Draft Questions, Answers starting this weekend

[ctrcat]

No one knows what will happen, but I neither hope nor expect GMan to put us in a position to "reach" for a position of "urgent" need when we're actually on the clock in May.

[Woodie]

Of course if we are able to bring in a starter at OT in FA, then WR likely moves up to #1.  But obviously that would mean letting Hardy go.  And once FA starts we would have to move very quickly on any big signing to beat out the competition, so any hopes for a tag and trade would be non-existent since there is no way we could keep both Hardy's tag and the new OT's cap number on the books

 

 

 

Unless we tag and Trade Hardy well before the draft?  Guess all that will sort out in early March

Top OT's will go off the board fairly quickly once FA starts, so if we want one, we'll have to be prepared to sign him almost as soon as FA starts.  And since we can't trade a tagged Hardy until after the new league year starts, there really wouldn't be time for all the parts to work and get all the deals done.  After all, not only would we have to work out a deal with the FA, another team would have to work out a deal with Hardy and then work one out with us for compensation.

 

Of course we could tag Hardy, then if we work out a deal with a FA, pull the tag.  But that is really bad form and would not be appreciated by anyone.  If you tag a guy, then the expectation is that you will at least give it some time to work something out before pulling it. 

[Woodie]

Tagging and trading Hardy is a pipe dream. I'd say the chances of it happening are 0.1%

Depends on what Gettleman wants to do.  If he wants cap space available at the start of FA to make some moves, then he probably will just let Hardy walk (assuming we can't/don't want to work out a long-term deal), but if he feel we can afford the tag and make a few moves while looking for a trade, then a tag and trade is more likely.  The bottom line is that if Gettleman wants to make a trade, he likely will find a trading partner, but we really don't know how he'll prioritize?

[Ruff]

Depends on what Gettleman wants to do. If he wants cap space available at the start of FA to make some moves, then he probably will just let Hardy walk (assuming we can't/don't want to work out a long-term deal), but if he feel we can afford the tag and make a few moves while looking for a trade, then a tag and trade is more likely. The bottom line is that if Gettleman wants to make a trade, he likely will find a trading partner, but we really don't know how he'll prioritize?

So, in the event we do tag Hardy, why would a team trade for him? and not only that, if we did trade him, every team knows we would be putting ourselves in cap hell by tagging him, so they would then have all the leverage to fleece us.

Or, they know they could wait it out and sign him in FA.

This entire scenario is a fantasy. The beat we can hope for is for Hardy to walk (which, signs indicate that yeah, he's probably going to), not signing anyone to replace him, and him having a monster year on another team and we get a third or fourth round compensatory pick.

[Madwolf]

I can definitely see your point, Johnny's size actually doesn't worry me. He is bigger than Russell Wilson and very good at avoiding tackles. Teddy on the other hand has no muscle on him and of course has small hands which is why he needs to wear gloves so he can get a better zip on the ball. Gabbert had way more issues than these two, from the very beginning Gabbert was a project that got overhyped, I think these two are legit.

 

Say what?

 

 

I'm not sure if Teddy's hands are small, but he's always worn the gloves throughout his playing career. He just likes them. Has nothing to do with putting "zip" on the ball. He has plenty of zip, and I'm not really sure how gloves would help or hurt.

[DaCityKats]

once Teddy gets into a NFL strength and conditioning program, that muscle mass will build up. and that will also help out his arm strength, which is not weak.

[stirs]

As far as DB's go, I had picked this guy in the third in my only mock.

 

I love that he is grounded and what is unique, aside from his size, is that he went from Safety to CB rather than the other way around.  One year at CB and made the Senior Bowl.  Could be a really good find with a year or two NFL coaching under his belt. 

 

http://www.newerascouting.com/2014/02/08/2014-nfl-draft-interview-keith-mcgill-cb-utah/

[Woodie]

So, in the event we do tag Hardy, why would a team trade for him? and not only that, if we did trade him, every team knows we would be putting ourselves in cap hell by tagging him, so they would then have all the leverage to fleece us.

Or, they know they could wait it out and sign him in FA.

This entire scenario is a fantasy. The beat we can hope for is for Hardy to walk (which, signs indicate that yeah, he's probably going to), not signing anyone to replace him, and him having a monster year on another team and we get a third or fourth round compensatory pick.

Why would a team trade for Hardy?  Because they would have no other way to get an impact player of his ability at DE.  I don't think some fans realize just how unique Hardy is.  Not many DE's are dominant at both run defense and as a pass rusher, not to mention how effective he is when he moves inside.  He just offers a rare blend of skills that a team can build a defense around...and he is just starting to come into his prime.  Heck, if it wasn't for all of our upcoming contracts, I'm sure the team would do whatever they could to keep him...and still might.

 

Sure tagging Hardy would be tough, but we can afford it if the team wants to keep him.  The problem is that you have to pick and choose what you're going to do and who you want to keep.  And if we put the tag on him, then it's just for one year, so it wouldn't handcuff us long term.  Teams know we could manage it if we had to.

 

It also wouldn't really hamper negotiations with another team.  The truth of the matter is if a team is willing to pay his asking price, they will be willing to pony up a 2nd or 3rd round pick to make sure they get him, as well as to prevent another team getting involved in a bidding war...possibly taking his asking price to even higher levels.  It's easy for fans to say that a team would bend us over because they know he puts us in a bind, but the reality is that a team that really wants him would also fear overplaying their cards and losing him, and anyone that would be willing to give him a 70-80 million contract really wants him.  Also, the only way the other team gains any leverage is if they know that we can't keep him on the tag and will pull it at some point if we can't move him, but the thing is, if the team tags him, then I would be willing to bet that they are willing to keep him on the tag if necessary.   

[Tyler Callaway]

Say what?

 

 

I'm not sure if Teddy's hands are small, but he's always worn the gloves throughout his playing career. He just likes them. Has nothing to do with putting "zip" on the ball. He has plenty of zip, and I'm not really sure how gloves would help or hurt.

 

QB's wear gloves in order to get a better grip on the football. It is why Peyton Manning wears them after his surgery and why Kurt Warner wore them at the end of his career to get a better grip and zip on the ball like he had when he was younger. It is also why QB's wear them in the rain sometimes.

 

Bridgewater does have smaller hands than average. You can even tell by this picture in how his fingers are so spread out. I do not know of many QB's that wear gloves just because they like them, in Teddy's case it is to help him with his grip and putting more zip on the ball. Even though I do believe he could have a good arm without the gloves I do believe he wears them to actually help his game and not just because he like them.

[Tyler Callaway]

once Teddy gets into a NFL strength and conditioning program, that muscle mass will build up. and that will also help out his arm strength, which is not weak.

 

I don't know if this was a reply to me, but I know his arm is not weak. There is clearly a reason he wears the gloves and I think it is to give him a little extra help with his grip. He has the arm to make it in the NFL though either way.

[nagai]

Gman was head of player personnel with the Giants from 1999 to 2012.

 

In those 14 drafts, if you look at the first three rounds, he had a total of 40 picks and Olineman made up only 4 of them.

 

Not a great omen for an OT early.

 

http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?teamId=3410&type=team

 

1st 3 rounds 40 picks

 

4 OLineman

9 DB's

9 DLineman

13 WR/TE

 

 

Looks like WR/TE or DB will get the call early

 

That's a bit of an oversimplification, but I appreciate the research.

 

[Ace_Aladdin]

Top OT's will go off the board fairly quickly once FA starts, so if we want one, we'll have to be prepared to sign him almost as soon as FA starts.  And since we can't trade a tagged Hardy until after the new league year starts, there really wouldn't be time for all the parts to work and get all the deals done.  After all, not only would we have to work out a deal with the FA, another team would have to work out a deal with Hardy and then work one out with us for compensation.

 

Of course we could tag Hardy, then if we work out a deal with a FA, pull the tag.  But that is really bad form and would not be appreciated by anyone.  If you tag a guy, then the expectation is that you will at least give it some time to work something out before pulling it. 

 

 

I disagree one of the top OT is going to fall to us if not a top WR. I predict 2 QB going in top 10 along with Clowney so talent is going to fall to us. I see Kouandjio or Richardson dropping down for us to pick.

[DaCityKats]

I don't know if this was a reply to me, but I know his arm is not weak. There is clearly a reason he wears the gloves and I think it is to give him a little extra help with his grip. He has the arm to make it in the NFL though either way.

 

was just stating that his arm strength will increase once he has been in a NFL conditioning program.

[Evengelion]

They both have big question marks.

 

Both are smallish, Manziel has the "what the hell" factor off the field going for him and Bridgewaters hands are rumored to be very small.

 

There are definitely red flags, for the top pick anyway.  I would be afraid I was getting the next Gabbert, Locker, etc and using the top pick to do it.

 

Just playing devils advocate here

 

What if Bridgewater's hand measures between 9.25 and 9.50? The minimum standard for NFL QB is 9.0. Some people are born with soft palm and some people who aren't work out warriors tend to have soft hand. That might be why he wears gloves other than having small hands. Mike Vick supposed measured less than 9 inches but throws one of the best deep balls. Not that he didn't fumble but his style was more to blame for that.