Stock Down: The Problem Children of the NFL Draft
NFL Draft April 13th. 2009, 2:45pm
In a newspaper piece agents everywhere will cringe about, and then attempt to poo-poo on, the Chicago Tribune has compiled a list of all the NFL draft prospects who have character issues? You know what’s fun? Cross-referencing a few of the players with the teams they may end up on! Because everyone’s favorite pompadour is the only draftnik that goes four rounds deep, we’ll use him as an example (in italics):
Jonathan Casillas, LB, Wisconsin: He has had a couple of drunken-driving episodes, and scouts question his maturity. Kiper says the Colts grab him at 136. Does this set up another draft-day showdown between Kiper and Polian?
Dannell Ellerbe, LB, Georgia: In one ugly incident, Ellerbe was arrested and charged with felony theft of a motor vehicle, giving false information to police, driving under the influence and underage possession of alcohol. Kiper has him going 102 to Kansas City. Because the locker next door to Larry Johnson’s is available.
Shonn Greene, RB, Iowa: Scouts question his work ethic, and the Tribune’s 2008 Silver Football winner had to sit out the 2007 season with academic issues. Kiper’s got the Cardinals scooping him at 63rd. His “lack of” work ethic combined with the mouth of Edge James equal an uncoachable backfield. Toss in Boldin’s defiance and the offense is destined to implode.
Rey Maualuga, LB, Southern California: He was arrested for suspicion of misdemeanor battery, and in a separate incident benched for getting out of hand at a party. Kiper says the Chargers get him at 16. Live in fear, Colleen Dominguez.
Andre Smith, OT, Alabama: He isn’t a thug, but he has made a series of poor decisions off the field that will affect his stock. Kiper says Cincinnati at 6. Others that make sense, for obvious, off-the-field reasons: Oakland and Jacksonville.
Lardarius Webb, CB, Nicholls State: He was kicked out of Southern Mississippi for violating team rules. Kiper has Dallas taking him with the 101st pick. The new Pacman?
Off-field issues will dog some NFL draft prospects (Chicago Tribune)
16 Responses to “Stock Down: The Problem Children of the NFL Draft”
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April 13th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
All bets are off on such chatter once one of the above players shine, because then whatever happened is passed off with lines like, “Ah well that was when I was younger [blah blah blah]” Same ‘ol same ‘ol …hey check this fine article about draft myths that I submitted over the weekend: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=537250
April 13th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Kiper has him going 102 to Kansas City. Because the locker next door to Larry Johnson’s is available.
He can just take Johnson’s locker since he’ll be cut before the season starts.
April 13th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Shouldn’t the first line of the article just said:
Alex Boone, OT, Ohio State: Need I say more.
April 13th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
i think shonn greene and javon ringer(not a problem child but will probably be taken in the second rd or below) is gonna make alot of teams sorry for passing on them
April 13th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
saw ringer going in the 4th round in one of the million mocks
April 13th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
greene’s 12 straight 100+ yd games doesn’t seem to jive with his lack of work ethic.
April 13th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
He isn’t a thug, but he has made a series of poor decisions off the field that will affect his stock.
First bad idea was running without his shirt on.
April 13th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Those may have been a little easier since he was a 25-year-old playing against 19=year-olds.
April 13th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
dont hate the player, hate his age.
April 13th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
yeah those 19 yr olds are just tiny arent they?
April 13th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
This post is racist.
April 13th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
/fix’d
April 13th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
He was arrested for suspicion of misdemeanor battery, and in a separate incident benched for getting out of hand at a party. And darkest of all, he dared grind against Erin Pageviews without her knowing it!
What about BJ Raji and the steroid allegations? Think it’ll affect him much or is it another Luis Castillo?
April 13th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
+1 to you sir.
So you’re saying that there is not a difference between 19-year-olds and 25-year-olds?
April 13th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
not when those 19 yr olds weight 300 lbs as a d-linemen or 220-250 as a linebacker no. its not like these guys are normal sized 19 yr olds…and plus i’m sure the guys he played against were mostly in their 20’s anyway.
April 13th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
-1 for -2 Total Brock
+1 for +2 Total Quizz
Significant difference between a 25-year old on offense and an AVERAGE BIG 10 19-year old on defence not only often in size but also in skill and definitely in maturity, but then again how many 19 year-olds start in the BIG 10 anyway?
However, if you look at draft busts like Tony Mandarich, you know damn well at a certain point size at the highest levels of play does not matter.
The O-line for the Denver Broncos Super Bowl champion teams for the 1997 and 1998 seasons was amongst the smallest in the league as well.
The edge goes sometimes to an older player in the college ranks of comparable size or even smaller due to maturity and skill.
Even with Chris Weinke, this did not convert to well in the NFL though.
Someone should post a list of Div IA college players who are 24 years old or older so we can see how they measure up.