Perfect Example of the Folly of Draft "Reports"

[AvengerRam]

In a recent column, well-respected NFL writer Peter King insisted that Browns' GM Tom Heckert wants to draft Justin Blackmon.

Heckert was confronted with this "report" in a press conference.

His response:

“I haven’t talked to Peter King in years,” Heckert exclaimed. “Everyone says stuff [about the draft] that they do not know — it’s their best guess.”

So remember...

For the next week, where there's smoke, there's either a fire, or a smokescreen.

[berg8309]

...or a journalist who just wants to make waves so people read his/her article.

[r8rh8rmike]

Speaking of the Browns and Heckert, weren't they the ones who downplayed the reported trade talks with the Rams by saying there was no serious discussion and that the speculation was "crazy"? Then added that they were not down on McCoy? Then ultimately cried like babies when the Rams didn't take their deal?

While the press runs wild with anything they hear, teams are adding to the madness by throwing as much misdirection into the mix as possible in an effort to cloud and manipulate the situation.

With a week to go before the draft, you can't rely on anything you hear, from anybody.

[AvengerRam]

We also, of course, get the "battle of the experts" scenario, such as this one:

Jason La Canfora

I'm looking at the St. Louis Rams, who possess the sixth overall pick, as one of the teams that could throw a major curveball. Conventional wisdom has them taking Richardson, who coach Jeff Fisher has gushed about, Claiborne or a wide receiver. But look back on Fisher's time in Tennessee. Few teams loaded up on more defensive linemen than Fisher's Titans. Richardson is special, but the Rams still have Steven Jackson. Plus, we're in an age of devaluing running backs and they abound in the middle rounds and late stages of free agency. Claiborne is special ... but the Rams just gave Cortland Finnegan $33 million over the next three years. And sure, they need weapons for Sam Bradford, but this draft is deepest at wide receiver -- the Rams can find a starting wideout at the top of the second round.
What you won't find outside of the top of the draft is a game-changing interior defensive lineman. And it says here Fletcher Cox is the guy for the Rams. The Mississippi State defensive tackle is exactly the kind of guy Jim Washburn, Fisher's longtime defensive line coach in Tennessee, would covet. (And I'm convinced that if the Philadelphia Eagles, Washburn's current employer, did trade up, it would be for Cox.) In fact, I could see a scenario where the Jacksonville Jaguars, picking seventh and sorely in need of a wide receiver, have their pick of Justin Blackmon and Michael Floyd. (According to sources, they'd lean toward Blackmon.)

Interesting. So what do you think about that, Jim Thomas (from his 4/17 chat):

Armen:“If Richardson, Claiborne and Kalil are gone, and the Rams don't trade down,what % chance that the Rams pass on Blackmon?”

JThomas:“Can’t see that happening.”

Hmmm... Sounds like Jason and Jim need to go a few rounds.

[berg8309]

Mr. Canfora doesn't mention if the WRs to be found at the top of round 2 are game-changers or simply good depth WRs. We need a #1 WR, not a few more #2-3 WRs. Also, with Long and Quinn, I'm not convinced we need a "game-changing" DT, I think we could make do with one that just doesn't suck, and maybe is even good. What we do need though is a game-changing WR.

I thought this draft was supposed to be deep at DT, I'll bet we can get what need from a DT in round 2 pretty easily.

[AtlantaRamFan]

I think if you wanted to drum up trade interest in Blackmon via the Rams or Jags you would do a little more to neither confirm nor deny said reports. As far as the last report, yeah you really can't believe what GM's say, but what was he suppose to say? "Yeah we're not sure about Colt so we're going to try to find someone better"

Should be interesting to see how these reports compare to the draft, but if the Browns GM is trying to smokescreen he's pretty bad at it.

[shower beers]

Speaking of the Browns and Heckert, weren't they the ones who downplayed the reported trade talks with the Rams by saying there was no serious discussion and that the speculation was "crazy"? Then added that they were not down on McCoy? Then ultimately cried like babies when the Rams didn't take their deal?

While the press runs wild with anything they hear, teams are adding to the madness by throwing as much misdirection into the mix as possible in an effort to cloud and manipulate the situation.

With a week to go before the draft, you can't rely on anything you hear, from anybody.

Interesting you would say such a thing, r8rh8rmike, if that's your real name?!

[r8rh8rmike]

Interesting you would say such a thing, r8rh8rmike, if that's your real name?!

Actually, my name is Sam, I'm from Oakland, and I love the Raiders.

[berg8309]

Actually, my name is Sam, I'm from Oakland, and I love the Raiders.

Oakland? Or Oklahoma?? Nice slip, Sam Bradford! I knew it was you all along, here to feed us mis-information on the Rams draft plans.

[r8rh8rmike]

Oakland? Or Oklahoma?? Nice slip, Sam Bradford! I knew it was you all along, here to feed us mis-information on the Rams draft plans.

As Rick Perry would say, oops.

[AvengerRam]

And here I always though your real name was Raymond "Ray" DerHatermyke.

[berg8309]

And here I always though your real name was Raymond "Ray" DerHatermyke.

Is there a way to double like? That made me laugh pretty hard.

[HUbison]

And here I always though your real name was Raymond "Ray" DerHatermyke.

Of the California DerHatermykes? I went to school with some DerHatermykes; might be cousins.

[r8rh8rmike]

Man, nothin' gets by this crowd!