2011 NFL Draft; Which Teams Were Winners and Which Were Losers?
The 2011 NFL Draft has finally come! With teams making desperate switches to fill needs and adding players they so desperately need to their ball clubs, the draft is once again a success. Forget about the lockout for now. Let's recap the first round of the draft.
Winners: Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons took a huge gamble by trading up 21 picks to steal top receiver Julio Jones, and even though they gave away 5 picks (2 in the first round), it will still help. Atlanta finished 13-3 last year, but their only problem was completing the long bomb. That's why they took Jones.
He will give Matt Ryan a great target to hit deep next year, something Atlanta needs. If they meet Green Bay in the playoffs next year (who went long a lot), the Falcons will be ready. I like this pick and I think Julio Jones and Atlanta will click. Jones will make an immediate impact on Atlanta.
Losers: Tennessee Titans
I always love to see a quarterback get picked, but this type of pick wasn't right for Tennessee. I think Jake Locker is a great quarterback, but with Blaine Gabbert still on the board, he shouldn't get picked. Locker is athletic, and a little like Vince Young with the running, but that isn't what Tennessee needs.
Young was a good runner, but the Titans only had 1 year of success under Young, and that was 2007. With Vince gone, Tennessee should have tried to look for a quarterback with a different style, because Locker and Young have similar styles (on the run a lot). Tennessee needs a new QB, but they need one who can remember patterns and make smart throws and decisions, like Blaine Gabbert. Even Christian Ponder could have been taken. But Locker, well, late first round would have been right for him.
Winners: New Orleans Saints
Mark Ingram won the Heisman and Cameron Jordan was one of the only bright spots at Cal. The Saints had 2 first round picks, and they chose Jordan and Ingram. The Saints chose very wisely. Mark Ingram is a bruising running back that won the Heisman in 2009 by powering over people and breaking tackles. Ingram is the perfect fit for a Saints team that needs a running back who can stay healthy.
As for Jordan, he is athletic, he has great hands, and a knack for the quarterback and running back; whichever has the ball. The Saints are getting old on defense, and a defensive end who can get sacks is exactly what they need. New Orleans is one of the biggest draft winners. Saints fans need to forget about the loss to Seattle, because this future looks bright.
Losers: San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are loaded with talent, enough to go all the way to the Super Bowl, and win. Almost every aspect of their game looks good. First, they needed a coach who could put that all together, like Jim Harbaugh. Next, they needed a quarterback who can make smart decisions. Blaine Gabbert, Andy Dalton, Christian Ponder, Ryan Mallett, any quarterback. Even Jake Locker would have worked out. But Aldon Smith?
Don't get me wrong, Smith is a great player. But he isn't as physical on defense, and he definitely doesn't fit their need on offense. If Smith is a bust, this pick will haunt San Francisco for a long time. Alex Smith, Troy Smith, Shaun Hill, J.T O'Sullivan, etc. They are all busts, but Blaine Gabbert had the ability to be a star in San Francisco, and they passed on him. Aldon Smith needs to become the next Patrick Willis for this pick to pay off.
Winners: Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville had the 16th pick, but they still had the best pick in the draft. How? They traded up with Washington, grabbing the 10th pick and snatching Blaine Gabbert before Houston or Minnesota could. San Francisco and Tennessee ended up losers when they passed on Gabbert, and Jacksonville picking Gabbert makes them a winner.
Gabbert is smart, has a great memory and makes good decisions. David Garrard isn't as good as Gabbert, and after Gabbert learns the offense, he will fit in quickly and turn the team around. A quarterback who makes smart decisions is exactly what the Cardinals, Niners, Titans, and Jaguars needed. Arizona, San Francisco and Tennessee picked and passed, but Jacksonville made the smart play.
Losers: Arizona Cardinals
Blaine Gabbert makes Arizona a loser, because he was available, he was exactly what the Cardinals needed, and Arizona passed. I know that Blaine Gabbert has greatly impacted the Top 10, and not picking him was a huge mistake. Patrick Peterson is an amazing player, and I know Ken Whisenhunt and the Cards pick the top guy available, but this wasn't a good time to do that.
Peterson is very athletic, and can grab interceptions and return punts for touchdowns. But Arizona went 5-11, and they had to go to John Skelton, Max Hall, and Derek Anderson during the year. Blaine Gabbert could have lasted 16 games and developed into the new Kurt Warner in Arizona, but it will be Jacksonville basking in glory now. I think I've stated the impact Gabbert will make quite enough.
Losers:
Winners: Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons took a huge gamble by trading up 21 picks to steal top receiver Julio Jones, and even though they gave away 5 picks (2 in the first round), it will still help. Atlanta finished 13-3 last year, but their only problem was completing the long bomb. That's why they took Jones.
He will give Matt Ryan a great target to hit deep next year, something Atlanta needs. If they meet Green Bay in the playoffs next year (who went long a lot), the Falcons will be ready. I like this pick and I think Julio Jones and Atlanta will click. Jones will make an immediate impact on Atlanta.
Losers: Tennessee Titans
I always love to see a quarterback get picked, but this type of pick wasn't right for Tennessee. I think Jake Locker is a great quarterback, but with Blaine Gabbert still on the board, he shouldn't get picked. Locker is athletic, and a little like Vince Young with the running, but that isn't what Tennessee needs.
Young was a good runner, but the Titans only had 1 year of success under Young, and that was 2007. With Vince gone, Tennessee should have tried to look for a quarterback with a different style, because Locker and Young have similar styles (on the run a lot). Tennessee needs a new QB, but they need one who can remember patterns and make smart throws and decisions, like Blaine Gabbert. Even Christian Ponder could have been taken. But Locker, well, late first round would have been right for him.
Winners: New Orleans Saints
Mark Ingram won the Heisman and Cameron Jordan was one of the only bright spots at Cal. The Saints had 2 first round picks, and they chose Jordan and Ingram. The Saints chose very wisely. Mark Ingram is a bruising running back that won the Heisman in 2009 by powering over people and breaking tackles. Ingram is the perfect fit for a Saints team that needs a running back who can stay healthy.
As for Jordan, he is athletic, he has great hands, and a knack for the quarterback and running back; whichever has the ball. The Saints are getting old on defense, and a defensive end who can get sacks is exactly what they need. New Orleans is one of the biggest draft winners. Saints fans need to forget about the loss to Seattle, because this future looks bright.
Losers: San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are loaded with talent, enough to go all the way to the Super Bowl, and win. Almost every aspect of their game looks good. First, they needed a coach who could put that all together, like Jim Harbaugh. Next, they needed a quarterback who can make smart decisions. Blaine Gabbert, Andy Dalton, Christian Ponder, Ryan Mallett, any quarterback. Even Jake Locker would have worked out. But Aldon Smith?
Don't get me wrong, Smith is a great player. But he isn't as physical on defense, and he definitely doesn't fit their need on offense. If Smith is a bust, this pick will haunt San Francisco for a long time. Alex Smith, Troy Smith, Shaun Hill, J.T O'Sullivan, etc. They are all busts, but Blaine Gabbert had the ability to be a star in San Francisco, and they passed on him. Aldon Smith needs to become the next Patrick Willis for this pick to pay off.
Winners: Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville had the 16th pick, but they still had the best pick in the draft. How? They traded up with Washington, grabbing the 10th pick and snatching Blaine Gabbert before Houston or Minnesota could. San Francisco and Tennessee ended up losers when they passed on Gabbert, and Jacksonville picking Gabbert makes them a winner.
Gabbert is smart, has a great memory and makes good decisions. David Garrard isn't as good as Gabbert, and after Gabbert learns the offense, he will fit in quickly and turn the team around. A quarterback who makes smart decisions is exactly what the Cardinals, Niners, Titans, and Jaguars needed. Arizona, San Francisco and Tennessee picked and passed, but Jacksonville made the smart play.
Losers: Arizona Cardinals
Blaine Gabbert makes Arizona a loser, because he was available, he was exactly what the Cardinals needed, and Arizona passed. I know that Blaine Gabbert has greatly impacted the Top 10, and not picking him was a huge mistake. Patrick Peterson is an amazing player, and I know Ken Whisenhunt and the Cards pick the top guy available, but this wasn't a good time to do that.
Peterson is very athletic, and can grab interceptions and return punts for touchdowns. But Arizona went 5-11, and they had to go to John Skelton, Max Hall, and Derek Anderson during the year. Blaine Gabbert could have lasted 16 games and developed into the new Kurt Warner in Arizona, but it will be Jacksonville basking in glory now. I think I've stated the impact Gabbert will make quite enough.
Losers:
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