Damage
fuckface
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2007
- Messages
- 13,348
- Reaction score
- 20,956
- Points
- 135
* I want to preface by saying, position value aside, I love both of these prospects. Both are dynamic playmakers and will instantly improve both sides of the ball. For the reasons Trent will help the defense, Claiborne will help the offense.
That said
1. Morris Claiborne, CB LSU
When Honey Badger accepted his Heisman nomination, the first person he should have thanked was Claiborne.
1. He's an elite corner with saucer hands and sonar tracking ability. From a pure, technical aspect, he is the best CB prospect since Revis. Sure, Peterson & Haden may be better athletes, but they never had the coverage skills Claiborne had coming into the draft.
2. The " you don't pay 2 elite guys who play the same position" argument is ridiculous. Who cares? You pay your best starters (factoring age, ability, production), no matter the position. It's not as if we'd be paying 2 RB's starter money. You need, at the minimum, 2 CB's on the field at all times. And getting 2 elite CB's is extremely rare.
3. By having 2 elite cover corners, it allows the front 7 to be significantly more aggressive. Which, in turn, gives the offense more chances to score. It also pushes Brown to FS and Ward to SS, filling THREE holes (Ward played FS last year because Ward at FS was better than Usama Young playing anywhere). Want to see Jabaal Sheard get 10-15 sacks? Claiborne will be his best friend. Adding Claiborne to the defense will make a good, young defense that much better.
4. Also, when you compare the longevity of the CB vs. RB positions, it's not a contest. In other words, would you rather have 3-6 elite years of Trent or 7-10 elite years of Claiborne?
5. Forget the Wonderlic score. An independent study showed the 2 positions that the Wonderlic score mattered least were Tight Ends and Cornerbacks.
2. Trent Richardson, RB Alabama
1. The one thing I really like about Trent is that last year was the first time he rushed the ball more than 145 times. The wear & tear isn't nearly as significant as it typically is with elite RB's.
2. I. Love. This. Kid. Vision, speed, strength, excellent lateral movement, great catcher out of the backfield & an elite blocker. I thought he was 5'11. Being 5'9 I like him even more. Total package and, when you factor in amount of carries, running style, etc, a better back than Peterson was coming out.
3. I despise when those against Trent bring up him not playing well in the BCS game. Few facts:
A. He had knee injury that required surgery (only a meniscus tear, but you are unable to fully extend your knee).
B. They stacked the box because they had, ahem, Claiborne shutting down 1 side of the field and Badger roaming.
C. Despite that, he still had 96 yards, 4.8 YPC & a TD.
4. The offense, outside of Thomas, Mack, hopefully Little, has nothing. And the first 2 are linemen. We need playmakers & Trent is the best non-QB threat in this draft. He'll help Colt, help the WR's, help Hardesty and will keep the defense off the field.
Forget trading down for extra picks. At #4, who do you want? I am about 99% convinced that one of these guys will be a Brown next Thursday. For me, I'm leaning more towards Claiborne but it's about as close as it can get.
That said
1. Morris Claiborne, CB LSU
When Honey Badger accepted his Heisman nomination, the first person he should have thanked was Claiborne.
1. He's an elite corner with saucer hands and sonar tracking ability. From a pure, technical aspect, he is the best CB prospect since Revis. Sure, Peterson & Haden may be better athletes, but they never had the coverage skills Claiborne had coming into the draft.
2. The " you don't pay 2 elite guys who play the same position" argument is ridiculous. Who cares? You pay your best starters (factoring age, ability, production), no matter the position. It's not as if we'd be paying 2 RB's starter money. You need, at the minimum, 2 CB's on the field at all times. And getting 2 elite CB's is extremely rare.
3. By having 2 elite cover corners, it allows the front 7 to be significantly more aggressive. Which, in turn, gives the offense more chances to score. It also pushes Brown to FS and Ward to SS, filling THREE holes (Ward played FS last year because Ward at FS was better than Usama Young playing anywhere). Want to see Jabaal Sheard get 10-15 sacks? Claiborne will be his best friend. Adding Claiborne to the defense will make a good, young defense that much better.
4. Also, when you compare the longevity of the CB vs. RB positions, it's not a contest. In other words, would you rather have 3-6 elite years of Trent or 7-10 elite years of Claiborne?
5. Forget the Wonderlic score. An independent study showed the 2 positions that the Wonderlic score mattered least were Tight Ends and Cornerbacks.
2. Trent Richardson, RB Alabama
1. The one thing I really like about Trent is that last year was the first time he rushed the ball more than 145 times. The wear & tear isn't nearly as significant as it typically is with elite RB's.
2. I. Love. This. Kid. Vision, speed, strength, excellent lateral movement, great catcher out of the backfield & an elite blocker. I thought he was 5'11. Being 5'9 I like him even more. Total package and, when you factor in amount of carries, running style, etc, a better back than Peterson was coming out.
3. I despise when those against Trent bring up him not playing well in the BCS game. Few facts:
A. He had knee injury that required surgery (only a meniscus tear, but you are unable to fully extend your knee).
B. They stacked the box because they had, ahem, Claiborne shutting down 1 side of the field and Badger roaming.
C. Despite that, he still had 96 yards, 4.8 YPC & a TD.
4. The offense, outside of Thomas, Mack, hopefully Little, has nothing. And the first 2 are linemen. We need playmakers & Trent is the best non-QB threat in this draft. He'll help Colt, help the WR's, help Hardesty and will keep the defense off the field.
Forget trading down for extra picks. At #4, who do you want? I am about 99% convinced that one of these guys will be a Brown next Thursday. For me, I'm leaning more towards Claiborne but it's about as close as it can get.