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ESPN: SportsNation |
Thanks everyone for dropping by to our relocated chat for this week. We'll be back at Wednesday next week. So, let's kick off the questions.
What does the Cincinnati Bengals need in the 2012 NFL Draft?
Chris: I have the Bengals needs as guard, wide receiver and cornerback/safety. The perfect situation is Stanford's David DeCastro falling to them in the first round.
Jamison,Wouldn't you rather get playmakers for Colt Mccoy, and if the season fails get Barclay or Andy Murray next year? I just am NOT feeling Tannehill as a die hard browns fan. Unless he wants to play wideout again??
Mikey: I'm all for upgrading the QB position, and the Browns need to get someone better than Colt McCoy. But you can't reach for one because of need. Tannehill isn't a top-10 talent based on his body of work. That's not to say he can't develop into one. My feeling is it's too much of risk to take a quarterback with 19 college starts at the No. 4 spot.
There has been a lot of talk that the Browns may trade with St. Louis and move down to Number 6. I think this would be a big mistake because they would lose out on two impact players in Justin Blackmon and Trent Richardson, which would set the offense back even further. What are your thoughts? Do you see this trade going down?
Scott: I'm not in favor of moving down because you pass up the best running back in the draft class in Richardson. The Browns would pick up extra picks by moving down, but what are they left with? They can possibly take the draft's best defensive player. But the Browns need offense.
Since you used to cover the Ravens, graduated from U of MD, and live in the Baltimore area...Does that make it difficult to cover the other teams fairly in the AFC North as some may suggest? [ I set it up, now you knock it down :) ]
I get accused of being a homer by Steelers fans and I get accused of being too critical of the Ravens by fans from Baltimore. That tells me that I'm doing my job right.
Should the Bengals consider getting a running back or a wide reciever with one of their first round picks?
Tom: Wide receiver makes a lot of sense to me. So does cornerback, safety and linebacker.
I have a terrible feeling that the Browns will trade down from the 4th pick because the Browns front office always seems to do what the fan base doesn't want them to do. I know you have been promoting that the Brown take T-Rich at 4, but has there been anything out of the Browns camp saying which way they're leaning?
Jeremy: Based on Heckert's track record of wanting more picks, it wouldn't surprise me if they traded down. At this point, I think the Browns stay at No. 4 and make a pick.
Can you see the Dolphins trading up to the 4 spot in the draft? If so, will Trent Richardson fall that far? I really don't see Tampa taking a RB over corner back given their needs.
I see the Dolphins trading up to No. 3 to get ahead of the Browns for Tannehill. To answer the other part of the question, he Buccaneers likely will take Richardson. Their need at CB was lessened when they signed Eric Wright in free agency.
Do you believe the bengals should use there second pick in the first round on a WR?
Tim: It really depends on who is there. I think there could be some really good value for WRs at the bottom of the first round with Stephen Hill and Kendall Wright.
So Ed Reed says he's not getting the respect he deserves. But have the Ravens really been that disrespectful to him? Just because the Ravens haven't re-signed him, doesn't mean the Ravens won't re-sign him.
Craig: Going by what I've seen and heard, I don't think the Ravens have disrespected him. They've always given him time and space to make his decisions when he's contemplated retirement. Baltimore is also paying him over $7 million this season. I would take that type of disrespect if I could.
Despite his poor showing at the Combine, plus the fact that he improved his numbers at his Pro Day, is Vontaze Burfict still in the Ravens' sights? I believe he definitely has the skills to fill Ray Lewis' shoes, he just needs the right tutelage and guidance.
Burfict has plummeted more than any player that I can remember recently. He might still be in the Ravens' plans but not in the first round.
Since the recent release of S Chris Crocker who do you see filling that role and do you see the position being an upgrade from last season?
Now that the Bengals have released Chris Crocker, do you think that they look for a safety early in the draft? Do you think they might make Taylor Mays the starter instead?
Dylan and David: I don't think the Bengals have to make a decision until after the draft. Cincinnati could take a safety early in the draft and put him in Crocker's spot. The top candidate as of right now is Taylor Mays. But he's not a lock.
If the Browns win more than 7 games this season, I will personally do a triple back flip off the Key Tower and stick the landing. You heard it here first.
Are you related to Jerome Simpson?
Do you think the ravens move up to get Hill?The buzz is they are talking about moving up to get a player.
I think that WR is a bigger need for the Ravens than people are talking about. This could be Anquan Boldin's last season. The Ravens have always done a good job of finding a player's replacement a year early. Remember the Ravens drafting Todd Heap in the first round when Shannon Sharpe was still on the team? I'm just not sure if the Ravens will move up in this draft. They want more picks; not give them up.
I refuse to answer a 2013 draft question before the 2012 draft has even begun.
Hey Jamison,What are the browns plans to address the free safety position? Do we draft someone or go with a rotation or Usama Young and Eric Hagg?Young was underwhelming last year as he couldnt even win a starting spot and Hagg was a 7th round pick.Thanks,Eric
Eric: The Browns have a lot of options in-house. They could allow Young and Hagg to compete for the job, or they could move Sheldon Brown from corner to safety. I'm interested in seeing how much Hagg improves this offseason.
The Steelers go for best available and that's why they have rarely missed in the first round the past 10 or so years. This is also why it's so hard to predict who they're taking in the first round each year.
When you travel to cover the AFCN, which is your favorite football city? Baltimore not included, obviously.
Believe me, I've been to the AFC North cities so many times (I've covered the AFC Central/North since 2000) that I feel like I know them just as well as Baltimore. I went to Pittsburgh so often this year that the hotel staff knew me by name.
Is it just good business sense to not sign Ed Reed to an extenstion. 10 year vet with injury history you have to be careful,as good as he has been he is at the stage where he could lose it over night.
Jack: The Ravens have made several tough decisions with veterans in the past, cutting Todd Heap, Derrick Mason and Kelly Gregg. But the decision with Reed will be their hardest yet. He's a Hall of Fame player but he's a player with a medical red flag.
Wouldn't you agree that taking Weeden at 37 is a much better idea than taking Tannehill at 4?
Without question.
im kinda surprised by reactions of the blog readers cause any steeler fan knows they dont really do alot in free agency....its always been that way to build more from the draft....so why is everyone so surprised that the steelers are doing what they normally do?as far as thier needs i personally think the need to draft on the lines both off and def...your take on this
Dan: The offensive line, nose tackle and inside linebacker are the clear-cut needs. But the Steelers have to address a lot of areas because they lost so much veteran depth in cutting Hines Ward, Aaron Smith and Chris Kemoeatu. They have to reload as far as backups.
Do you think the browns will get Trent then possibly Micheal Floyd because i have seen it like that in a few mocks?
Vince: The Browns would have to trade up from that second first-round pick to get Floyd. He won't last into the 20s.
Is it possible Mike Brown is saving cap room for resigning A.J. Green and Andy Dalton when the time comes, or is he just cheap?
The Bengals will have to spend to keep Green and Dalton long term. It won't happen for another year or two, but they can't afford to let two young talents (especially Green) go elsewhere.
If Minnesota does not take Kalil at the 3rd pick, do you think it would be a good move for Cleveland to take him over Richardson? I have heard reports that the Vikings may be interested in Claiborn?
I like Richardson over Kalil. The Browns need a right tackle, but you don't take a right tackle with a top-five pick. You take the running back who can make a major impact on a plodding offense.
Why does majority of the "draft experts" have Quarterback as the top need for the Cleveland Browns. We clearly need a WR, RT, and a RB before we need a QB. Your thoughts?
I would agree. Based purely on need, right tackle is the biggest one. Oniel Cousins is the starting right tackle at this point. Oniel Cousins! At least at those other spots, you can go with Colt McCoy, Greg Little and Montario Hardesty.
any chance steelers go after lamicheal james or pead in rounds 2 or 3?
It's possible. I think Virginia Tech's David Wilson is the best value of the running backs slated for the second round. Boise State's Doug Martin is a tough runner but I like the Steelers going for the back with more speed.
Do you really think Ray Rice would holdout after being give the franchise tag or do you see him as being more of a team player and tough it out
It's in his best interest to hold out. He was essentially given a one-year deal by the Ravens with the tag. If Rice gets hurt in camp, he hurts his chance of getting a big-time deal in free agency. It's not being selfish. It's being smart.
With Lardarius Webb's breakout season last year, what do you see as his ceiling in terms of ranking of CB's in the NFL (i.e. 5th..etc.)
Emil: Not sure about the entire NFL. But he is among the top two in the division. It's between Webb and Joe Haden. (I know that will get the Ike Taylor supporters going).
If Janoris Jenkins falls to the Browns in RD2 do they jump? I know he is a risk and it is not a huge need but when a guy with top 15 potential falls to RD2 should you jump?
It would be tempting. I just know that Jenkins' character issues will force some teams to take him off their boards entirely. I would probably stay clear of him.
In case DeCastro is gone by the 17th pick, do you think the Bengals should snag Cordy Glenn at that point or take Kirkpatrick? I'd like to see out first pick be one of the two interior linemen because I think Gillmore would still be available at corner, but what's your opinion?
That's a really tough call. I would have Kirkpatrick rated over Glenn on my draft board. So, I would take him, although Glenn fills a more immediate need. Not sure Gilmore is strong enough to hold up in man coverage. I wouldn't take him in the first round.
Ouch, guess I got smacked down there :)Ok then, if the Browns draft Richardson @ 4, do they come back for a QB late 1st, early 2nd round, or do they give McCoy some playmakers and one more year before kicking him to the curb?
Caleb: Sorry for the smackdown. But I'm glad you got back up all right. I think it would be a great draft if the Browns could get RB, WR and RT with their first three picks. Obviously, you need to get value for all of those picks but I think that would be the perfect scenario for Cleveland.
What's your reaction to the Wacco Flacco statement? Top QB? Is he sane?
The statement is a reflection of self-confidence, not arrogance.
In covering the AFCN teams have you ever heard bounty discussion amongst the players? Other than the one on Ward which was never collected.
I haven't. But I heard about some teams that take pools for big hits.
whatever happened to Keith Rivers?
He is expected to come back from his wrist injury this season. But he would have to beat out Thomas Howard to get his starting job back.
Joe Flacco thinks he is the best,but in reality is he even a top 10 QB?
You could make an argument for top 10, but not top 5.
Is Mike H, and Pat Shurmur's job in jeopardy if they have another poor year? (which they will considering they play the NFC East this year)
Another 4-12 season would put the pressure on to make changes.
Hey Jamison, I have a question about the inside linebacker situation of the steelers. Wouldn't it be better if the Steelers move Timmons to Farrior's position and Sylvester into Timmons position? I always thought the steelers believed that Sylvester could become the starter because of his potential. Couldn't they draft someone in middle rounds for depth rather than drafting Dont'a Hightower in the first round?
That's a strong possibility and it's one that I've heard discussed before. But Hightower's leadership on a national championship team and the top-rated defense leads many to believe he is the perfect fit to take over Farrior's role. But if the Steelers don't take an inside linebacker, I can see the Timmons-Sylvester pairing happening.
Do you honsetly think Mendenhall will play for Pittsburgh again? I find it hard to believe missing at least half the season and free agency next year aren't weighing heavily against that happening.
I see Mendenhall returning at the midpoint of the season. But I'm starting to get convinced that Pittsburgh will find its running back for the future in the second round of this draft.
How do you think the AFCN matches up against the NFCE?
I like the AFC North's chances. I always feel that the NFC East is overhyped because of the big markets.
With a healthy Jordan Shipley, what kind of impact will he have on the Bengals receiving corps next season and be a reliable slot receiver?
At this point, I have Shipley as the No. 2 wide receiver. This could change after the draft. But I see him as the No. 3 wide receiver at worst. I also like Hawkins and his ability as the slot receiver.
You don't think the Browns should go RB, WR, QB with first three picks? What RT will be available early 2nd round?
Mississipi State's Bobby Massie
Is it too early to give up on Colt McCoy?
It looks like the Browns were ready to do so, but they failed to get Sam Bradford in a trade and couldn't move up to take RG3. So, McCoy gets another chance by default.
Thanks to everyone for a great chat. I hope to see everyone on Wednesday. Have a great weekend.