Senior Moments: Wrap Up Edition
Practices are finished. The game is done. And there are still so many thoughts on these guys trapped in my head. The only way to rectify that is to blog about it. There's no information in this post from professional sources. There's no stats either. Just one man's thoughts on a bunch of players who've used up their college eligibility. There is one other obvious theme to it all though. All my thoughts revolve around whether or not the Chargers should draft a guy. So, read the ramblings from the exciting brain of Wonko after the jump.
Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan: This guy could make an immediate impact on our pass rush. If the Chargers send Merriman packing and draft this guy, I think our pass rush might be better for it. And, he can stop the run too.
LaGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon: I really don't like the way this guy finishes runs. He doesn't use his size to his advantage. He looks like he's trying to be small running back in a big running back's body. He's way easier to tackle than he should be.
Tony Pike, QB, Cincinnati: I like the way he moved in the pocket and obviously his size. His throws were a little off, but if the Chargers were to draft him it'd be as a developmental QB anyway. IT probably won't happen since he'll go high enough that the Chargers won't use a pick that high to replace Whitehurst and they might actually bring Charlie Clipboard back.
Koique Bell, RB, Wayne State: Definitely had moments where he looked like he was an NFL back. His patience worked for him in the first half. The patience also got him in trouble when he got tackled in the backfield and couldn't fight back to the line of scrimmage.
Dan Williams, NT, Tennessee: He held the line well, but no big plays. That seems in line with what people say about him. He's not flashy.
Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama: Cody is a little more flashy. Watching him actually reminded me that despite his size he actually can make plays. This situation worked well for him since he needs to be rotated in and out. I still worry that you are drafting the equivalent of an end-of-career Jamal Williams in a 22 year old's body instead of getting a guy that's like Jamal in his prime.
Brandon Lang, DE/OLB, Troy: Good speed of the edge and follows in the footsteps of Osi Umenyiori and Demarcus Ware as edge rusher from Troy. I'd take him, he can play.
Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati: Was a big time disappointment in the practices. But, you put him on the field and he's a playmaker. His style reminds me of the Broncos WRs. I don't want him in orange and blue. Please, please, someone else draft him.
Jimmy Graham, TE, Miami: Played basketball at Miami and is raw at TE. I like him as a developmental project for the Chargers who they could get ready to replace Gates in a couple of years (or at least compliment/spell him in his later years). Was invisible in the Senior Bowl game though.
Cam Thomas, NT, North Carolina: He got a sack in the game and Mike Mayock was complimentary. If we haven't addressed that position in the first 2 rounds, I'd love him as a 3rd round pick.
Sean Weatherspoon, ILB/OLB, Missouri: He could be the leader in the LB corps that we've been looking for.
Danario Alexander, WR, Missouri: Big disappointment during the Senior Bowl week. He was called stiff and he dropped balls. He made plays for the Mizzou Tigers though, so I don't know what happened. His size matches the template for a Chargers WR. This week may have sent him slipping to the late rounds, I'm still interested enough to take a 6th round flyer on him if possible.
Riley Cooper, WR, Florida: Tall, fast, needs work at WR. Chargers need a gunner to replace Osgood, do they
not?
Anthony Dixon, RB, Mississippi State: I wanted to see him run, but he didn't get a lot of carries. I think they even lined him up at FB. I saw him really finish one run well by pushing forward, but not in a way that opened him up to injuries. That's the kind of stuff I want to see from the next Chargers RB.
Lonyae Miller, RB, Fresno State: Looked good and moves well, very fluid, definitely was a hidden gem behind Ryan Matthews at Fresno State. He could be a good value pick if the Chargers decided they aren't going to pick a RB high.
Dorin Dickerson, WR/TE/FB, Pittsburgh: Is Kris Wilson coming back? If not, then this guy could be an ideal replacement.
Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho: Mike Mayock pointed out how he doesn't attack his guy with force and instead grabs him. I don't like that at all. Stay away.
Tyson Alualu, DE/DT, California: He impressed me in his bowl game and he showed off his high motor at the Senior Bowl. I think he's project for the 2nd round, but I don't think I want the Chargers to take a guy like him that high. He reminds me of Alphonso Boone in a way.
1 recs |
12 comments
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Comments
just curious.
what position would you draft first, and who?
Gary Potter: Harness in the good energy, block out the bad. Harness. Energy. Block. Bad. It's like a carousel. You put the quarter in, you get on the horse, it goes up and down, and around. Circular, circle. Feel it. Go with the flow.
Happy Gilmore: Psycho.
Wherever there is value
Among DL, LB, RB or possibly DB or OL if someone fell far.
Out of the players listed here I would draft Graham, Weatherspoon or Williams in the first and if I was forced to (i.e. the other players I like more are gone) Cody.
I'm the first person to admit that I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I'm going to be the last person to admit I'm wrong about what we're currently talking about.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
2nd question
Brandon Graham. do you think he will make an immediate impact as an OLB? (don’t know this guy, haven’t watched him, will be a converted OLB from DE?)
do you think he’s better than Larry English who has the around the same physical characteristics (also a converted DE to OLB)?
Gary Potter: Harness in the good energy, block out the bad. Harness. Energy. Block. Bad. It's like a carousel. You put the quarter in, you get on the horse, it goes up and down, and around. Circular, circle. Feel it. Go with the flow.
Happy Gilmore: Psycho.
Ability-wise there are a lot of parallels between English and Graham. I like that Graham produced against better competition. He will be a project moving to OLB, but that’s true of almost every Rush LB in the 3-4 since there are only a couple of colleges that actually play a 3-4 (Virginia and Alabama). Maybe Graham will just be another English, but my gut tells me that he’s going to be a better player than English. He also has some leadership capabilities that help him stand out over English.
I'm the first person to admit that I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I'm going to be the last person to admit I'm wrong about what we're currently talking about.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
Oh, I guess you asked if he'd produce immediately
I think he would make a bigger pass rush impact than English as a rookie, but he’d need help or a lot of work on the coverage aspects of playing on 1st and 2nd down.
I'm the first person to admit that I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I'm going to be the last person to admit I'm wrong about what we're currently talking about.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
i just watched some of highlights.
i wouldn’t be opposed to picking him up in the 1st/2nd.
3rd question for you. if they pick up an OLB in the 1st. (obviously not the consensus on needs). however, would you still pick on BPA? or go RB/NT? or other?
Gary Potter: Harness in the good energy, block out the bad. Harness. Energy. Block. Bad. It's like a carousel. You put the quarter in, you get on the horse, it goes up and down, and around. Circular, circle. Feel it. Go with the flow.
Happy Gilmore: Psycho.
I'm always interested in the best player available
If I understand your question, then the Chargers have picked Graham in the first and you’re asking what I’d do in the 2nd round? I definitely wouldn’t want to reach for a RB or a NT based on need. Most likely with NT that’d be what you’re doing since Troup and Thomas aren’t really 2nd round caliber prospects and the others would be gone. There should be a RB with good value there, but you never know. That being said, if it were close between the top player on the board and RB slightly behind, I’d probably want the RB. If it wasn’t close, then I’d probably considering trading the pick. Trading down would be a good way to get a chance to take multiple RBs in the draft and use training camp and preseason to figure out who can play at this level.
I'm the first person to admit that I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I'm going to be the last person to admit I'm wrong about what we're currently talking about.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
I had a dream where
The Chagers drafted CJ Spiller and he was ripping through the Bronco’s D-line.
"Just another Halo victory" - Rory Markas
That does sound like a dream
I'm the first person to admit that I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I'm going to be the last person to admit I'm wrong about what we're currently talking about.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
by Wonko on Jan 31, 2010 5:10 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Which side does Graham/Lang play, left or right OLB?
Yup, I'm the nut who believes Mark Loretta is a possible future Hall of Famer.
just from watching Graham's highlights i just recently saw.
Left i believe.
Gary Potter: Harness in the good energy, block out the bad. Harness. Energy. Block. Bad. It's like a carousel. You put the quarter in, you get on the horse, it goes up and down, and around. Circular, circle. Feel it. Go with the flow.
Happy Gilmore: Psycho.
Graham went against the left tackle on almost every play I saw.
I would expect Lang was the same since Sheffield was the lesser pass rusher at Troy.
I'm the first person to admit that I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I'm going to be the last person to admit I'm wrong about what we're currently talking about.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't

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