Trade Stuff

First, Lane Adkins and John Taylor had an interesting discussion on the draft that I need to comment on:

The Rams naturally want to get young players that they can develop in their system. That's true. But it does not mean that they don't want Pro Bowl calibre veterans with 2-5 years tread left on their tires! The NEW OWNERS and their fans need a reason for optimism. A few wins, and a couple vets to teach the new guys all the dirty tricks, would really help these guys to SAVE THEIR JOBS.

They could still get Clausen at #7 or maybe McCoy in the second. Clausen is best prepared, and McCoy can at least run for his life. The total payroll for all the players/picks the Rams would get might not even exceed what the Browns would probably have to pay Bradford.

In this uncapped year, by front-loading the guaranteed money "off the books", Lerner could dip into petty cash, take the write-off, and nail him down without entering cap-hell when a new agreement is reached. This is THE YEAR to make such a move--they'd have an advantage over everybody else for years.

Rogers is probably going to be suspended, and is 31. However, as of last season, he was maybe the best DT or NT in the NFL. As he ages, he'll lose some quickness, and become merely a very formidable inside player for at least two and maybe four years.

He's actually very intelligent, and would be very helpful to the coaches in bringing along young pups. He has real value at a position of need for this struggling franchise.

Jackson is still young--so much for that.

If Rogers were 24, knowing what we know, he'd be at the top of this draft. Knowing what we know, Jackson would be mid-to-high second. Ok--take some value off Rogers for his age and the time he'll lose to suspension--make him a low second.

SO FAR, that's #7 and two second rounders for the one pick. Now, you include a third and a fifth--and in this draft you get a starter with the third. For Sam Bradford, the Rams get two defensive studs, two starters, and a project.

If the Rams don't want Rogers, then substitute another third and another fifth. Then it's a defensive star, #7, two thirds, and two fifths...is THAT enough young talent? Can't you guys get out of your box? It's SIX slots--not sixteen!!!

Of course, I have no idea what Holmgren will really do. I know that if he and I played poker, it would be pretty entertaining, since I say stuff like "I'm bluffing. Honest!" myself.

I've had some outlandish thoughts about insideously diabolical stuff they could do, like:

1: Draft CJ Spiller at #7 and immediately trade Harrison (pre-arranged) to (maybe) Detroit for their high second rounder, then make sure they nab McCoy.

2: Uh...don't have one yet--call this one simply drafting Clausen there, and admitting they wanted him all along.

Now, the PD's comment of the day sounded like me about 10 years ago. Since then, I have evolved somewhat. Yeah, trading down is almost always my favorite thing.

But the writer was wrong about there being no franchise players. Bradford is a franchise QB, especially for the Browns and the West Coast. They might not get this chance again, and if they believe that he's that much better than Clausen/McCoy, they have to try to get him. Your QB is...well just about your whole team.

Ross Tucker, who I really respect, talked about Bradford's shoulder again. He injured it twice. Another goober talked about injuring it two years in a row--which is simply not true.

Anyway. getting back to Tucker: Bradford got it dinged and missed some time. I suppose something was torn, but not completely, so that it would heal given enough time. But Sam went back and played too soon, and the shoulder was structurally weakened by the unhealed damage. The same minor injury turned into a major one.

That doesn't mean he's fragile. It means he needs to be kept on a leash and make sure he's ready before he plays again. MLB pitchers and QB's list a ton of guys who've had this surgery, and done fine since. Bradford has also packed on 20 lbs. of muscle (so far) since then to protect it. Sometimes Ross is a worry-wart.

What scared me was that Ross went on to say that he thinks Bradford holds the ball too long. He pointed out that he had an awesome offensive line, and had a lot more time than he's likely to get in the pros.

THAT, coming from Ross Tucker, IS scary!

However, in a West Coast (timing) offense, presumably heavy on short and intermediate quick-hitters, I'm not as scared. Also, Bradford's stats indicate that his hesitation was more about greed than indecision. He just wanted to go deep first.

I still hope they can get him, but as long as it's Mikey doing the deciding I'll love whoever it is.

I repeat my prediction: the Browns will draft Bradford, Clausen, McCoy or another QB in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh round. Write that down.