Another draft is now behind us and there are annual questions that follow. Who is that guy? Why this guy? What do you think? All reasonable. This year’s draft was no different, other than that the Rams went the safe route in their picks.
The Rams wanted hard-working, little-known players with good character who will hopefully turn things around and do it quickly. The Rams needed some guys who were not going to be a problem, on or off the field. Been there, done that. It seems there has been a pattern, no matter who is the coach. For Bill Devaney, the Rams’ personnel director, this was not going to be how his watch was going to start.
That’s a pretty good approach. But can they really play at the next level?
Effort should not be an issue here. After all, you do not stumble and lollygag to the NFL. As one former coach once said after seeing a collection of hard workers who were not able to get the job done on the field, “I get a truck driver to try, I need players who can play.”
That’s where the Rams are, starting with Chris Long, their first pick. Hard worker, gives maximum effort and all that. But when making comparisons to players in the NFL, the name Grant Wistrom comes up.
OK, lets see now. Grant was faster than Long and bigger. He also had a high motor and, when it was over, Wistrom was a serviceable player who sometimes could get overpowered. In short, Long as some work to do to get to the level of Grant Wistrom.
Do you take a guy second overall to be serviceable?
Chris Long was a safe pick. Everyone liked him. He said and did all the right things leading up to the draft. That is exactly what the Rams wanted, a drama-free draft choice. Congratulations, they got one.
Now can he really play at this level or will there be excuses made for him like last year’s second-round draft pick Brian Leonard? The answer will not come immediately on any of these players. We need to give this draft time to see just what did the Rams get in 2008.
As for how the draft is viewed and reviewed by the so-called draft experts, I have learned one thing: most of them have no idea on what they are talking about. It has become a combination gossip fest, emotional roller coaster and who can sound most convincing when it comes to throwing around numbers and opinions.
Ever noticed that many never admit when they may be wrong when the player they project to pick is not taken? Never is there ever an alternative explanation on why a team might go in a different direction? Ever hear from these people about their second through fifth round choices and where those players were projected to go?
Folks, this thing is purely subjective. Problem is, the experts are not willing to admit it. They are too dumb to understand that no one is wrong on draft day. A difference in opinion and philosophy is in play here, and with that you have disagreement. No one knows if any of these guys can play on draft day. The Rams have all the hope they can use. Now they hope that these players they drafted can play well enough that they do not draft in the top five again next year.