<span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%">Learning from the past</span>A look back at the 2003 NFL draftby Nick CaronMost experts say that it takes at least three years to decide whether or not a team made a good decision in drafting or not drafting a certain player. Using that as a rule of thumb, I have decided to go back in time, to the year 2003, and take a more in-depth look at the first round of that year?s NFL draft.I will be assigning each pick a grade based on that player?s contribution to the team and each player?s outlook for the future...Comments/criticisms would be appreciated . This article took me quite awhile to write.
Good read. Nice to see some goods pick by the Vikes and Seahawks. I don't see any major complaints. I wouldn't given the Sullivan pick an F because he's a P.O.S. and doesn't even play for them anymore.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kliquid @ Jun 11 2006, 08:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%">Learning from the past</span>A look back at the 2003 NFL draftby Nick CaronMost experts say that it takes at least three years to decide whether or not a team made a good decision in drafting or not drafting a certain player. Using that as a rule of thumb, I have decided to go back in time, to the year 2003, and take a more in-depth look at the first round of that year?s NFL draft.I will be assigning each pick a grade based on that player?s contribution to the team and each player?s outlook for the future...Comments/criticisms would be appreciated . This article took me quite awhile to write.</div><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>4. New York Jets ? DT Dewayne Robertson (Kentucky) ? Grade: DRobertson is one of the most highly rated interior defensive linemen to come out in quite a few seasons. A major force for the Kentucky Wildcats in college, Robertson was considered by many to be the best defensive player in the 2003 draft. The Jets made it official when they selected him 4th overall and signed him to a massive contract ? one of the biggest ever for a defensive lineman. Robertson joined the team, but failed to live up to expectations, collecting just 34 tackles and 1.5 sacks in his rookie season. He has also failed to significantly improve his statistics since then, causing many people to label him as a ?draft bust.? Rumors that Robertson will not be starting for the Jets next season are clear indication that the Jets made a poor decision in drafting Robertson, especially when players like Terrell Suggs and Kevin Williams were still on the board.</div>Uhhh, Robertson is starting buddy.He has the potential to be a major playmaker when there is someone decent at stopping the run next to him. The problem with him was there was nobody who could stop the run last year, making his have to play more run coverage instead of making plays which is his strongpoint. Looking back Suggs or Williams probably would have been a better pic but Robertson is a good player. I stopped reading it after watching you give that pick a D, but giving a mediocre at best cornerback in Terrance Newman an A-. PS: No mention of Bollinger or Hobson? Cmon.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AdropOFvenom @ Jun 11 2006, 12:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kliquid @ Jun 11 2006, 08:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%">Learning from the past</span>A look back at the 2003 NFL draftby Nick CaronMost experts say that it takes at least three years to decide whether or not a team made a good decision in drafting or not drafting a certain player. Using that as a rule of thumb, I have decided to go back in time, to the year 2003, and take a more in-depth look at the first round of that year?s NFL draft.I will be assigning each pick a grade based on that player?s contribution to the team and each player?s outlook for the future...Comments/criticisms would be appreciated . This article took me quite awhile to write.</div><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>4. New York Jets ? DT Dewayne Robertson (Kentucky) ? Grade: DRobertson is one of the most highly rated interior defensive linemen to come out in quite a few seasons. A major force for the Kentucky Wildcats in college, Robertson was considered by many to be the best defensive player in the 2003 draft. The Jets made it official when they selected him 4th overall and signed him to a massive contract ? one of the biggest ever for a defensive lineman. Robertson joined the team, but failed to live up to expectations, collecting just 34 tackles and 1.5 sacks in his rookie season. He has also failed to significantly improve his statistics since then, causing many people to label him as a ?draft bust.? Rumors that Robertson will not be starting for the Jets next season are clear indication that the Jets made a poor decision in drafting Robertson, especially when players like Terrell Suggs and Kevin Williams were still on the board.</div>Uhhh, Robertson is starting buddy.He has the potential to be a major playmaker when there is someone decent at stopping the run next to him. The problem with him was there was nobody who could stop the run last year, making his have to play more run coverage instead of making plays which is his strongpoint. Looking back Suggs or Williams probably would have been a better pic but Robertson is a good player. I stopped reading it after watching you give that pick a D, but giving a mediocre at best cornerback in Terrance Newman an A-. PS: No mention of Bollinger or Hobson? Cmon. </div>You must be a Jets fan.Dewayne Robertson will be fighting for his job in training camp this year. I have heard that on numerous websites and from other articles written by major NFL analysts. I gave the pick a "D" because of a few reasons:1) He was taken 4th overall.2) His initial contract was absolutely ridiculous. He signed on in his rookie season to a contract that gave him a $10 MILLION signing bonus and received another $4.75 MILLION in signing bonuses in 2004. He was THE HIGHEST PAID DEFENSIVE LINEMAN IN THE LEAGUE during those years. I'll be honest and say that I am unaware of his current contract, but if it is anywhere NEAR what he got in his first two seasons, the Jets are paying out their ass for an AVERAGE defensive lineman.3) He hasn't produced anywhere NEAR what the Jets had hoped he would when they gave him that massive contract.I would appreciate if you would read more of the article than just the first four picks. And for the record, Terence Newman was one of the best cornerbacks in the league in 2005.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kliquid @ Jun 11 2006, 09:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You must be a Jets fan.Dewayne Robertson will be fighting for his job in training camp this year. I have heard that on numerous websites and from other articles written by major NFL analysts. I gave the pick a "D" because of a few reasons:1) He was taken 4th overall.2) His initial contract was absolutely ridiculous. He signed on in his rookie season to a contract that gave him a $10 MILLION signing bonus and received another $4.75 MILLION in signing bonuses in 2004. He was THE HIGHEST PAID DEFENSIVE LINEMAN IN THE LEAGUE during those years. I'll be honest and say that I am unaware of his current contract, but if it is anywhere NEAR what he got in his first two seasons, the Jets are paying out their ass for an AVERAGE defensive lineman.3) He hasn't produced anywhere NEAR what the Jets had hoped he would when they gave him that massive contract.I would appreciate if you would read more of the article than just the first four picks. And for the record, Terence Newman was one of the best cornerbacks in the league.</div>1) Fair Enough, but your giving him a rating like hes a complete bust when its not the case, and the starting job is his, there is NOBODY on the Jets roster who even stands a chance to take it from him. 2) Welcome to the NFL, the land where top 5 picks get 10 million in guaranteed money even though they havent played yet. You're acting like this is something new or something that we started, the top draft picks get rediculous money regardless of the team they are on. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The fourth overall choice in the 2002 draft, Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Mike Williams, signed a contract that, according to NFL Players Association figures, could be worth as much as $44 million over six years. That deal included an original signing bonus and two subsequent options bonuses that totals $11.75 million.The deal was agreed to in principle Saturday evening, as reported by ESPN.com, and the two sides completed some fine-tuning on Sunday morning. The contract can be worth as much as $54 million, league sources said, and the initial signing bonus and second-tier option bonus total $13 million. (7 years)</div> Considering NFL inflation rates, thats not a terrible deal at all for the Jets. Considering that Offensive Lineman in 2002 were still paid like crap when Mike Williams signed his deal. 3) Fair Enough. Im not saying he was worth the top 5 pick, but hes not a complete bust either like your rating represents. And Terrence Newman is AVERAGE. I see your a Cowboys fan and Im talking to a brick wall here, but the guy is an AVERAGE NFL cornerback at best. He doesnt get a ton of turnovers, as shown by his 11 interceptions in 3 years. He doesnt stop the opponent from catching the ball and gets burnt more then my toast does. If Robertson is a bust by your standards, then you have to consider Newman a bust considering they have both underachieved their entire NFL careers. The fact that you gave him the same rating as a potential pro-bowler in Nick Barnett is laughable, and ROFLMFAO at that comment about him being one of the best corners in the league....
[quote name='AdropOFvenom' post='52485' date='Jun 11 2006, 01:02 PM']1) Fair Enough, but your giving him a rating like hes a complete bust when its not the case, and the starting job is his, there is NOBODY on the Jets roster who even stands a chance to take it from him.[/quote]Like I said, my information comes from numerous sources who have said that Robertson will need to earn his spot as a starter this season due to his disappointing first 3 years in the league.[quote name='AdropOFvenom' post='52485' date='Jun 11 2006, 01:02 PM']2) Welcome to the NFL, the land where top 5 picks get 10 million in guaranteed money even though they havent played yet. You're acting like this is something new or something that we started, the top draft picks get rediculous money regardless of the team they are on.[/quote]I understand that top-10 players get big money. That's obvious. But Robertson's contract was a huge hit to the Jets' cap as well as the fact that they could've had players such as Kevin Williams, Terrell Suggs, Byron Leftwich, or Jordan Gross - all positions of need for the Jets.[quote name='AdropOFvenom' post='52485' date='Jun 11 2006, 01:02 PM'] Considering NFL inflation rates, thats not a terrible deal at all for the Jets. Considering that Offensive Lineman in 2002 were still paid like crap when Mike Williams signed his deal. [/quote]There's no doubt that Mike Williams was ridiculously overpaid. But Offensive Tackles ALWAYS get more money than Defensive Tackles nowadays. [quote name='AdropOFvenom' post='52485' date='Jun 11 2006, 01:02 PM']3) Fair Enough. Im not saying he was worth the top 5 pick, but hes not a complete bust either like your rating represents.[/quote]Unless he starts to produce more than he is right now, I would say that yes - he is a bust. I did give lower grades to other players. MOST of the defensive linemen out of that draft have been complete trash and there were 11 taken in the first round. If Robertson was taken anywhere past #10, I'd have given him at least a C.[quote name='AdropOFvenom' post='52485' date='Jun 11 2006, 01:02 PM']And Terrence Newman is AVERAGE. I see your a Cowboys fan and Im talking to a brick wall here, but the guy is an AVERAGE NFL cornerback at best. He doesnt get a ton of turnovers, as shown by his 11 interceptions in 3 years. He doesnt stop the opponent from catching the ball and gets burnt more then my toast does. If Robertson is a bust by your standards, then you have to consider Newman a bust considering they have both underachieved their entire NFL careers. The fact that you gave him the same rating as a potential pro-bowler in Nick Barnett is laughable, and ROFLMFAO at that comment about him being one of the best corners in the league....[/quote]1) Eleven interceptions in three seasons isn't bad... At all... I don't know what you're looking for out of a cornerback, but if you're judging him purely based on his interceptions, I think you're missing something.2) Newman has 42 passes defended in the past 3 years. Unless I'm forgetting someone obvious, I believe that's far-and-above the best in the NFL. 3) The Pro Bowl is not an accurate way to determine how good a player is. Especially defensive players. NATHAN VASHER made it into the Pro Bowl for the NFC based purely on the fact that he had 8 interceptions. The NFL fans, by large, know nothing about playing defensive back and base their votes on how many interceptions players have. It's probably the most ridiculous way I can possibly imagine having votes go. MOST interceptions are not made based on a cornerback making a "great" play - they're made because the quarterback and receiver were not on the same route, saw something different, or one of them just made a poor play. I'm entirely tired of people telling me that cornerbacks like Deltha O'Neal are the best in the league because they have a bunch of interceptions. Unless you're someone like Ty Law or Champ Bailey and you can actually COVER along with your interceptions, I feel that the entire "INT" statistic is hilariously overrated.4) Terence Newman damn-near made the Pro Bowl. If I remember correctly, he was 4th in voting for the NFC.5) Please find me examples of Terence Newman getting repeatedly burned last year... Because I certainly don't recall it. He has not "underachieved." Cornerbacks, by large, are not expected to step in and be able to cover opposing teams' #1 WR's. Newman was immediately placed in that situation in Dallas and he struggled because of it in his first two seasons. He came into his own in '05, though, and I have no problem calling him one of the best corners in the league. Ask the top NFL analysts - I'm confident they'll agree.6) Nick Barnett's statistics will take a huge hit this year with the tackling machines, Hawk and Hodge, making most of the plays against the run. Barnett is a very good linebacker, but looking back on it, I might have even overrated him.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (bobferg @ Jun 11 2006, 02:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>some of these grades are cracked out man.</div>Such as?
Jordan Gross is one of the top tackles in the game. and he gets a B+? But you give george foster.....who is slightly above average a b?Jeff faine has been a major disapointment........and he gets a B? Andre Woolfork has been better then a D. I see him 2 times a year. And you turn around and give the raiders corner a D+? It might be alittle early to give LJ an A+. an undrafted free agent ran wild behind that line. The dallas clark grade kind of makes me laugh. call me a homer if you want but he will never put up the stats you say you need to be a top TE. Wayne and harrison will get those balls. Dallas is one of the few TE's you will see line up as a FB, TE and WR and can be a factor in all those spots. but that is just my 2 cents.
[quote name='bobferg' post='52516' date='Jun 11 2006, 03:14 PM']Jordan Gross is one of the top tackles in the game. and he gets a B+? But you give george foster.....who is slightly above average a b?[/quote]You have to consider the fact that Gross was taken in the top-10 and thus expected to be a lot better than Foster. I'm a big fan of Gross, so believe me, it's no disrespect to him.[quote name='bobferg' post='52516' date='Jun 11 2006, 03:14 PM']Jeff faine has been a major disapointment........and he gets a B?[/quote]I gave him a B, like I said, because they made a good trade with him this year to get D'Qwell Jackson. [quote name='bobferg' post='52516' date='Jun 11 2006, 03:14 PM']Andre Woolfork has been better then a D. I see him 2 times a year. And you turn around and give the raiders corner a D+?[/quote]Again, it has to do with where the picks were taken. [quote name='bobferg' post='52516' date='Jun 11 2006, 03:14 PM']It might be alittle early to give LJ an A+. an undrafted free agent ran wild behind that line.[/quote]True, true. Fair enough.[quote name='bobferg' post='52516' date='Jun 11 2006, 03:14 PM']The dallas clark grade kind of makes me laugh. call me a homer if you want but he will never put up the stats you say you need to be a top TE. Wayne and harrison will get those balls. Dallas is one of the few TE's you will see line up as a FB, TE and WR and can be a factor in all those spots.[/quote]I'm a huge fan of Dallas Clark. I've been watching him since his first year in college. I do believe that he will eventually become one of the better TE's in the league.
ehh, most everyone the Titans took in 2003 has under-performed in some manner. Woolfolk has yet to have a full year healthy, so maybe we'll get that turned around. Maybe Calico will be fully recovered from his knee injuries and snap out of his funk. Only had 6 picks that year, but we didn't really need anybody at the time. Chris Brown still has some potential if can get past being so injury prone. Rien Long will give us quality depth at DT for a while. The other two were total wastes.
ADOV, Jimmy Kennedy is starting too. Shouldn't he be like an A now?Just 'cause you start doesn't mean much (I didn't read any of the other posts FYI).
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brooksie5 @ Jun 12 2006, 03:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>ADOV, Jimmy Kennedy is starting too. Shouldn't he be like an A now?Just 'cause you start doesn't mean much (I didn't read any of the other posts FYI).</div>I didnt say to give Robertson an A. But a D is too low, And then giving another mediocre player like Newman an A- is a bit rediculous. Is mediocrity worth an A- or a D, make up your mind.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AdropOFvenom @ Jun 12 2006, 06:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brooksie5 @ Jun 12 2006, 03:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>ADOV, Jimmy Kennedy is starting too. Shouldn't he be like an A now?Just 'cause you start doesn't mean much (I didn't read any of the other posts FYI).</div>I didnt say to give Robertson an A. But a D is too low, And then giving another mediocre player like Newman an A- is a bit rediculous. Is mediocrity worth an A- or a D, make up your mind. </div>I completely disagree that Terence Newman is "mediocre." The guy had a GREAT 2005 season whether you want to admit it or not.
