Steve Muench

  (2:04 PM)

It's that time of week again so let's get this chat going.

Otto (CA)

What can an innacurate quarterback like Stafford do to become more accurate in the pros? Is it even possible?

Steve Muench

  (2:06 PM)

First off all, yes it's possible and for the record a quarterback can also develop a stronger arm. As far as the accuracy is concerned, Stafford needs to work on his footwork and his decision making. If he does a better job of taking what the defense gives him and stepping into his throws he will be more accurate.

Alex ( Los Angeles Ca )

do you have any of the USC guys having a big impact in the NFL this year?

Steve Muench

  (2:07 PM)

I think LB's Matthews, Maualuga and Cushing will also push for early playing time. We'll have to wait and see when it comes to Sanchez.

mojo (Castle Rock, CO)

Hi Steve, early question: I have seen both Rey Maualuga and Tyson Jackson mocked in the 12-15 range AND in the 25-30 range recently. There seems to be quite a lot of disagreement where they actually belong. What's your take?

Steve Muench

  (2:11 PM)

Mock drafts aren't position rankings. If a guy has Jackson going 15 and another has him going at 25, it doesn't necessarily mean they disagree on the player. They may just see the first ten picks unfolding differently and that changes everything. In this case, both are late first-round picks in terms of value.

Tyler(Greencastle,IN)

Hey Steve. Im siting in school and i was wondering do u think the lions will take that QB first

Steve Muench

  (2:12 PM)

I think they are going to take a tackle with Jason Smith the most likely candidate.

Seth (SF)

Hey Steve, scouts seem to differ on Brown, the RB from UCONN. As a fan of a team likely to pick an RB early (Eagles), what can you tell me about him, and how would you compare him to Knowshon?

Steve Muench

  (2:14 PM)

Brown is a player that's really grown on me. He is very patient and instinctive on film. He's also ran a lot better at the Combine than expected. In fact, I think he could go in the first round. The reason I like Moreno a little more is I think he's a little tougher to tackle. That's no knock on Brown either. Moreno is one of the most determined runners we've see on film.

chauncey (teaneck)

will the Jaguars pick a QB in the first round?

Steve Muench

  (2:15 PM)

I don't think so but you absolutely have to consider the possibility.

Jake, Grand Rapids MI

I truly believe the Lions needs to focus on Defense with their two first round picks. But despite the whining about him only going through QB drills on his pro day, I believe that Pat White has the accuracy & arm strength along with the "intangibles" to make it as a NFL QB, can the Lions snag him in the 3rd or reach a little with their first pick in the 2nd round?

Steve Muench

  (2:17 PM)

Bare with me Jake because I'm stunned that a lot of my colleagues have given him a second/third round grades. I'll post my response in segments to get up quicker.

Steve Muench

  (2:20 PM)

Let's start with White's off-season. He's admittedly looked good throwing the ball at the Senior Bowl, Combine and Pro Day. The problem I have is he threw against simplified looks at the Senior Bowl and air at the other two events. Now take a close look at his stats. While he appears to be accurate statistically, his inconsistency jumps out when you break it down game by game.

Steve Muench

  (2:21 PM)

White hasn't been able to stay healthy and now he's going to play a minimum of 20 games in the NFL where he's going to take more and bigger hits.

PJ (texas)

who do you think the colts will take at 27 i like nicks at WR but i know we need DT so jerry peria wouldnt be bad either what do you think they should do and who do you think they will go with

Steve Muench

  (2:24 PM)

I get taking a receiver but they have Wayne and Gonzalez and it's a fairly deep receiver class so I wait to take a receiver if I'm them. That being said, I like Jerry there because I think that scheme is an ideal fit for him.

Chaz (WV)

When you draft a Pat White at quarterback, you're not drafting him based on his arm strength/accuracy...it's b/c he will kill defenses with his legs! He stretches out the field unlike any other QB would in the NFL

Steve Muench

  (2:27 PM)

They said the same thing about Vick and it worked for a while but defenses eventually figured him out. I expect the same thing to happen with White.

Tom( Los Angeles)

I know people compare Crabtree with Fitzgerald, but is this really a fair comparison? Wr's like Fitzgerald do not come along often. People think Crabtree is that special?

Steve Muench

  (2:29 PM)

I think he could be great and I like the comparison because they are big, athletic and supposedly "slow" by NFL standards but Crabtree isn't a Fitzgerald clone. It's just that they share a few characteristics.

Dan (San Jose)

You heard it here first - Pat White will not be a good NFL QB. He is yet another ATHLETE who dominated the position in college, but will not amount to much of a signal caller in the NFL. If he's drafted, a team can use him as an athlete (Wildcat, WR, return-man).

Steve Muench

  (2:31 PM)

I'm optimistic about his ability to contribute as a wildcat/receiver and return man but optimistic is they key word here. I have not seen him line up at receiver or return a kick. Again I just can't justify taking him in the second or third round.

patrick (STL)

steve- so if the Lions decide to take jason smith at #1 do you envision the Rams selecting curry or the other OT- monroe

Steve Muench

  (2:33 PM)

I like Monroe/Smith but don't rule Stafford out.

GshawnJohnson

Hi Steve - not sure why I'm unable to move on with me life, but with that out of the way - hope you're ready for your weekly smackdown in our ongoing Lebron James draft debate. I pulled this from the Wikipedia page on Antonio Gates: "Before his rookie season of 2003, Gates had not played organized football since his senior year at Central High School in Detroit." Of course, he was a first team all-state basketball and football player, just like James. Given Gates' fast learning curve (1000 yards and 13 TDs in year two), and that James is 5 inches taller and even more athletic, why would you wait till day two? Why wait till round two? Heck, I wouldn't even wait till pick two!

Steve Muench

  (2:35 PM)

Awesome though I got to be honest. It took you long enough to bring up Gates. The problem is he's the exception to the rule. There have been plenty of guys who have tried to make the switch like that wrestler Brock Lesard (is that his name) that just don't pan out.

Rashaun (Baltimore)

Do the Lions really want to take J. Smith at #1? He has plenty of upside but he struggles in run blocking and with the Shwartz regime in place arent they going to be running more often.

Steve Muench

  (2:37 PM)

Smith is going to have to get used to lining up in a three-point stance and playing in a pro style offense. I also think you are right about Schwartz but I think saying he struggles as a run blocker is too harsh. He does a good job of getting into position and sustaining.

Dan (San Jose)

Which OT(s) will be available in round 2 - Beatty, Loadholt or Britton?

Steve Muench

  (2:38 PM)

All three. Beatty could go late in the first but I doubt it.

Mike (New York)

Any chance Brian Toal gets drafted? He was a huge recruit coming out of high school but has been injured for much of his college career. I read he ran a respectable 4.6 at his pro-day?

Steve Muench

  (2:41 PM)

I was there and that's what I clocked him at though that's unofficial. "First and Toal" has a great deal of versatility. He can carry the ball in short-yardage situations, I think he can cover kicks and he flies to the ball when he lines up at his natural position at linebacker. I think he could make a team for that reason but he hasn't been able to stay healthy and I think he does undrafted for that very reason.

The Wolf (Cleveland)

The are some mock drafts that have Chris Well and James Laurinitius dropping into the second round. Do you agree with this?

Steve Muench

  (2:44 PM)

Honestly yes. Wells can't stay healthy and Laurinaitis isn't as impressive on film as his numbers suggest. In addition, neither one of them performed all that well at the Combine. I am interested to hear how the Ohio State Pro Day went today because one or both could get back into that late first round range.

America the Great (Every City in Every State)

As a Caucasian male who supports everyone worth supporting, i'd like to know if there are any African American QB's in College or the Pro's that isn't being knocked down by all the media & "experts"....It's almost funny to see just how many teams have mediocre at BEST QB's that arn't black, yet Pat White can't play (because he's too short)..David Garrard needs to be replaced (why)...Even Donovan "deserved" to be sat for Kevin F'N Kolb (who's been more consistent besides Peyton & Brady?)...As much as things change they stay the same! People please wake up....If Obama can be president, Pat White can be an NFL QB! How bout you transfer Alex Smith to a TE because he's been a bust since Day 1, yet he's getting paid multi-millions to sit behind JT O'Sullivan and Shawn Hill...

Steve Muench

  (2:49 PM)

I've said it in the past and I'll say it now. I'm not going to shy away from posts like this one because I believe in free speech and to be honest I have nothing to hide. That said, America the Great blanket statements like this one are unfair and potentially dangerous. I broke down White's game and gave you specific reasons for why I think his draft stock is too high right now. I'm not going to be bullied into changing an evaluation of a player by unfounded accusations.

The Wolf (Cleveland)

Examine one more Buckeye for me...Brian Robiskie. Where might he land, and is he good enough to be a #2 WR right away?

Steve Muench

  (2:50 PM)

Second round and yes.

Mike, NJ

If we called Jared Cook a wide receiver, wouldn't he get drafted in the first round?

Steve Muench

  (2:51 PM)

He could sneak in there anyways but the injury is playing a bigger role in his draft status than his position.

Kyle (San Diego)

Can you explain the Malcom Jenkins as a great safety prospect idea to me? Is it just based on him being a great college corner without top-flight speed? What other aspects of his game are we talking about?

Steve Muench

  (2:54 PM)

Sure Kyle, Jenkins played both corner and safety at Ohio State. So we've had an opportunity to see what he can do there. While he can do both and it's important that we make this clear, he appears more effective when he can keep the ball in front of him and read the entire field.

HotLocks (N.Falmouth, MA)

Steve - I'd be interested in your take on the LB position in the draft and more specifically, who the Pats might target at 23. I've read a lot of different mocks and have seen the following names mentioned: Clint Sintim, Larry English & Connor Barwin. Anyone else at LB to consider at this draft slot? Would you please rank them with your commentary? Thank you!

Steve Muench

  (2:59 PM)

Those are three good names to start with and here are a couple more in order; Clay Matthews, Brian Cushing, Barwin, English Sintim and David Veikune. Matthews or Cushing makes the most sense in the first. They could also address another position in the first and add Barwin with the KC pick they got. Barwin lined up at outside linebacker and tight end while also playing on at the Basketball team at CInciinnatti. He's expected to play linebacker and contribute as a goal line tight end.

Rob (NJ)

Who do have ranked higher, Peria Jerry or Ziggy Hood?

Steve Muench

  (3:00 PM)

Jerry

Bubbles (The Fun Hut)

Sorry I'm late Steve, your thoughts on Robert Ayers...I've seen him as high as 15 to the Texans in some mocks. isn't that crazy for a guy with only 6 career college sacks?

Steve Muench

  (3:01 PM)

Yes. It's interesting that certain people fall in love with certain players. That said, I like him in the second round.

Dan - San Jose

You heard it here first - Josh Freeman might be the steal of the draft. His cannon arm and familiarity with a pro-style offense, as well as ability to run (then throw) when necessary (without depending on it primarily), say so. It don't matter if you're black, brown, yellow, or white...as long as you can play.

Steve Muench

  (3:01 PM)

Good point about Freeman Dan.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Steve: What's left in terms of workouts, etc. before Draft Day?

Steve Muench

  (3:03 PM)

We still have some Pro Days left and teams will hold private workouts for certain players.

Freddy (Bay Area)

I'm really loving the position the Niners are in at #10. Certainly someone will fall to them to help out on the OL or with the pass rush. Who are the 3-4 guys you think should be there that could help them the most?

Steve Muench

  (3:03 PM)

I really like Everette Brown and I think Orakp will be gone at that point so Brown makes sense to me.

John (Boston)

Can Ron Brace benefit from the numerous teams switching to the 3-4 and sneak into the bottom of the first round? thanks

Steve Muench

  (3:04 PM)

In a word yes.

Steve Muench

  (3:04 PM)

Well that's it for this week. Take care and hope to hear from you next Friday.