mi_keys
  • mi_keys
  • Senior Member Topic Starter
13 years ago
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/09000d5d81fb1de5/article/handful-of-plays-could-have-wreaked-havoc-on-2011-draft?module=HP_spotlight 

Again we see it's popular to point out how close the Packers were to missing the playoffs while completely ignoring the fact that Chicago was that controversial Calvin Johnson no touchdown ruling away from finishing 8th in the NFC behind Tampa Bay on conference record. You would think a jump from 29 to 19 or 20 should have made this list, especially when one of their plays was really two blowouts (probably around 200 plays). Anyway, it was an interesting look at a couple major plays from last year.

Handful of plays could have wreaked havoc on 2011 draft
By Elliot Harrison

What if one or two plays last season had gone differently? How would those snaps affect the drama of last weekend, when the Falcons and Browns engineered a blockbuster trade while the Titans pulled off the Jake Shocker? What are the plays and games that altered the draft to the point that it would've shaken up the whole kit and kaboodle?

While all the draft grades are being tallied, we thought it might be cool to take one last look at the season through the prism of the 2011 draft.

You won't find the Calvin Johnson play on the list. Not enough draft impact. Ditto Marshawn Lynch's historic jaunt, although it was enough to make Vince Lombardi shout "Grab! Grab! Grab! Nobody tacklin'!"

Below is a not-so-definitive list from this humble writer's brain. Your thoughts are welcome.

Steve not-so-wonderful
If the Bills' Steve Johnson catches a bomb to deep-six the Steelers in Week 12 (which he didn't), there are a lot changes for Ralph Wilson's boys. Buffalo goes 5-11, dropping them from the third to the sixth spot in the draft. Marcell Dareus likely would not make it that deep without being swiped off the board.

So would Chan Gailey have rolled the dice on Blaine Gabbert (or another quarterback) instead? Taking one of the quarterbacks early would've possibly affected the Redskins' ability to trade, the Titans' and Vikings' situations, as well as the Jaguars opting for camp competition for David Garrard.

Cold Brees
What Drew Brees did to the Bengals in Week 13 was stone cold. Down three, and facing fourth-and-2 from the Cincinnati 7-yard line, the Saints' quarterback did everything he could to make the defense think he was really going to call a play ... and not take the chip-shot field goal. Defensive tackle Pat Sims bought the mustard, Saints got a new set of downs, and New Orleans' win was Big Easy.

If the Bengals took that game, they would have dropped from the fourth slot to sixth. Does A.J. Green make it past Arizona (possibly) and Cleveland (no)?

Whether 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh secretly preferred Andy Dalton over Colin Kaepernick, we'll never know. But if he did, the best redhead since Sonny Jurgensen and Prince William wouldn't have been sitting there when Cincinnati picked in the second round.

What can Browns do for you?
Cleveland's manhandling of the Patriots and Saints were two of the bigger upsets of the season, personified by a middle-age linebacker (David Bowens) picking a ball off of a Saints player's butt and taking it to the house in Week 7.

If the Browns don't pull off those shockers, Mike Holmgren finishes 3-13 and gets the second overall pick, and Cleveland would've been stuck with little maneuverability to pull off their monster trade with the Falcons.

Interesting enough, Sports Illustrated's Peter King recently reported that A.J. Green was the top player on Holmgren's board. Nabbing Green would have forced Cincinnati to go in a different direction, such as taking Gabbert or even Julio Jones (who Atlanta clearly coveted).

No pick-six, no Pick 32
Packers fans will defend their team to the nth degree no matter what, but it's hard to argue that Detroit didn't give the cheeseheads all they could handle last season. During Week 4, the Aaron Rodgers-led offense struggled in the second half vs. the upstart Lions, but thanks to a clutch defensive play, they could afford to.

Charles Woodson kicked off the second half with a pick-six that would prove to be the deciding points. The narrow 28-26 Packers victory was the difference between sitting at home for the playoffs and eventually making a Super Bowl run.

It also was the difference between picking 32nd and 19th. Would Ted Thompson have taken a five-technique end, like Cameron Jordan, at 19? Or Mark Ingram, whom they coveted at 32 but was taken by the Saints four picks ahead of them?

A Christmas story
The Cowboys' ill-fated comeback on Christmas night -- led by third-string quarterback Stephen McGee -- has to make the list. Kicker David Buehler's missed extra point left Dallas with a precarious two-point lead that ultimately cost them the game.

A Cardinals loss would have put them at 4-12, and with tiebreakers, in the two-hole behind Carolina. Would Ken Whisenhunt have spent that high of a pick on a corner, like he did with Patrick Peterson at five? If not, maybe Carson Palmer would have been throwing to Green after all, except out in the desert instead of Cincinnati.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys would've plummeted five spots from ninth to 14th. Detroit would have likely taken Tyron Smith, or forced Dallas to trade up to get their man.

Elliot Harrison is the research analyst for NFL RedZone on NFL Network.


Born and bred a cheesehead
Rockmolder
13 years ago
So, if close football games would've had a different outcome, draft picks would've changed? I wish I could get paid to write stuff like that.
mi_keys
  • mi_keys
  • Senior Member Topic Starter
13 years ago

So, if close football games would've had a different outcome, draft picks would've changed? I wish I could get paid to write stuff like that.

"Rockmolder" wrote:



I feel that way about 97% of the articles written about sports.
Born and bred a cheesehead
Dexter_Sinister
13 years ago
The Bears gift when Johnson was robbed moved them back a bit. They would have missed the playoffs completely.
I want to go out like my Grandpa did. Peacefully in his sleep.
Not screaming in terror like his passengers.
wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member
13 years ago
Meh. There are a slew of alternate reality books on just about every subject. Who cares? In the end GB is STILL THE SB CHAMPS! they picked 32nd. And that is all that really matters.
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Pack93z
13 years ago
If Nate Wright can keep his feet... our neighbors to the west might have boasted at least one Lombardi.. instead he trips himself and the rest is history.

Point is.. should of... would of is a story of regret and of someone that didn't finish first. Pointless to look backwards in life unless it is applied forward.. and an article such as this offers little to be learned and applied forward.




If you want to believe a purple biased account >>>>> Drew Pearson finally admitted to former Viking RB Chuck Foreman (who played in the game) that he did indeed intentionally commit offensive pass interference against Nate Wright. This does serve as a form of redemption, but it is too little, too late, and certainly not forgiven.

"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
Pack93z
13 years ago
This just in.. the game of football is a game of literal inches.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
Methodikal
13 years ago
Handful of injuries could have been havoc as well.
Something funny.
UserPostedImage
Pack93z
13 years ago
UserPostedImage



UserPostedImage

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UserPostedImage
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
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