LB Jesus and his Apostles rejoice

[Tribal Warfare]

Curry, Raji among minicamps' stars
By John Clayton
ESPN.com

The first weekend after the draft is always the biggest for minicamps.

Twenty-six teams held either full or rookie camps to orient their draft choices and get a read on how they did over the two-day draft in New York City. It's hard to make conclusive judgments on selections. Players aren't allowed to wear pads. No hitting is allowed. Rookies' heads are swimming with the overload from the new playbook being thrown at them.

Still, any time you can put 26 coaching staffs on a field with new players, things can be learned. Here are eight things we learned from this weekend.

1. Mark Sanchez is destined to be the starting quarterback of the New York Jets in Week 1. Politically, the Jets did the right thing by having offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer say Kellen Clemens was ahead of Sanchez. Clemens is entering his fourth season. He has eight NFL starts. He should be ahead of Sanchez. But anyone doubting Sanchez' ability to win over the coaching staff and Jets fans is wearing a blindfold. Sanchez showed everyone at the minicamp that he can make all the throws. More than that, he showed leadership. The story of how he got a good portion of the offense together at the hotel Thursday night to go over the playbook is a classic example of how Sanchez's head might be more important than his arm. It's pretty clear what direction the Jets are heading. Head coach Rex Ryan is going to try to run the ball 35 times a game in order to give Sanchez light throwing days during the regular season. Of all the draft choices working this weekend, Sanchez was probably the biggest winner.

2. Matthew Stafford isn't going to be rushed into service as the Detroit Lions' starter. General manager Martin Mayhew concluded the Lions' minicamp by saying he trusts Daunte Culpepper as a starter and he'd like to sign a veteran backup. The Lions' roster isn't like the Jets. The Lions are coming off an 0-16 season, and they don't have the offensive line or two-back combination to run the ball 35 times a game. Despite playing only 16 games as a collegian, Sanchez was supposed to be more prepared to play earlier in the NFL than Stafford. Minicamp proved that. Stafford unleashed incredible throws, but he's still a work in progress. That's not to say Stafford won't play this season. The plan is for Stafford to work with the coaching staff. When he's ready, he will play. The Lions are handling Stafford's entry into the NFL the right way.

3. Seattle Seahawks coach Jim Mora wasted no time making Aaron Curry his starting strongside linebacker. Curry was one of the stars of the Seahawks' minicamp. He's 15 pounds heavier than traded linebacker Julian Peterson, but he moves so well and has such a natural instinct for moving to the ball. Middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu marveled at how naturally Curry fits into the defense during his first weekend. With Curry, Tatupu and Leroy Hill, the Seahawks have one of the best linebacking corps in football.

4. The Washington Redskins have a completely different plan for first-round choice Brian Orakpo than some people expected. At the Redskins' minicamp, Orakpo was used as the starting strongside linebacker. The plan is for him to blitz from the strong side on first and second downs. On passing downs, he will line up at right defensive end next to Albert Haynesworth, the former Tennessee Titans star who appeared dominating at his first Redskins camp. Orakpo was drafted to rush the passer. The surprise is that he won't just be doing it from a defensive end position.

5. Linebacker Shawne "roidman" Merriman served notice that he plans to be a dominating force again this season for the San Diego Chargers. "Lights Out" knows the spotlight is on him. He missed all but one game of the 2008 season because his knee needed surgery. He also knows management is looking at him with a judgmental eye. The Chargers drafted Larry English as a possible replacement if Merriman doesn't come back and dominate. Merriman is in the last year of his contract. English, though not tall, showed a relentless pass-rushing style. He's not ready to unseat Merriman, who questions those whom he said questioned his "football-hood."

6. The Carolina Panthers liked what they saw from second-round choice Everette Brown, who cost them a 2010 first-round pick to acquire in a trade. Coach John Fox knows the importance of getting a pass rush, and Brown showed he can help. Everyone noticed his first step and how he can get an edge on a blocker with that first step. One of the knocks on the pass-rushers of this draft was their lack of height compared to previous crops. For whatever reason, scouts feel more comfortable using first-round choices on pass-rushers who stand 6-foot-4 or taller. On the Panthers' official roster Brown is listed as 6-1, but he showed he can get around blockers. Julius Peppers wasn't at the minicamp because he hasn't signed his franchise tag. He probably will miss a good portion of training camp, but management feels he will be there for the regular season. In the meantime, the plan is to develop Brown as a rusher.

7. Even though Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy plans to have Ryan Pickett as the starting nose tackle, it's pretty clear the 3-4 defense is being built around first-round choice B.J. Raji. The former Boston College star didn't disappoint. For a while, Raji was practicing as the first-team nose tackle and second-team defensive end. He moves well for his size. He also seemed to fit in well with his teammates.

8. The Philadelphia Eagles' draft for offense looked even better on the field because fifth-round choice Cornelius Ingram did well over the weekend. The 245-pound tight end is coming off ACL surgery, yet caught the ball well and moved well on the field. He left camp with the thought that he could be in the playing mix this year. The team is also cautiously optimistic about the first-year impact of first-round draft pick wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. Head coach Andy Reid warns it might be hard for Maclin to match DeSean Jackson's 62-catch rookie season because Maclin comes from a spread offense. Jackson played in more of a West Coast offense at Cal. Reid said the intermediate routes are different in the spread because spread receivers run downfield or break shorter routes. Fortunately for the Eagles, Maclin seemed to pick up the intermediate routes well over the weekend.

[doomy3]

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

You quoted the important part of the post, yet you didn't seem to get it. Once again; in retrospect, we had no chance in hell of signing either of them once Pioli became GM, because his mind was already made up long before the combine, and BEFORE the Cassel trade*

*That's the important part.

Well, the combine wouldn't have helped Sanchez's case at all, and since Stafford didn't even throw, I'm not sure how it would have helped him either, although that doesn't matter because we couldn't have drafted him anyway.

You are right though, I do believe Pioli had his mind made up based on college gametape, and/or lack thereof in the case of Sanchez, and made his mind up that Cassel was the best option between the two well before the combine. Most people on here knew that when he traded for him. You, however, chose to put your fingers in your ears and stomp around on the ground like a jilted child.

[bdeg]

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

You quoted the important part of the post, yet you didn't seem to get it. Once again; in retrospect, we had no chance in hell of signing either of them once Pioli became GM, because his mind was already made up long before the combine, and BEFORE the Cassel trade*

*That's the important part.

you don't know that he didn't wait to make the trade until his scouts told him Sanchez wasn't worth the #3. who knows when(if) what was

entirely possible they just didn't like him

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by doomy3

Well, the combine wouldn't have helped Sanchez's case at all, and since Stafford didn't even throw, I'm not sure how it would have helped him either, although that doesn't matter because we couldn't have drafted him anyway.

You are right though, I do believe Pioli had his mind made up based on college gametape, and/or lack thereof in the case of Sanchez, and made his mind up that Cassel was the best option between the two well before the combine. Most people on here knew that when he traded for him. You, however, chose to put your fingers in your ears and stomp around on the ground like a jilted child.

Cassel hasn't signed a long term deal!! KC could still make a play for Sanchez.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by doomy3

Well, the combine wouldn't have helped Sanchez's case at all, and since Stafford didn't even throw, I'm not sure how it would have helped him either, although that doesn't matter because we couldn't have drafted him anyway.

You are right though, I do believe Pioli had his mind made up based on college gametape, and/or lack thereof in the case of Sanchez, and made his mind up that Cassel was the best option between the two well before the combine. Most people on here knew that when he traded for him. You, however, chose to put your fingers in your ears and stomp around on the ground like a jilted child.

So now you're going to tell me that you, unlike everyone else, just KNEW it was Cassel for sure the instant Pioli touched down at KCI with contract signing pen in hand?
You just KNEW, unlike everyone else, that "the deal was done" before the Pats slapped the tag on him?

This is what you're telling me?

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Cassel hasn't signed a long term deal!! KC could still make a play for Sanchez.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by bdeg

you don't know that he didn't wait to make the trade until his scouts told him Sanchez wasn't worth the #3. who knows when(if) what was

entirely possible they just didn't like him

We would have had to take it up the ass courtesy of STL to get Sanchez at three, so yes; that's EXACTLY what I'm saying.
If Pioli didn't have first crack/best shot at Cassel, Pioli does not become GM.

So write it in to the Chiefs History Book and close the chapter, because it's the truth.

[doomy3]

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

So now you're going to tell me that you, unlike everyone else, just KNEW it was Cassel for sure the instant Pioli touched down at KCI with contract signing pen in hand?
You just KNEW, unlike everyone else, that "the deal was done" before the Pats slapped the tag on him?

This is what you're telling me?

No, that's not what I'm saying at all. However, once Pioli traded for Cassel, I thought he made it crystal clear that he had chosen Cassel over Sanchez, like most any intelligent person would. You, and others, tried to convince everyone that because Cassel hadn't been signed to a long term deal, we would probably draft Sanchez. Pioli likes Cassel better than Sanchez. Period.

[doomy3]

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

We would have had to take it up the ass courtesy of STL to get Sanchez at three, so yes; that's EXACTLY what I'm saying.
If Pioli didn't have first crack/best shot at Cassel, Pioli does not become GM.

So write it in to the Chiefs History Book and close the chapter, because it's the truth.

This is ridiculous. I'm sure the Rams would have been thrilled to take a deal with the Jets for a bunch of castoffs like the Browns did. The Browns gave away the pick. Most likely because we drafted the guy they wanted, but they gave the pick away. The Rams would have NEVER made a deal like that.

[Pioli Zombie]

Sanchez Messiah. Name above all names. Blessed redeemer New York Jet.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by doomy3

This is ridiculous. I'm sure the Rams would have been thrilled to take a deal with the Jets for a bunch of castoffs like the Browns did. The Browns gave away the pick. Most likely because we drafted the guy they wanted, but they gave the pick away. The Rams would have NEVER made a deal like that.

The Rams would have TOTALLY held is ass hostage. But don't take my word for it, here's the post that convinced me:

(First, I raised your exact point)

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots
Never say never, but I have a hard time believing the Rams would have had the balls to make a move. They wanted their boy, just like Detroit, and did what everyone thought they would. Quote:
Originally Posted by SBK:

They were trying to trade out of 2 on draft day. Nobody wanted to be in the top 5, the only team that was willing to take it up the ol poop shute was the Brownies to get out of there.

Think about it, if we didn't have Cassel who would we have been picking? Would the NFL believe that Pioli was going to hitch his wagon to Tyler Thigpen?

The whole world would have known we were taking Sanchez at 3, so anyone that wanted him would have been talking to the Rams. That would have to be us as well, as we would have known that we were screwed.

I wanted Sanchez bad, but seeing the play that he got, and watching the Jets trade up from 17 told me all I needed to know. Drafting @3 Pioli made the best move he could, which was trading our 2 for Cassel.

Looks pretty ****ing cut and dried to me.

[bdeg]

ROR's next nick=NewJet???

by the way the rams wouldn't have been able to do anything. it's all a matter of whether or not Pioli calls their bluff, which both the Jets and Redskins did. I have a feeling Pioli would've too.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

Sanchez Messiah. Name above all names. Blessed redeemer New York Jet.
Posted via Mobile Device

Hallelujah and Bless You my child.

[kcfanXIII]

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

I mean you thought it was bad with Brett Favre. I gaurantee that opening week the media will make the Sanchez debut the arrival of the Christ child.
Posted via Mobile Device

wait, if curry is jesus, and sanchez is the christ child, one must be a false profit. there can't be two jesuses. thats how wars are started.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by bdeg

ROR's next nick=NewJet???

by the way the rams wouldn't have been able to do anything. it's all a matter of whether or not Pioli calls their bluff, which both the Jets and Redskins did. I have a feeling Pioli would've too.

Ruh????

Whatever. Pioli = Cassel or no leaving New England. Deal with it.

[bdeg]

the idea that the trade was worked out pre-departure is ridiculous.

pioli was guaranteed nothing.