Lets examine our future star. (Avery)

[moloch41]

Originally Posted by ramsanddodgers

You managed to state your case without disparaging another poster

Well, what fun is that?!?!?!?

[RamJackson39]

I just dont believe Avery was the guy to take. You've got a choice between two similar guys in Desean Jackson and Donnie Avery, and honestly I see Jackson as the player with the most upside and the one who is the most polished right now. Add in the fact that Jackson is the better returner of the two, and I'm still confused by this pick. I think there was a chance that the Rams could have gotten Jackson in the second and possibly Avery in the third. Just....it seems like a major reach to me with the second pick in the second round.

[HUbison]

Originally Posted by RJ39

You've got a choice between two similar guys in Desean Jackson and Donnie Avery

But are they really similar? A lot of reports declare two very different individuals. Jackson, a me-first mini-TO; Avery, a we-first mini-T.Holt.

If they truly are similar in every other way, those personalities differences would certainly tip the scales to Avery.

[Josh]

i just think that we made the right choice. we have no worries about off the field issues, I am willing to look past the mario manninghams of the world if there is a donnie avery that you can pick. even deshaun jaskson. i do think he has had some trouble. and we dont need any problems here. we were taking alot of stuff for not getting rid of the problem players. (wroten, Little) I think we made the right choice keeping leonard, he sure has turned things around. when It all comes down to it, I think how a player carries himself off the field, is more important than what they could possibly do on the field. I think donnie was the right pick. If these "Experts" were actually "experts" then they would be a GM of an NFL team, not just saying who the teams should Pick.

[RealRam]

Reading about DA here in the Clan has me supporting this Ram rookie for sure. I agree that he might be a Hakim type of receiver (hopefully minus fumbles).


Welcome to the Clan, Josh!

[RamJackson39]

Originally Posted by HUbison

But are they really similar? A lot of reports declare two very different individuals. Jackson, a me-first mini-TO; Avery, a we-first mini-T.Holt.

If they truly are similar in every other way, those personalities differences would certainly tip the scales to Avery.

See, I've never heard any character concerns with Jackson. But even if I had I still see him as a more explosive player and someone that could make our special teams dangerous. Dont get me wrong, I like Avery. But I believe there was a chance to get him later on.

[Nick]

Originally Posted by txramsfan

Avery has loads of talent and lots of speed, but he isn't polished by any stretch of the imagination. He's more of a Hakim type than Bruce. I watched Bruce in college and the man could run some pretty routes even then. Avery isn't the best route runner in the world but maybe that had more to do with UH coaching than anything. Evidently, at the Senior Bowl he was applauded for his route running so we'll see.

Good points! I think the immediate comparison probably does fit more with Hakim, simply because of how Avery will likely be used as the #3 guy and potentially a return man.

I think comparing this guy to Bruce right off the bat, as some writers have done in talking about the shoes he'll fill, is pretty unfair for Avery. I'd hate to come into town and instantly have a Hall of Famer put on my shoulders as a comparison!

But that being said, I think Avery has the potential to be much more than Hakim was, so in that respect I see him as eventually being a starting receiver, for a couple of reasons.

One, he has the kind of size you can work with as a starting receiver. That's something you can say about Avery that you may not be able to say about a guy like DeSean Jackson (since he was mentioned earlier).

Two, there may not be a better situation in the league right now for a rookie to come in and learn how to run good routes than in St. Louis with Al Saunders, Henry Ellard, and Torry Holt to learn from.

As you said, it sounded like he took well to coaching at the Senior Bowl and showed he could improve his route running. There really shouldn't be any excuse for him not being able to do the same thing here given his resources. Plus, he's a high character guy who likely will be pushing himself to get better as well. That's a formula that leaves me pretty excited about the pick.

[TekeRam]

Really, you haven't heard of character issues with Jackson? You didn't hear about the "smoking" issues at Cal? Or how just about every evaluation I've seen when judging his character says that he's very much in the mold of TO when it comes to his teammates. He's always been the best guy on the field(in his mind at least), and is every bit as me first diva as TO is. Which makes it all the more amusing that Philly took him. Avery on the other hand has extensive experience at the college level and comes with a team first attitude, which when Holt takes him under his wing, should hopefully pay dividends for years to come.

[DaScorpion]

Hey guys. First of all, I just want to say hello to all, as this is my first post here in the forums.

Now, to discuss Mr. Avery. First, Donnie Avery is a great friend of mine back here in Houston, TX. I've seen him play plenty of times in a UofH uniform and he was exciting to watch every game.

SPEED: He's got loads of it! Trust me when I say this. If he gets in the open field, you better watch out.

SIZE: Sure, he's not taller than I am right now, but this guy is all muscle. No joke. I'm not saying he's going to be a tackle-breaking sensation, but his quickness will do plenty to help his size, if anyone is questioning that.

CHARACTER: Donnie is humble young man and he LOVES his daughter, so I don't think he would ever put himself in a situation to put himself or his team in jeopardy.

Now, is he the best receiver? That's for only time to tell. Let's not forget how my TEXANS had a first overall pick a couple of years back, and our fans boo'd when Mario Williams was picked. I can't tell you the yammering on the radio how we should have taken Reggie Bush. I don't quite hear from those fans anymore. Now, even with that, those two players are still VERY young and anything can happen.

Point making, I think as a fan, you have to support your team no matter who they pick or not. I mean, think about it, can you imagine what the NFL would be like if the FANS were the ones who made the picks. Wow. The people upstairs know what they're doing. Besides, in my opinion, every pick is a gamble. Can we go back and look at how many first overall picks or heisman trophy winners went bust in the NFL? Seriously.

Oh yeah, and one last thing, for those fans who say he would have been available in the 3rd round, I don't think so. I can guarantee you that he would have been grabbed really soon. To be honest, I was hoping he'd still be there for us TEXANS to grab.

Closing this, Donnie Avery has made a Rams fan out of me. I'm still a TEXANS' fan and always will be, but now that I have a friend playing in the NFL, well, I'll be wearing the RAMS gear here in Houston. I just hope I don't get stoned. GO RAMS!

[Goldenfleece]

Okay, first here's my general impression of the other guys mentioned in this thread:

Devin Thomas - Seems like he has a good overall package of speed, size, skill, but he is a guy who had to work his way up from the junior college level and only had one big season.

DeSean Jackson - He's a player who is severely undersized (probably one of the smallest in the NFL), has the marijuana issue, and has a reputation of being a me-first kind of player. I probably would have had more concerns about him than most of the other receivers we might have taken there, except...

James Hardy - Character is a concern with him, and frankly he reminds me too much of Drew Bennett in terms of pros/cons. We could build a whole offense of players over 6'2" but if none of them could put space themselves and the defenders, what good would it do?

I'm quite happy with the fact that Donnie is on our team. Originally, I was thinking he'd be a great guy for us to pick up in the third, but by draft week, I wasn't really expecting him to still be there at the top of round 3. The important thing isn't where he went or whether we could have traded down. Matt Millen could testify to how hard it is to predict how receivers will turn out in the pro game, but over the last ten years or so, good receivers have never been in short supply in St. Louis...at least not until last year. Maybe the front office really does know something about scouting in that department. I think Avery will really help us out in the passing game. We hear he takes well to coaching, and he'll learning from some of the greats in Ellard and Holt.

Oh, and welcome to the Clan, DaScorpion. Next time you talk to Donnie, let him know there are a lot of Rams fans looking forward to seeing him play!

[RealRam]

Originally Posted by Goldenfleece

Oh, and welcome to the Clan, DaScorpion. Next time you talk to Donnie, let him know there are a lot of Rams fans looking forward to seeing him play!

Ditto. Thanks for visiting & your D.A. note. Do let him know about our Clan thoughts!

[UK Ramfan 83]

Props to 'Dascorpion' very well written first post, that contained bags of good ol' common sense.

Welcome!

 
...will be a new Bruce or Holt

I'd rather he was an Avery, and just did his thing. The Hakim and Bruce era is long over.

I have also read in England of all places that this guy really is a great young family guy who loves to fish in his spare time. Who also spends a ton of time with his little girl watchin 'Barney'

Pure class........especially the fishing!

Go Donnie and good luck at the camps....