Thursday Night NFL Draft

Know there are many on this board that will be watching the NFL Draft Thursday night.

One of the reasons that I am starting this thread is because I believe it relates to many of our discussions on this board about offensive linemen.

Many have different reasons for following a particular NFL Draft "guru". Over the past few years I have been one that watches and listens to what Mike Mayock has to say. Personally think he is above some of the "media boys" that think "they" know.

Back to the offensive linemen, the position that some on this board (me) cry about our lack of recruiting "effort", or lack of recognizing "talent".

Check out the number of "running backs" being selected in the top 10 or so. Look at the number of offensive linemen. Game has changed and will change more. Quarterbacks not taking snaps with their hands under the centers butt. Shotgun is the way it is done in the NFL. NFL is a passing league.

www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000346744/...ks-top-100-prospects

Know that there are many Falcon supporters on this board. Wondering who you would like to have at #6 or wherever the pick actually is.

Just me talking. If I had put millions of dollars in Matty Ice's till, would sure as heck find myself an offensive left tackle in this draft. There will be three (3) that will be available in the first 10 picks. If I am running the Falcon draft, no doubt in my mind that I will take anyone of the three tackles that have Pro-Bowl written all over them.

So, here is hoping that those that lead us in Athens take note about the change in the NFL game. The young folks, most of them in high school and college want to play there. Question. How often over the past 13 or 14 years have we sent offensive linemen to the NFL? What about Alabama? Makes sense to me that SEC Championships are won on the line of scrimmage. I go the message some time back, time for those in the Classic City to do the same.

Interesting now Buc....

Catch 22 for kids in HS these days. The RB position is still huge in college football but are now relegated to 3rd, 4th and 5th round picks in the NFL.

If I'm a kid is HS, I'm looking to develop at QB, WR....... LT and DE (if big enough), if I have aspirations for the NFL.

Or a great kicker.....heck even punter make $2M+ per year now.

RB's in the NFL are a dime a dozen today.

wlayton, if I am a running back in college, going to welcome having a "sidekick" making some carries. Game has really changed, although some would have us think otherwise.

Another good reason to run the pro style offense. If a young man has running talent, it really pays off if he can "catch" the ball.

Change in size of the player has gotten to the point that 6'2" is a "shorty". While some of these young defensive linemen will learn a lot after entering the NFL, they are still "bad to the bone" in college. Looking at as much film as I do, there are serious hits in college. Lots and lots of concussions.

NFL is a quarterback league, that is where the money is laid out. Have to have protection for them and that is usually with good offensive linemen. Same applies a different way in college. Throwing the ball more and more in college, makes sense that folks like Saban and Malzahn "find" offensive linemen and sign them.

What is the one phrase that we hear from all of the talking heads pertaining to NFL football? "Has to have a big time arm". Big time arm is not required to hand the football to a running back.

This draft is loaded with talent, looking forward to the guessing game tomorrow night. There will be some running backs in the second and third rounds that would have been first round or early second round picks not that long ago, as you mentioned above.

There is a lot to be looked at and go either pro or con in the article below.

I have been an AM "homer" for a long time.

Those reading this might remember what Jon Gruden had to say about AM. Jon Gruden's strength has always been analyzing quarterbacks. Gruden does not like "dumb asses" with strong arms. Sorry, but that is the truth.

Also notice that much of the talk in the article and the comments come back to "arm srength". Amazes me that so many that profess to understand football don't seem to grasp understanding the "play book". AM goes much further than that. He is a "student" of the game. Very interested in "who" not "where" AM will be chosen.

Don't have overly strong feelings for the NFL. However, wherever AM lands, I will watch and root for him. I understand what he has done and . . . . AM has never asked anything in return. University of Georgia should be proud of AM. I am.

www.sbnation.com/college-football/2014/5...backs-2014-nfl-draft

Solid points here gents,

As a life-long Falcons fan, all I can say is a big AMEN to you Buc...draft whichever highly touted LT you can get at the #6 spot & add some protection to your $100MM QB investment.

wlayton, really great point on RBs in the NFL, they really have lost a ton of "perceived value" & so suddenly too Buc.

In just a handful of years we've went from:

2008 NFL DRAFT Running Backs
1st Round - 5 (D. McFadden, J. Stewart, Felix Jones, R. Mendenhall, Chris Johnson)
2nd Rd. - 2 (Matt Forte, Ray Rice)
3rd Rd. - 4 (Jamal Charles, etc.)

2013 NFL DRAFT Running Backs
1st Round - 0
2nd Rd. - 5
3rd Rd. - 1

I say "perceived value" because though currently undervalued IMO, a stud RB to hand the ball off to with confidence is still mighty valuable in the NFL.


As for AM, the thing that most amazes me is how much public perception has changed on him since his Junior season. Buc, kudos to you, you were a big AM fan from day 1 of his recruitment.

Still, Murray went from his house getting egged after a tough road loss & being the 1 QB in the country to most often to wear the label "can't win when it matters, comes up small in the big games, choker, etc." to one of the most loved QBs in recent memory among my fellow Dawg fans & one of the most respected QBs by our rivals, it's quite remarkable to me really!

I've always felt AM got way too much of the blame when we lost & now, I don't know, is he possibly getting too much credit for some of our wins now that he's gone? Still, Aaron Murray is pretty darn high on my own list of all-time DGDs!

He's a Central Florida kid with enough sense to know a good thing when he 1st saw Athens; we were very fortunate to have him for 4 years. Buc, like you, myself & many of us will definitely root for Murray wherever he lands...just don't let it be the stinking Aints!


For me, like every offseason, I'm dreaming big...I'm hoping the home state kid turned Senior who waited 5 long years for his chance to lead the Red & Black is ready to etch his own name into the some of our favorite UGA moments & memories!

GATA Hutson Mason!

Goose, many years ago I was one of those that was in the battle of words and thoughts about the Saints. Hail Mary's etc.

Never forget Harmon Wages and his days with Norm Van Brocklin. Harmon was scared to death of the "Dutchman".

The Dutchman and Fran Tarkenton could not get along either. Norm did not like the fact that Fran was a "scrambling" quarterback, wanted him to stay in the pocket.

My favorite Falcon player of all time was Tommy Nobis. Football player, period.

Back in the 70's there was a bar, eatery on Peachtree that many of the sports celebrities would spend their "extra" time. Name of the bar was, "The Tree on Peachtree". I have many memories.



Good to hear from you again Goose, and good luck with your pick. This is going to be one of the more exciting drafts in years, me thinks.

One more thingy . . . . know your feelings on Auburn. On paper they look pretty good. They also have a "scrambling" quarterback . . . . the "Dutchman" rolls in his grave.

On the stud running backs, hopper is full of stud backs in Athens. Keeping my eyes on the offensive line, hoping for a pleasant surprise Goose.