Mark Long Beach Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 (edited) A lot of people wanted us to draft the ILB from Illinois in the second round. He ended up going in the 3rd to the Saints 4 picks after we picked up ILB Kelvin Shepard. Apparently is struggling at camp and definitely won't be a starter (from nfl nation blog- Camp Confidential Saints): One linebacker who is struggling a bit is third-round pick Martez Wilson. You can see he has good athleticism, but he looks lost at times during team drills. The Saints aren’t anywhere close to being ready to give up on him because he has lots of upside. But a lot of fans thought he’d be an instant starter. That’s not going to happen. Obviously it's early, but there were a couple reports on him that I read that he was a great athlete and a real boom or bust kind of guy. I figured he wasn't on our list (and apparently wasn't since we passed him in the second & third round and picked a different ILB). But he was "ranked" by a lot of draft journals as "better" than KS. It seems our draft philosophy is to draft the "athletes only" type in the late rounds and pick high productivity guys early. Edited August 12, 2011 by Mark Long Beach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cocktosten Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 A lot of people wanted us to draft the ILB from Illinois in the second round. He ended up going in the 3rd to the Saints 4 picks after we picked up ILB Kelvin Shepard. Apparently is struggling at camp and definitely won't be a starter (from nfl nation blog- Camp Confidential Saints): Obviously it's early, but there were a couple reports on him that I read that he was a great athlete and a real boom or bust kind of guy. I figured he wasn't on our list (and apparently wasn't since we passed him in the second & third round and picked a different ILB). But he was "ranked" by a lot of draft journals as "better" than KS. It seems our draft philosophy is to draft the "athletes only" type in the late rounds and pick high productivity guys early. Two weeks into his rookie year. Our '10 picks all sat on the bench last year if you didn't notice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Long Beach Posted August 12, 2011 Author Share Posted August 12, 2011 Two weeks into his rookie year. Our '10 picks all sat on the bench last year if you didn't notice. Oh yes, it's EARLY. But a lot of people expected him to be a first year starter. It's difficult in general for a rookie to start, but the big worries about him before the draft look like valid concerns. This post is just an update for those who were interested in ILBs before the draft. IMO, he's closer to a Maybin type draft pick, where exceptional athleticism overshadows weaker skills & production. But at only a 3rd rounder that's closer to where these types of gambles should be taken and not at the top of the 1st. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cocktosten Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Oh yes, it's EARLY. But a lot of people expected him to be a first year starter. It's difficult in general for a rookie to start, but the big worries about him before the draft look like valid concerns. This post is just an update for those who were interested in ILBs before the draft. IMO, he's closer to a Maybin type draft pick, where exceptional athleticism overshadows weaker skills & production. But at only a 3rd rounder that's closer to where these types of gambles should be taken and not at the top of the 1st. I'm not saying Wilson will or won't bust but the comparison to Maybin stops at "athleticism". Maybin doesn't sniff the field his Jr year if King and Evans don't suspended/injured. Wilson was a 3 year starter at Illinois and played mutlipe positions. They moved him all over the place until last year. There is also no way to say how he'd look in a Bills uniform because the Saints run a completely different defense.7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Barbarian Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 A lot of people wanted us to draft the ILB from Illinois in the second round. He ended up going in the 3rd to the Saints 4 picks after we picked up ILB Kelvin Shepard. Apparently is struggling at camp and definitely won't be a starter (from nfl nation blog- Camp Confidential Saints): Obviously it's early, but there were a couple reports on him that I read that he was a great athlete and a real boom or bust kind of guy. I figured he wasn't on our list (and apparently wasn't since we passed him in the second & third round and picked a different ILB). But he was "ranked" by a lot of draft journals as "better" than KS. It seems our draft philosophy is to draft the "athletes only" type in the late rounds and pick high productivity guys early. Shows that Nix knows what he is doing. Don't know about Athletes late as my boy Chris White was picked in the 6th and great athlete he isn't but great player he is. I think he picks who ever is the best available at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Long Beach Posted August 12, 2011 Author Share Posted August 12, 2011 I'm not saying Wilson will or won't bust but the comparison to Maybin stops at "athleticism". Maybin doesn't sniff the field his Jr year if King and Evans don't suspended/injured. Wilson was a 3 year starter at Illinois and played mutlipe positions. They moved him all over the place until last year. There is also no way to say how he'd look in a Bills uniform because the Saints run a completely different defense.7 Agreed. Although I'm an U of Illinois graduate so I still pay attention to the players there. I never got the vibe that he was a Nix kind of guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyC81 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Two weeks into his rookie year. Our '10 picks all sat on the bench last year if you didn't notice. And most of the Oakland Raiders 2010 draft class contributed to their 8-8 season. Who said the game has passsed Al Davis by?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSaint Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 im definitely curious to see how he looks in the dome tonight. i think its funny that people peg a mid rounder as an instant impact starter. especially on a team returning an injured starter at the position from last year that the coaches were big on. average fans, not great judges of how draft picks fit into teams. those same fans would tell you that the saints two first rounders should start having busts made in canton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdand12 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Wilson is in the same.. partly submerged boat as all the rookies are this year. No playbook or real workouts or communications, etc. Sheppard is iffy as a starter for at least part of the season. he will be very good or better i think, but right now he is not ready. Neither is Martez. They both will be very good barring injury. And i was all for on Wilson to Buffalo myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EC-Bills Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Agreed. Although I'm an U of Illinois graduate so I still pay attention to the players there. I never got the vibe that he was a Nix kind of guy. Also a U of I grad and I agree completely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 It will be interesting to see who ends up being the better player between Kelvin and Martez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defend Greece Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 At least we have matbin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsCelticsAngelsBama Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 A lot of people wanted us to draft the ILB from Illinois in the second round. He ended up going in the 3rd to the Saints 4 picks after we picked up ILB Kelvin Shepard. Apparently is struggling at camp and definitely won't be a starter (from nfl nation blog- Camp Confidential Saints): Obviously it's early, but there were a couple reports on him that I read that he was a great athlete and a real boom or bust kind of guy. I figured he wasn't on our list (and apparently wasn't since we passed him in the second & third round and picked a different ILB). But he was "ranked" by a lot of draft journals as "better" than KS. It seems our draft philosophy is to draft the "athletes only" type in the late rounds and pick high productivity guys early. Uh.. Ever think they might have better players on New Orleans and it's harder to crack the starting line-up there....... Nah !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSaint Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 Uh.. Ever think they might have better players on New Orleans and it's harder to crack the starting line-up there....... Nah !! At olb, they do not have good players. Scott shanle is attrocious. Jonathan casillas being back healthy should take Wilsons spot, but he's never really played. It was the obvious way someone would see this playing out, but it isn't because the saints OLBs are world beaters. Likely among the weakest units in the league. JoLonn Dunbar Scott shanle Jonathan casillas - who everyone's hoping for Will herring? Danny Clark? You see why Joe fan thinks Wilson must start. It's just silly to think a midround pick coming off the lockout would supplant a starter from last year. JC was penciled to start last year before injury and looked beastly last night. Might be a name everyone learns quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starrymessenger Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 KS is a football player. I think Nix made the right decision as between the two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 Two weeks into his rookie year. Our '10 picks all sat on the bench last year if you didn't notice. I know that he wasn't a 2010 pick, but Maybin was able to get off the bench. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 Chris White will be a better ILB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSBill Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 Chris White will be a better ILB. agreed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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