More Paranoid Patriot fun...

[Box_O_Rocks]

PP of PP used that weak-assed PFW list of 242 players, which under his rules meant you had a choice of five players to "draft" in the seventh round. :shake:

Here's USA Today's ranking for the top "500" players, a little different look and a lot more choices once you get to the end of the draft.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/graphics/nfl_draft_08/flash.htm?gid=144&aid=714

Exercise one: Using no trades, draft for your team of choice (notice it's okay for Tmack to draft for his pretty ponies). You may not draft a player ranked above your draft position (e.g., #7 may not draft 1-6), you may draft anyone ranked at or lower than your draft position (e.g., #7 may choose from players ranked 7-500). Before posting your draft, you must indicate what you believe your team's "needs" are in this draft, rank them by urgency (this should be fun to see where Patriots fans differ). Indy: 1-QB, 2-RB, 3-WR...and so on.

Exercise two: Using a draft value chart and uncommon sense (heh, I know my audience here), re-draft the lot using trades - but, justify your trade. (If you think KC will take a 5th rounder to move down to #7, tell us why.) No sky is fuschia with tints of mauve draft trades, if you think you can get Dallas to cough up both number ones and a second day pick for #7, tell us why and include the lot number from Jerry Jones' prescription. :coffee:

Paranoid Patriot indicated the Pats are drafting 7, 62, 69, 94, 129, 164, 197, 238.

Draft value chart: http://www.theredzone.org/2005/draft/draftvaluechart.asp

[patsin°°]

wheres your picks box?

[Box_O_Rocks]

wheres your picks box?Patience Grasshopper.

Correction on the rules: Each participant may pick up to 5 Undrafted Free Agents after they've picked at 238. Have fun!

[ParanoidPatriot]

wheres your picks box?
He's waiting for me so he can pick different guys and tell me mine suck.

#7 Keith Rivers,LB, USC

#62. Tracy Porter, CB/FS Ind

#69 Godfrey, CB Iowa

#94 Craig Steltz, SS Lsu

#129 Breno Giacomini OT, Louisville

# 164 Jack Iwebema,CB, Wisc -probably IR and that's how we get to steal him at 184

#197 Spencer Larson, ILB ASU

#238 Derek Fine TE, Kansas I'm always ending up with this guy

[Box_O_Rocks]

He's waiting for me so he can pick different guys and tell me mine suck.

#7 Keith Rivers,LB, USC

#62. Tracy Porter, CB/FS Ind

#69 Godfrey, CB Iowa

#94 Craig Steltz, SS Lsu

#129 Breno Giacomini OT, Louisville

# 164 Jack Iwebema,CB, Wisc -probably IR and that's how we get to steal him at 184

#197 Spencer Larson, ILB ASU

#238 Derek Fine TE, Kansas I'm always ending up with this guyNo UDFAs? (And these guys suck. :coffee: )

[ParanoidPatriot]

No UDFAs? (And these guys suck. :coffee: )

I'm in a golf tourney and pool tourney.

[Box_O_Rocks]

I'm in a golf tourney and pool tourney.Translation: You're in the water trap. RavenBHee

[patchick]

The "natural":

#7 Quentin Groves, OLB
#62 Brad Cottam, TE
#69 Jonathan Goff, LB
#94 Dexter Jackson, WR
#129 Jack Williams, CB
# 164 Jack Ikegwuonu, CB
#197 Curtis Johnson, OLB
#238 Kerry Brown, OG

vs...

TRADE #7 & #62 to Chicago for #14, #44, #75
Chicago squeezes in above Baltimore for a shot at its first real QB in decades -- and getting #62 back means they don't really have to blow up their draft to do it.

#14 Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (I can't believe I just wrote that)

TRADE Seattle sends #25 to NE for #44 & #69
Seattle's big needs are on offense, especially in the passing game. Honestly, who tempts them here? They still get their pick of TEs at #44.

#25 Quentin Groves, OLB
#75 Red Bryant, DT
#94 Chevis Jackson, CB/S
#129 Darius Reynaud, RB/WR
#164 Craig Stevens, TE
#197 Curtis Johnson, OLB
#238 Kerry Brown, OG

I don't expect that 2nd draft is going to be a crowd pleaser, but I totally love it -- even though I'm on the fence about Rogers-Cromartie. Since you also pick up a top pass rusher and a 2nd, more polished CB, I think the risk is worthwhile. Plus I love Bryant as the true backup NT we're missing, and I managed to squeeze in my binkies Reynaud, Johnson and Brown. So there. :Poke:

[Box_O_Rocks]

Needs rank: 1 - Linebacker. Depth at LB is currently very thin with only a couple young players in development.

2 - Cornerback. Free Agency has taken the edge off this position with the signing of veterans Webster, Sanders, and Bryant, but another young CB would be a good value and BB likes to draft DBs.

3 - Safety. Free Agency has also helped here with the signings of Williams and the CBs noted above. That said, another young Safety to push the veterans would be a good value in the late rounds.

4 - Wide Receiver. WR is considered a three year development timeline, and Moss' contract was a three year deal. The only current WR with a contract longer than three years is Welker.

5 - Tight End. The Pats use TE a lot and creating competition at this position has always been part of their off-season plans.

Okay, no trade version:

7. OLB Derrick Harvey - I really want to trade down, the nice thing about this ranking is QB Matt Ryan at #7 would be trade bait.
62. TE Brad Cottam - I could also get Carlson on this ranking, but I think Cottam has more upside.
69. OLB Darrell Robertson - My #3 OLB conversion prospect.
94. CB Chevis Jackson - I think he could start if needed.
129. CB Jack Williams - Productive little bugger in the MAC.
164. OL Pedro Sosa - Competition for Hochstein and Yates, and maybe Britt too.
197. S Corey Lynch - 1-A player who is compared to John Lynch.
238. WR/RS Kevin Robinson - Sleeper WR who caught scout's eye in the All-Star season, productive return man.
UDFA. DE/LB Eric Foster - My wild hair pick, a high school MLB who excelled on the line as an undersized DT/DE at Rutgers, I think he could be at least a two-down ILB and might surprise us if he drops a few pounds.
UDFA. QB Paul Smith - Smart, accurate, mobile, productive, Doug Flutie-ish talent for camp fodder.
UDFA. WR Todd Blythe - A David Givens clone.
UDFA. RB Xavier Omon - Tough little cuss on a perennial winner at the lower level.
UDFA. DT Henry "Hawg" Smith - Considered by some to be more consistent and productive then his better known teammate Bryant, cheap NT candidate.

[Box_O_Rocks]

The "natural":

#7 Quentin Groves, OLB
#62 Brad Cottam, TE
#69 Jonathan Goff, LB
#94 Dexter Jackson, WR
#129 Jack Williams, CB
# 164 Jack Ikegwuonu, CB
#197 Curtis Johnson, OLB
#238 Kerry Brown, OG

vs...

TRADE #7 & #62 to Chicago for #14, #44, #75
Chicago squeezes in above Baltimore for a shot at its first real QB in decades -- and getting #62 back means they don't really have to blow up their draft to do it.

#14 Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (I can't believe I just wrote that)

TRADE Seattle sends #25 to NE for #44 & #69
Seattle's big needs are on offense, especially in the passing game. Honestly, who tempts them here? They still get their pick of TEs at #44.

#25 Quentin Groves, OLB
#75 Red Bryant, DT
#94 Chevis Jackson, CB/S
#129 Darius Reynaud, RB/WR
#164 Craig Stevens, TE
#197 Curtis Johnson, OLB
#238 Kerry Brown, OG

I don't expect that 2nd draft is going to be a crowd pleaser, but I totally love it -- even though I'm on the fence about Rogers-Cromartie. Since you also pick up a top pass rusher and a 2nd, more polished CB, I think the risk is worthwhile. Plus I love Bryant as the true backup NT we're missing, and I managed to squeeze in my binkies Reynaud, Johnson and Brown. So there. :Poke:Seattle...you'd think those suckers would have learned. :thwak: DRC, hmmm, I read the profiles of the top five CBs again and decided I like Cason and Talib's write-ups better, but I can see the DRC fascination (take two aspirin and you'll feel better tomorrow). No UDFA picks? :rolleyes:

[patchick]

OK, it occurred to me that I could take a different tack with the same trades as above...

#14 Quentin Groves, OLB
#25 Jerod Mayo, ILB
#75 Red Bryant, DT
#94 Chevis Jackson, CB/S
#129 Jack Williams, CB
#164 Keenan Burton, WR
#197 Joey Haynos, TE
#238 Brandon Carr, DB

UDFA:
Kerry Brown, OG
Andre Callender, RB
Michael Eubanks, SS
Derek Fine, TE
Jaymar Johnson, WR
Andrew Larson, P

[ctpatsfan77]

Plus I love Bryant as the true backup NT we're missing, and I managed to squeeze in my binkies Reynaud, Johnson and Brown.

OK--so did Brown become your binkie before or after I demonstrated one of his, ahem, main qualifications over at PF? :D

[patchick]

OK--so did Brown become your binkie before or after I demonstrated one of his, ahem, main qualifications over at PF? :D

Oh, I don't deny it -- I'm a sucker for a red-bearded offensive lineman! :rockon:

But truly, Brown first caught my eye with his excellent vertical jump, and I like that his strengths are reported to be use of his hands, quickness, and angles/leverage. His pro day numbers are pretty impressive too, if you believe them:
6'5" 305 5.16/3.01/1.80 32 29.5" 8'07" 7.97
The combination of 32 reps and 29.5" vertical is tremendous. For perspective, compare to the #1 ranked guard Branden Albert:
6'6" 309 5.17/2.96/1.71 23 26" 9'03" 7.97

[Hawg73]

Oh, I don't deny it -- I'm a sucker for a red-bearded offensive lineman! :rockon:

But truly, Brown first caught my eye with his excellent vertical jump, and I like that his strengths are reported to be use of his hands, quickness, and angles/leverage. His pro day numbers are pretty impressive too, if you believe them:
6'5" 305 5.16/3.01/1.80 32 29.5" 8'07" 7.97
The combination of 32 reps and 29.5" vertical is tremendous. For perspective, compare to the #1 ranked guard Branden Albert:
6'6" 309 5.17/2.96/1.71 23 26" 9'03" 7.97

Interesting stuff, Patchick. I was not familiar with Brown but will keep an eye on him.

I focused on Albert for a couple of quarters last year after hearing how great he was and he does look pretty damn impressive in pads, but......he didn't really do much. He is not that physical for a guy his size and that bench press figure (23) is pathetic for a guy as big as Branden is.

I see it every single year. Athletes and combine stars get all the first day love in all the mocks, but when push comes to shove all the tough guys get picked way ahead of their projections, ala Logan Mankins. Hitting is still one of the most important attributes and that doesn't show up in combine scores.

[southcarolina]

7 - Ryan Clady - Best Player available, upgrades OT significantly
62 - Jonathan Goff - LBs old.
69 - Tom Zbikowski - Gold Gloves boxer with 60-13 career record.
94 - Chevis Jackson - Randall Gay replacement
129 - Owen Schmitt - Heath Evans replacement
164 - Vince Hall - More LBs
197 - Ben Moffitt - Even MORE LBs!!!!! By not using draft picks on LB s for years, Belichick has been setting us up for this year. Dastardly! Doesnt matter anyway, we all know these 6th rounders never amount to anything anyway.
238 - Cory Boyd - Some day, Kevin Faulk will retire, and you can never have too many Cocks on your roster.

[Box_O_Rocks]

7. Carolina trades #13, #67, and their 2009 4th round pick for New England's #7. This allows them to draft OT Ryan Clady before Baltimore picks Jonathan Ogden's replacement - Steve McNair lights one up in celebration.

13. The latest QB ranking discussion by the NFL Network draft gurus had Louisville's Brian Brohm as the #2 QB in this draft. Baltimore most likely took BC's Matt Ryan after Carolina moved up for the #2 OT, now Atlanta needs to move ahead of Chicago if they want the #2 QB. Atlanta trades #34, #37, and their 2009 4th round pick for #13.

34. LB Jerod Mayo (NE wants some more speed at LB, he seems the most likely LB prospect to fill the bill inside as Bruschi's understudy.)

37. Minnesota needs QB, WR, DL, and OL help, they'll be able to get the DE they need in the first round, but if they want a QB this is the time to make a move. MN trades #47, #117, and their 2009 4th round pick for #37 to get their QB.

47. RB Ray Rice (The next Kevin Faulk.)

52. Tampa Bay can't resist #62 & #94 in exchange for #52. DB Reggie Smith (Another classic CB/S tweener who has played both.)

67. TE Brad Cottam (The #1 TE on my board.)

69. LB Darrell Robertson (My #3 OLB conversion prospect behind Chris Long and Vernon Gholston.)

103. NE bundles #117 and their 2009 4th round pick for Atlanta's #103, giving Dimitroff a boost by moving Atlanta back into the 4th round in 2009 and grabbing the CB they want. CB Chevis Jackson (If I draft no other DB, I want this kid in camp, he's going to be a starter in the NFL.)

129. TE Jacob Tamme (This is a converted WR who is an undersized TE, he impressed me when I watched him in games and I'm inclined to see if he could convert back to WR. He is an excellent STs stud too.)

197. CB Justin Tryon (There are some draftniks who have him ranked much higher, a deep CB draft for sure.)

238. WR Kevin Robinson (Impressed in All-Star action, dangerous return specialist.)

UDFA. OT Cory Clark (NFL Draft Scout rates him a good reserve prospect for a zone team.)
UDFA. DE/LB Eric Foster (Another gamble, I think he can convert back to ILB and be a force in the middle.)
UDFA. OL Kerry Brown (Any OL patchick likes is worth a closer look!)
UDFA. LB Angelo Craig (A bit slow, but this kid can play and isn't a difficult conversion to OLB.)
UDFA. NT Henry "Hawg" Smith (Some draftniks consider him a better prospect than his better known linemate Red Bryant - if he works out he could be a fixture on the Practice Squad behind Vince.)

4 LB, 3 DB, 2 TE, 1 WR, 1 TE, 2 OL, 1 DL, 1 RB = 15. NE has 60 on the roster, which leaves them room for 20 more players, so this "draft" would allow them to pick up five more players as opportunity allows.

[ParanoidPatriot]

7. Carolina trades #13, #67, and their 2009 4th round pick for New England's #7. This allows them to draft OT Ryan Clady before Baltimore picks Jonathan Ogden's replacement - Steve McNair lights one up in celebration.

13. The latest QB ranking discussion by the NFL Network draft gurus had Louisville's Brian Brohm as the #2 QB in this draft. Baltimore most likely took BC's Matt Ryan after Carolina moved up for the #2 OT, now Atlanta needs to move ahead of Chicago if they want the #2 QB. Atlanta trades #34, #37, and their 2009 4th round pick for #13.

34. LB Jerod Mayo (NE wants some more speed at LB, he seems the most likely LB prospect to fill the bill inside as Bruschi's understudy.)

37. Minnesota needs QB, WR, DL, and OL help, they'll be able to get the DE they need in the first round, but if they want a QB this is the time to make a move. MN trades #47, #117, and their 2009 4th round pick for #37 to get their QB.

47. RB Ray Rice (The next Kevin Faulk.)

52. Tampa Bay can't resist #62 & #94 in exchange for #52. DB Reggie Smith (Another classic CB/S tweener who has played both.)

67. TE Brad Cottam (The #1 TE on my board.)

69. LB Darrell Robertson (My #3 OLB conversion prospect behind Chris Long and Vernon Gholston.)

103. NE bundles #117 and their 2009 4th round pick for Atlanta's #103, giving Dimitroff a boost by moving Atlanta back into the 4th round in 2009 and grabbing the CB they want. CB Chevis Jackson (If I draft no other DB, I want this kid in camp, he's going to be a starter in the NFL.)

129. TE Jacob Tamme (This is a converted WR who is an undersized TE, he impressed me when I watched him in games and I'm inclined to see if he could convert back to WR. He is an excellent STs stud too.)

197. CB Justin Tryon (There are some draftniks who have him ranked much higher, a deep CB draft for sure.)

238. WR Kevin Robinson (Impressed in All-Star action, dangerous return specialist.)

UDFA. OT Cory Clark (NFL Draft Scout rates him a good reserve prospect for a zone team.)
UDFA. DE/LB Eric Foster (Another gamble, I think he can convert back to ILB and be a force in the middle.)
UDFA. OL Kerry Brown (Any OL patchick likes is worth a closer look!)
UDFA. LB Angelo Craig (A bit slow, but this kid can play and isn't a difficult conversion to OLB.)
UDFA. NT Henry "Hawg" Smith (Some draftniks consider him a better prospect than his better known linemate Red Bryant - if he works out he could be a fixture on the Practice Squad behind Vince.)

4 LB, 3 DB, 2 TE, 1 WR, 1 TE, 2 OL, 1 DL, 1 RB = 15. NE has 60 on the roster, which leaves them room for 20 more players, so this "draft" would allow them to pick up five more players as opportunity allows.

I have a really bad headache.

[southcarolina]

47. RB Ray Rice (The next Kevin Faulk.)




hey i already annointed Cory Boyd the next Kevin Faulk. Copying me is just sad, and a bit beneath you BOR.




:)

[ctpatsfan77]

OK, so let me see if I get this straight . . . basically, you're suggesting that the Patriots turn the #7 pick, plus their 2009 fourth, into two seconds, a third, a fourth in 2008, and three fourths in 2009.

First off--count me among the "meh" crowd here in terms of value here (yeah, it's a deep draft, but I just don't like the idea of trading out of the first round altogether). And given how many comp picks the Pats are likely to have next year (and if they don't get pick #97, I will be very, very surprised), I can't fathom them being that enthused with that aspect, either.

[Box_O_Rocks]

OK, so let me see if I get this straight . . . basically, you're suggesting that the Patriots turn the #7 pick, plus their 2009 fourth, into two seconds, a third, a fourth in 2008, and three fourths in 2009.

First off--count me among the "meh" crowd here in terms of value here (yeah, it's a deep draft, but I just don't like the idea of trading out of the first round altogether). And given how many comp picks the Pats are likely to have next year (and if they don't get pick #97, I will be very, very surprised), I can't fathom them being that enthused with that aspect, either.So that's how it worked out, kewl! As for trading out of round one, I didn't like the value. I recall hearing or reading commentary in the past month that truly questioned the number of prospects with legitimate first round grades - from my own well of ignorance I have have only three prospects who I feel offer true value at #7 (Long, Long, & Gholston), and one more I would prefer in the mid-round, but could make a case for #7 value (Albert). I'm trying to assess value as it relates to the Patriots system - Keith Rivers would be worth #9 to Cincinnati, but I'm not sure he'll fit in NE and that lowers his value. Leodis McKelvin is an intriguing prospect, but I would place him 3rd on my list behind Talib and Cason. DRC is a second rounder for me. So as long as we were playing a fantasy game with trades, I looked for trading partners who might actually be willing in the real world.

As for rolling picks forward, well, if you do trade down from #7 you're going to accumulate a lot of horsepower quickly. #7 is exactly equivalent to three #40s (eighth pick in the second round). Rolling picks forward made more sense, certainly teams who might wish to trade with NE wouldn't want to gut their core of picks in this draft. I did consider an alternate trade with Carolina - their #13, plus LB Adam Seward for NE's #7 (a 5th round compensation pick if signed to an RFA tender). Carolina would still need to throw in the spare third round pick they got from NYJ to make it all even out. I also tried to trade back up into the first round, but I couldn't see a realistic trading partner, it made more sense to trade down again.

It seemed like that draft "took" a lot of players (15), but with 20 slots to fill on the offseason roster NE's 8 draft picks leave lots of room for addition - and looking at the roster, there are any number of slots where the competition is needed. Further, NE will be starting OTAs in May, they will want to have a full roster by then - yet it's starting to look as if SP has picked through the Free Agent pool and taken all NE wanted or can afford, that leaves the draft and UDFA signings. I think this will be one of the larger classes with the UDFA lads. I'm also trying to bear in mind where the salary cap is right now, it would make more sense to move down from #7 - especially if you couldn't get a player you felt was worth a $45 million contract.

[Box_O_Rocks]

hey i already annointed Cory Boyd the next Kevin Faulk. Copying me is just sad, and a bit beneath you BOR.




:)Stealing from you is beneath me? That's a first! ROFL

[Hawg73]

So that's how it worked out, kewl! As for trading out of round one, I didn't like the value. I recall hearing or reading commentary in the past month that truly questioned the number of prospects with legitimate first round grades - from my own well of ignorance I have have only three prospects who I feel offer true value at #7 (Long, Long, & Gholston), and one more I would prefer in the mid-round, but could make a case for #7 value (Albert). I'm trying to assess value as it relates to the Patriots system - Keith Rivers would be worth #9 to Cincinnati, but I'm not sure he'll fit in NE and that lowers his value. Leodis McKelvin is an intriguing prospect, but I would place him 3rd on my list behind Talib and Cason. DRC is a second rounder for me. So as long as we were playing a fantasy game with trades, I looked for trading partners who might actually be willing in the real world.



I pretty much agree with you here. While this draft is reputed to be deep I would argue that the list of blue-chippers is pretty slim and everybody seems to have a few warts or is a fine prospect whose value would be lower for us that it would be for others, ala Rivers as you pointed out.

To me, the 3 guys you mentioned are the 3 guys that might be a fit for us at 7 and I'm not sure about Gholston. You have me spooked on him now, ya bastage. I might add Ellis to 7. Nobody else.


The point is that a trade down would seem to be almost required here for a lot of reasons. The obvious is money, but the less obvious might be that it seems to be a draft where the first couple of rounds are semi-interchangable and I would guess there are a ton of guys with similar grades, so why not get them and more of them at a later slot? We need a dance partner.

What our guys think of them is not for us to know, but logic would almost dictate a trade down scenario.

This leads me to believe that there is absolutely no way we trade down, if you know what I'm saying. The day I understand what is going on in our war room is the day I snap. I just know that everything we know is wrong.

[Dwight Schrute]

Having the real likelihood the best QB in the draft should be there at 7 still is what I'm banking on for trade bait.

Although I am still holding out hope for a trade up for C. Long.

[Box_O_Rocks]

I pretty much agree with you here. While this draft is reputed to be deep I would argue that the list of blue-chippers is pretty slim and everybody seems to have a few warts or is a fine prospect whose value would be lower for us that it would be for others, ala Rivers as you pointed out.

To me, the 3 guys you mentioned are the 3 guys that might be a fit for us at 7 and I'm not sure about Gholston. You have me spooked on him now, ya bastage. I might add Ellis to 7. Nobody else.


The point is that a trade down would seem to be almost required here for a lot of reasons. The obvious is money, but the less obvious might be that it seems to be a draft where the first couple of rounds are semi-interchangable and I would guess there are a ton of guys with similar grades, so why not get them and more of them at a later slot? We need a dance partner.

What our guys think of them is not for us to know, but logic would almost dictate a trade down scenario.

This leads me to believe that there is absolutely no way we trade down, if you know what I'm saying. The day I understand what is going on in our war room is the day I snap. I just know that everything we know is wrong.I could make a career being wrong about the draft, heck, if I grew my hair long I'd outshine Kiper. Still, this is an ugly first round - if the Pats can at least get out of the top 10 I'd be satisfied. I'm not sure about giving Ellis a top ten grade as a NT - unquestionably he's top five on a one-gap team.

BB's comments in Reiss' blog were telling: Belichick compared the draft to 1991 in that there does not appear to be a clear-cut No. 1 choice. “The Patriots traded out of [No. 1] to Dallas and the first few picks there, I don’t think there was any consensus on the order of those players. Russell Maryland was a little bit of a surprise choice at No. 1. That was the draft that, as it turned out, a lot of players in the second round – the Brett Favres, the Roman Phifers, the Phil Hansens and guys like that – they probably had better careers than a lot of guys in the first round of that draft.”

[Hawg73]

I could make a career being wrong about the draft, heck, if I grew my hair long I'd outshine Kiper. Still, this is an ugly first round - if the Pats can at least get out of the top 10 I'd be satisfied. I'm not sure about giving Ellis a top ten grade as a NT - unquestionably he's top five on a one-gap team.

BB's comments in Reiss' blog were telling: Belichick compared the draft to 1991 in that there does not appear to be a clear-cut No. 1 choice. “The Patriots traded out of [No. 1] to Dallas and the first few picks there, I don’t think there was any consensus on the order of those players. Russell Maryland was a little bit of a surprise choice at No. 1. That was the draft that, as it turned out, a lot of players in the second round – the Brett Favres, the Roman Phifers, the Phil Hansens and guys like that – they probably had better careers than a lot of guys in the first round of that draft.”

That statement by BB was a little puzzling, because there definitely was a consensus No. 1 that year and it was Raghib "Rocket" Ishmail who was the Reggie Bush of his day. OK, he was a WR, but a comparable talent who as a Notre Damer was on national TV just about every week and was considered an instant offensive force.

The Pats had the overall No. 1, but in the weeks leading up to the draft, Rocket informed the Pats that he had zero interest in playing in New England, he wasn't kidding around and we ended up swinging a deal with Dallas to trade down.

A few days before the draft the deal went down like this:

4/20 Patriots obtain Dallas’ 1991 first round (11th overall - Pat Harlow, T, Southern Cal) and second round selections (41st overall - Jerome Henderson, CB, Clemson) plus veterans Ron Francis (CB), David Howard (LB), and Eugene Lockhart (LB) all in exchange for New England’s 1991 first round selection (first pick overall - Russell Maryland, DT, Miami).

Unfortunately for Jerry Jones-- who had left no doubt that Ishmail would be a Cowboy, the apple-of-his-eye signed a last-minute deal to play for the Toronto Argonauts in a move that stunned the football world. It was one of the biggest draft shockers ever, if not THE biggest.

With him gone, the Cowboys were in a quandary (not a Qadry) and I still recall Jones grimacing as he told the media that Maryland was the guy he wanted all along. Yeah, sure Jerry. We know.

That was one exceptionally sorry 1st round with only a few guys achieving any success, but I think BB kind of skimmed the actual story there. I do think his comment was telling, though.

We're moving on down.

[Box_O_Rocks]

I do think his comment was telling, though.

We're moving on down.I hope the suckers are biting. :grovel: