Posted by Lisa on April 25, 2008, 11:41 am, in reply to "Re: Deep Impact in the Draft"
Here are my thoughts about MLB. I'm torn in two directions here. First off, MLB usually isn't a position that goes very high in the draft. But the Tampa 2 asks it's MLB to do so much that it takes a special guy to play that position. Now Millen wants to throw in size as a factor, making it even harder to find an instinctive guy who can run sideline to sideline. I think Millen is looking for Superman and isn't being realistic.
Rivers has his areas that are concerning which may cause him to be overlooked in the top 14. He over pursues the action sometimes and gets out of position. He has problems getting of blocks and lining up against TEs. But, IMO, Rivers is the closest guy to what Millen is looking for and a rare talent who deserves to be taken in the top 10. So if he falls to #15, I think the Lions would jump all over themselves to get the card up.
On the other hand, you hear all this love for Mayo. And it's hard to believe that the Lions, even as stupid as they've been in manipulating the draft, would give away who they really like this much. Mayo has his struggles, as well. His pass coverage is even less refined than Rivers', which isn't great. Before the combine, he was thought of as a 2 down LB because nobody thought he was a 4.6 guy, which is a concern...because maybe he doesn't translate his speed to the field? But he is the best MLB at getting off blocks, which may be the weakest point of the rest of the LBs available.
If they have a shot at a DE or OT I think they should pass on Mayo and wait until the 2nd or 3rd round. But if they're choosing between the 2nd best LB, and the 2nd best RB, CB, or 4th best OT...I wouldn't condemn them.
I think these guys have a shot at being successful MLBs in the T-2. Xavier Adibi , Geno Hayes, Wesley Woodyard, Jon Goff, Tavares Gooden, and Ben Moffitt. Maybe Beau Bell?
Initially, whomever is picked will have to start out at SLB. And prove his instincts sniffing out screens and cutting off the corners. Marinelli isn't going to just let a rookie LB move his d-line around.
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