The Official 2009 NFL Draft Discussion Thread

[Nick]

Saw Michael Johnson still on the board after the second round. What is everyone's thoughts on him? I would love him & I think he is a steal in the 3rd. With Little creeping up in age he would be a great DE to bring up behind him.

If Spagnuolo and company think they can motivate him and get the best out of him, he could be a great talent on this defense.

There should be a lot of value at the top of the third for the Rams.

[codeman123]

I'd love to see Gilbert, Mickens, Johnson, Sidbury or Iglesias. Can't go wrong.

[RealRam]

Soooooo glad we've got Jason Smith, OT and James Laurinaitis, LB so far!!!

For the 1st round I had been favoring Monroe at OT with Curry in the mix. To me, this combination was a fool-proof selection (now I'm more irked than envious that Curry went to the Sawks). Given his collegiate credentials, I think / I hope Jason will be an early go gotter -- as oppoesed to a late bloomer like our Barron -- and should develop well and solid into a reliable OL.

Laurinaitis, also very pleased to see him wearing the Rams horns and colors. He may have to refine some of his attributes but the coaches will probably be able to say they "achieved" their goals with a raw but talented LB like this youngster. Definitely liked this selection over the USC option.

James Laurinaitis ... good looking future LB for us!

[Richbert88]

Nice first day. Hard to miss with the #2. Nice selection at #35. Two immediate starters. Smith may not be an instant upgrade at OT, but he will be an upgrade over last season by next season. Lari helps the LBs right away because Will is the upgrade outside and Lari has his own package of skill to bring in the middle.

Now I hope we get some DLmen.

[lostsoul]

So i want Marcus Freeman, Mitch King, Jarron Gilbert, Iglesias, Johnson, Sidbury, or Mickens tommoro. Can't wait.

[C-Mob 71]

I would love to see what Spags could turn Michael Johnson into. Would be a great situational pass rusher this year and fully replaces Little next year or the year after. He has to have the most talent out of everyone left. Maybe snag RAMses Barden in the fourth. Then hopefully find some diamonds in the rough that is rounds 5-7 and make this the best draft in the history of the Rams.

[Shan the Ram Man]

I agree with you C-MOD 71.

Michael Johnson would be a great pick in 3rd. Ramses Barden might be there in the 4th.
Then some NT/DT in 5th Vaughn Martin, Western Ontario and 7th Antonio Dixon, Miami
rounds. 6th QB Brandstater.

Defence Builds Championships.
Have to build that D-line

[RealRam]

1st round -- 1st pick: a rookie from head to toes. $40+ MILLION, GUARANTEED!?!

[A-Web]

Here we go!

[A-Web]

I have heard the reference, and in all my years of football playing and watching, I am unaware of a specific termenology.

What is the reference to 3-technique, or 5-technique etc...

What are these referring to?

[memphisballer]

I have heard the reference, and in all my years of football playing and watching, I am unaware of a specific termenology.

What is the reference to 3-technique, or 5-technique etc...

What are these referring to?

Its how the D lineman lines up in relation to the O linemen. Kind of like the defenses version of gaps. When I played a 0 technique would be lined up directly across the center. A 1 is the gap between the center and guard, 3 is between guard and tackle and 5 is outside the tackle.

[A-Web]

Thank you. I appreciate the reply on that. I think I may have at some point heard that reference now that you say that, but it definitely slipped my mind the past few weeks.

[Irishrover40]

I have to out today (Why today?????? darn it!!!) and I've been in the shower. I heard who we took @ #66 but it these two still on the board???

Juaquin Iglesias, WR, Oklahoma or Ramses Barden, WR, Cal Poly

You think they'll still be there for #99 pick????? What say you

[general counsel]

News Flash! We are not going to address every need we have in this draft in a way that fixes all of our problems. Guess why? We have WAY too many holes. It didnt get this broken in one year and it wont get fixed in one year. All we can hope for is progress in addressing our needs and getting the best players available. Like it or not, we are very close to building from the ground up, especially when you consider that the new regime has its own views on the kinds of players that it wants. Even addressing positional needs in later rounds is no assurance that those guys will help us because the reality is that later round guys are longshots to be productive for every team, not just us.

Ramming speed to all

general counsel

[RamsFanSam]

You mean that we, as fans, don't know as much about the team needs as the professionals in the organization do? What a concept!

Seriously, there is a reason that Devaney, Spags, and the rest of the staff get paychecks...and part of that reason is that they are there to make these decisions, and if they are successful, they will have jobs for a long time. If they fail, well, they will join a long list of others who can be compared to Al Davis.
I know for a fact that there are fans who want a certain player who turns out to be a stud for another team after we pass on them, but one fact remains: Would said player FIT our team, or would they be like Bettis and fit a different team much better?