MHS831

I mean, better is a pretty low bar.

I agree about the stereotypes, and they are not malicious. For example, Jared Lorenzen could stand in the pocket and throw dimes, like many fit NFL QBs, but it was hard to take him seriously. That big kid for NC State looks wrong out there, but he has his team in the sweet 16--how good did they have to be to become exceptions? I once heard Jim Caldwell talk at a conference, and someone asked him why they don't recruit white running backs. He replied, "There just aren't many out there who are good enough--and that is not a racial statement as it sounds. It starts in the younger leagues--Pop Warner and high school--because those coaches take the black kids and play them at the skill positions. The opposite is true at the QB position. By the time these players get to the college level, they have either quit or they are playing the positions their coaches assigned them even before high school. A black QB does not look right to some people, just like a white RB does not look right." He called it a filtering process, and it happens in all walks of life--it made some sense to me. I thought that was interesting--it was about 20 years ago or more, so much of what he said is prophetic. I keep trying to dismiss Ladd from my pick at 33, but I keep going back. He is the safe pick, and he is 6 feet tall and about 190--runs a sub 4.4 and was 5th at the combine among WRs in the athleticism score area--I do not see how you pass him by if he is on the board. No, he is not as good as Marvin Harrison, but in any other draft, he would be top 20.

I can tell you this--if I were a fringe roster player who just signed a contract with an NFL team, I would not glance at social media.

https://www.pff.com/news/fantasy-football-personnel-adjusted-yprr-2024-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-class This might be the best source to analyze the reason I do not want Mitchell if he falls. It also reflects that Cole and Legette are "red flags" (to a lesser extent than Mitchell) and it suggests that McConkey has been consistent and is highly rated--perhaps the best route runner and hands deserving of one of our second round selections--my interpretation of the data based on bias and background information.

He is wearing #7. Is that over or under his 2024 sack total?

I have tried to like him, but I keep seeing Benjamin and Funchess in my head. Make me see him differently. A smaller, faster WR who runs better routes creates cushion and that is important too, but you could argue that Canales had a big WR in Tampa that worked well with a smallish QB---I dunno. I'd rather have McConkey at 33. I think it is close, but I will watch some more video from your point of view.

This. I was mocking him when he fell, but you really need "dawgs" at the WR position. The ball is in the air, and you know it is your ball--so you go get it. In the NFL, they will eat his lunch if he can't win contested passes. Legette seems to do that. About McConkey, who is becoming my choice at #33. Bucky Brooks said when he was watching film to rate the DBs, he kept noticing how much respect other CBs were giving McConkey--backing up, giving him a cushion, etc. That stuck.

My first thought was McConkey.

I googled him before opening this, wondering who he played for last year. My response?: Oh.

I keep mocking Shipley in the fourth as well. I really do not know the RB market.

This is the dilemma. We have about 7-10 needs and you are very lucky if 3 draft picks stick--especially without a first. And this is BEFORE injuries etc.

My list went through 10. I think Sanders could bounce back; they owe him a lot of money. I start threads like this because my thinking gets biased very easily and quickly. And when we talk about one player, we fail to see the big picture a lot of times-so this kinda makes us frame it that way. Yes, I would love to draft a C, but the way it is set up right now, I cannot. I also hope we draft 2 WRs, because Mingo could be the only player back from the current roster in 2025

While you all are on the subject of cocks, I withdrew from the conversation. However, what about a snake cock in round 4 or 5 to be the 3rd QB? (That one is rather ambiguous, but it will come to you with some deep contemplation. Then you will smile, but realize that you are smiling at a snake cock, so you will unsmile and answer the question, realizing that good ol' MHS was referring to the Gamecock's QB.)

I think the staff was good, but I saw no signs that Campen was coaching anyone (OL). I think having veterans like Burns, Haynes, YGM caused these coaches to focus on their jobs---and in an environment where you are building the future, you are more willing to spend more time developing the younger players. I am just speculating.

The question I had to ask: Is C depth more important than ILB or CB depth? Realistically, you cannot expect any draft to address more than 3 needs, but I included 4. I agree with you, however.

I realize a lot of folks will be screaming for center, but I do not see the front office seeing that as a necessity. I think they feel it is covered.

I agree from our perspective, but they may think Corbett can handle it and they will be grooming Cade May behind him--maybe even BC--I dunno what they will do, and we are in the dark until we see them on the field playing center. On paper, a lot seems ideal until they hit the turf.

Oops Offense (22) Left Tackle Left Guard Center Right Guard Right Tackle Ickey Ekwonu Damien Lewis Austin Corbett Robert Hunt Taylor Moton Yosh Nijman Brady Christesen Cade Mays Brady Christesen Yosh Nijman Brady Christesen Cade Mays Brady Christensen Cade Mays Brady Christesen Chandler Zavala Wide Receiver Running Back Quarterback Tight End Diontae Johnson Chuba Hubbard Bryce Young Tommy Tremble Miles Sanders Andy Dalton Ian Thomas Adam Thielen Stephen Sullivan Jonathan Mingo R. Blackshear I Smith-Marsette T Marshall Jr Defense (23) Jack Linebacker Defensive End Defensive Tackle Defensive End Sam Linebacker Jadav Clowney Derrick Brown Shy Tuttle A’Shwn Robinson DJ Wonnum Amare Barno Raeq Williams Nick Thurmond LaBryan Ray DJ Johnson K'Lvon Chaisson Eku Leota Cornerback Will LB Mike LB Nickel Cornerback JC Horn Shaq Thompson Josey Jewell Troy Hill Dane Jackson Chan. Wooten Dicaprio Bootle Strong Safety Free Safety Jordan Fuller Xavier Woods Jammi Robinson Sam Franklin

Hi Gang, after talking a look at the roster (I will post below because it has been updated) I no longer see (or think they see) OL as a need that MUST be addressed in the draft. They added 2 starting guards, creating a starting and backup center (jury still out, I know), and a solid swing OT. Behind that, they have former starter Brady Christensen and at least Cade Mays. Most all NFL lines have areas they would like to upgrade, but if they can get Ickey balanced, this could be a very special OL. This list represents a shift away from a prioritized need at Edge as well. Based on Canales' comments, they are going to go with Clowney and Wonnum and develop players like DJ Johnson, Barno, Leota, and Chaisson. Good plan. It suggests that Canales thinks these players were not coached up or developed, but he would never say that. Athletically, the OLB room is full of studs. I still think our biggest need is a solid WR and if I were the GM, I would take 2 in this draft. But nobody on the Huddle is talking that much about the second and third biggest needs, imo. So here is what I put together this morning for you hacks to attack (includes long term needs--to me, since most rookies do not produce immediately, it is stupid to draft a player based on immediate needs): Wide Receiver: Johnson and Thielen, the top 2 WRs at this moment, are possibly in their final years. Mingo was overdrafted and his performance has not matched expectations. In my opinion, in a WR-deep draft, you grab 2 Wideouts. Longterm: You do not want to enter 2025 with Mingo, draft pick, Smith-Marsette, and Marshall (who may not be on the team by then). In my view, you can take two and still find the essential depth pieces at ILB and CB. Cornerback Depth: Of course, signing Dane Jackson to replace "Action" Jackson and re-signing Troy Hill is not enough, considering Horn’s injury history--and even if Horn stays healty--you need 3 starting caliber CBs and a nickel. I think we have to proceed as if Dane Jackson is the only starting caliber CB without an injury history and Bootle is a roster fringe CB at best. We need a CB who can start if necessary. Longterm: Horn is a huge question mark at this point, so we have to draft as if we are taking a developmental starter. For this reason, I see a second rounder being spent on CB. Dane Jackson is not elite by any means, and if we do not get pass rush this season, the secondary will be exploited. Troy Hill is 33 and this is obviously his last season here. Inside Linebacker Depth: With only Thompson and Jewell with Wooten behind them, ILB Depth is needed. I fully expect Morgan to go after an ILB on day 2. He understands their importance to a defense. I am assuming the new kickoff rule may make LBs more valuable as well. Longterm: Jewell was just signed to a 3-year deal, but I doubt Shaq is back, having just signed a 1-year deal at age 30 for 2024. We will be signing an ILB early in this draft. Morgan guarantees it (not really, but I bet he does) Tight End: I think they feel that TE is “covered” for now, but if they can upgrade the position, they will. In my estimation, they want to see what they have in Tremble; that suggests they do not think the TE position was used properly in 2023. Pure speculation. Sullivan flashed as a pass-catching TE, and Ian is a suitable #3 TE as a blocker, but I have not seen that much from him in that area. The could add a TE to the room, but with three other needs that are more pressing, I am not sure they will add someone who helps them improve. However, they want to surround Bryce with weapons, so a TE would kinda be necessary–See the Super Bowl–their TEs were pretty good. Longterm: This team needs an Alpha TE, and if Tremble cannot be that guy, they will bring one in. I do like some of the TEs later in the draft, however. A player like Ohio State’s Cade Stover would be a nice addition.

I think they will look at Corbett and they feel good about it. I think they have talked to him and he is on board. However, Mays is also moving to C and I would not be surprised to see if BC is not involved. Not ideal, but with 2 stud OGs beside you, he should be fine.

We do need ILB, CB, WR as our top 3 needs in my opinion.

So we have Horn, Clowney, Wonnum, and Jammie. Cock a doodle dooooo

We should sign all former Gamecocks. Talons and all that. Cockadooodledoooooo. Not sure this post ended as intended.

During the last interview with Morgan, I think he said (Basically) that the free agency wave is over and they were now looking toward the draft.

When did he tackle a kick going into the third row of the end zone seats? Glad you said this--I don't think everyone understands it yet.