Football USA Today: Ranking the decision makers: Who is best at the NFL draft? - Page 6

**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.

Mecca · 05-03-2010, 12:05 PM

You are so heavily invested in the Jets sucking it makes me laugh, you talk about their hype all the ****ing time. From superbowl hype to this so don't give me this bullshit you reerun.

Brock · 05-03-2010, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

I'd think the Ravens should have more hype than the Jets, their offseason is better.

Durrr, I wonder why that's not happening.

CoMoChief · 05-03-2010, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Meat Dragon

dumbasses like Mecca want to paint the Pats as some sort of "drafting failures" over the past 5 years or so but don't want to count Randy Moss and Wes Welker as draft picks...even though they spent picks to acquire them...

so why aren't we counting Moss and Welker...they spent a 2nd, 4th and 7th for those guys and in all honesty they are probably worth 4 or 5 1st round picks in true value...

that's not winning THAT draft? That was an EPIC win.

But they didn't DRAFT those guys, which is the whole point. Whether picks were used via trade doesn't matter.

Mecca · 05-03-2010, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Meat Dragon

they traded for a 30 year old Randy Moss in 2007, and a 26 year old Wes Welker...but solid point about trading for 30+ year old receivers to mask past failures

Even the Patriots fan here is admitting to FA and trade moves to mask draft failures, so maybe you should look in the mirror when you wanna call someone a dumb****.

Hootie · 05-03-2010, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

You are so heavily invested in the Jets sucking it makes me laugh, you talk about their hype all the ****ing time. From superbowl hype to this so don't give me this bullshit you reerun.

What are you talking about?

I think it's HYSTERICAL that they BACKED into the playoffs...Sanchez had a TERRIBLE year...and they are basically the same team they were last year...

They beat a terrible Bengals team (that I predicted would happen)...and then stunned the world when they beat the Chargers (nothing to do with Sanchez, I'll tell you that)...and then the Colts made that defense look like the Chiefs defense...

That team is so overhyped right now it isn't even funny...

They are going to be the odds on favorite to win a division the Pats have OWNED for almost a decade...

You're god damn right I'm excited...the Pats are going to win me EASY money. EASY, EASY money.

I might get 3:1 on the Pats winning that division...

3:1...

In 2007 it was probably 1:10...even last year...it was probably 1:4 or 1:5

Hootie · 05-03-2010, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

But they didn't DRAFT those guys, which is the whole point. Whether picks were used via trade doesn't matter.

how does that not matter?

They used a 2nd, 4th and a 7th and in return they got Randy Moss and Wes Welker...

Those are draft picks.

THEY USED TWO DRAFT PICKS AND IN RETURN THEY GOT TWO ALL-PRO CALIBER RECEIVERS.

That's a win.

Hootie · 05-03-2010, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Even the Patriots fan here is admitting to FA and trade moves to mask draft failures, so maybe you should look in the mirror when you wanna call someone a dumb****.

well then he's an idiot, too...

they bought Moss for $0.10 on the dollar with a 4th round pick...and Welker for $0.25 on the dollar with a 2nd round pick (and a throw in 7th)...

WHICH MEANS...

2007 was one of their best drafts...ever.

EVER.

How is this so hard to comprehend?

Amnorix · 05-03-2010, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

The fact is that those teams have done a better job of drafting overall through the years, but it all comes back to Tom Brady.

And when you look at it, guys like Willie McGinest, Teddy Bruski, Mike Vrabel, Rodney Harrison, etc...etc... who were big contributors to those SB teams, were all drafted before BB, or signed as free agents.

You forgot Adam Vinatieri for your group, and Ty Law also.

But no team has 100% roster turnover in 2 years. And most of those guys were from the Parcells era, which meant they fit Belichick's schemes better than the guys that had been brought in during the post-Tuna, pre BB era.

BB brought in these stiffs (during the SB winning seasons only): Tom Brady, Matt Light, Dan Koppen, Deion Branch, David Givens, Daniel Graham, Stephen Neal, Vince Wilfork, Richard Seymour, Eugene Wilson, Asante Samuel, Ty Warren....

Hootie · 05-03-2010, 12:15 PM

it's worthless...

these guys are just trying to further push their anti-Pioli agenda...

Amnorix · 05-03-2010, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Even the Patriots fan here is admitting to FA and trade moves to mask draft failures, so maybe you should look in the mirror when you wanna call someone a dumb****.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. No team hits 100% on the draft, and of course you use free agency to fill holes. Every team does.

I admit the '06 and '08 drafts by the Patriots weren't great. But who the ehll doesn't trade a 2nd for Welker and a 4 for Moss? Eh? WHO DOESN'T DO THAT?!?!

Is that covering for draft failures at the WR position (Bethel Johnson and Chad Jackson)? Sure, I guess. But if Ozzie Newsome and Bill Polian were perfect, they'd probably have more than 1 SB apiece in the last decade, no?

Mecca · 05-03-2010, 12:15 PM

Look, trading for Moss in a vacuum with nothing else factored in is a great move, I never said it wasn't, I like Moss as a player.

It's that while he's aging they've got nothing behind him at the position. The same can be said for numerous others, when you have 15 picks every year at the very least your team should have solid depth, you shouldn't have Sam Aiken getting WR playing time or starting a scrub RB in a league where a 5th rounder will pull a starting RB.

Trading for Moss and Welker is not the problem, the problem is those are the best things they've done with their picks because they've missed a ton as of late.

Amnorix · 05-03-2010, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Meat Dragon

well then he's an idiot, too...

Well, I would be fi I actually said what thye're saying I said...

Quote:

they bought Moss for $0.10 on the dollar with a 4th round pick...and Welker for $0.25 on the dollar with a 2nd round pick (and a throw in 7th)...

WHICH MEANS...

2007 was one of their best drafts...ever.

EVER.

How is this so hard to comprehend?

This. Especially when 2007 was a weak draft overall.

Amnorix · 05-03-2010, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Look, trading for Moss in a vacuum with nothing else factored in is a great move, I never said it wasn't, I like Moss as a player.

It's that while he's aging they've got nothing behind him at the position. The same can be said for numerous others, when you have 15 picks every year at the very least your team should have solid depth, you shouldn't have Sam Aiken getting WR playing time or starting a scrub RB in a league where a 5th rounder will pull a starting RB.

Trading for Moss and Welker is not the problem, the problem is those are the best things they've done with their picks because they've missed a ton as of late.

Wow. I hope the Patriots can make the playoffs or win a Super Bowl in my lifetime, considering the s****y GM I'm stuck with....

Hootie · 05-03-2010, 12:20 PM

yeah...Green Bay is so much better than New England at drafting!

2007: Justin Harrell
Brandon Jackson
James Jones
Aaron Rouse
Allen Barbre
David Clowney
Korey Hall
Desmond Bishop
Mason Crosby
DeShawn Wynn
Clark Harris

2008: Jordy Nelson
Brian Brohm
Patrick Lee
Jermichael Finley
Jeremy Thompson
Josh Sitton
Breno Giacomini
Matt Flynn
Brett Swain

Hootie · 05-03-2010, 12:23 PM

See the thing is...

Green Bay IS a good drafting team...

Those two drafts have WAY more fail in them than success...

JUST LIKE ALMOST EVERY TEAM, EVERY YEAR...

More misses than hits...for EVERY team.

But we have these "message board gurus" who complain about 5th-7th round picks when, in all honesty, the odds of them working out are SLIM AND NONE.

Look at the Packers...

Their best picks were Jermichael Finley and Jordy "I'm a #4 WR and a return specialist" Nelson...

Yet Mecca envies them because...?

04-30-2010, 04:31 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3037187	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.
Posts: 43,455

05-03-2010, 12:05 PM	#76
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-742950	You are so heavily invested in the Jets sucking it makes me laugh, you talk about their hype all the ****ing time. From superbowl hype to this so don't give me this bullshit you reerun.
Posts: 115,382

05-03-2010, 12:15 PM	#84
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	it's worthless... these guys are just trying to further push their anti-Pioli agenda...
Posts: 56,356

05-03-2010, 12:15 PM	#86
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-742950	Look, trading for Moss in a vacuum with nothing else factored in is a great move, I never said it wasn't, I like Moss as a player. It's that while he's aging they've got nothing behind him at the position. The same can be said for numerous others, when you have 15 picks every year at the very least your team should have solid depth, you shouldn't have Sam Aiken getting WR playing time or starting a scrub RB in a league where a 5th rounder will pull a starting RB. Trading for Moss and Welker is not the problem, the problem is those are the best things they've done with their picks because they've missed a ton as of late.
Posts: 115,382

05-03-2010, 12:20 PM	#89
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	yeah...Green Bay is so much better than New England at drafting! 2007: Justin Harrell Brandon Jackson James Jones Aaron Rouse Allen Barbre David Clowney Korey Hall Desmond Bishop Mason Crosby DeShawn Wynn Clark Harris 2008: Jordy Nelson Brian Brohm Patrick Lee Jermichael Finley Jeremy Thompson Josh Sitton Breno Giacomini Matt Flynn Brett Swain
Posts: 56,356

05-03-2010, 12:23 PM	#90
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	See the thing is... Green Bay IS a good drafting team... Those two drafts have WAY more fail in them than success... JUST LIKE ALMOST EVERY TEAM, EVERY YEAR... More misses than hits...for EVERY team. But we have these "message board gurus" who complain about 5th-7th round picks when, in all honesty, the odds of them working out are SLIM AND NONE. Look at the Packers... Their best picks were Jermichael Finley and Jordy "I'm a #4 WR and a return specialist" Nelson... Yet Mecca envies them because...?
Posts: 56,356