I've made up my mind...I know who I want at #15...

[htismaqe]

Thomas Davis.

I realize I'm going to take alot of heat for this one but here's my logic:

1) We need a HEADHUNTER. This guy is probably the best pure tackler in the draft. He's an Ed Reed, a Sean Taylor.

2) We need someone who can tackle at WSLB. Alot of scouts have compared Davis to Derrick Brooks.

3) We need a WSLB who can cover. Davis is an OLB, playing mostly SLB in his career, but he also played his last season at FS and can cover WR's as well as TE's.

And before you start talking about tweeners, please do yourself a favor and read his bio...he's a LB.

http://georgiadogs.collegesports.com..._thomas00.html

[eazyb81]

Has anyone read anything that indicates that teams are considering Davis as an OLB? I'm not sure how many teams would be willing to take him in the 1st as a LB if he has played the last season at safety. This info from NFL.com indicates that most scouts view him as a safety in the pros:

http://www.nfl.com/draft/analysis/in...l_workouts#uga

[nascher]

I read somewhere 5 AFC Teams

[CosmicPal]

Originally Posted by Mr. Kotter

My choices: Pollack, McFadden, Surtain, and Beck.

How's THAT for a first day???

I think that would be an absolutely splendid first day!

[eazyb81]

Here is a cool article from ESPN.com on Davis and his chance at playing at WLB.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft0...page=s_ratings

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by CosmicPal

I think that would be an absolutely splendid first day!

Thank you, thank you very much.

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by rufusmaqe

Davis and Blackstock are completely different players.

Davis played FS and SSLB but he's got a WSLB's body and skills. He's better in coverage, can still rush the passer, and can play the run. There's absolutely no chance of him being another Gary Stills, but he could be the next Larry Atkins...

Blackstock is a SSLB, and most likely a 3-4 SS rushbacker. He's not real good in coverage (in fact, I've never seen him cover a pass) and there's alot of questions about his ability to support the run. Gary Stills is the precise reason he scares me.

Thanks for your clarification...your position makes sense, given that

Regardless, I don't want a repeat of either Parker or Stills....if Davis isn't a pretty "sure" thing at OLB, I'd pass on both he and Blackstock then.....and go with Burnette, or even Beck in the third.... I guess.

I'm really tired of this "tweener" stuff at safety/corner, DE/OLB....and I'm not ready to experiment with a "tweener" at S/OLB either.

[Tribal Warfare]

doesn't always take good angles in pursuit

In another review they said he did, which he does often. Davis is a solid playerplayer

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by eazyb81

Here is a cool article from ESPN.com on Davis and his chance at playing at WLB.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft0...page=s_ratings

Thanks for the article eazy....

The question I have, will our perimeter players sufficiently FUNNEL things into the "box," where he is at his best...apparently. Right now, I'd say no. With Surtain, or another #1 CB....maybe.


Here's an excerpt for those too lazy to click:

Upside: Incredible, freaky size, and moves well for such a big man. Explosive tackler who hits with a naturally rising action and drives through in textbook fashion. Can really de-cleat a ball carrier or receiver and is always looking for the knockout hit. Will put the fear of God in anyone who crosses through his zone. Good lateral quickness and closing speed. Tough and nasty and plays with passion. Loves the game and competes hard on every snap.

Downside: Kind of an in-between player, and some teams still aren't sure whether he is a safety or a weak-side linebacker. A little tight in the hips and doesn't always take good angles in pursuit. Not a great change-of-direction defender. Does not show great range, even when sitting back in a zone, and can't play single coverages. At times, a flat-out liability in pass coverage. Not exactly a ballhawk.

The dish: Size-speed ratio is jaw-dropping, and his lights-out hitting style is compelling. He's a certain first-rounder, perhaps in the top half of the round, but the team that takes him is going to have to design things so that he plays in the box, where he should be a huge component in stopping the run

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by eazyb81

Has anyone read anything that indicates that teams are considering Davis as an OLB? I'm not sure how many teams would be willing to take him in the 1st as a LB if he has played the last season at safety. This info from NFL.com indicates that most scouts view him as a safety in the pros:

http://www.nfl.com/draft/analysis/in...l_workouts#uga

I've heard a couple of scouts say New Orleans is looking at him to play OLB.