the league that is really young to boot.

That's a big if.

**BossChief** · 04-28-2012, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

He's not going to do shit for a year or two. Rarely do NT's come out and make an immediate impact. So it'll be fun to see the bust labels in week 4.

While I agree with this most of the time, Wilfork took over as the teams starting nose in his rookie year around week 10 and started all the way to the superbowl iirc.

Wilfork was a lot better prepared for the pro game, but I don't think it's out of the question to think Poe could be ready towards the end of his first year and is the type of guy that continues to improve into his late 20s and he has the tools to do so.

I wish I knew more about his personality and work ethic.

RINGLEADER · 04-28-2012, 07:33 PM

My annual avatar change is in. I once was affluent. Now I am now a Poe man...

O.city · 04-28-2012, 07:33 PM

Oh it's a huge if, but it was the last piece to be added to our defense.

He has the ideal ability to play the position.

Chiefshrink · 04-28-2012, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefer

"Because your mine, I Poe the Line!"

Bingo !! I love it !!

04-28-2012, 06:13 PM
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $2063447	Yes, Memphis really had no idea how to use Poe. Fascinating... http://blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2012/0...ogle_news_blog A Guide to NFL Draft Sleepers April 27, 2012, 2:18 PM Any seasoned NFL fan knows the deal with the draft by now: Your team makes a selection and management calls the fact that he was available a miracle. “We never thought he’d drop so far,” team executives say. It’s become such a cliché that it’s a surprise Colts G.M. Ryan Grigson didn’t say it last night when selecting Andrew Luck with perhaps the most telegraphed first overall pick in draft history. But sometimes a player does fall for reasons other teams may come to regret. For those liable to think every player their team drafted was an absolute steal, we put together a handy guide to let you know if you have a sleeper on your hands: THE OUT-OF-POSITION SLEEPER If you look at steals in the draft over the past decade, you’ll find a handful of players who simply moved around too much to show NFL talent. Pro Bowl DT Jay Ratliff dabbled at tight end at Auburn, while star receiver Anquan Boldin had a rocky stint as Florida State’s quarterback. Aaron Kampman, a fifth-rounder out of Iowa who has made two Pro Bowls, switched between linebacker and defensive end – and not in the way teams do that regularly in the NFL. Heck, even Pro Bowl selection Cortland Finnegan was overlooked until the seventh round at cornerback at Samford because he was playing free safety the whole time. So when examining your steal, see if he can play anywhere else on the field. Or just assume he can and you’ll be much happier. Take Michael Robinson, the former Penn State quarterback who didn’t entertain the idea of playing anywhere but running back in the pros. Still, most switcheroo candidates will take people by surprise. Perhaps a player like LSU’s average quarterback, Jordan Jefferson, who at 6 feet 3 ran a decent 4.6-second 40-yard dash and could be a receiving threat with the right development. Or maybe just a bad quarterback. THE BAD-SCHEME SLEEPER There are all sorts of stories about run-first high school offenses keeping future star QBs a secret – Brett Favre and Ben Roethlisberger are the most notable. But it’s rarer in college, where players often go to fit a specific scheme. Still, sometimes a player gets the wrong coach and looks undervalued. One example this year is Dontari Poe, the hulking defensive lineman who raced up draft boards after being ignored during a career at the college-football backwater of Memphis. He had just eight tackles-for-loss last season. On Thursday night, after the Kansas City Chiefs took him 11th overall, Chiefs G.M. Scott Pioli noted that in 49% of his plays, the design of the defensive scheme made it literally impossible for him to record any sort of statistic. But as we go on in the draft, these players will pop up more and more. In a stunning first-round coincidence, Ryan Tannehill could be considered one of these sleepers, since he was burdened with Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman’s molasses poorly-designed offense. Of course, Tannehill was drafted by the Dolphins last night, where he’ll get a new start with a new … whoops, nevermind, Sherman is the offensive coordinator there after getting fired from his Aggies job. THE WRONG-SPORT SLEEPER From Bo Jackson to Brian Jordan, it’s hard to know where to draft a multi-sport athlete, but one thing is clear: They are normally drafted lower than they should be. Last year, the league saw former Miami hoops player Jimmy Graham destroy secondaries. This after another former basketball-star-turned-tight-end, Antonio Gates, has haunted defensive backs for years. The Cowboys used to have a suite at the Final Four for assistants to interview basketball coaches to see which of their players might make the leap. It’s hard to get a read on a player who doesn’t devote himself full time to one sport. (And it doesn’t always work out. For more information, please read up on Drew Henson.) Whatever the case, this year brings Russell Wilson, the Wisconsin quarterback who was second in the country with 10.3 yards per attempts on his passes. That’s not the only thing to recommend him. He also has a minor-league baseball career that’s taken up most of his summers, so much so that it got him run out of N.C. State’s program. Maybe a team can take a flier on him and he’ll produce if he focuses on football. At the very least, you’re looking at an upgrade on the company softball team. THE NOT-HIS-FAULT SLEEPER I’m telling anyone who will listen that Tommy Streeter, Miami’s 6-foot-5 wide receiver, is my big sleeper this year. Streeter is fast, can catch and played for some awful quarterbacks. LSU’s Rueben Randle, who had to deal with his own QB nightmare in Baton Rogue, is another one. There’s Mohamed Sanu from Rutgers, who didn’t exactly get Johnny Unitas’s passes coming his way. In contrast there are players like Kendall Wright, the Baylor wide receiver who went in the first round to Tennessee and got the benefit of Robert Griffin III throwing to him. There’s always a blurry line there. After all, some great wide receivers, like Michael Irvin, had elite quarterbacks in college. But many (Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens, Isaac Bruce, Calvin Johnson) did not. So please disregard the “lack of production” disclaimer on the draft broadcast in these situations.
Posts: 59,693

04-28-2012, 07:23 PM	#47
Bewbies Ith Fuhtbawl Time Join Date: Apr 2010 Casino cash: $9999900	How can you do anything but Poe'nd?
Posts: 10,085

04-28-2012, 07:25 PM	#48
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $-615936	If Poe does what he has the raw ability to do, and does what Romeo asks him to do, we could have a top 3 or 4 defense in the league that is really young to boot.
Posts: 84,188

04-28-2012, 07:33 PM	#58
RINGLEADER In Search of a Life Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Confusion, USA Casino cash: $8070503	My annual avatar change is in. I once was affluent. Now I am now a Poe man...
Posts: 48,491

04-28-2012, 07:33 PM	#59
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $-615936	Oh it's a huge if, but it was the last piece to be added to our defense. He has the ideal ability to play the position.
Posts: 84,188