Monday Musings... NFL Draft Edition
by Jay Coulter on May 2, 2011 3:00 AM CDT
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Good Monday to all of you. To our readers in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, we continue to keep you in our prayers. It's hard to believe what we're witnessing on television is actual footage from our home state. It's surreal on so many levels. It certainly puts sports in prospective...
While there were few surprises in the first round of the NFL draft, there were plenty later for former Auburn players. The word of the weekend has to be disappointment. It's not easy judging talent at the high school level, but understanding the needs of an NFL team is mindboggling.
Can someone explain to me what intangible Lee Ziemba is missing in the eyes of NFL personnel? He was a four-year starter and consensus All-American on a national championship team. How does talent like that fall to the seventh round? Crazy. The silver lining is that he'll join teammate Cam Newton on what will likely become the new favorite team of Auburn fans, the Carolina Panthers...
You knew the second you heard it, it was the wrong decision. Auburn coaches most certainly tried to talk him out of it. Today, he starts to pick up the pieces. So is the life for former Auburn wide receiver Darvin Adams.
In what can only be described as a nightmare scenario, Adams didn't hear his name called over the weekend. It would be hard to find another receiver who had a better year in college football than Adams did last season. Yet, his name was rarely mentioned in NFL circles.
Somewhere, Adams got some bad information. Instead of coming back to Auburn for his senior campaign as a preseason All-American, he now must latch-on with an NFL squad as a free agent. The odds will be against him. Let's hope he finds a way...
Count me among those who got sick of reading about Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay's mock draft selections. Each week, ESPN unveiled their picks like it was the gospel. So how did they do? Kiper picked nine of the first 32 correctly, while McShay hit only eight correctly. Maybe if McShay had spent less time criticizing Newton and doing more research, he wouldn't have embarrassed himself so badly...
It's a mixed up world we live in. While much of the off-season has been focused on the issues at Auburn and the problems at Ohio State, there's been little media attention give to Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly and the death of student assistant Declan Sullivan, who was killed late last year when high winds caused the scissor lift he was videoing from to fall during practice.
Where is the outrage? While no is accusing Kelly of not caring, he certainly owns responsibility for what happened that tragic day. This wasn't a storm that just crept up on the team. It was clear to everyone, including Sullivan that he shouldn't be in a portable tower with winds that strong. "Gusts of wind up to 60 mph today will be fun at work ... I guess I've lived long enough," he wrote on Twitter an hour before his death.
Notre Dame has already been fined $77,500 by the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which found that the university "did not establish and maintain conditions of work that were reasonably safe for its employees."
Apparently, trading memorabilia for tattoos is a more compelling storyline to fans than the preventable death of Sullivan. There are some things in this world, I just don't get...
Am I the only one who finds it curious that former Florida coach Urban Meyer seems to pop-up on television every time ESPN talks college football? Didn't he say he was stepping away from the game to spend more time with his family?
In recent weeks, I've seen him do stories from Oregon, Utah, Ohio and Michigan. For a guy who wanted family time, he sure is racking up the frequent flyer miles...
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Darvin and Mario may have a shot at free agency with the Steelers.
http://www.steelersdepot.com/tag/darvin-adams/
http://www.steelerslounge.com/2011/04/clock-steelers-seventhround-projection/
I am completely shocked that...
Wes Byrum did not get picked.
Any ideas out here in cyber space as to why Wes would be looked over?
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
Not too many teams will spend a draft pick on a kicker.
There are always kickers looking to pick up with a team as a free agent. So the thinking is why waste a pick on a kicker? Of the 254 players drafted this year, I think Nebraska’s Alex Henry was the only kicker selected. He went to the Eagles.
AubTigerman
"The reason you come to Auburn is because of Auburn people.This is a special place, from the coaches all the way to the fans" - Andrew McCain OT
Amen that ...
Atlanta drafted Miami’s Matt Bosher with their 192nd pick.
AubTigerman
"The reason you come to Auburn is because of Auburn people.This is a special place, from the coaches all the way to the fans" - Andrew McCain OT
Many things shocked me: Byrum not getting drafted, Ziemba not going until late.
Wish I could say that i was shocked by Adams not being drafted. I hope that he and Fannin keep driving forward and working hard……
by Tiger on the mountain on May 2, 2011 9:12 AM CDT reply actions
Darvin...
Made a bad decision leaving early. His numbers would have been insane this season. His decision to leave early for the NFL draft was a terrible mistake-he didn’t get drafted at all. Now, he MAY get hired on by a team. He had a sure spot with Auburn this season and his numbers would have been through the roof in a draft that wouldn’t be as Wide Receiver heavy as this season was. If he doesn’t get picked up by somebody, it’ll truly be a sad sad story.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
Well, I don't think it is that black and white.
Yes, Darvin could have posted Monster numbers next year. He could have also gotten injured-hurting his chances at the next level. His decision was made months ago, whether it was a good one or not remains to be seen. I’m not saying that it will be an easy road for him, but staying in the NFL (despite the fat paycheck) is exceptionally hard anyway. I believe that he made the best decision for himself and his family. I just hope that he can find some measure of success at the free agent level, to give him some momentum.
by Tiger on the mountain on May 2, 2011 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions
I see your point...
I still completely disagree with you, but you do make a sound argument. I can’t fault its reasoning and its presentation-so yeah again you come by and make me look stupid and state things in a really eloquent manner… Well Ms. Montana Mountain Maiden, you’re wrong and I’m right! How’s that for an argument retort?
Hahaha, I hope you didn’t take any of that seriously. It’s just my failed attempt at humor on this Monday afternoon. I look forward to disagreeing with you in the future lol. For the record, I hope you’re right and I hope he has a tremendous Auburn career. I by no means am implying he should have stayed for Auburn either-he did his service unselfishly. I just think it might not have been in his best self interest.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
We don't entirely disagree....
Personally, I think he would have benefited from one more year. No doubt, the road for him just got much rockier and much steeper. Plus it would be really boring, insipid banter if we all agreed all the time…….
Oh, and Sparks, that’s Dr. South Dakota Plains Maiden to you ;)
by Tiger on the mountain on May 3, 2011 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions
I gotta agree with Sparkey on this one.....
coaches told him he wasn’t ready and his draft status was a late rounder at best…..another season would have most likely gotten him into the top 3 rounds. And yes there is always the chance of injury…..but he wouldn’t really be any better off if he gets hurt as an undrafted free agent in practice or preseason. His chances of making a team are also less as an undrafted free agent.
I don't troll so I reserve the right to berate trolls as I see fit.
Just so you know I won't forget.....LSU Jonno predicted we would finish 5th in the west in '11.
kickers don't get drafted all that often..
but I thought that Fannin would get drafted by someone in the late rounds….he blocks and catches out of the backfield too well not to get picked up by someone….he’ll make a squad because of his versatility and see time on special teams early. Ziemba sliding so far still puzzles the crap outta me….I know he didn’t have that great of a showing at the combine but still. Adams….well I said it below….he shoulda stayed at AU one more year…..he needed it and the coaches told him so….he never projected as anything other than a late rounder or an undrafted free agent…..I hope he does well he has the potential but he will have to work twice as hard to make a team….but I think he will.
I don't troll so I reserve the right to berate trolls as I see fit.
Just so you know I won't forget.....LSU Jonno predicted we would finish 5th in the west in '11.
Good read Jay.
As the draft was winding down, I had family man Darvin Adams on my mind. I hate it for him. I agree he could have possibly been an All-American had he returned for one more year.
I’ll be especially pulling for him and Mario both to pick up with a team. They may have to go the Canadian route first.
AubTigerman
"The reason you come to Auburn is because of Auburn people.This is a special place, from the coaches all the way to the fans" - Andrew McCain OT
Hate it for Darvin....
Anybody that can make Chris Todd look good has to be doing something right!! I was really surprised he didn’t get taken late. The guys a worker and knows how to get open and has normally got velcro hands. For some reason, the NFL pays way too much attention to measureables from the combines and don’t seem to look to closely at the productivity of the player in games. For example, Julio Jones is supposed to be a great receiver, but I’m not buying. He disappeared too many times in big games when his team needed him…..the Iron Bowl was a prime example. He had a monster 1st half and did nothing in the second when his team needed just one more score. If you look at his production last year, he padded his stats against the sisters of the poor….and us in the 1st half. If I’m an NFL guy I sure don’t use 1st round picks on guys that disappear. That means they lack focus and commitment. I always thought Darvin was there when we needed him. I’m not saying he was a first rounder, but not to get drafted was very surprising.
Same with Josh Bynes, the guys a warrior and got immeasurably better one year over the next. How many big games did he play every minute?? That takes heart and determination…..and you’ve got to have the confidence of your coaches. I predict he will catch on somewhere and be a fine pro.
Not surprised at all that Mario didn’t get drafted. He still has a lot to prove. He has the ability to be a great player, but that bum shoulder and his baby hands killed him I think.
Ziemba was a steal for Carolina…..I mean how do you pick up an All American left tackle, thats never had any injuries in the 7th round? Again….what tape are the scouts watching? Ziemba, played against the best of the best and dominated. I guess he was a victim of the “high school offense” predjudice that the NFL has against the spread. It didn’t seem to hurt Markice Pouncey, and dude never even made a snap under a QB in college. Very strange.
Col.Angus may be rough, Col.Angus may not smell like a bed of roses, but deep down Col.Angus is very sweet. If I overstay my welcome, just tap me on the head!!
You had it right in your first part Col...
The NFL is too caught up in measurements. Consistently, we see scouts trying to make the NFL talent evaluation aspect into an exact science first. I think the biggest reason for that is it makes the scouts and NFL management people feel better. You can see someone’s height, their reach, their forty time and you can immediately get a judge on something. Ziemba just has a bunch of solid starts, but his arms aren’t that long for his size and he had poor combine numbers. He did badly on the measurements. In my view, it shows them as being spineless and too afraid to go with gut or heart with someone.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
Dude,
Ziemba had a knee injury in 2008…don’t know if that factored in at all in the draft…just sayin’.
by Tiger on the mountain on May 3, 2011 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm gonna have to respectfully disagree about Julio...
In Bama’s 3 losses, he had 406 yards on 28 catches, with 3 touchdowns. He had the best game of any WR all year against the consensus #1 CB in college football last year in Patrick Peterson, and had his career best game just two weeks after breaking his hand. While your point of him disappearing in the second half vs. AU is true, it’s also worth noting that nothing at all worked for Bama in that half. He faced double teams all season (except for possibly the LSU game), and didn’t miss a game after breaking his hand. I’m just not sure how you can question his commitment.
Darvin will make a roster somewhere, also Wes and Josh.
Checking in from Huntsville, damage still being cleaned up, thankfully none of it mine. Power came back on late last night after 3 days. I had it better than most. I had my motorhome parked in front of the house right after the storms were over. I sorta was the Oasis of the street, made more pots of coffee than I can count, cooked more meals than any restaurant in town, and charged cell phones since land lines were down. We still have no phone but at least electricity is on in most spots. At one time there were over 500,000 homes with out power. The only way to describe it accuratly is “historic”
I just hope they erect the Saban statue/altar/shrine before he leaves
Way to go MyAuburn - in serving the community.
And really glad to hear you and yours are OK.
AubTigerman
"The reason you come to Auburn is because of Auburn people.This is a special place, from the coaches all the way to the fans" - Andrew McCain OT
Glad to hear you're ok....
by the way stumbled over the package you sent me……someone had signed for it and stashed it in the corner…….really really awesome stuff and I will display them prominently in the dining room. I greatly appreciate it. On a sad note it will be a long while before Silver Lakes is open again…..that area was hammered by the same tornado that came through Tuscaloosa and North B’ham….the devastation is unfathomable and heart wrenching.
I don't troll so I reserve the right to berate trolls as I see fit.
Just so you know I won't forget.....LSU Jonno predicted we would finish 5th in the west in '11.
Glad to hear you got the clubs. Hate to hear about Silverlakes.
Not suprising though. The tornadoes stayed on the ground for a long time. On a side note, anyone reading this, if they are in business, should check their insurance policy. I lost over 15 grand in income from this event in lost business and will get it back eventually from the “loss of income” clause in my policy. It could be a deal breaker if you have to be out of business for an extended period of time. Have your daily income records handy, the insurance company will want them as historical evidence. I am not on the front line of my businesses but I sure earn my money. Thank you AU for a good education in business.
I just hope they erect the Saban statue/altar/shrine before he leaves
No thanks necessary, it is just what an Auburn person does.
150k homes still without power in the Tenn. Valley. Everything in short supply. It will take a while longer before we get back to normal. We are getting there.
Stats:
3000 miles of power line down
300+ power poles down
At peak, 500k homes without power
26 high tension power transmission towers destroyed
Nuclear power plan down
Ttown got all the press because the Pres went there but we up here in North Al were hit just as hard. They were in need but I feel slighted somehow.
I just hope they erect the Saban statue/altar/shrine before he leaves
I use a company in Hunstville
for some of my science stuff….I am still giving them my business even though I could get it done faster. I don’t want them to hurt economically and compound the storm’s impact.
Peace be with you and yours…..
by Tiger on the mountain on May 3, 2011 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions
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