A.J. Green to Cleveland? Not so fast my friend.

[DaBrowns41]

Originally Posted by Alo

I do think Green's a safer pick than some of the d-linemen that have been mentioned. Fairley and Bowers have had work ethic issues, Quinn has the suspension & medical red flags, etc.

I like Green a lot, and he seems to be one of the few true "safe" picks in the Top 10, Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara are two others that I'd be very comfortable with.

Marcell Dareus, Bowers, Fairley, and Quinn are all one hit wonders, although Bowers at least has started for more than one full season.

Obviously none of these QB's are safe, as all of them have at least one major issue: Newton- Intangibles, accuracy, Mallett- Coke problem? Decision making, accuracy, Gabbert- intelligence, ability to read defense, ability to understand NFL playbook, Locker- accuracy, decision making, touch, happy feet.

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by Alo

I do think Green's a safer pick than some of the d-linemen that have been mentioned. Fairley and Bowers have had work ethic issues, Quinn has the suspension & medical red flags, etc.

I'm just starting to forgive you for talking me into Aaron Curry a couple years ago. I think you just liked his first name. Only kidding!

The GOOD NEWS if Green is gone and Fairley is at out doorstep - the lad plays when there's incentive carrots dangled in front of him. What I mean by that is the concept of BIG MONEY in round one is outdated as of this year. Now he's gonna have to earn the $ through incentive clauses as opposed to signing in with $40-$60 million.

DE looks like its one of the hardest sciences of the predraft preparations. IMO, the best DE we drafted was Rob Burnett out of Syracuse back in the 90s; and it didn't require to burn a top of the litter pick on him. Buffalo landed that Aaron Schobel for some Pro Bowls out of one of the Texas schools (TCU?). Anyway, he frequented Pro Bowls and wasn't drafted in round one like that Eric Flowers bust from ASU. Policy thought Courtney Brown was Bruce Smith because he certainly had the fitness and the spin moves. Even though Courtney Brown has the injury excuses, he was incredibly weak when teams ran AT him. He did his best work, when teams ran the other way and he could play olay with the OT he wanted no part of to use that speed and quickness. That was a HUGE reason we were vulnerable to the cut back runners like Corey Dillon and Priest Holmes. Gotta be careful at this #6 overall position or we throw away a pick of the litter on the wrong guy. We've done that too much to compete in our division in the last 12 years.

[Alo]

Haha. Don't worry, I'm kicking my own ass about Aaron Curry. And I wasn't very high on the Claymaker.

I loved what I saw from Fairley this year, but the character Q's have me a bit concerned. I was down at the East-West Shrine Game practices this week, and the chatter there about his practice habits wasn't very positive. He'd be a big gamble, even if the money won't be quite as big as it used to be. A high risk, high reward pick.

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by Alo

Haha. Don't worry, I'm kicking my own ass about Aaron Curry. And I wasn't very high on the Claymaker.

I loved what I saw from Fairley this year, but the character Q's have me a bit concerned. I was down at the East-West Shrine Game practices this week, and the chatter there about his practice habits wasn't very positive. He'd be a big gamble, even if the money won't be quite as big as it used to be. A high risk, high reward pick.

Do you remember my first impression of him? I got a Gerrard Warren vibe in a matchup nobody on his defense seemed excited about. Just as I acknowledged that and shared it - you had to know every time I saw him thereafter he was hustling and playing really good football.

Sometimes I wonder about these All Star games and the practice work ethics from the top prospects. The reason I would say that is because they have agents telling them if they get hurt - it's curtains. Somebody like Fairley has les to prove in these all star games than many lesser knowns without the television exposure. I think the national Championship Game and his last few outings before that showed the right people the right things. Does that make sense?

[Alo]

Sorry, I wasn't clear: scouts were chatting about Fairley's practice habits at Auburn. It's odd: his motor's pretty solid in games, but he has a reputation for practicing only when he feels like it.

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by Alo

Sorry, I wasn't clear: scouts were chatting about Fairley's practice habits at Auburn. It's odd: his motor's pretty solid in games, but he has a reputation for practicing only when he feels like it.

Is Fairley Shaun Roger's brother who underwent a name change to protect the innocent or in this case his draft status.

I look at Fairley and I see Shaun Roger's type practice habits and maybe physical attributes down the road.

[Enigmatic Evil]

I don't want to waste the #6 pick on someone who only shows up when they want to. Unless this kid's got the potential to be the next Julius Peppers or something then let's take a player who can help the team, play hard and WANTS to play here. Didn't Fairley say he wanted to play somewhere warm?

[damajuki]

As always, my draft philosophy is simple: you take the guy you think can start IMMEDIATELY and for the duration of his rookie contract. It really is that simple in the top 10.

No projects, no projections. Take the sure(st) thing, every time.

Which is why Haden was the right pick last year over Dez and whomever else. As close to a sure thing as was on the board.

I know that's no fun to debate with, which is why I don't say much about pick debates.

I just want STARterS.

[Greythan]

Dama's really nailed it. The Jamarcus Russell's of the world are really dumb picks no matter how you slice it.

I mean, Tim Tebow with a first round pick?

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by Alo

Sorry, I wasn't clear: scouts were chatting about Fairley's practice habits at Auburn. It's odd: his motor's pretty solid in games, but he has a reputation for practicing only when he feels like it.

They got this info from Auburn's staff or hearsay? I live 60 miles north of the Alabama border and they've never talked/written about this kid being lazy. In fact, you corrected my first impression of him when you told me he hustles. Every game after that, I thought you were right.

Keep in mind what type of things were beiing said about Dez last year. Getting him to team meetings was like pulling teeth and he had a tendency to show up late for games and practices. When he arrived in Dallas, everything I read was just the opposite.

It just doesn't make sense that this guy hates football all week and shows up ready to be what we've witnessed. This is a game where you play like you practice. He DID have a shoulder injury which would change the intensity of how he practices to an understanding.

This gets to be that time of year when Colt McCoy's arm gets compared with Ellen DeGeneres'. Somethings can get really off the wall in how far they'll tear spome guys down. And then you get a Kyle Boller that HAS to be drafted in ropund 1 because he can throw a football 60 yards from his knees. They SHOULD have been assessing how far he can throw a football from his back. You don't want a QB that sees the field like Ray Charles. I don't care how strong his arm is.

Just be careful with hearsday unless you're hearing it from Auburn's coaching staff.

[Sez.EJ]

I find it very interesting that all the teams in the playoffs this year are cold wether teams that have superior defenses.. the offenses are all good too..i'm just saying.. We have not seen that in a while..no finess teams are left standing.

[TheBestPlayersPlay]

Originally Posted by Flugel

Keep in mind what type of things were beiing said about Dez last year. Getting him to team meetings was like pulling teeth and he had a tendency to show up late for games and practices. When he arrived in Dallas, everything I read was just the opposite.

Hate to burst your bubble BUT ..... Bryant turned out to be exactly who most of us thought he would be. A lazy problem. There have been several things that have come out recently about how the Cowboys covered up tons of stuff through-out the course of the season, and practically let him get away with murder. So much so that the Cowboys are open to trading the kid.

I just don't want to take a player that has a lot of risk associated to him with our 1st pick. I know any pick is a risk ...but I want the safest bet. I'm not saying no on Fairley, but I'll need a couple more months to decide.