Character Concerns And The Nfl Draft

[Dpantherman]

Jason Cole from Yahoo Sports wrote an interesting article following the 2010 NFL Draft linking together draft selections and how character played a role in the selection.

Highlights:

DT, Tyson Alualu, 10th overall:

Tyson Alualu, a guy who didn’t get much love from draftniks such as Mel Kiper Jr., Mike Mayock or Todd McShay. None of them had Alualu as a first-round pick, let alone in the top 10.

Alualu got high marks from his teammates at Cal for his maturity. Married and a father of two, Alualu was considered a leader of the Polynesian players on the Cal squad, his wife driving the group to practice every day.

“Definitely a leader,” former Cal teammate and newly minted Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best said. “Not very vocal, but a leader by example and guys feed off that.”

RB, Ryan Matthews, 12th overall

Ryan Mathews of Fresno State, whom the San Diego Chargers gave up a small fortune to grab. The Chargers moved all the way from No. 28 to No. 12 for Mathews. San Diego gave up promising linebacker Tim Dobbins, the No. 28 pick, its second-round pick and a fourth-rounder to get a guy who scored off the charts for character with many NFL teams.

WR, Demaryius Thomas, 22nd overall

Thomas, who had a broken foot and couldn’t work out at the scouting combine, went No. 22 overall. Bryant went No. 24 to the Dallas Cowboys even though an overwhelming number of NFL personnel men said Bryant was clearly a better talent, perhaps even a top-five talent.

The problem was that Bryant is also considered an extremely irresponsible young man, consistently showing up late for meetings, practices and, according to two teammates, even games.

One personnel man, who actually predicted Thomas going ahead of Bryant, said: “I told you what people thought of [bryant]. … Maybe he’ll be Randy Moss, like he says he will. But he has a lot of work to do if he’s going to get there. A lot.”

QB, The Golden Calf of Bristol, 25th overall

Thomas, who had a broken foot and couldn’t work out at the scouting combine, went No. 22 overall. Bryant went No. 24 to the Dallas Cowboys even though an overwhelming number of NFL personnel men said Bryant was clearly a better talent, perhaps even a top-five talent.

The problem was that Bryant is also considered an extremely irresponsible young man, consistently showing up late for meetings, practices and, according to two teammates, even games.

One personnel man, who actually predicted Thomas going ahead of Bryant, said: “I told you what people thought of [bryant]. … Maybe he’ll be Randy Moss, like he says he will. But he has a lot of work to do if he’s going to get there. A lot.”

http://sports.yahoo....character042210

On the opposite end of the spectrum...the 'Bad Boys' 2011 NFL Draft (WARNING: written by everyone's favorite douche bag Nolan Nawrocki)

DT, Nick Fairley, 13th overall

Despite possessing difference-making, top-10 talent as an inside pass rusher, Fairley is a classic one-year wonder with a spotty motor. His work ethic is questionable — and it shows in his smooth-muscled, soft body. He is not a self-starter, is known to fall asleep in meetings and has a learning disability that showed in his 12 Wonderlic score. On talent alone, he could still fit into the top 10 because of his ability to generate an inside rush and take over games.

Fairley was just arrested today (or yesterday?) for pot possession. Showed flashes of really goodness (yea i made that up), but had some injuries.

CB, Jimmy Smith 27th overall

At heart, some evaluators believe Smith is good-natured, but he has not been able to escape a troubled past that has included multiple alcohol arrests and positive drug tests. He is too much of a follower, easily distracted and inconsistency has extended on and off the field. "I gave him a first-round grade," said one veteran, high-level executive, "but I would not take him there, especially with our DB room." Although he could fit into the back of the first round, he will need a defensive backs coach who can push him hard and a veteran presence to help him survive the demands of the NFL.

There is a writeup on Jimmy from December of last season stating that while his play has lived up to expectations, Rookie cornerback has yet to show 'character issues' that caused his draft stock to drop."

DT, Marvin Austin, 2nd round (54 overall)

Interviewed very poorly at the Combine, very selfishly throwing his college under the bus and refusing to take responsibility for any of the wrongdoings that led to his dismissal from the team. Has earned a reputation in the NFL scouting community as a "finger-pointing, excuse-making con artist" who does not know what it means to lead. Set a poor example and coasted way too much on his natural talent throughout college. Set back the UNC program by accepting improper gifts and was called "the ringleader" that led to investigations affecting the eligibility of 13 players.

Hes struggled to get on and stay on the field because of injuries.

And there's a special case. There is one guy that they called everything but a Communist Kenyan. Mr. Cammy Cam, 1st overall

Some of his teammates also admittedly have been less than forthcoming in interviews because they do not want to be viewed as bad teammates.

Nonetheless, Newton's immaturity remains a considerable issue that has been well-documented and includes multiple incidents of theft and academic cheating. Very concerning is his enormous ego and lack of humility that could make it extremely difficult for him to handle a leadership position at one of the most demanding leadership positions in all of sports. He still figures to be a top-10 selection, but whether he can prove to be a long-term solution 3-5 years from now is very much a doubt in the minds of many NFL decision-makers.

"Only the tip of the iceberg has (been reported) about (Newton)," one NFL executive said. "He has won two national championships, won the Heisman (Trophy) and had great production in one year. He's an athlete with a strong arm. But there is so much there. ... Mark my words — the team that drafts him will have an owner who reports to himself or a GM who is planning to be retired on the beach in three years."

http://www.profootba...ape-nfl-success

Granted Nolan is a douche bag, we all know this. BUT, there were some folks (alledgely) that said these things, and its out there. Character matters...alot, but will you miss out on a really talented player because of your concerns of his character? What if Cam would have been in THIS draft?

If you are like the Broncos in 2010, you pass on Dez Bryant, who is a very talent receiver, yet he is a fuging headcase, and you get Thomas who turns out be every bit as talented. It all depends.

[SOJA]

I loled about the everyone's favorite douchebag

[KendrickPanther]

Players bust all the time. Sometimes the warning signs are there right away and sometimes they are unexpected. Kerry Collins liked to drink. Lot's of guys in the NFL do. It just got out of control for him. He had all kinds of talent and got it turned around but a less talented player would have been a bust. Jarred Allen almost drank his way out of the league. He turned it around. I tend to steer clear of headcases but really you never know what's in someone's heart.