fox's first draft

think we have one starter outa this year's draft class. you'd think a 1-15 team with the second pick in the draft could do better. is Peppers alone enough to consider this year's draft successful? do you like what you have seen of the other draftees enough to declare it a good draft or is your book still open? which do you think will prove to be better, Seifert's last draft or Fox's first draft. Based on his first draft do you feel good about how we will draft next year?

 

Book's still open - but:

Jenkins didn't start much last year. He had trouble and is a super stud this year.

Same with Smith, although he's not really a starter.

If Foster comes back, he'll be a stud.

Witherspoon has been a question.

Wesley has looked good.

Kyle Johnson sucked, apparently.

Fasani????

Heinrich looked good before he got hurt.

Depends on Foster's injury and Witherspoon. The rest, IMHO, looks good.

 

Seifert's last draft:

1 (11) LB Dan Morgan -- Within 2 years (if he can stay healthy), Morgan could be the best MLB in the NFC, maybe the NFL.

2 (44) DT Kris Jenkins -- Jenks was inconsistent last year, but if he can continue his play, may line up next to his idol in Honolulu in February this year.

3 (74) WR Steve Smith -- Was drafted as a KR, and has proven he is Pro Bowl caliber. The fact he can play #3 WR is just a bonus.

4 (106) QB Chris Weinke -- The only reason Weinke started last year is because Lewis was a turd and folded. Unless something changes in the next 8 weeks, I think he's gone next year via trade or outright release.

5 (143) S Jarrod Cooper -- The jury's still out. As it is now, Jarrod can be a career special teamer, much like Bates, and be a Pro Bowler. I doubt he'll ever be a starter at SS, but he might be a decent backup. SS is more than hitting.

6 (175) RB Dee Brown -- Dee has lasted longer than I thought, and has shown flashes when given the opportunity. He's an adequate backup, but that's all, IMO.

7a (211) OL Louis Williams -- Career backup at best, but he's still with the team, which is saying something for a 7th round OL.

7b (227) TE Mike Roberg -- Gone.



Fox's first draft:

1 (2) DE Julius Peppers -- Pep is everything we thought he'd be. But nobody thought he'd be this effective this soon.

2 (34) RB DeShaun Foster -- Fox rolled the dice on a franchise back and came up snake eyes--for now. Foster won't ever be an every down back, IMO, but he can be an impact player for years to come. I haven't given up on him yet.

3 (73) LB Will Witherspoon -- Smart, quick player that should take Navies' starting job next year. If Navies got hurt this year, he'd have it sooner.

4 (100) CB Dante Wesley -- Has shown potential when the opportunities are there. Should be the starting nickel next year behind Cousin and Howard.

5a (137) QB Randy Fasani -- The jury's still out on Fasani. I don't believe he's a franchise QB, but could very well develop into an above average backup and red zone/3rd and long QB.

5b (145) # FB Kyle Johnson -- I didn't like this pick. I wanted Stackhouse badly, and it still irks me that he was signed 2 weeks after the draft as a rookie FA. I honestly thought Johnson would do better with his leadership credentials in college. Maybe he can develop into something next year.

6 (174) TE Keith Heinrich -- Our third new TE in three years. Crawford and Roberg are gone, yet Mangum remains. Probably a 2nd TE at best.

7a (213) T Pete Campion -- Gone.

7b (258) CB Brad Franklin -- Should be interesting to see if he can beat out McDaniel for the dime back slot next year. Has size and speed, but can he develop the skills?

I'll agree with you there. But take away Foster's injury and surprisingly solid play from Navies, and we could have three starters. I'm still not sure Witherspoon wouldn't outplay Navies right now. By next year, I predict he will. And if Foster can come back and contribute next year, this draft will look a lot better.

No, probably not. As successful as Peppers is, you need more out of a draft than one impact player. Next year I think will tell the tale.

Right now this draft is a C, but with an asterisk for injuries. If Foster can come back and contribute even in a Kevan Barlow type role, if Wesley can win and hold the nickel spot, and if Witherspoon can win Navies' OLB spot, then I'd give it a B+.

I'd have to say Seifert's last was a better one, only because I can see 4 potential Pro Bowlers on it (Morgan, Jenkins, Smith, and Cooper), and I can really only see one (Peppers) on Fox's first. I don't know if that's a fair way of looking at it, but that's the way I see it.

Most definitely. I think Fox and his staff will get better at evaluating talent as the years go by, and as the team forms its new identity underneath them.

 

thanks guys. when you break it down like that it helps. i only hope that Fox, being a defensive guru and all, can draft as well for the offensive as he did this year for the defense. or would he defer to henning?

 

Good grief, I sincerely hope not. Well, that may be a little harsh. I guess that statement sort of rides on how well Fasani turns out.

 

I expected Witherspoon not to start. I did expect him to be better in coverage.

The only way we would have had more impact was if we'd put more into the offense. Wesley and Witherspoon weren't going to start anyway, and for the most part Fasani, Johnson, and Heinrich were all going to be projects anyway. If Foster had been healthy, driving this team, and had a rook FB ahead of him doing a good job and starting, then this draft, as well as the team outlook, would be different.

Seifert: QB Chris Weinke

Well, It's just my opinion, but I think he'll be successful somewhere. He will, however, always have some accuracy problems and won't be in the upper echelon.

The 2001 draft still looks better right now, factoring in the extra development 2002 would need to have another year. It would have helped if Cooper could have kept the nickel job, though.

 

so what do you think. is hoover good enough at FB or do we need a major upgrade there? i love the guy and his attitude but after watching the tape of the last game, i think he may be suspect. seems i remember fox being awfully dissappointed that he didn't get some fb in the draft (went to dallas?). got the impression that he was pissed that they had taken fasani and missed on the fb.

 

Personally, I think Brad has earned a shot for next year. Of course, I have to admit I haven't seen any film on him either. I will say this, though. I think Hoov is playing well enough that we shouldn't burn a draft pick any higher than the 5th round on a FB, if we decide to look for another one in the draft.

 

is that you Brad?

 

No.