Ok. ok... I liked the draft. It wasn't sexy, but we addressed key needs...

[Taco John]

I'm not avoiding talking about it. I just wasn't going to get caught in the hype of it all...

But basically, I thought we had a good draft before we even went into it by trading out of the first round. I was disappointed in the depth of this draft class, and was thrilled to exchange it for another ticket to the Matt Leinart Sweepstakes. It's my hope that we do whatever it takes to secure the rights to Leinart, even if that means trading both our first round pick in the 2006 draft AND the first round of the 2007 draft. But that's another discussion.

As far as the criticism of drafting all of those DBs, I take it with a grain of salt. This whole draft is just a bunch of projects. Nobody that we were going to draft this year is going to be able to supplant any starter on our team except in one place: special teams. I like that we brought in guys who would be able to help us out immediately on special teams. It was one of the biggest weaknesses we've had in the past few years, and if we can get one of these guys to develop as a returner, we're going to be that much better off.

As far as the Maurice Clarett pick goes, I couldn't be more happy. I mentioned it back when he was being laughed at for his combine time. That doesn't bother me. TD didn't run fast during 40's either. But he had instincts that were uncanny. Clarrett is the same way. He led his team to a championship during his freshman campaign because he knew how to bounce out of tackles, when to spin to force a miss, and when to turn the boosters ON! If the NFL would have allowed this kid to use his natural God given talent when he wanted to come out, he'd have been drafted in the first five picks and we'd have never had a shot at him. I love how we're being laughed at for using a compensatory pick that we didn't even know we'd get until a month before the draft to take a kid with first round instincts.

I'm all up ons.

[beer bacon]

Along this same special teams line of thought, do you think the Chiefs drafting a punter at the end of the 3rd was a good move?

[Taco John]

I never like it when *ANY* team drafts a kicker of any sort... But sometimes you've got to do what you've got to do. Look at the Raiders and Jano. He will be their kicker for 10 years.

If this guy is your punter for the next 5 years, it wont matter what anyone thinks of the move... It'll be a good one.

I will say that I think it's pretty hard for a the Chiefs fans to criticize the Clarrett selection when you take a Punter in that same round...

[Simplex3]

Originally Posted by Taco John

...and when to turn the boosters ON!

The combine would have been a good time for Clarice to turn the boosters on...

[Joe Seahawk]

Boomers grades for the AFC West..

AFC West

Denver Broncos: The fact that Denver selected three consecutive cornerbacks, when cornerback wasn’t perceived to be that much of a need, was intriguing in itself. Of course, the addition of Maurice Clarett just made the whole collection odd. Darrent Williams and Dominique Foxworth could prove to be two of the bigger steals of the draft in terms of their man-to-man potential. However, Karl Paymah was a considerable reach and Clarett was as well. Clarett has talent and can be successful at the NFL level, but he could have been selected considerably later. With only two selections on the second day the Broncos didn’t have much of a chance for highlights. With offensive guard Chris Myers and punter Paul Ernster, two players many teams had as undrafted free agent types, the Broncos didn’t help themselves much.
GRADE: C-

Kansas City Chiefs: Another team with only two first-day picks to work with, but filled major needs. OLB Derrick Johnson could prove to be one of the real steals of this draft, especially in Gunther Cunningham’s defense, which will allow him to run around and make plays. Punter Dustin Colquitt has Pro Bowl ability, he just needs to play a little more consistently. Kansas City’s first-day effort was solid and with seven selections on day two, the club did a fine job here, as well. Among the highlights were the Chiefs’ top three Sunday selections. Cro Thorpe has the talent to be a first-round selection, but wasn’t completely over his terrible leg injury of a year ago. That said, he’s a perfect match for this offense. As are Boomer Grigsby, a high-effort, instinctive middle linebacker with speed and Alphonso Hodge, a solid cornerback who provides the club instant depth.
GRADE: B

Oakland Raiders: Just another day at the office for the Oakland Raiders… Speed is the primary asset and the club found plenty of that in lightning fast cornerbacks Fabian Washington and Stanford Routt. Quarterback Andrew Walter is the perfect addition to this club due to his deep-passing ability and size. Kirk Morrison was a bit of a surprise, but plays with high intensity and is productive, two elements Oakland linebackers need more of. While there were legitimate questions as to the value of some of Oakland’s first-day selections, the Raiders received excellent value throughout Sunday’s rounds. DT Anttaj Hawthorne, despite a positive drug test, still deserved to be drafted considerably higher than the sixth round. He could prove to be a huge steal if motivated. Cal sack-master Ryan Riddle lacks size vs. the run, but has inherent pass-rush skills and can develop. Another intriguing selection was Iowa’s Pete McMahon, a player who isn’t flashy, but has great size and plays with technique. Overall, quite a solid draft class with the potential for a couple of the middle picks, Walter and Hawthorne, to develope into standout performers in the future.
GRADE: B+


San Diego Chargers: Remember just about a year ago when San Diego GM A.J. Smith was being characterized as a buffoon who couldn’t handle his position? Give Smith and his scouting department a great deal of credit. After a spectacular 2004 draft, the Chargers look like they’ve done it again. Shawne Merriman will bring instant production as an outside rush threat. Luis Castillo could prove to be the best defensive lineman from this draft and has promised to pay back his signing bonus should he ever fail another drug test. Wide receiver Vincent Jackson is very nearly the athletic marvel Matt Jones is, but has three years experience at the position already. Last year was no one-season wonder, this team is building to be very good for a long time. The Chargers added potential difference-makers with all three selections on the first day, a pretty difficult feat with a team this talented. Sunday saw the club revert back to its roots, adding quality depth along the offensive line with three of its four selections. The fourth, of course, was simply one of the draft’s most dynamic runners, Darren Sproles. Look for Sproles to post some big plays in the few opportunities he’ll get playing behind Tomlinson.
GRADE: A+

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/sports/ar...0509990012#den

[Simplex3]

Oh, and the only way drafting a bunch of mediocre corners is going to help you against Moss is if the NFL lets you play with 14 or 15 men on defense.

[Taco John]

Eh... I don't much care what Boomer or Prisco or King or Pastabelly or the next media jagoff has to say about anyone's drafts. When I see someone grading their draft grades to see how they've held up over time, I'll sit up and take notice...

[Taco John]

Originally Posted by Simplex3

Oh, and the only way drafting a bunch of mediocre corners is going to help you against Moss is if the NFL lets you play with 14 or 15 men on defense.

Huh? What in the world would give you the idea that *anyone* we could draft this year would help us against Moss? Moss is going to be covered by Champ Bailey. It'll be a hell of a match-up.

I really hate the whole of idea of grading drafts a mere day or two after the event has occured. I'll say that this year, and next year when we have two first rounders.

[Joe Seahawk]

I pretty much agree with him on our draft.. Boomer has proven to be pretty accurate in the past..

Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks seemed to have set themselves up beautifully for this draft, adding receivers, cornerbacks, defensive linemen and linebackers in free agency to allow them to take the best available player. That said, the expectation remained that a difference-making pass rusher would still be the focus. While Seattle got solid value and filled a need with its initial pick, C Chris Spencer, the team surprised many with its selection of middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu in the second round. Most had Tatupu as a middle round selection. Tatupu, however, had been skyrocketing up boards and it is believed by many he’ll end up providing Seattle with a Zach Thomas-like presence in the middle. Quarterback David Greene was a solid selection in terms of his value at the point selected, but there were pass rushers available that would have made more sense for this team. Outside linebacker Leroy Hill is a similar player to undersized pursuit linebackers D.D. Lewis and Tracy White already on the roster. The club continued to fill needs at linebacker and the offensive line on Sunday. Cornelius Wortham in the seventh round might have been their best value selection since the first round. Ray Willis makes a lot of sense with the release of Chris Terry. Tony Jackson, who played tight end for Iowa, projects as a fullback here, another need with Heath Evans moving on. Simply put, Seattle enjoyed a solid draft in terms of adding reliable, high-character football players, but two of their perceived biggest needs, a standout pass-rush threat and return specialist, remain unfilled.
GRADE: C

[Simplex3]

Originally Posted by Taco John

Huh? What in the world would give you the idea that *anyone* we could draft this year would help us against Moss? Moss is going to be covered by Champ Bailey. It'll be a hell of a match-up.

I think with the new rules Jesus Christ himself couldn't cover the top wideouts in the league. We'll have to see how the refs call it this year, but if they keep going this way there won't be much of a point even fielding db's.

[Logical]

TJ as I said on the day of the draft, given a couple of ifs panning out the Broncos may have gotten a real steal with Clarett. If number 1 and most important is him getting his head on straight and losing the attitude. 2nd is getting into and staying in shape which seems to be a problem for him.

Not a bad pick and a risk worth taking IMO.

[RedDread]

jesus couldn't cover his own ass, what makes you think he could cover someone elses?

[Taco John]

Originally Posted by Simplex3

I think with the new rules Jesus Christ himself couldn't cover the top wideouts in the league. We'll have to see how the refs call it this year, but if they keep going this way there won't be much of a point even fielding db's.

Are you trying to tell me Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?

[Taco John]

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

TJ as I said on the day of the draft, given a couple of ifs panning out the Broncos may have gotten a real steal with Clarett. If number 1 and most important is him getting his head on straight and losing the attitude. 2nd is getting into and staying in shape which seems to be a problem for him.

Not a bad pick and a risk worth taking IMO.

If the way he's handled his interviews up to this point has been any indication, I think the kid has really grown through this ordeal. I think he's at least past where Clinton Portis is with regards to maturity. I've listened to everything I could get my hands on this kid, and I'm convinced that he's not the guy that the media has him painted him as. The only attitude I'm seeing out of this kid based on the quotes I've read leading up to the draft and after it is one of humility and determination. He's been given opportunities by ESPN and others to stick his foot in his mouth and say something proud. His response to these opportunities has been to shrug them off saying that he just wants his performance on the field to do the talking for him.

Either way, I think he's a fantastic value at the end of the third round. Certainly worth the risk.