Remember, don't rush to judgment

by ETVal on Mar 18, 2008 7:12 AM EDT in News

As we begin to focus in earnest on the upcoming NFL Draft, I thought it might be insightful to look back at the Giants' 2007 draft one last time.

I'm not looking so much to grade the draft -- we know General Manager Jerry Reese went 8-for-8 in his first draft, with all of his selections making the team that ultimately won the Super Bowl. Many of those draft choices, we now know, became key contributors.

I'm looking more at what the "experts" said immediately after the draft.

That look back reveals that immediately after the draft was completed, no one was impressed by what Reese had done.

Here's a sample of what was written.

Mel Kiper, ESPN

I would have gone differently with the Giants' draft. Cornerback Aaron Ross has very good ball skills but not great catchup speed. I was surprised they didn't take left tackle Joe Staley because they need someone who can protect Eli Manning's blind side. ... If they had taken Staley, they could have drafted Eric Wright from UNLV instead of WR Steve Smith.
GRADE: C-

Yahoo! Sports

The real puzzlement of this draft was waiting four rounds to go after a linebacker, and then using that pick on Zak DeOssie, who could take several years to develop into starting material. The Giants need help at that position now, if not sooner.
GRADE: C

Pete Prisco, CBS Sportsline

I like the first two picks in Aaron Ross and Smith. The rest wasn't real exciting.
GRADE: B-

Here is what I had to say.

You can't really judge a draft class until you have seen the players on the field for a couple of seasons. However, at first blush, Reese appears to have done very well in his first draft.

I don't bring that up to pat myself on the back, though I was more optimistic about Reese's selections than many of the "experts" who supposedly know so much more than a little 'ole blogger like me.

I bring this whole topic up as a precaution. Try not to rush to judgment as soon as a pick is made, whether you love it or hate it.

Let the players taken get on the field and see what happens. That worked out pretty well last season.

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Comments

well done

Kiper is the last person I trust on Draft Day, thank God the NFL Network came along and started covering the draft, to spare me of Kiper and Berman

"experts" may be one of the most overused terms in the English language

by jrs1940 on Mar 18, 2008 7:55 AM EDT 0 recs

yup

ETVal, your comment certainly seems to make the most sense, especially since (for the vast majority of players) the draft is such a crapshoot anyway. (Well, not as much so as in baseball, but still.)

by Josh on Mar 18, 2008 10:11 AM EDT 0 recs

Crapshoot

That's why I never understand trading around and jumping all over the place in the middle rounds, unless you are collecting extra picks. Usually, moving up to get a specific guy doesn't pan out (see Sinorice Moss).

by ETVal on Mar 18, 2008 10:48 AM EDT up 0 recs

Eli Manning?

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by NYERinSF on Mar 18, 2008 3:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

Eli

Remember, I said 'middle rounds.' You see teams jump all around in there, and I don't get it.

by ETVal on Mar 18, 2008 5:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

OK - I missed that

and, as a rule, my preference is to trade down and get more draft picks

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by NYERinSF on Mar 18, 2008 6:19 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yes

that philosophy is a good one.

by ETVal on Mar 18, 2008 7:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

draft grades

draft grades that are given out the day or so after a draft are all meaningless. i understand people need to write about them, but 1) how can you know anything yet (as Ed mentioned) and 2) everyone is so afraid to look stupid in hindsight that EVERY grade is a C or a B.

plus even looking back in hindsight doesnt tell the whole picture. The draft is an immensely complicated ordeal. whether or not picks pan out is not entirely up to the GM's control (actually its mostly not). GMs are making decisions based on carefully thought out risk assessments and while yes, ultimately they have to be held accountable for results, since we cant know exactly the reasoning behind a pic we can at best speculate whether a bad pic was actually 'stupid' or not.

but that all said, still a pretty nice job first time around for reese, huh?

by DieEaglesDie on Mar 18, 2008 12:12 PM EDT 0 recs

"Whether or not a draft pick pans out...

...is not entirely up to the GM's control."

Exactly. I have always felt that more than anything else, the key to a successful team is how the coaching staff develops young talent. What you need to see in a draft pick is that

1)He has the physical tools to be able to play the position

2)He is not a head case - and ideally that he has the work ethic to develop. The level of talent and the complexity of play in the NFL has grown tremendously. Even very gifted athletes have to work hard and be smart.

3) He has a "motor" - He has to play hard, all the time

Even with that - there is a certain amount of luck. Does the player fit into the coach's system? Players that are a complete wash out in one environment might thrive in another. And of course, there are injuries.

Sometimes you take a gamble. Maybe you see a great potential (speed, size, whatever) with some missing pieces - Sometimes you have a choice of two players - one has a greater upside, one is more "ready"

Reese did amazingly well last year. Don't judge future drafts by whether or not he gets 8/8 - not going to happen every year.

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by NYERinSF on Mar 18, 2008 2:47 PM EDT up 0 recs