If you think the draft is overrated, maybe you're overrated
The NFL Draft is quickly approaching and if you're like me, you can't wait for the opening name to be called. This single weekend or, as it is becoming, week could make or break your franchise. One miss in the first round could send your team back several years.
Even teams like the San Francisco 49ers who have hit in the past few years still can't get over the miss, as they put it all on the shoulder of the 2005 NFL Draft #1 overall pick, Alex Smith. Both literally and figuratively of course. Four offensive coordinators and a shoulder injury later, and the 49ers though improving are finding it difficult to make it to postseason play. Alex is best on the move and can create plays with his legs and ironically enough is on his last legs in the city that made him the number 1 overall pick. This same organization is now being called home by another former number 1 overall pick in David Carr who in his own right set an organization back years. The Houston Texans selected Carr first overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. He was selected ahead of perennial pro bowlers Dwight Freeney, Ed Reed, and Julius Peppers. Years later, the Texans got it right and went with Mario Williams and have since improved every year. Take a team like the Oakland Raiders for instance who have stayed in the top 10 year after year and for very good reason. Aside from the obvious in last years Darrius Heyward-Bey, the Raiders have missed year after year, and none more important than Jamarcus Russell who has struggled since the onset and actually had the nerve to hold out several weeks into the 2007 season. The Genius's over in Oakland have these names to claim as their own: Darren McFadden, Fabian Washington (yes he was a former first round pick), Michael Huff (who was benched in favor of undrafted free agent Hiram Eugene), and the can't miss tackle turned guard Robert Gallery. The opposite could be said surprisingly so, of the Cincinnati Bengals who have hit more often than not the past couple of years. The organization has helped their defense immensely by getting guys like Keith Rivers, Leon Hall, Jonathan Joseph, and Rey Maualuga. It doesn't hurt to sprinkle in guys like Antwan Odom who can get to the passer. It wasn't surprising to see this defense come together as it did last year. It isn't over night but a couple of healthy drafts could go a long way in helping an organization return to prominence or in the case of the Texans get introduced to it. Today, The St. Louis Rams traded away their first round pick of the 2007 NFL Draft, Adam Carriker to the Washington Redskins. The 13th overall pick of that draft was had for "an exchange of 5th round picks". Apparently, this guy wasn't even worth a late round pick in this year's draft. Admission is the last step of acceptance and The St. Louis Rams have admitted their mistakes. Their entire 2006 and 2007 drafts might as well not even happen as they are getting ABSOLUTELY NOTHING from these years. No player drafted in 2006 is even on the roster. Is it shocking these guys are coming off of a 1-15 season and are picking first overall this year? Man, I hope they get it right this year or they'll be set back a few more years.
