2004 NFL Draft PBP

[jamison]

It's on!

Chargers on the clock...


Eli Manning, posturing, is saying that he doesn't want to go to the Chargers. Okay, the team sucks, but it's a nice city anyway.

I've got my Jets Jersey on, in observation of our national day of mourning, Draft Day.

On a serious note, Moment of silence observed for Pat Tillman, in a brief but respectful address by the commissioner.

[CyphaPSU]

This is gonna be interesting if the Charges pick him....

[CyphaPSU]

Yup, there it is!

[CyphaPSU]

And everyone boos Eli, haha. Look how sad Eli looks, hahaha

[jamison]

And the Chargers select Eli Manning (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2004/draft/players/32061.html)....much to his chagrin....

BIO: Three-year starter awarded numerous honors since his sophomore campaign. All American, all-conference and SEC Offensive Player of the Year as a senior when he also won the Maxwell Award as the nation's top collegiate player and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, handed to the top senior quarterback in the country. Finished 2003 with passing numbers of 62.4 percent/3,600/29/10. Second team All-SEC as a junior when he became the school's career leader in touchdown passes and finished the season throwing 58 percent/3,401/21/15. Earned honorable mention all-America honors from several media outlets as a sophomore in 2001 after numbers of 63.5 percent/2,948/31/9. All-academic selection in the past and carries a 3.44 GPA. Brother of Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts and son to former Saints passer Archie Manning.


Personally, I think he handled this a bit wrong. You can do the "I don't want to go there" stuff behind the scenes. This "I hope to be traded" crap is just tasteless.

[Looper121]

So many shenanigans on the way.

[CyphaPSU]

he'll either sit out an entire year or get traded...either way, I don't see him ever playing for the Chargers

[jamison]

Rumor is that the Giants will take Rivers and trade for Manning. Kind of hard to say what will happen now, but he's basically made this whole draft like watching a car accident.

Oakland Raiders on the clock.....Gallery?

[jamison]

Raider take...

Robert Gallery (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2004/draft/players/43649.html), OT from Iowa.

Consensus pick, he's supposed to be a monster. 6'7", 323.

If anyone watched the brutal NFL network coverage of the pre-draft, they saw Tyrell Davis ask him what it's like to be in NYC after growing up in a small farming town in Iowa that has a population of 129. No joke, more than 129 people live in my apartment building- and it's a small building (only 5 stories).

BIO: Four-year starter that's played 49 games with the first team at Iowa. Named All American as a senior, a first-team All-Big Ten pick the past two seasons and an academic all-conference choice every year since his sophomore campaign. Began his career at Iowa as a tight end.

POSITIVES: Big, athletic lineman with the frame to add bulk and power. Outstanding pass protector who blocks a wide base, terrific lean and easily rides rushers from their angle of attack. Bends his knees, slides laterally and a patient lineman that plays with great balance. Uses both angles and body positioning to wall defenders from the action yet blocks with a nasty attitude and wants to destroy opponents. Stuns defenders at the point with great hand jolt. Fundamentally sound and translates his classroom intelligence onto the football field.

NEGATIVES: Not quick or explosive off the snap nor is he effective on the second level. A bit thin in his lower body and though strong, not a dominant run-blocking tackle

[Jeff]

I was just about to say that Gallery may slide all the way to Detroit at #6, but the Raiders did something smart for the first time in who knows when. Nothing against any of the WRs, but they're a lot easier to find than stud left tackles.

Arizona's likely to go WR, Giants with Rivers to complete SD's way out of this mess. Redskins? Who the hell knows. Detroit likely to grab who's left between Larry Fitzgerald, Roy Williams, and Sean Taylor.

[jamison]

Word was that Al Davis loved Gallery, and wanted a kings ransom to skip over him.

Cardinals are now on the clock, with their annual butchering of yet another top 5 pick. Not sure who they are looking at. Roy Williams, WR- Texas is a possibility here.

[CyphaPSU]

Gallery is a good pick. He can play right away and he looks like a real good run blocker.

[jamison]

Anyone hear about the QB that is 6'3" and 288, Jared Lorenzen from Kentucky? They call him the Pillsbury Throwboy. Amazing.

Cardinals are looking to rebuild again with Dennis Green at coach.

[jamison]

With the first 5, and likely 10 picks in the draft, unless you are drafting a QB that you want to bring along slowly, your position players should be able to start pretty much right away. With # 2 in the draft, that guy has to be a solid starter. Gallery is that. No brainer of a pick by Oakland.

Now the Cardinals....

[Jeff]

Larry Fitzgerald, great pick, seriously. This kid is amazing. Him, Boldin, and Bryant Johnson, to go with the improving Marcel Shipp at RB, and there's a lot of potential on O in AZ.

[KDdidit]

Anyone hear about the QB that is 6'3" and 288, Jared Lorenzen from Kentucky? They call him the Pillsbury Throwboy. Amazing.

The round mound of touchdown?

[jamison]

Larry Fitzgerald (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2004/draft/players/46239.html) from Pittsburgh. 6'3", 225 and a personal friend of their coach, Dennis Green.

BIO: 2003 Big East Offensive Player of the Year, All-American and awarded the Walter Camp Player of the Year and Biletnikoff Trophy last season after catching 92/1,672/22. Started 11 games the prior year and finishing with 69/1,005/12. Set a pair of NCAA receiving records last season, including consecutive games with a touchdown catch (18) and total touchdown receptions as a freshman and sophomore (34). Also added single-season conference records for receiving yards, receptions and touchdown catches. Only player in Big East history to have two 1,000-yard receiving seasons while also setting a record with 10 100-yard receiving games. Given special exception by the NFL to enter the draft after being just two years removed from getting his high school diploma.

POSITIVES: Naturally gifted receiver with a tremendous feel for the position and outstanding skill in every area. Fluid releasing off the line, reads the defense and finds the open spot on the field. Sells pass routes, shields opponents from the action or physically beats defenders to make the reception. Comes back to the ball, consistently gets open and extends to catch the pass away from his frame. Displays tremendous concentration in all areas. Makes the acrobatic or difficult reception with regularity. Runs well laterally, adjusts for the errant pass and quick transitioning from catching the ball to running after the reception. Strong enough to beat jams at the line of scrimmage or help out as a blocker. Exposes himself to make the reception and takes a pounding yet holds on to the ball. Tracks the deep or intermediate pass and displays a tremendous sense of timing. Always on the same page as his quarterback. High character prospect well liked by coaches and teammates.

NEGATIVES: Does not get deep separation or a receiver that wins out in foot races. Lacks the quick explosive route running skills.

Let's hope this works out, if it doesn't Green will get killed for taking a friend or the family.

They are looking for Josh McCown (sp?) to be the starting QB, and this guy to be his # 1 target. With Dennis Green, you know they are going to go all out and try to get 40 points a game.


Giants are on the clock...very big pick locally. Possibility of them taking Rivers and trading for Manning.

[hangthadj]

I love the fact that the Chargers picked Eli. I hope Tomlison tackles him in the first huddle of minicamp.

[jamison]

I just wish Eli would have kept his mouth shut. He's now upset, his dad is upset, the Chargers are upset, their fans are upset....it's just a big loser situtation, which it shouldn't be with the #1 pick.

- next to last of the famous international playboys.

[jamison]

Giants take....Phillip Rivers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2004/draft/players/45539.html) from NC State. 6'5", 229.

POSITIVES: Play-making quarterback with a great feel for the position and game. Sets in the pocket with solid footwork, does a terrific job selling the ball fakes then scans the field, buying as much time as possible. Patient, in total control of the offense and makes smart decisions. Natural looking off the safety, stands strong against the rush and works hard to make positive plays. Sharp and accurate in the short game; leads receivers on crossing patters, puts zip on intermediate throws and has a great sense of timing. Knows were the receivers are on the field and puts passes where only his wide outs can make the reception. Instinctive, possesses great football intelligence and a leader in every sense of the word. Turned in a tremendous performance at the Senior Bowl after an illustrious collegiate career

NEGATIVES: Has a terrible throwing motion that is best described as awkward. Pushes the ball or whips it from the side and falls out of his throws. Looks like he's throwing a heavy ball and constantly changes his point of release. Cannot drive the deep pass and not accurate down the field.

ANALYSIS: Rivers is the type of prospect that will draw much debate and discussion leading up to and after draft day. While many criticize his mechanics and throwing fundamentals, you can not overlook his accuracy or ability to lead a team. May not be a quarterback for everyone and can only fit certain schemes, but a solid first-round selection that could quickly break into a starting lineup at the next level.