Mayock's First Round

**The Excellector** · 04-26-2012, 04:48 AM

What should be understood about Hightower is that, although he is not as athletic as other LBs coming out, he is very athletic for his size.

Besides, AirFlacco is right. Most of the Ravens best defenders fall for some reason. Ray Lewis was considered too small. Terrell Suggs, much like Courtney Upshaw, was considered to not be athletic enough, particularly with speed off the edge (Not comparing the two as pass rushers, just as physical prospects and the knocks they both had on them.) It was said that Haloti Ngata took plays off. Jarret Johnson wasn't athletic enough. Terrance Cody had a weight problem. Lardarius Webb played inferior competition and wasn't supposed to be able to handle NFL competition.

**LukeDaniel** · 04-26-2012, 08:03 AM

To the surprise of nobody, Mayock's draft was very well done.

I'm not in love with Hightower, but I don't think it's a bad pick by any means.

I remember back to the 07 draft when we took Grubbs. I felt the same way at the time. You want a first rounder who can get you excited about football when the season is still 4 months away....and Grubbs didn't do that for me. However, when the wait was over and the season started, you could see that he was a solid player and was going to help our franchise. Sometimes, you have to take the right player, even if he isn't glamourous. Konz and Hightower both fit that description. I won't be jumping up and down on draft day if we take either, but I won't be upset either. I was elated and glowing when we took Michael Oher. I was elated when we took Jimmy Smith last year.

I'm not sure that there is a single prospect that we can realistically expect to draft in round one who will make me pee my pants with joy, which is why I've been an advocate trading down. However, when I look at it in a more mature, logical light, I understand that Konz or Hightower are the type of picks that make good teams champions. You can't draft a RB, WR, QB, or pass rusher in the first round of every draft. You need to draft those big uglies as well and Hightower and Konz are very low-risk type picks.

**Lee Van Cleef** · 04-26-2012, 08:05 AM

I just find Hightower completely uninspiring. Not even sure why. I just don't like it.

**alien bird** · 04-26-2012, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by Lee Van Cleef

I just find Hightower completely uninspiring.

I agree with you, but the draft is about finding production, not about providing inspiration - unless the team is trying to sell tickets and build a fan base. I think the Ravens are trying to win a Super Bowl.

**GOTA** · 04-26-2012, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by Lee Van Cleef

I just find Hightower completely uninspiring. Not even sure why. I just don't like it.

It's that kind of 1st round. Ozzie has to do what he can with a mediocre looking group.

**Lee Van Cleef** · 04-26-2012, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by alien bird

I agree with you, but the draft is about finding production, not about providing inspiration - unless the team is trying to sell tickets and build a fan base. I think the Ravens are trying to win a Super Bowl.

Oh it's not even that. I find getting a really good OL prospect or something akin inspiring. But something about Hightower, from what I have seen, just doesn't get me behind him as a potential Raven.

**The Excellector** · 04-26-2012, 08:28 AM

Dont'a Hightower, as a Raven, would kick more tail than Lee Van Cleef and Jim Kelly combined.

**alien bird** · 04-26-2012, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by Lee Van Cleef

Oh it's not even that. I find getting a really good OL prospect or something akin inspiring. But something about Hightower, from what I have seen, just doesn't get me behind him as a potential Raven.

Yeah, I hear you. I would rather see something else, but like GOTA said, it's just that kind of draft. As the time draws near, I am kind of getting caught up in the Chandler Jones hype. If he fell to the Ravens, that would inspire me, and I haven't even seen that much of him to really know if it's real or if it's hype.

**Lee Van Cleef** · 04-26-2012, 08:44 AM

PFT made a fairly well reasoned point in a recent article that, up to this point it's pretty much entirely the opinion of draftniks and media experts that have shape the perceptions of players leading up to the draft, but we all have no idea what the teams actually think of the these guys. For all we know since March the Ravens may have had Jones as a top ten prospect on their board.

It'll be interesting to finally see what the teams think tonight.

**alien bird** · 04-26-2012, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by Lee Van Cleef

For all we know since March the Ravens may have had Jones as a top ten prospect on their board.

It'll be interesting to finally see what the teams think tonight.

Yep. I am positive the Ravens' board looks nothing like what any of us imagine. Sure, there are going to be certain guys rated pretty high, but they are sure to have guys in their sights for the middle rounds (or even higher) that none of us have been discussing.

**Ravenswintitle** · 04-26-2012, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by Lee Van Cleef

PFT made a fairly well reasoned point in a recent article that, up to this point it's pretty much entirely the opinion of draftniks and media experts that have shape the perceptions of players leading up to the draft, but we all have no idea what the teams actually think of the these guys. For all we know since March the Ravens may have had Jones as a top ten prospect on their board.

It'll be interesting to finally see what the teams think tonight.

Ha - I'm listening to SiriusNFL and Russ Lande said similar things. He said the teams tell their staff that if they're asked about a specific player, they should respond that they love him, he's great. No matter who the player.