drafting and 20-20 hindsight

[jim_vh]

{i posted this at kffl also}

Should the Patriots have chosen someone other than Graham with the pick last year? This is the list of the next 30 or so picks and a very little information about them. WHo should have been the patriots pick (besides portis, all rbs do well in denver)
22 Bryan Thomas Jets DE UAB * 9 tackles last year
23 Napoleon Harris Raiders LB Northwestern * 81 tackles, 1 sack, 13 starts
24 Edward Reed Ravens DB Miami (FL) * 80 tackles, 5 INTs, 16 starts
25 Charles Grant Saints DE Georgia * 37 tackles, 7 sacks, 6 starts
26 Lito Sheppard Eagles DB Florida * 12 games, 0 starts, 7 tackles
27 Mike Rumph 49ers DB Miami (FL) * 1 start, 41 tackles
28 Jerramy Stevens Seahawks TE Washington * 12 games, 1 start 26 catches/252 yds/3td
29 Marc Colombo Bears T Boston College *?
30 Kendall Simmons Steelers G Auburn *14 starts
31 Robert Thomas Rams LB UCLA *36 tackles
32 Patrick Ramsey Redskins QB Tulane *i am not touching this one
33 Jabar Gaffney Texans WR Florida * 41 catches, 483 yds, 1 td
34 DeShaun Foster Panthers RB UCLA * torn up knee
35 Kalimba Edwards Lions DE South Carolina * 26 tackles, 6.5 sacks
36 Josh Reed Bills WR Louisiana State * 37- 514, 2 TDs
37 Andre Gurode Cowboys G Colorado * 12 starts
38 Raonall Smith Vikings LB Washington State * ?
39 Toniu Fonoti Chargers G Nebraska * 14 starts
40 Mike Pearson Jaguars T Florida * 11 starts
41 Lamont Thompson Bengals DB Washington State * 10 tackles
42 Larry Tripplett Colts DT Washington * ~20 tackles, more towards end of season
43 Eddie Freeman Chiefs DT UAB * ~15 tackles
44 LeCharles Bentley Saints C Ohio State * started 12 games
45 Tank Williams Titans DB Stanford * 51 tackles, 2 sacks, int
46 Tim Carter Giants WR Auburn * 2 receptions 37 yds
47 Andre Davis Browns WR Virginia Tech * 37 receptions 420 yds 6 tds
48 Reche Caldwell Chargers WR Florida * 22 receptions 208 yds 3 TDs
49 LeVar Fisher Cardinals LB North Carolina State * 16 tackles
50 Chester Pitts Texans G San Diego State * 16 starts
51 Clinton Portis Broncos RB Miami (FL) * 273 rushes 1508 yds 15 TDs 33 receptions 364 2 TDs

[Hawg73]

I saw enough of Graham to think he can be very good in this league. He didn't make a huge, immediate splash due to injuries and general rookie troubles, but put the ball in his hands and he can find the end zone. I expect he will improve dramatically this coming season.

I remember the pre-season game against the Redskins when he made three plays that made me fall off the couch, especially when he bowled over a few guys on his way to a score.

Having said that, there are a number of defensive guys that could have helped us more than he did last year. I would say Nap Harris, Ed Reed and Charles Grant, and Larry Tripplet all looked good and there are a couple of O-lineman like Gurode and Fonoti and probably Buffalo's Josh Reed that outplayed him also.

I was actually surprised that there weren't more impact guys from this group, but I'll stick with Graham for now.

Too bad we don't have a crystal ball to see into the future or we'd go to the Bowl every year.

[pookie]

I think the Pats did pretty well w/ Grahame. As Hawg said, he didn't exactly wow the masses, but his potential was evident at times. He showed me some speed (for a TE), moves and power. Let's get a full season under his belt, then evaluate. But gee, Portis sure would be nice right about now too!