Drafting a Guard in the first round

[SCP]

Except this isn't the kind of offense we want to run.

Not to mention that youre making a "blanket statement" as you put it as well. The difference between a 5 yard run and a 25 yard run is never a single player.

Do I even need to mention that a "good" Guard giving you a good block is going to look exactly the same an "elite" one doing so?

You could argue that an "elite" one would do it more frequently, except, that's just the point. The amount he does it "more" isnt anywhere close to being enough to justify taking the Guard over other important positions.

Nobody knows what kind of offense Shula is going to run. What i consider to be an elite guard is going to get to the second level more often than your average guy. Just making one block is what an average guard will do. Based on the pre-draft conjecture, Warmack and Cooper are going to offer more than just the initial point of attack block. If you have 2 guards and a center that can offer that every other play, no matter the offense you're running, that is a great thing.

[SCP]

My philosophy of building an offense is:

Priority 1: QB

Priority 2: strong smart center, strong mobile guards, and probowl caliber LT

Priority 3: pass catching TE

Priority 4: elite WR1 and good possession guy at WR2

Priority 5: RB

Priority 6: RT

[Squirrel]

After 1 your order is messed up IMO

2 should be A good center and LT

3. Good Wr

4. Good RB

5. Good guards

6. Goodn TE

[MHS831]

I agree too. However, the first round this year really sucks compared to previous years. Maybe I am wrong here, but i look at it this way:

If I can draft a top CB, DE, LOT, or QB in the first, then that is five years I am not having to pay a player on a second contract at that position. Some DEs make $15 million, for example. No Guards do. A solid G runs you about $5-7 million on a second contract.

We can have 2 starting veteran guards for the same price one DE is paid.

So basically, I am suggesting that you have one DE, DT,and CB on a rookie contract at all times. If not, you run the risk of having 20% of your salary cap at one position that is NOT QB.

Next year, we could be sitting at the negotiating table with Greg Hardy's agent, who will be throwing Charles Johnson's contract at Gettlemen. If he comes close to getting CJ $$, we are talking about $22 million for defensive ends.

By playing one DE on a rookie deal at all times, your DE expense is about $8 million cheaper. hypothetically, the DE plays out the 5 year rookie contract while his counterpart enters a 5-year second contract. The savings, $8 million or so, is enough to pay for 2 veteran guards on second contracts.

I realize that it is not that easy, but the concept is solid.

Do the same thing at CB. One second contract, one rookie deal. When the CB hits 30, re-sign your player on a rookie contract to a second contract and draft a rookie.

Do the same thing at DT.

Do the same thing at WR. Essentially--and extremely hypothetically--you draft one of these key positions most years. Marty did not do this--he neglected CB, WR, DT, and even QB. Instead, he drafted safe, easy-to-find positions like RB (2), OL, LB most recently.

So, essentially, your first rounders are loosely restricted to a few, expensive positions, unless a player is overwhelmingly better than the rest.

Chance Warmack could be that exception. However, I KNOW some starting-quality rookie Guards will drop to the fourth round.

[SCP]

After 1 your order is messed up IMO

2 should be A good center and LT

3. Good Wr

4. Good RB

5. Good guards

6. Goodn TE

Perhaps you weren't aware that my 6-8 year old flag football team was undefeated this past season. That puts me head and shoulders above Jeff Davidson.

[Squirrel]

Perhaps you weren't aware that my 6-8 year old flag football team was undefeated this past season. That puts me head and shoulders above Jeff Davidson.

:lol:

[beastson]

I disagree

San Fransico

[MHS831]

Perhaps you weren't aware that my 6-8 year old flag football team was undefeated this past season. That puts me head and shoulders above Jeff Davidson.

Yes, but in all fairness, you were head and shoulders above Jeff Davidson before flag football season.

[panther4life]

I'd take the best available WR,DT,LT,FS, or CB over any guard in the draft 14.

[MHS831]

One reason Guards are being discussed in the first round is because the first round sucks this year.

However, last year, DeCastro was rumored to be a top 12 pick, and he fell to around 22 (Steelers).

[Peppers90 NC]

like safety, a first round G is a luxury pick, which we dont have unless we trade back.

[CPF4LIFE]

This as a blanket statement is bull poo. If you run an offense that relies on your guards getting out around the end or up to the second level, you better believe they are impact players. You want Deangelo, Stew, and Cam to break off long runs? You better have a guard that can put is hat on a backer or safety downfield. Kalil is great at this. Silatolu is going to be very good at it. Those blocks are the difference in a 5 yard gain or a 25 yard gain. That's not an impact?

Definitely an impact. Drew Brees is able to do what he does because of their guards not their tackles. Stand in the pocket and see down the field even tho he is short because the guards are keeping defenders away from him.

[SCP]

One reason Guards are being discussed in the first round is because the first round sucks this year.

However, last year, DeCastro was rumored to be a top 12 pick, and he fell to around 22 (Steelers).

First, good point about Davidson.

Second, the Steelers draft a guard in round 1. I'd say the Steelers are quite successful, no?

[jarhead]

I agree too. However, the first round this year really sucks compared to previous years. Maybe I am wrong here, but i look at it this way:

If I can draft a top CB, DE, LOT, or QB in the first, then that is five years I am not having to pay a player on a second contract at that position. Some DEs make $15 million, for example. No Guards do. A solid G runs you about $5-7 million on a second contract.

We can have 2 starting veteran guards for the same price one DE is paid.

So basically, I am suggesting that you have one DE, DT,and CB on a rookie contract at all times. If not, you run the risk of having 20% of your salary cap at one position that is NOT QB.

Next year, we could be sitting at the negotiating table with Greg Hardy's agent, who will be throwing Charles Johnson's contract at Gettlemen. If he comes close to getting CJ $$, we are talking about $22 million for defensive ends.

By playing one DE on a rookie deal at all times, your DE expense is about $8 million cheaper. hypothetically, the DE plays out the 5 year rookie contract while his counterpart enters a 5-year second contract. The savings, $8 million or so, is enough to pay for 2 veteran guards on second contracts.

I realize that it is not that easy, but the concept is solid.

Do the same thing at CB. One second contract, one rookie deal. When the CB hits 30, re-sign your player on a rookie contract to a second contract and draft a rookie.

Do the same thing at DT.

Do the same thing at WR. Essentially--and extremely hypothetically--you draft one of these key positions most years. Marty did not do this--he neglected CB, WR, DT, and even QB. Instead, he drafted safe, easy-to-find positions like RB (2), OL, LB most recently.

So, essentially, your first rounders are loosely restricted to a few, expensive positions, unless a player is overwhelmingly better than the rest.

Chance Warmack could be that exception. However, I KNOW some starting-quality rookie Guards will drop to the fourth round.

Very well put.The new CBA facilitates a team to pay less for the most expensive positions under the rookie contract.The cap differential is to great for GM's to ignore.