Spring Break
Midterm (draft) grades for NFL
Adam Loghides
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Sports
Midterms are upon us and the NFL draft is behind us. It's time to give out some midterm draft grades for the big winners (our neighbors to the north) and a seemingly lost franchise.
Let's start at the top.
My "A" goes to the Seattle Seahawks. Not only were they able to grab linebacker Aaron Curry with the number four pick, one of the best players in the draft, they were able to snag ex-Duck center Max Unger in the second round. The addition of Curry means they won't feel the loss of Julian Peterson nearly as much as they would have before last weekend. It also allowed them to remove the franchise tag from linebacker Leroy Hill, knowing Curry will line up with Pro Bowler Lofa Tatupu for years to come. Unger, who can play just about anywhere on the offensive line, fell into the Seahawks lap in the second round and will help anchor a good offensive line well into the future.
Defensive help? Check. Offensive line help? Check. Best team in the NFC West again? Check.
I have two teams that deserve "B's". One is the Cincinnati Bengals. This is closer to an "A-" than to a "B" really. The addition of both Andre Smith who, once he matures, will be a dominant defensive end and ex-USC linebacker Ray Maualuga will make the Bengals measurably better in 2009. Smith is most likely the best defensive lineman against the run in the draft and Maualuga is one of the best linebackers in the entire draft - and they got him in the second round.
The only reason they don't get an "A" is because they drafted running back Bernard Scott in the sixth round. Scott has had all kinds of off-the-field troubles recently, being arrested five times and serving probation within the last couple of years. Have the Bengals not learned their lesson with troubled players? They are the Jail Blazers of the east, and this pick doesn't help them change that perception in any way.
The other "B" goes to the San Francisco 49ers. The simple fact that they were able to grab wide receiver Michael Crabtree, probably the best overall player available, with the tenth pick should be enough to send Niner fans hopes sky rocketing going into 2009. Crabtree has won the Biletnikoff Award as the college football's best wide receiver two years running and the Niners - a team who hasn't a top flight receiver since the departure of Terrell Owens - just grabbed him without an effort.
Let's start at the top.
My "A" goes to the Seattle Seahawks. Not only were they able to grab linebacker Aaron Curry with the number four pick, one of the best players in the draft, they were able to snag ex-Duck center Max Unger in the second round. The addition of Curry means they won't feel the loss of Julian Peterson nearly as much as they would have before last weekend. It also allowed them to remove the franchise tag from linebacker Leroy Hill, knowing Curry will line up with Pro Bowler Lofa Tatupu for years to come. Unger, who can play just about anywhere on the offensive line, fell into the Seahawks lap in the second round and will help anchor a good offensive line well into the future.
Defensive help? Check. Offensive line help? Check. Best team in the NFC West again? Check.
I have two teams that deserve "B's". One is the Cincinnati Bengals. This is closer to an "A-" than to a "B" really. The addition of both Andre Smith who, once he matures, will be a dominant defensive end and ex-USC linebacker Ray Maualuga will make the Bengals measurably better in 2009. Smith is most likely the best defensive lineman against the run in the draft and Maualuga is one of the best linebackers in the entire draft - and they got him in the second round.
The only reason they don't get an "A" is because they drafted running back Bernard Scott in the sixth round. Scott has had all kinds of off-the-field troubles recently, being arrested five times and serving probation within the last couple of years. Have the Bengals not learned their lesson with troubled players? They are the Jail Blazers of the east, and this pick doesn't help them change that perception in any way.
The other "B" goes to the San Francisco 49ers. The simple fact that they were able to grab wide receiver Michael Crabtree, probably the best overall player available, with the tenth pick should be enough to send Niner fans hopes sky rocketing going into 2009. Crabtree has won the Biletnikoff Award as the college football's best wide receiver two years running and the Niners - a team who hasn't a top flight receiver since the departure of Terrell Owens - just grabbed him without an effort.
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Be the first to comment on this story
Comments by registered users are approved by default.