2009 NFL Draft Mailbag

NFL Draft Mailbag Notes: Note that the e-mails I received have been italicized and left unedited. My responses follow them.

3/13/09

2009 NFL Draft E-mails – Jay Cutler, Broncos Offseason



  • From Joey G.:

    Did you happen to see that Mel Kiper Jr. thinks that Matt Cassel is clearly better than Jay Cutler? Personally I think that is just absurd… just wondering your thoughts.



    My Response:

    Yeah, I heard what Kiper said. I have a lot of respect for him because of what he did for the NFL Draft. I wouldn’t have my site if it wasn’t for him. But I think he was probably on LSD when he said that stuff about Cassel. That’s the only explanation I have. That, or Cassel had a gun to his head and forced him to say those comments.





  • From Tobin S.:

    Here’s a hat tip for making a mock draft that is completely insane. I don’t have to tell you how many people in the NFL fan world seem to think picking an OLB for a first-round pick on a team with virtually no talent (save Calvin Johnson) is a great idea. No wonder the Lions have problems. Even their fans make terrible draft picks.

    Anyway, this e-mail is in regard to my beloved Denver Broncos. I have no idea what is going on with the new management, but they’re about one more half-a**ed free-agency signing away from me not even bothering to watch next season. At first, I supported the regime change, just because I didn’t think Shanahan would do enough to address the awful defense. Another year with him in charge, and we would have had an amazing offense accompanied by a defense offering as much protection as lamb-skin condoms (Read – another 8 and 8 or 7-9 or 9-7 record).

    That being said, what is with the cluster f**k going on in the front office? Forgive my foul language, but this new coach simply cannot manage to sign anyone worth anything. I like Brian Dawkins and think he will bring much needed voice and attitude to the locker room. The trouble is X-Man and Little Mac are paying him 27-year-old wages. As for everyone else we picked up – Andre Goodman, Andra Davis, etc. – they look about as exciting as last year’s defense, only about three years older and worn down. And don’t even get me started on the ridiculous pack of expired running backs. Please tell me I’m missing something here. Did I not watch enough Patriot-Dolphins games to be excited about next year’s team?

    But enough about our AFC-East-amalgamation catastrophe. How do you see the Broncos adding to this “new defense”? Recently, I’ve seen everything from B.J. Raji to Ray Maualuga to Brian Cushing to Tyson Jackson. Basically, most draft experts have us picking something that can plug a hole. I, on the other hand, am a little worried about Little Mac’s conception of a football player. Common sense says take B.J. Raji. He’s off the board by then, according to most analysts. Okay, what about linebacker? I would take Maualuga, especially given our conversion to 3-4. Okay, he’s injured. But doesn’t that make him a perfect candidate for the Broncos? Come on, we’re giving Correll Buckhalter a starting chance? And why Tyson Jackson?





    My Response:

    Well said on all parts.

    You couldn’t be more right about Denver’s free agency. After almost every signing, I’ve said to myself, “What are they doing?” Most of their moves make no sense. Brian Dawkins will be a nice leader, as you said, and Andre Goodman actually played well last year, but these crap signings like Correll Buckhalter, Andra Davis, etc. are ridiculous. No wonder the Broncos wanted to downgrade their QB position from Jay Cutler to Matt Cassel.

    At this point, you could probably offer Josh McDaniels a $20 bill for his $100. I’m convinced he’d accept that deal.

    With all of Denver’s additions, I guess Rey Maualuga does make a lot of sense. Better yet, let’s give the Broncos another crappy running back like Mike Goodson at No. 12. He’d fit in well.





  • From Conrad A.:

    I love the site. But, I have to say what is with the all the long-winded Lion’s fans? Do they have to supplant logic with Dickenish verbage on how much Stafford will suck? I mean, if I was a fan of such a crappy franchise, I would have time to read War and Peace because I would have all of January and February off every year. I’m sure my bitterness would wear off eventually.



    My Response:

    I’ve given up. I really have. To us, it makes a lot of sense. To them, I guess the sting of the Joey Harrington era still hasn’t worn off.

    The bottom line is we’ll never know how Lions fans feel. The nightmares… the suspicion that the team will inexplicably bring back Harrington for another five years… the thought of being attacked by a torrent of Harrington’s inaccurately thrown footballs in a dark alley… it’s too much, and I think it’s something we’ll never understand.





  • From Michael G.:

    I disagree with your notion that the Fins could take a rush linebacker in the first round. I’m a die-hard Dolphins fan and the Fins just singed Cameron Wake and they have Matt Roth and Joey Porter. Joey is overated as you have said but I think he has two good years left in him. I see them going Clint Stism in Round 2. Brian Robiskie or Kenny Britt with the other 2nd round pick and somebody like a DJ Moore or Darius Bulter inRround 1 because of the loss of Andre Goodman. Your thoughts?



    My Response:

    I don’t think Cameron Wake plays any part into Miami’s decision-making on Draft Day. A few years ago, Wake couldn’t even make an NFL roster. Now he’s the pass-rushing savior? I don’t buy it. He’s a low-risk, high-reward guy who may not even make the team.

    I could see them drafting a corner. That’s way more probable than a receiver, and I may mock a corner to them in the future. It’s just that Bill Parcells has a history of drafting rush linebackers, and the Dolphins struggled to get pressure on the quarterback late in the 2008 season. That needs to be fixed because if they can’t produce sacks, it doesn’t matter who the corners are.


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    2011 NFL Draft Mailbag Archive:

    2011 NFL Draft Mailbag Home
    Post-Round 1 E-mail - April 29
    Hate Mail Volume 7 - April 10
    Crackhead Mail Volume 2 - April 10
    Random AFC Questions and Comments Volume 5 - April 10
    Random NFC Questions and Comments Volume 5 - April 10
    Hate Mail Volume 6 - April 3
    Crackhead Mail - April 3
    Trade and Prospect Speculation - April 3
    Hate Mail Volume 5 - March 28
    Cam Newton Mailbag - March 28
    Random AFC Questions and Comments Volume 4 - March 28
    Random NFC Questions and Comments Volume 4 - March 28
    Hate Mail Volume 4 - March 13
    Random AFC Questions and Comments Volume 3 - March 13
    Random NFC Questions and Comments Volume 3 - March 13
    Random Questions and Comments - March 7
    Hate Mail Volume 3 - March 7
    Combine Questions and Comments - March 7
    Combine Hate Mail - March 7
    Hate Mail Volume 2 - Feb. 22
    Random AFC Questions and Comments Volume 2 - Feb. 22
    Random NFC Questions and Comments Volume 2 - Feb. 22
    Quarterbacks - Feb. 15
    Hate Mail - Feb. 15
    Random AFC Questions and Comments - Feb. 15
    Random NFC Questions and Comments - Feb. 15






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