JM57

I voted for Gilmore. I'm a SC fan, I'm high on him and Jeffrey. Kuechly is a good player but not good value at #10 IMO and I'm not 100% positive Floyd will be there at #10 or worth the #10. That being said,a CB like Gilmore could definitely be worth it.

Want to know about his supporting cast in Houston? Name someone else on their D line from 2006-2011. Name a linebacker from 2006-09 that isn't DeMeco Ryans. Name someone in the secondary besides Dunta Robinson. That team was absolutely brutal defensively up until the last couple of years.

He also drafted David Carr, Jabar Gaffney, Bennie Joppru, Chester Pitts, Jason Babin (career resurgence aside), and Travis Johnson in the top 50 picks. Not to mention his complete and utter failure to build an offensive line capable of keeping Carr on his feet or a defense that wasn't Swiss cheese. Even a broken clock is right twice a day. EDIT to add: Don't forget the 2nd rounder for Tony Hollings in the Supplemental Draft, another washout.

Tim Anderson. He's a lunch pail kind of player. (shuddering at the thought)

I will definitely say the safest bet is @Houston what with the way national telecasts love to play up the (insert player here) who used to play for (insert team here) storylines

Dwan doesn't have a true fit in a 4-3 defense. He's a career 3-4 DE. He will be the first one to go. Carrington was a 4-3 DE in college, I'm sure if he keeps the bulk he gained for 3-4 DE he can play DE AND DT.

Best of luck to them. Can't be much more of a challenge at NT than at Niagara Falls where I've been!

I'm student teaching right now. This is my last day of this placement. On trade deadline day for the NHL? They were doing a review sheet. Then a quick unit. Tuesday? Review sheet. Yesterday? Test. Today? Test corrections and finishing their project. THIS IS HOW I ROLL...and the best part is? My cooperating teacher is fully in support of it. EDIT for clarification: DevilsAlum is NOT my co-op teacher. I have to ask you though sir, is your student teacher from Buff State?

Oof. I didn't catch that. All the money he "made" coming in at 216 may have just walked right back out the door with SC inflating his height

Don't drink and post

Datko slipped because of injury. Adcock I have read a few places doesn't seem to be fleet of foot and projects as a RT

Reading comprehension is key...... Aside from the Kentucky game, the decline in Jeffrey's production can be directly attributed to the QB play. Take a look at Connor Shaw's stats here: http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/504292/connor-shaw The switch from Shaw to Garcia changed that offense. As poorly as Garcia played, his dismissal and the subsequent beginning of the Shaw era made the passing game less important, as he brought the ability to actually run the ball from the QB position as well. Think what you will. But I think unless you actually watched that team all season, you should take a look past a simple stat line and see the bigger story. Analyze a bit.

I don't think he was ever actually 250. I watched him all 3 years at SC and I don't believe he appeared noticeably larger...or slower...in 2011 than in 2009. The decline he saw in production from 2010 to 2011 can be atrributed about 85% to the steep decline in the play of Stephen Garcia and learning curve of Connor Shaw following Garcia's dismissal. The other 15%? Marcus Lattimore kept defenses very, very honest. His injury allowed teams to sell out on stopping Jeffery without a dynamic runner in the game.

I don't have the capabilities using my phone to search for the post I made sometime over the last 6 weeks or so, but I definitely made one here discussing how I believed he would show up at the combine in excellent shape and raise his stock. Yes, I am aware he hasn't ran the 40 yet, but for someone who was listed at 6'5, 230 at South Carolina, and with reports he was closer to 250 this past season, coming into the combine at a svelte 216 is a big deal. I'm eager to see his 40 time. I've seen what he can do with decent QB play. He's an animal. I would love him in blue and white, if he's BPA

I think the root of the Peppers comparisons with Coples are because he is 6'6 and went to UNC. If he went to a different school, they wouldn't ever be compared. Coples clearly has a lot of talent, IMO. But why the tail off this season? Most guys get motivated to play better and improve their stock. Instead, Coples had so much hype after last season and seemed to shrink in the spotlight. Is it because he was playing to not get hurt? Because he became the focal point of blocking schemes? Is he lacking in desire/

I'm 100% in the Ingram camp as well. I watch a lot of SEC football as a fan of South Carolina. Both to see my favorite team play and to see how they compare to their conference foes (eg. Alabama) so I have seen a lot of both Ingram and Upshaw over the last couple years. What worries me with Ingram is that he didn't necessarily show the same explosiveness and consistency before this season when playing along side a likely 2014 top 10 pick in JaDeveon Clowney and 2013 first rounder Devin Taylor. He always had a knack for making a big play, but not to the same extent as this past season. That being said, his versatility is invaluable and short arms aside, he knows how to pass rush, flat out. Upshaw strikes me as the kind of player who will be an above average 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB but not particularly exciting or great at either. A true tweener, if you will. He is very good against the run and a decent pass rusher, but is that the kind of player you pick at #10?

I see signing Routt as similar to signing Florence a few years ago. Guy coming off being cut/a huge contract and didn't play up to expectations but is still pocketing A LOT of money from his former team. Will probably sign in the 4-6 million range, saves the team a draft pick and fills the need of a CB to play with Williams and Florence. I think Routt can really excel as a #2/3. He did it in Oakland when he was #2 with Asomugha, he just wasn't good enough as a #1 and that showed in his increased amount of penalties IMO.

Mercilus is the anti Buddy Nix pick. Find a guy who produced over 2 or 3 seasons as a starter and that's your guy. I can say with a fair amount of confidence Mercilus will NOT be a Bill, not with the ghost of Aaron Maybin hanging around. Just imagine that backlash. Another possible one year wonder, boom or bust Big Ten DE. I can't see it.

I think the teams, and Stanford Routt are fully aware he's still receiving $20 million guaranteed for Oakland. If he's in it for the money, he's already pocketing plenty and will probably settle for a much smaller contract. Think about the money Drayton Florence was making in...Jacksonville was it?....when he got cut and then signed here. IIRC, he also pocketed a bunch of guaranteed money from that big contract before coming to Buffalo on a mid-tier contract

Disagree. I think Routt is a classic example of the Al Davis mentality. He flourished in the #2 role with Asomugha on the other side. When they lost Nnamdi, they EXTREMELY overpaid Routt and he struggled against the elite WRs of the league. They didn't cut him for sucking, they cut him because its a whole new regime there and his cap hit can't be justified. He's not going to get signed for $10 million as a free agent like he was just making in Oakland.

He's done a lot for Lew-Port over the years. When I was younger he made a donation to the district to upgrade/get computers in every classroom. That was back when that was a big deal, probably around 1996 or so. Just had his jersey retired maybe 2 years ago and made the trip back for the ceremony. Great guy, very friendly when he comes home to visit his family and doesn't act bigger than anyone because of who he is or any of that. I know he's done a lot of charitable work in the Dallas area too, probably more so than here, but you know that's what happens when you get that adopted hometown

I think what I see with him is a "low ceiling" type of guy. He's above average as a rush LB in the 3-4 and as a DE in a 4-3, but elite at neither. Jack of all trades, master of none, if you will. Is that the player you pick in the top 10? Perhaps he is the BPA, then I say take him. Absolutely take him. He will be a good player, just maybe not a great one. Kind of like Schobel for this decade. I will definitely be keeping an eye on him as the combine rolls around, etc. I respect your knowledge and opinion and I apologize for coming at you like that.

I have many things to say in response to this. First of all, why do you feel the need to post every new thought in a new paragraph Do you think that I Am incapable of reading like a normal human being? Secondly, I didn't say Courtney Upshaw = Donte Whitner. What I said WAS I see a good player, but I don't see a player worth #10 overall. I see a player that will play well in the right scheme, in the right situations, with the right players around him. He's not a cornerstone guy. If you put 2-3 other trash linebackers out there with him, he's getting keyed on and he's getting shut down. He didn't see that at Bama, he had high quality players next to him, in front of him, and behind him. Thirdly, you're correct, I don't watch much college football at all. Who is the University of Alabammer? Do they play in the AFC or the NFC? Who won the College World Series? What is this Hers-man Trophy everyone talks about? Fourth, oh, he's been the leader in productivity for the last 3 years? I think a guy named Rolando McClain was pretty good in 2009 (aka the first season you're talking about). He had 105 tackles, 14 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 INT and 2 forced fumbles. Upshaw in 2009 had 15 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, and 1 fumble recovery (albeit for a TD). Correct me if I'm wrong, but 105 > 15 isn't it? It is? Oh, ok. So McClain was the leader in 2009. I will give you 2010 though. Upshaw had a good year, but so did Dont'a Hightower. Fifth, he played major roles in two national championships, did he? Go look at a box score of the 2010 BCS Championship Game and let me know when you get to Upshaw's name on there. OH THERE HE IS, down at the bottom with one assisted tackle. ONE. ASSISTED. TACKLE. What a major role that is. I understand you're hard up for this guy like many people here at TBD, but if you're gonna post you should at least check your facts. Post count =/= intelligence or accuracy. Check. Your move.

I'm baffled by the hype on this guy here on TBD. What exactly is it about Courtney Upshaw that you guys all love so much? What am I missing? I see a good player, but I don't see a #10 player. Kinda like another guy that was reviled around here for years (HINT: He wore #20 and just made the NFC Championship game)

I think in a 4-3 Sheppard is a better fit inside and Barnett outside. Think back to the Posey-Fletcher-Spikes days. Your SLB (Posey/????) is a slightly bigger guy who can take on the TE/FB/RT. Your MLB (Fletcher/Sheppard) needs to be able to thump downhill, but also drop into coverage--Sheppard's coverage could use some work, but his run stopping is his strength. Your WLB (Spikes/Barnett) needs to have the athleticism to excel in all three phases. Pass rush, coverage and run game.